Spirit in the Night
Spirit in the Night

Bruce Springsteen - Spirit in the Night Lyrics

Rock
Nov 14, 2014
131
Spirit in the Night Music Video

Spirit in the Night Lyrics

Crazy Janey and her mission man
Were back in the alley tradin' hands
'Long came Wild Billy with his friend G-Man
All duded up for Saturday night
Well, Billy slammed on his coaster brakes
And said, "Anybody want to go on up to Greasy Lake?
It's about a mile down on the dark side of Route 88
I got a bottle of rose so let's try it
We'll pick up Hazy Davy and Killer Joe
And I'll take you all out to where the gypsy angels go
They're built like light
Ooh, and they dance like spirits in the night (all night)
In the night (all night)
Oh, you don't know what they can do to you
Spirits in the night (all night)
Oh, in the night (all night)
Stand right up now and let it shoot through you

Well now, Wild Billy was a crazy cat
And he shook some dust out of his coonskin cap
He said, "Trust some of this, it'll show you where you're at
Or at least it'll help you really feel it"
By the time we made it up to Greasy Lake
I had my head out the window and Janey's fingers were in the cake
I think I really dug her 'cause I was too loose to fake
I said, I'm hurt, she said, honey, let me heal it
And we danced all night to a soul fairy band
And she kissed me just right, like only a lonely angel can
She felt so nice
Just as soft as a spirit in the night (all night)
In the night (all night)
Oh, Janey don't know what she do to you
Like a spirit in the night (all night)
All night (all night)
I stand right up and I let her shoot through me

(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)

(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)

Now, the night was bright and the stars threw light
On Billy and Davy dancin' in the moonlight
They were down near the water in a stone mud fight
Killer Joe gone passed out on the lawn
Well now, Hazy Davy got really hurt
He ran into the lake in just his socks and his shirt
Me and Crazy Janey was makin' love in the dirt
Singin' our birthday songs
Janey said it was time to go
So we closed our eyes and said goodbye to Gypsy Angel Row
Felt so right
Together we moved like spirits in the night (all night)
In the night (all night)

Oh, you don't know what they can do to you
Them spirits in the night (all night)
All night (all night)
Oh, stand right up and let her shoot through you
Like a spirit in the night (all night)
All night (all night)
All night (all night)
All night (all night)
All night (all night)
All night (all night)
All night
Be-da-ba the night
All night
In the night
In the night

Writer(s): Bruce Springsteen
Copyright(s): Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who originally wrote and recorded 'Spirit in the Night'?

    'Spirit in the Night' was written and originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen for his debut album 'Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.' released in 1973.

  2. Which musicians played on the original recording of 'Spirit in the Night'?

    The original recording featured Bruce Springsteen on all instruments except drums, which were played by Vini Lopez. Clarence Clemons also contributed with saxophone, adding a unique dimension to the music.

  3. What inspired the name 'Greasy Lake' mentioned in the song?

    'Greasy Lake' is a reference to either a composite of two locations near Lakewood, New Jersey, or a lake near Howell, New Jersey. The term 'greasers' refers to homeless people who used to bathe and wash dishes there, earning them nicknames like 'Gypsy Angels'.

  4. How did Clive Davis influence the creation of 'Spirit in the Night'?

    Clive Davis, president of Columbia Records at the time, felt that none of Bruce Springsteen's initial tracks had commercial appeal. This prompted Springsteen to quickly write and record 'Spirit in the Night' along with 'Blinded by the Light', both aimed at having more radio-friendly songs.

  5. Has Bruce Springsteen performed 'Spirit in the Night' live?

    'Spirit in the Night' has been a favorite at Springsteen concerts into the 1980s and beyond. Live versions appear on albums such as Live/1975–85 and Hammersmith Odeon London ’75. As of May 2020, it has been performed live 572 times.

  6. Did any other artists cover 'Spirit in the Night'?

    Yes, Manfred Mann's Earth Band covered 'Spirit in the Night', releasing it as a Top 40 single under their album 'Nightingales & Bombers'. Their version brought additional recognition to Springsteen's work.

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