VALERIE^©

Live 05 Oct 2006 version

To the east the factories stand
Like fire-breathing dragons against the sky
And from their throats a scarlet river
Burns itself into smoky lullabies
Over neon and fluorescent skies

Valerie, can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico
But I'm stranded here alone
And once I knew a true love
It's been three years since he's gone
And if I could get that feeling back
I'd give up everything I own

16 days since I left Corona
And I traveled to this carnival town near Alberndeel
And I rode the coaster there on the fairground
Twisted backbone of a beast that never heels
And I left some skin on fortune's wheel

Valerie, can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico
But I'm stranded here alone
And once I knew a true love
It's been three years since he's gone
And if I could get that feeling back
I'd give up everything I own

Everything's in slow motion now
In this little border town
I've come so close from so far
Just to hide behind these windows here
From the world outside
I watch those cars and trucks raise trails of dust
Down the road as they pass by

Valerie, can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico
But I'm stranded here alone
And once I knew a true love
It's been three years since he's gone
And if I could get that feeling back
I'd give up everything I own, ooh (ooh)
Everything I own, ooh (ooh)
Everything I own, ooh (ooh)
Everything I own

Page last updated: 08 Mar 2008

Written by Patti Scialfa, VALERIE is from her 1993 album Rumble Doll. Check out Patti Scialfa's studio version for more details.

During The Seeger Sessions Tour, in the middle of the 05 Oct 2006 show at Arena Di Verona, Verona, Italy, Bruce Springsteen introduced Patti saying that she has to leave the tour for the moment because "iragazzi hanno bisogno della mamma" [Italian for "the children need their mom"]. She took the lead and sang VALERIE backed up by Bruce Springsteen & The Street Band. This was the only time she had performed the song live with her husband. Patti would re-join the band on the road again for the Dublin shows at the end of the tour.

Note that VALERIE was reported to have also been played (with Patti on vocals) during the private rehearsals for the second European leg of The Seeger Sessions Tour, on 19 ands 20 Sep 2006 at the Paramount Theater, Asbury Park, NJ.

Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake from BTX and Greasy Lake) for the help.