The Promised Land

Bruce Springsteen

About The Promised Land

"The Promised Land" is a song by Bruce Springsteen from his 1978 album Darkness on the Edge of Town. It was released as a single in Europe, backed by another song from Darkness on the Edge of Town, "Streets of Fire", the third single from the album after "Badlands" and "Prove It All Night". "The Promised Land" was also included on the compilation album The Essential Bruce Springsteen. The song has been a staple of Springsteen's live shows since 1978, and has been included on several concert albums and videos. The live album Live/1975–85 includes a 1985 performance of "The Promised Land" from a concert in Los Angeles, California. A performance of the song from a 2003 concert in Barcelona is included on the Live in Barcelona video. A June 28, 2009 live performance in London from the Working on a Dream Tour was included on the London Calling: Live in Hyde Park DVD. The box set The Promise contains video of three live performances of "The Promised Land", a 2009 performance from the Paramount Theater in Asbury Park, New Jersey, without an audience, a 1978 performance from a concert in Phoenix, Arizona, and another 1978 performance from a concert in Houston, Texas. Darren Hanlon covered "The Promised Land" on Play Some Pool, Skip Some School, Act Real Cool. Eddie Vedder has also covered this song live. 


Year:
2017
16 
#1

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On a rattlesnake speedway in the Utah desert
I pick up my money and head back into town
Driving 'cross the Waynesboro county line
I got the radio on and I'm just killing time
Working all day in my daddy's garage
Driving all night chasing some mirage
Pretty soon little girl I'm gonna take charge

The dogs on Main Street howl
'Cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land

I've done my best to live the right way
I get up every morning and go to work each day
But your eyes go blind and your blood runs cold
Sometimes I feel so weak I just want to explode
Explode and tear this whole town apart
Take a knife and cut this pain from my heart
Find somebody itching for something to start

The dogs on Main Street howl
'Cause they understand
If I could wrench one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land

Well there's a dark cloud rising from the desert floor
I packed my bags and I'm heading straight into the storm
Gonna be a twister to blow everything down
That ain't got the faith to stand its ground
Blow away the dreams that tear you apart
Blow away the dreams that break your heart
Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted

The dogs on Main Street howl
'Cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land

And I believe in a promised land
And I believe in a promised land

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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


8 facts about this song

Album Record
"The Promised Land" is a track on Bruce Springsteen's 1978 album "Darkness on the Edge of Town". This was his fourth studio album.
Themes & Inspiration
The lyrics were inspired by the struggles and hardships Springsteen was dealing with at the time he wrote it: the frustrations of the working class, the American dream, self-doubt, and the desire for personal growth and satisfaction. - The song referred to the "Promised Land", drawing parallels to the Israelites' journey from slavery to the Promised Land in the Hebrew Bible.
Cultural Impact
The song has been a staple of Springsteen's live performances. It developed into sort of a symbol for the power of positive thinking and the relentless human spirit.
Musical Style
Characterized by its upbeat tempo and major-key tonality, contrasted with its poignant, introspective lyrics, creating a somber but hopeful ambiance in "The Promised Land".
Accolades & Popularity
Though not released as a single, "The promised land" is frequently ranked among Springsteen's greatest songs by fans and critics alike. - It is considered an anthem of resilience and determination.
Live Performances
The song frequently features in Bruce Springsteen's live concerts and has been included in many of his concert DVDs. - It was also performed on television for the 2009 Super Bowl halftime show.
Cover Versions
Other artists including Emmylou Harris, John Wesley Harding, and Dar Williams have covered "The Promised Land".
In Literature
The song has inspired some literature including David Masciotra's 2010 book, "Working On a Dream: The Progressive Political Vision of Bruce Springsteen" which analyses the song as a statement on the American Dream.

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