SHERRY DARLING

Album version



[Party noises]
(Hey, hey, hey, what you say Sherry Darling)
(Alright)

Your Mamma's yapping in the back seat
Tell her to push over and move them big feet
Every Monday morning I gotta drive her down to the unemployment agency
Well this morning I ain't fighting, tell her I give up
Tell her she wins if she'll just shut up
But it's the last time that she's gonna be riding with me

And you can tell her there's a hot sun beating on the black top
She keeps talking she'll be walking that last block
And she can take a subway back to the ghetto tonight
Well I got some beer and the highway's free
And I got you and baby you've got me
Hey, hey, hey, what you say, Sherry Darling

Now there's girls melting on the beach
And they're so fine but so out of reach
'Cause I'm stuck in traffic down here on 53rd Street
Now Sherry my love for you is real
But I didn't count on this package deal
And baby this car just ain't big enough for her and me

So you can tell her there's a hot sun beating on the black top
She keeps talking she'll be walking that last block
She can take a subway back to the ghetto tonight
Well I got some beer and the highway's free
And I got you and baby you've got me
Hey, hey, hey, what you say, Sherry Darling

Come one with me!
[Party noises, sax solo]
[Party noises, guitar solo]

Well let there be sunlight, let there be rain
Let the brokenhearted love again
Sherry, we can run with our arms open wide before the tide
To all the girls down at Sacred Heart
And all you operators back in the park
Say hey, hey, hey, what you say, Sherry Darling
Ho, ho, ho, say hey, hey, what you say, Sherry Darling
Oh come on, say hey, hey, hey, what you say, Sherry Darling

[Party noises, sax solo]
[Fades out]


PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Info

SHERRY DARLING is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 1980 album The River. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of SHERRY DARLING in 1980.


Writing and Recording

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The River

Bruce Springsteen wrapped up the Darkness On The Edge Of Town Tour on the first day of 1979. For the next few months, he altered between composing and practicing solo demos at his home in Holmdel, NJ (between January and June 1979), rehearsing with the band at his Telegraph Hill Road property in Holmdel, NJ (between March and May 1979), and recording in studio at The Power Station in New York City, NY (from late March to late August 1979).

By early August 1979, enough quality material had been recorded at The Power Station. According to The Ties That Bind documentary, a total of twenty-four songs had been recorded. According to Clinton Heylin's 2012 book It was looking like Springsteen's fifth album might be released in Christmas 1979. E Street Shuffle: The Glory Days of Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Springsteen's initial track sequence for the album was as follows:

Side 1:

  1. THE TIES THAT BIND
  2. THE PRICE YOU PAY
  3. BE TRUE
  4. RICKY WANTS A MAN OF HER OWN
  5. STOLEN CAR

Side 2:

  1. I WANNA MARRY YOU
  2. LOOSE ENDS
  3. HUNGRY HEART
  4. THE MAN WHO GOT AWAY
  5. RAMROD

By mid-September 1979, Springsteen replaced RICKY WANTS A MAN OF HER OWN, LOOSE ENDS, and THE MAN WHO GOT AWAY by CINDY and THE RIVER. Soon after, he removed RAMROD, restored LOOSE ENDS, and added YOU CAN LOOK (BUT YOU BETTER NOT TOUCH). A title, "The Ties That Bind", was selected for the album and wheels put in motion to produce artwork for the cover. Around September, at least ten tracks were mixed to completion. On 04 Oct 1979, the ten selected tracks were dubbed to two half-track reel-to-reel tapes at The Power Station, and labeled "side one" and "side two". As written on the reels, the producer was Jon Landau and the engineers were Neil Dorfsman and Bob Clearmountain, assisted by Jeff Hendrickson. The new track sequence for the album was as follows:

Reel #1:

  1. THE TIES THAT BIND [take #8]
  2. CINDY [take #3]
  3. HUNGRY HEART [take #2]
  4. STOLEN CAR [take #3]
  5. BE TRUE [take #2]

Reel #2:

  1. THE RIVER [take #5]
  2. YOU CAN LOOK (BUT YOU BETTER NOT TOUCH) [take #3]
  3. THE PRICE YOU PAY [take #1]
  4. I WANNA MARRY YOU [take #4]
  5. LOOSE ENDS [take #2]
Bruce Springsteen -- The Ties That Bind (reel #1, front)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Ties That Bind (reel #1, front)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Ties That Bind (reel #2, front)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Ties That Bind (reel #2, front)

Mock covers with "The Ties That Bind" title were roughed out early in the planning. The cover shot was to be a picture of Bruce Springsteen in front of a barn, with the back cover being a shot of his face behind a screen door. In late September 1979, The Ties That Bind single album was scrapped as Springsteen's writing process continued.

A second phase of recording sessions was scheduled. Again, for the next few months, Springsteen altered between composing and practicing solo demos at his home in Holmdel, NJ (between September 1979 and February 1980), rehearsing with the band at his Telegraph Hill Road property in Holmdel, NJ (between September 1979 and February 1980), and recording in studio at The Power Station in New York City, NY (from October 1979 to June 1980).

The combined sessions from March 1979 to June 1980 produced the double album The River that was eventually released in October 1980. The studio sessions to some extent extended into August 1980 due to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's involvement in the recording of Gary U.S. Bonds' album Dedication, which was released April 1981).

Bruce Springsteen -- The River
Bruce Springsteen -- The River

The album features 20 new Springsteen compositions and clocks at 83:47. It was produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, and Steven Van Zandt, engineered by Neil Dorfsman, and mixed by Bob Clearmountain, Chuck Plotkin, and Toby Scott.

According to recording engineer Neil Dorfsman, about 50 songs were recorded to a completed state during The River sessions. 20 were released on The River and 14 were released as B-sides and on official compilations. 14 songs are circulating via the unofficial route, but the majority of them are poor recordings of band rehearsals at the Telegraph Hill Road property, though it is likely that most of them exist as completed takes from The Power Station.

Other Official Releases

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Various artists -- CBS/Sony Popular Best 9
Various artists -- CBS/Sony Popular Best 9

2xLP - CBS / Sony (XDAP 93031~2) - Japan, 1980

Promotional sampler. Contains three Bruce Springsteen tracks: HUNGRY HEART, SHERRY DARLING, I WANNA MARRY YOU.
Bruce Springsteen -- As Requested Around The World
Bruce Springsteen -- As Requested Around The World

LP - Columbia (AS 978) - USA, 1981

US-only promotional LP sampler issued to celebrate the conclusion of The River Tour.

Bruce Springsteen -- The River
Bruce Springsteen -- The River

7" EP - CBS / Rennbahn Express (no catalog number) - Holland, 1981

Flexi disc distributed exclusively to subscribers of Austrian pop magazine "Rennbahn Express" with their June 1981 issue. It contains excerpts from four song from The River album, plus three short live fragments that are unique to this item.

A1- SHERRY DARLING / THE RIVER / THE TIES THAT BIND / HUNGRY HEART
B1- [blank]
Bruce Springsteen -- Rocks Vol. 1 (1973 - 1982)
Bruce Springsteen -- Rocks Vol. 1 (1973 - 1982)

CD-R - Sony (no catalog number) - Japan, 2005

Japan-only promotional "Digest" CD-R advance sampler tying in with the release of the first six Japanese 2005 "mini-LP"-style Springsteen CD album reissues. This disc comes in a plain slimline jewel case with no artwork.

Other versions of SHERRY DARLING were also officially released.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- The Agora, Cleveland 1978
The live 09 Aug 1978 version of SHERRY DARLING was released on The Agora, Cleveland 1978 official live download in 2014.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- No Nukes 1979
The live 21 Sep 1979 version of SHERRY DARLING was released on the No Nukes 1979 official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- No Nukes 1979
The live 22 Sep 1979 version of SHERRY DARLING was released on the No Nukes 1979 official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen -- The Ties That Bind: The River Collection
The live 05 Nov 1980 version of SHERRY DARLING was released on The Ties That Bind: The River Collection box set in 2015.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Nassau Coliseum, New York 12/29/80
The live 29 Dec 1980 version of SHERRY DARLING was released on the Nassau Coliseum, New York 12/29/80 official live download in 2019.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Nassau Coliseum, New York 1980
The live 31 Dec 1980 version of SHERRY DARLING was released on the Nassau Coliseum, New York 1980 official live download in 2015.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Wembley Arena June 5, 1981
The live 05 Jun 1981 version of SHERRY DARLING was released on the Wembley Arena June 5, 1981 official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Brendan Byrne Arena 1981
The live 09 Jul 1981 version of SHERRY DARLING was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena 1981 official live download in 2020.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey 1984
The live 05 Aug 1984 version of SHERRY DARLING was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey 1984 official live download in 2015.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- First Union Center, Philadelphia September 25, 1999
The live 25 Sep 1999 version of SHERRY DARLING was released on the First Union Center, Philadelphia September 25, 1999 official live download in 2020.
Bruce Springsteen -- Van Andel Arena, Michigan 2005
The live 03 Aug 2005 version of SHERRY DARLING was released on the Van Andel Arena, Michigan 2005 official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- MSG Nov 08, 2009
The live 08 Nov 2009 version of SHERRY DARLING was released on the MSG Nov 08, 2009 official live download in 2018.

Live History: on-tour

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Live History: off-tour

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SHERRY DARLING was performed off-tour on 21 and 22 Sep 1979 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY, during the MUSE Concerts For A Non-Nuclear Future. The live 21 Sep 1979 version and the live 22 Sep 1979 version of SHERRY DARLING were released on the No Nukes 1979 official live download in 2018.

Covers

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At least 6 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's SHERRY DARLING.

Grävlings -- Grytrock
Grävlings -- Grytrock

CD - Rolab Music (unknown catalog number) - Sweden, 2003

Includes two Bruce Springsteen covers: FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) and SHERRY DARLING.
Lorenzo Bertocchini -- Hearts Of Stone: Some Bruce Springsteen Songs
Lorenzo Bertocchini -- Hearts Of Stone: Some Bruce Springsteen Songs

CD - no label (GOMB 16) - Italy, 2009

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Le Voci Del Tempo -- Il Mio Nome È Joe Roberts
Le Voci Del Tempo -- Il Mio Nome È Joe Roberts

CD - Pubblico-08 (no catalog number) - Italy, 2010

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Various artists -- For You 2: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Various artists -- For You 2: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - Route 66 Music (DTCDA005-2) - Italy, 2010

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. SHERRY DARLING is performed by Lorenzo Bertoccini.
Giusey And The Springtones -- One Night Only
Giusey And The Springtones -- One Night Only

Digital album - no label (no catalog number) - Germany, 2020

This is a download-only digital live Bruce Springsteen tribute album, recorded at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ.
Heaven Is Shining -- Born In The USA
Heaven Is Shining -- Born In The USA

Digital album - Rosenklang (unknown catalog number) - Germany, 2021

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Available Versions

List of available versions of SHERRY DARLING on this website:

SHERRY DARLING [Album version]
SHERRY DARLING [Live 21 Sep 1979 version]
SHERRY DARLING [Live 22 Sep 1979 version]

Page last updated: 26 Dec 2015