Does This Bus Stop At 82nd Street?

Bruce Springsteen

About Does This Bus Stop At 82nd Street?

"Does This Bus Stop At 82nd Street?" is a song by Bruce Springsteen from the album Greetings from Asbury Park, N. J., released in 1973. The song was part of the demo that Springsteen recorded for John Hammond of CBS Records in advance of getting his first recording contract. This demo version was released on Tracks in 1998. The song is loosely based on a bus ride Springsteen once took to visit a girlfriend in uptown Manhattan. As a result, the song is basically set in Spanish Harlem, although it contains some anomalous references, such as to actress Joan Fontaine. The characters are more thinly sketched than in other songs on Greetings from Asbury Park, N. J., but the song does contain the incongruous rhyming of other Springsteen songs of the period and is full of good humor. Springsteen only rarely plays "Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?" in concert, but when he does it is usually enjoyed by the fans. 


Year:
2015
5:24
21 

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Hey bus driver, keep the change
Bless your children, give them names
Don't trust men who walk with canes
Drink this and you'll grow wings on your feet
Broadway Mary, Joan Fontaine
Advertiser on a downtown train
Christmas crier bustin' cane
He's in love again

Where dock worker's dreams mix with panther's schemes
To someday own the rodeo
Tainted women in VistaVision
Perform for out-of-state kids at the late show

Wizard imps and sweat sock pimps
Interstellar mongrel nymphs
Rex said that lady left him limp
Love's like that (sure it is)
Queen of diamonds, ace of spades
Newly discovered lovers of the Everglades
They take out a full-page ad in the trades
To announce their arrival
And Mary Lou, she found out how to cope
She rides to heaven on a gyroscope
The Daily News asks her for the dope
She said, "Man, the dope's that there's still hope"

Senorita, Spanish rose
Wipes her eyes and blows her nose
Uptown in Harlem she throws a rose
To some lucky young matador

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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

Album Details
"Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, from his debut studio album "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J." which was released in January 1973.
Songwriting
This song is one of the earliest written by Springsteen, showing his initial attempts at creating narrative, character-driven lyrics intertwined with his own personal experiences.
Production and Recording
The song was produced by Mike Appel and Jim Cretecos, who were Springsteen's primary collaborators and producers in his early career. - It was recorded at 914 Sound Studios, New York, as were the rest of the songs from the "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J." album.
Song Inspiration
It is said that the song was inspired by a short encounter Springsteen had with a bus driver while trying to find his way to a rehearsal.
Musical Style
"Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?" is characterized by a fast-paced, flowing musical style, with bold piano and lead guitar alternating throughout the song.
Unique Feature
Unlike most of Springsteen's songs, this one does not have a chorus. This reflects an early stage in his songwriting style.
Live Performances
Though the song was not a commercial hit, it remained a part of Springsteen's live performances throughout the 70s and was included in many of his set lists.
Critical Reception
This song was generally well received by critics, even if it wasn't commercially successful. It was praised for its interesting lyrical narrative and catchy, upbeat music.
Song Interpretation
The song's lyrics paint a picture of various characters, each going about their own journey. The storyline can be interpreted as an analogy of Springsteen’s journey to success as a global music icon.
Notable Cover Version
A live cover version of "Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?" was recorded by Holly Williams for her album, "Here with Me."

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