VALERIE^©

Patti Scialfa's studio 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
Everything I own, ooh
Everything I own, ooh

Page last updated: 08 Mar 2008

Written by Patti Scialfa, VALERIE is from her debut album Rumble Doll which she released on 13 Jul 1993 on Columbia Records.

Bruce Springsteen plays guitars and keyboards on the studio recording of two songs from Rumble Doll: BIG BLACK HEAVEN and TALK TO ME LIKE THE RAIN. He is also credited for production assistance on both tracks. He did not contribute on VALERIE.

The above lyrics are for the Rumble Doll album's version of VALERIE. Check out Patti Scialfa's live 05 Oct 2006 version with Bruce Springsteen.

Track credits:
Written by: Patti Scialfa
Guitars and bass: Mike Campbell
Acoustic guitar: Nils Lofgren
Keyboards: Roy Bittan, Patti Scialfa
Drums and percussion: Gary Mallabar

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