Mary Queen of Arkansas

Bruce Springsteen

About Mary Queen of Arkansas

"Mary Queen of Arkansas" is a song by Bruce Springsteen from the album Greetings from Asbury Park, N. J., released in 1973. Springsteen played "Mary Queen of Arkansas" at his audition for John H. Hammond at CBS Records, who signed him to his first record contract on May 2, 1972, although Hammond was less impressed with this song than with "It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City" or with "Growin' Up". The day after signing the contract, Springsteen recorded "Mary Queen of Arkansas" as part of a 12-song demo for Hammond. The demo version of the song was released on Tracks in 1998. 


Year:
2014
5:21
84 

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Mary queen of Arkansas, it's not too early for dreamin'
The sky is grown with cloud seed sown and a bastard's love can be redeeming
Mary, my queen, your soft hulk is reviving
No, you're not too late to desecrate, the servants are just rising

Well, I'm just a lonely acrobat, the live wire is my trade
I've been a shine boy for your acid brat and a wharf rat of your state
Mary, my queen, your blows for freedom are missing
You're not man enough for me to hate or woman enough for kissing

The big top is for dreamers, we can take the circus all the way to the border
And the gallows wait for martyrs whose papers are in order
But I was not born to live to die, and you were not born for queenin'
It's not to late to infiltrate, the servants are just leavin'

Mary queen of Arkansas, your white skin is deceivin'
You wake and wait to lie in bait and you almost got me believin'
But on your bed, Mary, I can see the shadow of a noose
I don't understand how you can hold me so tight and love me so damn loose

But I know a place where we can go, Mary
Where I can get a good job and start all over again clean
I got contacts deep in Mexico where the servants have been seen

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949), nicknamed "The Boss", is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who records and tours with the E Street Band. Springsteen is widely known for his brand of heartland rock, poetic lyrics, Americana sentiments centered on his native New Jersey and his lengthy and energetic stage performances, with concerts from the 1970s to the present decade running up to an uninterrupted 250 minutes in length. more »

22 fans

Written by: Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Release
"Mary Queen of Arkansas" is a song written and performed by American musician Bruce Springsteen. It was officially released on August 25, 1972.
Album Appearance
The song appeared on Springsteen's debut album, "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.," which was released in 1973.
Demo Recordings
"Mary Queen of Arkansas" was one of the demo songs that Springsteen initially recorded for manager-producer Mike Appel in 1972, which led Appel to successfully pitch Springsteen to Columbia Records.
Unique Style
Unlike many of Springsteen's other popular songs, "Mary Queen of Arkansas" is a slow, quiet acoustic ballad. It has been praised for showcasing the young Springsteen's raw poetic lyricism.
Lyrics Theme
The song is about a drag queen in Arkansas. The lyrics can be interpreted as portraying a relationship that does not conform to societal norms, a recurring theme in Springsteen’s music.
First Recorded Performance
The first known recorded performance of "Mary Queen of Arkansas" was at a New York City radio station, WBCN, just prior to his debut album's release.
Live Performances
"Mary Queen of Arkansas" is not frequently performed live by Springsteen. According to Brucebase, an online database of Springsteen's performances, the song has been played less than twenty times since its debut.
Song Reception
Critical reception to the song has been somewhat mixed. Some critics feel the song, while showcasing Springsteen's talent for storytelling, lacks the engaging and energetic sound of his later hits.
Influence
Springsteen's melody and chord structure for "Mary Queen of Arkansas" are believed to have been influenced by earlier folk artists like Bob Dylan.
Preservation
Despite mixed reviews, "Mary Queen of Arkansas" and the rest of Springsteen's debut album remain an important piece of his music legacy. "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J." was included in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Discuss the Mary Queen of Arkansas Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Mary Queen of Arkansas Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/31323542/Bruce+Springsteen/Mary+Queen+of+Arkansas>.

    Missing lyrics by Bruce Springsteen?

    Know any other songs by Bruce Springsteen? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Mary Queen of Arkansas

    51,812
    237     20

    more tracks from the album

    The Album Collection:1973-1984, Vol. 1

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Who sings the Nigerian song "Water no get enemy"?
    A Burna Boy
    B Fela Kuti
    C Olamide
    D Lucky Dube

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Bruce Springsteen tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!