The Meaning Behind Dancing In The Dark
Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing In The Dark” is one of his most well-known songs, but what is the meaning behind the lyrics? Some interpret the song as a commentary on the music industry and the pressure to create hits. The lyrics “I’m just tired and bored with myself” and “I wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face” suggest a frustration with the image and persona that is expected of musicians.
Others see the song as a reflection on the difficulties of relationships. The line “You can’t start a fire without a spark” can be interpreted as the need for passion and excitement to keep a relationship alive.
The Creation of Dancing In The Dark
The song was written by Springsteen in 1983 for his album “Born in the U.S.A.” Springsteen has said that he wrote the song in response to his frustration with the lack of commercial success of his previous albums. The song was a hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The music video for “Dancing In The Dark” features a young Courteney Cox, who was pulled from the audience to dance with Springsteen on stage. The video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Stage Performance.
The Lyrics to Dancing In The Dark
The lyrics to “Dancing In The Dark” are as follows:
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 help
You 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 dark
Message 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 is
You 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 dark
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 me
Stay on the streets of this town
And they’ll be carving you up alright
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, give me just one look
You 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
In Conclusion
Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing In The Dark” is a classic song with a variety of interpretations. Whether you see it as a commentary on the music industry or a reflection on relationships, the song’s catchy melody and memorable lyrics have made it a favorite among fans for decades.
