Backstreets

"Backstreets" is a song by Bruce Springsteen from the album Born to Run, which was released in 1975. In the original vinyl release, it concludes side one of the record. "Backstreets" begins with a minute-long instrumental introduction that features pianist Roy Bittan and organist Danny Federici, with only occasional traces of any other instruments being heard. In his review of Born to Run for Rolling Stone, writer Greil Marcus said: "Backstreets" ... begins with music so stately, so heartbreaking, that it might be the prelude to a rock & roll version of The Iliad. The song deals with the relationship between two friends: the narrator and Terry. They are forced to hide their love for each other from others and "hide on the backstreets". In the end, the relationship falls apart. Terry leaves with another man leaving the narrator alone and full of rage, love and sadness. The gender of the character of "Terry" has long been debated among Springsteen fans. The name Terry can refer to either a male or a female. Proponents of the theory that Terry is male point out that the characters may be "hiding on the backstreets" in order to conceal their homosexuality. Or the song may merely be describing an intense male friendship with no other overtones. Those who believe that Terry is female cite Springsteen's own sexuality as well as the extended "Sad Eyes" performances of the song in which Terry is referred to as female by Springsteen himself. During the 1978 Darkness Tour, Springsteen would often add a semi-improvised interlude in between the final chorus and the outro. It usually involved Springsteen singing solo accompanied by the piano. The other instruments would then join in as the interlude built to a climax. It elaborated on the story of the protagonist and Terry. It differed from performance to performance but frequently involved the protagonist reminiscing about a good time he and Terry had shared, followed by an emotional condemnation of her subsequent betrayal. This interlude has become known to Springsteen fans as the "Sad Eyes" interlude (not to be confused with the Springsteen song of the same name) due to frequently occurring lyrics stating that Terry had sad eyes or should dry her tears. It has also been referred to as the "Baby I remember you" or "Little girl don't cry" interlude. Parts of the interlude later materialized in recast form as the song "Drive All Night" on The River album in 1980. The interlude version of "Backstreets" has not been performed live since, however it can be heard on numerous fan bootlegs from that tour. In 2007, during Springsteen and the E Street Band's Magic Tour, "Backstreets" frequently found its way into the set list, most likely as a tribute to Springsteen's longtime friend, Terry Magovern, who died earlier that year. It also opened the first show in 2008 following the death of longtime band member Danny Federici.

[Verse 1] One soft infested summer Me and Terry became friends Trying in vain to breathe The fire we was born in Catching rides to the outskirts Tying faith between our teeth Sleeping in that old abandoned beach house Getting wasted in the heat And [Chorus 1] Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets With a love so hard and filled with defeat Running for our lives at night on them backstreets [Verse 2] Slow dancing in the dark On the beach at Stockton's Wing Where desperate lovers park We sat with the last of the Duke Street Kings Huddled in our cars Waiting for the bells that ring In the deep heart of the night We let lose of everything To go [Chorus 2] Running on the backstreets Running on the backstreets Terry you swore we'd live forever Taking it on them backstreets together Yeah [Bridge] Endless juke joints and Valentino drag Where dancers scraped the tears Up off the street dressed down in rags Running into the darkness Some hurt bad some really dying At night sometimes it seemed You could hear the whole damn city crying Blame it on the lies that killed us Blame it on the truth that ran us down You can blame it all on me Terry It don't matter to me now When the breakdown hit at midnight There was nothing left to say But I hated him And I hated you when you went away Wa oh, wa oh [Guitar solo] [Verse 3] Laying here in the dark You're like an angel on my chest Just another tramp of hearts Crying tears of faithlessness Remember all the movies, Terry We'd go see Trying to learn to walk like the heroes We thought we had to be Well after all this time To find we're just like all the rest Stranded in the park And forced to confess To [Chorus 3] Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Where we swore forever friends On the backstreets until the end [Outro] Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets It's all right We'll go hiding on the backstreets tonight Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Hiding on the backstreets Oh, hey, whoa, oh-oh