THE WRESTLER^©

Album's version

Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free?
If you've ever seen a one trick pony then you've seen me
Have you ever seen a one-legged dog making its way down the street?
If you've ever seen a one-legged dog then you've seen me

Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Tell me, fan, can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?

Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and wheat?
If you've ever seen that scarecrow then you've seen me
Have you ever seen a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze?
If you've ever seen a one-armed man then you've seen me

Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?

These things that have comforted me, I drive away
This place that is my home I cannot pay
My only faith's in the broken bones and bruises I display

Have you ever seen a one-legged man trying to dance his way free?
If you've ever seen a one-legged man then you've seen me

Page last updated: 17 Nov 2008

Intro

Music and lyrics by Bruce Springsteen, THE WRESTLER is the theme song for the upcoming motion picture of the same name. It plays in an acoustic arrangement over the film's closing credits.

THE WRESTLER will be included as a bonus track on Springsteen's upcoming album Working On A Dream, which will be released on 27 Jan 2009.

The Film

The Wrestler is directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Mickey Rourke. Production began in January 2008 and the film debuted on 05 Sep 2008 at the 65th Venice Film Festival where it won the Golden Lion Award for Best Film. The film also screened on 07 Sep 2008 at the Toronto Film Festival and on 12 Oct 2008 at the closing night of the New York Film Festival. Fox Searchlight has acquired rights to distribute the film in the U.S. The Wrestler will be released on 17 Dec 2008.

Springsteen and Rourke

Bruce Springsteen and Mickey Rourke met at the Stone Pony back in the eighties. They became motorcycle cruising buddies in 1989 and 1990 when Springsteen was living in Los Angeles, CA. Rourke owned a short-lived club in Los Angeles called Rubber Club, and Springsteen is known to have made two onstage appearances in that club; on 10 Mar 1989, he joined local band The Mighty Hornets for one song (CC RIDER) and, on 25 Apr 1989, he joined an unidentified local band onstage for one song (STAND BY ME).

According to Aronofsky, Springsteen is a huge fan of Rourke's. He's seen every movie of his and he was hoping for him to get back on track making movies. He was following him and he wanted to know about his projects. Bruce heard about the movie so he called Mickey and asked him how he was doing. Mickey gave him the script; Bruce read it and said he loved it, nothing more.

Composition

Springsteen wrote THE WRESTLER in Europe during the Magic Tour, sometime between late May and early July 2008. In July, he called Rourke and Aronofsky complimenting them on the movie and adding that he wrote a song for the film's character. The song came while the movie was at the end of its editing phase. This late addition caused the movie's screening debut to take place at the end of the Venice Film Festival.

The Song

On THE WRESTLER, Springsteen handles guitar, piano, and vocals. Director Darren Aronofsky described it as "a wonderful acoustic piece; makes me choke up every time I hear it. [Springsteen] really captured the spirit of the film and Mickey [Rourke]'s character in the piece."

A source who has heard heard the song in advance tells Backstreets that the song is "definitely based on the movie, but the title is never mentioned in the lyrics, it's just a powerful portrait from the perspective of someone who's the epitome of down and out." Following the Venice Film Festival screening, Pierpaolo Festa reported to Backstreets: "[The song] starts with a count -- 'one, two three...' -- and Bruce's foot beating the ground. He plays the guitar, but you get the piano at the same time. Many times he sings 'have you seen me,' connecting with the character of Robinson who feels like a nobody outside the ring. Clearly, many aspects of this character seem they come from Bruceland."

Credits

Thanks Timmy Petersson (Terry at Greasy Lake), Hungries, and fivestubbs (at BTX) for the lyrics transcription help.

Request

The above lyrics might not be 100% correct. Any additions, comments, or corrections to this page are welcome. You can contact me via the below form or by email: . You will be credited. Thanks in advance.