Dancing in the Dark” is one of Bruce Springsteen’s most iconic songs, released in 1984 as the lead single from his album Born in the U.S.A. The song’s infectious melody and lyrics, which express frustration and the desire for connection, struck a chord with listeners and quickly became one of Springsteen’s signature tracks. Its upbeat yet introspective tone made it a crowd favorite, and it remains a highlight of his live performances.
Did You Know?
- Dancing in the Dark was the lead single from Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. album, which helped solidify his place as one of the biggest rock stars of the ’80s.
- The song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of Springsteen’s most commercially successful tracks.
- In 1985, Dancing in the Dark won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male, further cementing its place in rock history.
With its enduring appeal, Dancing in the Dark continues to resonate with audiences around the world, capturing the essence of Springsteen’s music: a powerful combination of emotional depth and rousing energy.
Lyrics
I get up in the evening
And I ain’t got nothing to say
I come home in the morning
I go to bed feeling the same way
I ain’t nothing but tired
Man, I’m just tired and bored with myself
Hey there baby, I could use just a little helpYou can’t start a fire
You can’t start a fire without a spark
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the darkMessage keeps getting clearer
Radio’s on and I’m moving ’round the place
I check my look in the mirror
I wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face
Man, I ain’t getting nowhere
I’m just living in a dump like this
There’s something happening somewhere
Baby, I just know that there isAdvertisementYou can’t start a fire
You can’t start a fire without a spark
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the darkYou sit around getting older
There’s a joke here somewhere and it’s on me
I’ll shake this world off my shoulders
Come on, baby, the laugh’s on meStay on the streets of this town
And they’ll be carving you up all right
They say you gotta stay hungry
Hey, baby, I’m just about starving tonight
I’m dying for some action
I’m sick of sitting ’round here trying to write this book
I need a love reaction
Come on now, baby, gimme just one lookAdvertisementYou can’t start a fire
Sitting ’round crying over a broken heart
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
You can’t start a fire
Worrying about your little world falling apart
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the darkEven if we’re just dancing in the dark
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
Hey, baby
