SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT^©

Album's version

Hmmm
Woahhh
Woahhh
Woahhh
Woahhh
Woahhh

Well I'm riding down Kingsley figuring I'll get a drink
Well I turn the radio up loud so I don't have to think at all
And I take her to the floor looking for a moment when the world seems right
And I tear into the guts, hmmm, of something in the night

Well you're born with nothing, and better off that way
Soon as you've got something they send someone to try and take it away
Well you can ride this road 'till dawn without another human being in sight
Yeah just kids wasted on, hmmm, something in the night

Woah nothing is forgotten or forgiven, when it's your last time around, hm
And I got stuff running 'round my head that I just can't live down

When we found the things we loved, they were crushed and dying in the dirt
We tried to pick up the pieces, and get away without getting hurt
But they caught us at the state line, and burned our cars in one last fight
And left us running burned and blind, hmmm, chasing something in the night

Woahhh
Woahhh
Woahhh
Woah yeah
Woahhh
So!

Page last updated: 17 Jul 2010

Intro

Music and lyrics by Bruce Springsteen, SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT was first released on the Darkness On The Edge Of Town album in 1978, although it was played live in various versions since mid 1976. The above lyrics correspond to the album's version.

Writing Date

SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT appeared for the first time on 01 Aug 1976 when it was performed live in concert at Monmouth Arts Centre in Red Bank, NJ. Between that date and its mid-1977 studio recording, the song lyrically evolved through several versions [see the "Live Performances" section below]. This leads to the conclusion that SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT was written shortly before 01 Aug 1976.

Studio Recording

Springsteen reached a final settlement in his yearlong litigation with Mike Appel on 28 May 1977. Effectively this meant that for the first time in a year Springsteen was able to go into a studio and record. The Darkness On The Edge Of Town recording sessions kicked off in early June 1977 at Atlantic Record Studios, New York City, NY. Springsteen had a considerable amount of new material – but the songs were in various stages of writing completion. Consequently many of the songs were shaped over the course of numerous sessions spanning several months.

According to Dave Marsh, "the first evening [of the album's recording sessions] was spent spent laying down demos of about twenty songs Bruce had written and more or less completed during the lawsuit. They included [...] 'Something in the Night' from the live shows of the previous year." Bruce Springsteen also recalls that "SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT, that was a song that we did very first night in the studio, we did it as a demo tape."

Two takes of the song are in circulation:

• An early outtake recorded in Jun-Jul 1977 at Atlantic Record Studios, New York City, NY [see the early outtake for more details].
• The album's version recorded in Sept-Oct 1977 at The Record Plant, New York City, NY.

The original mix of the album's version, taken from the album's original acetates, appears on several bootlegs including The Original Darkness Mixes (E Street Records) and The Heart Of Darkness (Skydisc).

Another different mix of that album's version is also in circulation, appearing on several bootlegs The Definitive Darkness Outtakes Collection (E Street Records) and The Promise (Scorpio). However, it should be noted that it is not 100% confirmed that this is the same recording as the album's take. It is possible that it is an entirely different recording, and not only a different mix. Note that the lyrics are exactly the same on both mixes (or takes).

Official Releases

SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT was released on the Darkness On The Edge Of Town album (released in the U.S.A. on 02 Jun 1978). In five countries (Holland, UK, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand), the song was used as B-side for BADLANDS:

The song appeared on Bruce Springsteen: Ballads Vol. 1 (1973 - 1982), a Sony Japan-only promotional "Digest" CDR advance sampler tying in with the release of the first six Japanese 2005 "mini-LP"-style Springsteen CD album reissues (Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ through Nebraska). Plain slimline jewel case with no artwork, no catalogue number.

Live Performances

Despite the marvelous reception received by both Born To Run and the tour which followed, the relationship between Bruce Springsteen and his now former manager and producer Mike Appel was deteriorating. In July 1976 the storm broke; Mike Appel wrote to Springsteen saying that he would not allow Jon Landau (Springsteen's friend and co-producer of Born To Run) to produce the next album, citing a particular paragraph from their original agreement. Bruce replied on 27 Jul 1976 by firing manager Mike Appel and suing him and his management company Laurel Canyon Ltd. in Federal Court in Manhattan, claiming fraud, breach of trust, and undue influence. Appel countersued on 29 Jul 1976 in New York State Supreme Court, asking the court to prohibit Springsteen and Jon Landau from working together in studio. Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band were slated to enter the studio that year for the recording of a new album, except that on 15 Sep 1976 the judge in the lawsuits case ruled that Springsteen was enjoined from any further recording with Columbia Records until Appel's suit was resolved. This would drag for about a year.

Meanwhile, Springsteen continued gigging, and in the process broke his self-imposed rule of not playing the larger arenas. This was basically because he was not able to put a record out, and it was the only way his fans would be able to hear him at all.

The "Lawsuit Tour", which kicked off on 01 Aug 1976 at Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank, NJ, had Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band joined for the first time by the Miami Horns Quartet (line-up # 1), featuring Carlo Novi on sax, Ed Manion on sax, Tony Palligrosi on trumpet, and Rick Gazda on trumpet. The foursome came from Southside Johnny's Miami Horns outfit during a break in Southside's touring schedule. This first line-up would leave the band after the 7th show of the tour (21 Aug 1976 at Palace Theater, Waterbury, CT -- though there could be some more dates before and after might be unknown) and rejoins Southside Johnny on tour. On the 9th show (26 Sep 1976 at Vets Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, AZ), Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were joined by the Miami Horns Quartet (Line-up # 2), featuring Ed De Palma on sax, John Binkley on trumpet, Steve Paraczky trumpet, and Dennis Orlock trombone. This group will be a permanent fixture until the tour ends in March 1977. Despite the similar name, this Philadelphia-based foursome has no affiliation with Southside Johnny's Miami Horns. The Miami Horn are only heard on a few songs each night, including SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT which now features a trumpet accompaniment.

SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT appeared for the first time on 01 Aug 1976 at Monmouth Arts Centre in Red Bank, NJ, the opening night of the "Lawsuit Tour". The song is known to be played a total of 34 times in 1976 and 1977. It should be noted that some of that period's setlists are incomplete or unknown, and and therefore, the song might have been played more than 34 times.

During that period (1976-1977), SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT evolved lyrically through several versions:

• Between 01 Aug 1976 and 25 Oct 1976, live 01 Aug 1976 version was mostly used, with a few lyrics variations between one version and another, like on the live 22 Aug 1976 version for example
• On 09 Oct 1976, live 09 Oct 1976 version was used
• On 27 Oct 1976, live 27 Oct 1976 version was used
• On 28 Oct 1976, live 28 Oct 1976 version was used
• Between 29 Oct 1976 and 04 Nov 1976, live 30 Oct 1976 version was used (the live 04 Nov 1976 version for example is similar)
• Between 08 Feb 1977 and 15 Feb 1977, live 13 Feb 1977 version was used
• Between 10 Mar 1977 and 14 Mar 1977, live 14 Mar 1977 version was used

SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT was played during the Darkness On The Edge Of Town Tour rehearsals on 19 May 1978 at Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ (see the live 19 May 1978 take #1 and the live 19 May 1978 take #2), and 12 times during the tour's regular dates. Note that some setlists from this period are incomplete or unknown, and therefore the song might have been played on more dates.

• 23 May 1978 at Shea Theater, Buffalo, NY (the tour's opening night)
• 24 May 1978 at Palace Theater, Albany, NY
• 26 May 1978 at The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
• 27 May 1978 at The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
• 30 May 1978 at Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA
• 31 May 1978 at Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA (see the live 31 May 1978 version)
• 02 Jun 1978 at US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
• 03 Jun 1978 at Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
• 05 Jun 1978 at Sports Arena, Toledo, OH
• 08 Jun 1978 at Dane County Coliseum, Madison, WI
• 28 Aug 1978 at Stanley Theater, Pittsburgh, PA
• 15 Sep 1978 at The Palladium, New York City, NY

SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT reappeared 21 years later, played 6 times during The Reunion Tour.

• 02 Aug 1999 at Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
• 07 Aug 1999 at Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
• 20 Sep 1999 at First Union Center, Philadelphia, PA
• 28 Sep 1999 at United Center, Chicago, IL
• 21 Apr 2000 at Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
• 22 Jun 2000 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY

SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT was played 9 times during The Rising Tour.

• 24 Sep 2002 at Kemper Arena, Kansas City, MO
• 27 Sep 2002 at Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
• 18 Oct 2002 at Palamalaguti, Bologna, Italy (see the live 18 Oct 2002 version)
• 12 May 2003 at Koning Boudewijnstadion, Brussels, Belgium
• 15 May 2003 at Estadio De El Molinon, Gijon, Spain
• 18 Jul 2003 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
• 08 Aug 2003 at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
• 16 Aug 2003 at Pacific Bell Park, San Francisco, CA
• 07 Sep 2003 at Fenway Park, Boston, MA

SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT appeared once during the Devils & Dust Solo Acoustic Tour, played solo guitar.

• 07 Oct 2005 at Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT (see the live 07 Oct 2005 version)

SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT was reported to have been sound-checked for the Magic Tour on 11 and 13 Sep 2007 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ. It was then played during the tour's first (out of two) public rehearsal show on 24 Sep 2007 at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ, and 4 more times in 2008 during the tour's regular shows.

• 24 Sep 2007 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
• 24 Mar 2008 at Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH
• 05 Apr 2008 at HP Pavilion, San Jose, CA
• 21 Jun 2008 at HSH Nordbank Arena, Hamburg, Germany
• 29 Jun 2008 at Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark

On 07 May 2008, during a break in the Magic Tour, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band played a benefit show to raise money for the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, NJ. For the very first time ever they played, not one, but two complete albums from their catalogue: Darkness On The Edge Of Town and Born To Run, live and in sequence.

• 07 May 2008 at Count Basie Theater, Red Bank, NJ

SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT appeared 8 times on the Working On A Dream Tour.

• 23 May 2009 at Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ
• 03 Jul 2009 at Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt, Germany
• 23 Jul 2009 at Stadio Friuli, Udine, Italy
• 01 Aug 2009 at Estadio Jose Zorrilla, Valladolid, Spain
• 19 Aug 2009 at Comcast Theatre, Hartford, CT
• 02 Oct 2009 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
• 14 Oct 2009 at Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
• 18 Nov 2009 at Sommet Center, Nashville, TN

By the time this page was last updated, the 18 Nov 2009 show in Nashville was the last time SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT was performed.

Appearance in Movies

Five songs from Darkness On The Edge Of Town were used in the 2006 AJ Schnack directed documentary film Kurt Cobain: About a Son, but none of them were included on the film's soundtrack album. The songs are: SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT, BADLANDS, CANDY'S ROOM, THE PROMISED LAND, and RACING IN THE STREET. Very small snippets of these songs are played, and they are barely noticeable in the background.

Plot: An intimate and moving meditation on the late musician and artist Kurt Cobain, based on more than 25 hours of previously unheard audiotaped interviews conducted with Cobain by music journalist Michael Azerrad. Starring: Kurt Cobain Directed by: AJ Schnack Produced by: Ravi Anne Narrated by: Kurt Cobain Distributed by: Balcony Releasing Release date: 10 Sep 2006

Cover Versions

Aram recorded a version of SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT that was included on three Bruce Springsteen tribute albums. See Aram's version for more details:

• One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen in 1997
• One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen Sampler in 1997
• The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen in 2000

The Section (a string quartet of two violins, a viola, and a cello) released an instrumental cover of SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT on their 2002 Bruce Springsteen tribute album Hometown: The String Quartet Tribute To Springsteen.

Matthew Ryan also recorded SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT and released it in 2003 on the Bruce Springsteen tribute album Light Of Day: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen. He also released it that same year on his album Happiness. See Matthew Ryan's version for more details.

Available Versions

List of available versions of SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT on this website:

• Album's version (more details)
• Early outtake (slightly different to the album's version)
• Live 01 Aug 1976 version (very different to the album's version)
• Live 22 Aug 1976 version (close to the live 01 Aug 1976 version)
• Live 09 Oct 1976 version (very different to the album's version)
• Live 27 Oct 1976 version (very different to the album's version)
• Live 28 Oct 1976 version (very different to the album's version)
• Live 30 Oct 1976 version (different to the album's version)
• Live 04 Nov 1976 version (similar to the live 30 Oct 1976 version)
• Live 13 Feb 1977 version (different to the album's version)
• Live 14 Mar 1977 version (similar to the album's version)
• Live 19 May 1978 take #1 (similar to the album's version)
• Live 19 May 1978 take #2 (similar to the album's version)
• Live 31 May 1978 version (similar to the album's version)
• Live 18 Oct 2002 version (slightly different to the album's version)
• Live 07 Oct 2005 version (slightly different to the album's version)
• Aram's version (cover)
• Matthew Ryan's version (cover)

Credits / References

Some of the above info about the studio recording and the live performances are taken from Brucebase. Info and scans for some of the singles and the Bruce Springsteen: Ballads Vol. 1 (1973 - 1982) sampler are taken from the Lost In The Flood website.

Request

If you have audio for any live 1976 or 1977 version of SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT that might have some different lyrics to the versions available on this website, please send me an mp3 of it so that I transcribe the lyrics, or at least transcribe them for me. You can contact me via the below form or by email: . You can also help if you have additional scans (or info) for the singles on which SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT appears. You will be credited. Thanks in advance.