Album version
Spread out now, Rosie, doctor come cut loose her mama's reins
You know playin' blind man's bluff is a little baby's game
You pick up Little Dynamite, I'm gonna pick up Little Gun
And together we're gonna go out tonight and make that highway run
You don't have to call me lieutenant, Rosie, and I don't want to be your son
The only lover I'm ever gonna need's your soft sweet little girl's tongue
Ah, Rosie, you're the one
Dynamite's in the belfry, baby, playin' with the bats
Little Gun's downtown in front of Woolworth's, tryin' out his attitude on all the cats
Papa's on the corner, waitin' for the bus
Mama, she's home in the window, waitin' up for us
She'll be there in that chair when they wrestle her upstairs, 'cause you know we ain't gonna come
Ah, I ain't here on business, baby, I'm only here for fun
And Rosie, you're the one
Rosalita, jump a little lighter
Senorita, come sit by my fire
I just want to be your lover, ain't no liar
Rosalita, you're my stone desire
Jack the Rabbit and Weak Knees Willie, don't you know they're gonna be there
Ah, Sloppy Sue and Big Bones Billy, they'll be comin' up for air
We're gonna play some pool, skip some school, act real cool
Stay out all night, it's gonna feel all right
So Rosie, come out tonight, oh, baby, come out tonight
Windows are for cheaters, chimneys for the poor
Oh, closets are for hangers, winners use the door
So use it Rosie, that's what it's there for
And Rosalita, jump a little lighter
Senorita, come sit by my fire
I just want to be your lover, ain't no liar
Rosalita, you're my stone desire
All right
Now, I know your mama, she don't like me 'cause I play in a rock and roll band
And I know your daddy, he don't dig me, but he never did understand
Your papa lowered the boom, he locked you in your room
I'm coming to lend a hand
I'm coming to liberate you, confiscate you, I want to be your man
Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny
But now you're sad, your mama's mad
And your papa says he knows that I don't (have any money)
Whoa, your papa says he knows (that I don't have any money)
Whoa, so your daddy says he knows I don't have (Papa says he knows that I don't have any money)
Well, tell him this is his last chance to get his daughter in a fine romance
Because the record company, Rosie, just gave me a big advance
And my tires were slashed and I almost crashed, but the Lord had mercy
And my machine, she's a dud, out stuck in the mud somewhere in the swamps of Jersey
Well, hold on tight, stay up all night, 'cause Rosie, I'm comin' on strong
By the time we meet the morning light, I will hold you in my arms
I know a pretty little place in Southern California down San Diego way
There's a little café where they play guitars all night and all day
You can hear 'em in the back room strummin'
So hold tight, baby, 'cause don't you know daddy's comin'
Oh, everybody, so!
Rosalita, jump a little lighter
Senorita, come sit by my fire
I just want to be your love, ain't no lie
Rosalita, you're my stone desire
Oh, yeah
(Oh, yeah, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!)
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 1973 album The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) as released in 1973.
The album version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was included on The Essential Bruce Springsteen (both 2003 and 2015 editions) compilation album, the Greatest Hits (2009 editions) compilation album, the Collection: 1973-2012 compilation album, and the Best Of Bruce Springsteen compilation album.
Bruce Springsteen's autobiographical song ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was inspired by his relationship with Diane Lozito, his girlfriend between summer 1971 and early 1975. See below section for more details. According to Brucebase, the song was written in late 1972. In an interview for Mojo magazine published in January 1999, Springsteen told Mark Hagen that he wrote ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) as a live showstopper, and it was probably the best song he ever wrote for that particular job.
In his 1998 book Songs, Springsteen wrote: "'Rosalita' was my musical autobiography. it was my 'getting out of town' preview for Born To Run, with more humor. I wrote it as a kiss-off to everybody who counted you out, put you down, or decided you weren't good enough. The lyrics also took a peek into the future – 'Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny.' Not that it would BE funny, but that it would all SEEM funny. Probably one of the most useful lines I've ever written."
The recording officially released on The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle was cut during the second phase of the album's recording sessions. The band line-up on this track is Bruce Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, Danny Federici, Vini Lopez, David Sancious, and Garry Tallent. The track, as well as the whole album, was recorded at Sound Studios in Blauvelt, NY and produced by Mike Appel and Jimmy Cretecos.
Diane Lozito, a fresh high school graduate, met Bruce Springsteen in summer 1971 at a show on the Jersey Shore. Her boyfriend, a law student named Bill, took her to the club; he knew the guitar player, Springsteen. He told her he plays live van Morrison and Bob Dylan, two musicians she adored. As Peter Knobler wrote in Crawdaddy magazine, Lozito apparently made an impression on the 21-year-old Springsteen. They became friends and she kept running into him throughout the summer. "Billy and his friends were major party boys," Lozito recalled. "But Bruce didn't drink or get high. One night at the beach, when Billy and the others were drinking, Bruce and I tucked around a rock and started kissing. Then I said, 'It's time to go' – because I was so scared of getting busted by Billy. That was a nice night. Light coming off the ocean, nothing like it." Springsteen carried a notebook and was always jotting things down. "The next day he showed me the line 'She kissed me just right/Like only a lonely angel can.'" That was SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT.
As Knobler wrote, soon Billy was out of the picture, Lozito and Springsteen talked about moving in together, and she took him to meet her mother. "Bruce charmed her to death," Lozito told Knobler. "When we left the house, he said, 'Oh, she loved me. She's gonna say yes!'" The next day he dropped by. "Did she say we could move in?" Springsteen asked. "Well, no," Lozito replied. "Why?" "Because my father was a musician, and you're a musician." Her parents' divorce hadn't gone well. Lozito watched as Springsteen wrote in his book: "I know your mama, she don't like me 'cause I play in a rock and roll band." "OK, your dad," Springsteen said, "he's a musician. He's gotta love me. Ask him." But Lozito's father told her, "All musicians are bums."
Springsteen and Lozito moved in together a year later over her parents' objections and he wrote the classics that turned up on his first three albums, along with performance legends that weren't released for years. "I'd ask, 'Why isn't my name in those songs?" Lozito says. "He'd tell me, 'It's boring having a whole album about the same girl. And nothing rhymes with Diane.'" Eventually Springsteen met the rest of Lozito's family, including her grandmother, Rose Lozito. In that part of Jersey, it's pronounced Lazita. Rose Lazita. "He wrote 'Rosalita' in bits and pieces and didn't have a title for it," she says. "My mom is Rita Lozito. Then he met my grandma. So I assume that's where he put it together."
In early 1975, when Springsteen was finishing Born To Run, she packed up and left. She told him, "I'm sorry, I'm so tired of being introduced as 'Bruce's girlfriend.'" Years later, she visited Springsteen at his hotel after a concert. He saw her and opened his arms. As they embraced, Lozito whispered, "That man behind me is my husband." "Bruce went 'Eeewww!'" she says with a laugh. There were more hugs and kisses from band members she hadn't seen in years. One of the new musicians – "new to me," Lozito says – asked, "Why are you guys hugging her? Who is she?" Then someone – she can't remember who – informed him. "You know who that is? That's Rosalita!"
Diane Lozito is the real "Sandy" in 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY), she's "Rosalita" in ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT), she's the girl in THUNDERCRACK, she's the "Crazy Janey" in SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT, and she's the "Terry" in BACKSTREETS. Diane says that BOBBY JEAN is also about her. When she left him, he went to ask her mother where she were – he sent her no more letters, but talked to her through his songs. "When he was with me he wrote all the time," she said, and his songs were about girls and relationships, but when they separated it was no more about women because he lived alone. He started writing "car songs, and fictional songs," as she put it.
The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle is Bruce Springsteen's second studio album. It was recorded between mid-May 1973 and mid-September 1973 at 914 Sound Studios in Blauvelt, NY. Studio time was slotted in during various itinerary breaks in the Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. Tour, but recording sessions dragged on much longer than originally anticipated and this eventually caused some gig rescheduling and cancellations during the period from July to September 1973.
The album's recording sessions can be split into distinct phases:
Most of the basic ensemble recording of The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle emanates from the first phase of sessions, prior to the arrival of David Sancious to the sessions on 22 Jun 1973. Sancious verified in a late seventies interview with Thunder Road magazine that most of the session songs had already been recorded (as basic tracks) by the time he joined. He then overdubbed his parts onto these recordings. THE E STREET SHUFFLE is an exception, which was written after Sancious became a member of the band. The latter phase of the sessions involved embellishing additional "frills" instrumentation, vocals, and experimenting with different mixes. No audio evidence has yet emerged that any of the basic recordings of were re-recorded from scratch with Sancious. Indeed, one of the most noteworthy aspects to the audio evidence that has emerged from The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle recording sessions is that there is not one genuine alternate take to be found – all song recording variations are merely alternate mixes of the same basic recording.
The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle was produced by Mike Appel and Jim Cretecos and engineered by Louis Lahav. It features 7 new Springsteen compositions and clocks at 46:47. It was commercially released on 05 Nov 1973.
The instrumental backing track for ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) has been circulating on several bootlegs, including Born In The Studio (Archive Productions) [track 01] and The Unsurpassed Springsteen Volume 5 (Yellow Dog Records) [track 05].
The Essential Bruce Springsteen is a compilation album released as part of Sony BMG'S (previously Sony Music Entertainment) series of "Essential" sets. According to Springsteen's liner notes comments, the collection was intended as an introduction to his music for new fans who attended shows on The Rising Tour.
The collection is fundamentally a 2-disc set (clocking at 153:37) compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Live In New York City release. A 3-disc limited edition (clocking at 201:04) was also released. It includes a bonus third disc comprising of a selection of rarities and previously unreleased recordings.
The Essential Bruce Springsteen was released on 11 Nov 2003 on Columbia Records. It debuted and peaked at #14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart where it spent 13 weeks. It also reached #28 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was awarded certified gold and platinum records by the RIAA on 16 Dec 2003.
Disc 1:
Disc 2:
Disc 3:
The Essential Bruce Springsteen was reissued on 16 Oct 2015, this time as a 2-disc set (clocking at 156:25) with an updated track list, compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Greatest Hits (1995 edition) collection. This 2015 reissue features remastered tracks not found in that form on other Springsteen releases.
Disc 1:
Disc 2:
Greatest Hits (2009 edition) is a compilation album released by Columbia Records on 13 Jan 2009 in the United State where it was sold exclusively through Wal-Mart retailers. The album was also released (but non-exclusively) in Canada. Unlike the 1995 Greatest Hits release and The Essential Bruce Springsteen in 2003, this compilation was billed to "Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band" instead of just "Bruce Springsteen". The album contains 12 previously released studio tracks and clocks at 53:08.
On 01 Jun 2009, Columbia Records released a European edition of the compilation album with an alternative track listing to promote Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band's European leg of the Working On A Dream Tour. The European edition was also released in Israel and Mexico, and in Australia in August 2009. The album comes in a standard jewel case, but a limited digipack edition was also released in Europe. Greatest Hits (2009 European edition) contains 16 previously released studio tracks and 2 live bonus tracks taken from the Live/1975-85 box set. It clocks at 79:03.
The album charted in several countries, but only made it to # 1 in Sweden. In general, the album did much better in Europe than in North America.
Collection: 1973-2012 is a Bruce Springsteen compilation album released on Columbia Records in 2013. It was released on 08 Mar 2013 in Australia and 15 Apr 2013 in Europe. The compilation was not released commercially in the United States. Instead, a promotional version was given out exclusively to $1,500 ticket holders at the "MusiCares Person Of The Year" tribute event held in Los Angeles, CA, on 08 Feb 2013. The event honoured Springsteen for both his artistic achievements and philanthropic efforts. The compilation consists of 18 previously released studio tracks.
Best Of Bruce Springsteen is a compilation album released on Columbia Records on 19 Apr 2024. The album is collection of original songs spanning Springsteen's entire career, from 1973 to 2020. The release was officially announced on 01 Mar 2024.
Two variants of the album were released: the 18-track physical releases and an expanded 31-track download-only version. The physical releases include a single-disc CD and as a two-disc LP set. Four editions of the vinyl release were issued: a regular edition on black vinyl, an Atlantic Blue vinyl exclusive to Europe, a Highway Yellow vinyl exclusive to independent retailers, and a Jersey Devil Red vinyl exclusive to Amazon Music.
The album version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was also included on several singles and EPs.
The album version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) can also be found on some Bruce Springsteen promo-only samplers and at least one various artists album.
Other versions of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) were also officially released.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) is known to have been performed at least 4 times during what is considered the Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. Tour (October 1972 to September 1973). Many of that period's setlists are incomplete or unknown, and therefore, the song must have been played on some more dates during the Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. Tour. On this tour, the song was played in a full-band arrangement and featured early lyrics ("chiffon reins" and "samurai tongue") that can be found on Springsteen's 1972 handwritten lyrics for ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT). The first known version (see the live 14 Feb 1973 version) featured The Beach Boys' FUN FUN FUN in the midsection. No audio recording of the second known version is in circulation, but as reported in the reviews of the 24 Mar 1973 show in Lewiston, NY, the song also featured The Beach Boys' FUN FUN FUN. No audio recording of the third known version is in circulation. The fourth version (see the live 06 Jun 1973 version) did not feature The Beach Boys' song. Following the 17 Mar 1973 show at Oliver's in Boston, MA, Springsteen was interviewed backstage and he mentioned incorporating new material into the shows and specifically mentions RING OF FIRE, APACHE, and ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT). The setlist for the 17 Mar 1973 show in particular is unknown.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) is known to have been performed at least 62 times during what is considered The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle Tour (September 1973 to March 1975). Some of that period's setlists are incomplete or unknown, and therefore, the song must have been played on some more dates during The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle Tour. On this tour, the song was played in a full-band arrangement, featuring band introductions and sometimes a snippet of Junior Walker & The All Stars' SHOTGUN or Isaac Hayes' THEME FROM SHAFT in the midsection. The first 10 known versions, from December 1973 through February 1974, featured Vini Lopez on drums and David Sancious on keyboards, all included a snippet of SHOTGUN in the midsection, and featured early lyrics ("chiffon reins" and "samurai tongue") that can be found on Springsteen's 1972 handwritten lyrics for ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (see the live 06 Jan 1974 version). The next 24 known versions, from February through August 1974, featured Boom Carter on drums and David Sancious on keyboards, and some again featured an instrumental snippet of SHOTGUN and/or early lyrics (see the live 03 Mar 1974 (late show) version). The next 3 known versions, from September 1974, featured Max Weinberg on drums and Roy Bittan on piano (no audio of these versions is in circulation). The last 25 known versions, from October 1974 through March 1975, featured Max Weinberg on drums, Roy Bittan on piano, and Suki Lahav on backup vocals, and many of them featured an instrumental snippet of THEME FROM SHAFT in the midsection (see the live 05 Feb 1975 version).
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) is known to have been performed at least 64 times during the Born To Run Tour (73 know dates / 81 known shows, July to December 1975). Some of that period's setlists are incomplete or unknown, and therefore, the song must have been played on some more dates during the Born To Run Tour; it may have been a stable number during the tour. On this tour, the song was played in a full-band arrangement, featuring band introductions, normally with an instrumental snippet of Isaac Hayes' THEME FROM SHAFT in the midsection. It also often featured a snippet of Jay And The Americans' COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER as an intro. The live 18 Nov 1975 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Hammersmith Odeon, London '75 album and home video in 2005. The live 24 Nov 1975 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the London 11/24/1975 official live download in 2020. The live 31 Dec 1975 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Tower Theater, Philadelphia 1975 official live download in 2015.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) is known to have been performed at least 23 times during the so-called Chicken Scratch Tour (35 know dates, March to May 1976). Some of that period's setlists are incomplete or unknown, and therefore, the song must have been played on some more dates during the Chicken Scratch Tour; it may have been a stable number during the tour. On this tour, the song was played in a full-band arrangement, featuring band introductions, normally with an instrumental snippet of Isaac Hayes' THEME FROM SHAFT in the midsection. It also often featured an extended mariachi-style musical introduction. Springsteen replaced the "This is his last chance to get his daughter in a fine romance / The record company, Rosie, gave me a big advance" lines with "This is his last chance, tell him, Rosie, I ain't no freak / 'Cause I got my picture on the cover of Time and Newsweek!" – this is a reference to his appearance on the covers of both Time and Newsweek magazines in the same week, on 27 Oct 1975.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) is known to have been performed at least 56 times during what is known as The Lawsuit Tour (62 know dates, August 1976 to March 1977). Some of that period's setlists are incomplete or unknown, and therefore, the song must have been played on some more dates during the Lawsuit Tour; it may have been a stable number during the tour. On this tour, the song was played in a full-band arrangement, featuring band introductions, normally with an instrumental snippet of Isaac Hayes' THEME FROM SHAFT in the midsection, and sometimes with other songs thrown in as well (see individual versions below). The first 8 of these performances, from August 1976, did not feature any horns, although the first Miami Horns line-up was touring with the band at the time. The rest of the versions featured The Miami Horns Quartet line-up #2, which consisted of Ed De Palma on sax, John Binkley on trumpet, Steve Paraczky on trumpet, and Dennis Orlock on trombone. This Philadelphia-based foursome had no association with Southside Johnny. On this tour, Springsteen replaced the "This is his last chance to get his daughter in a fine romance / The record company, Rosie, gave me a big advance" lines with "This is his last chance, tell him, Rosie, I ain't no freak / 'Cause I got my picture on the cover of Time and Newsweek!" The live 07 Feb 1977 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Palace Theatre, Albany 1977 official live download in 2017. The live 08 Feb 1977 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, NY 1977 official live download in 2017.
In preparation for the Darkness On The Edge Of Town Tour, ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) is known to have been practiced on 19 May 1978 at Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ, during the only known/confirmed private rehearsal prior to the tour's start.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) is known to have been performed at least 106 times during the Darkness On The Edge Of Town Tour (111 dates, May 1978 to January 1979). A few setlists from that period are incomplete or unknown, and therefore, the song must have been played on some more dates during the Darkness On The Edge Of Town Tour; it may have only missed the 03 Dec 1978 show in Carbondale, IL. On this tour, the song was played in a full-band arrangement and featured band introductions in the midsection occasionally with a snippet of The Miracles' MICKEY'S MONKEY or Village People's MACHO MAN thrown in, an extended mariachi-style instrumental introduction, and/or some or another lyric variant. In the first couple of months of the tour and in late August, Springsteen replaced the "This is his last chance to get his daughter in a fine romance / The record company, Rosie, gave me a big advance" lines with "This is his last chance, tell him, Rosie, I ain't no freak / 'Cause I got my picture on the cover of Time and Newsweek!" – this is a reference to his appearance on the covers of both Time and Newsweek magazines in the same week, on 27 Oct 1975. The live 01 Jul 1978 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Berkeley, July 1, 1978 official live download in 2021. The live 07 Jul 1978 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Live/1975-85 box set in 1986. Video for the live 08 Jul 1978 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was distributed promotionally and was later included on the Video Anthology / 1978-88 home video in 1989. The live 09 Aug 1978 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on The Agora, Cleveland 1978 official live download in 2014. The live 19 Sep 1978 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the September 19, 1978 official live download in 2019. The live 20 Sep 1978 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ September 20, 1978 official live download in 2017. The live 30 Sep 1978 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the September 30, 1978 official live download in 2020. The live 08 Dec 1978 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story box set in 2010. The live 15 Dec 1978 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Winterland 12/15/78 official live download in 2019. The live 16 Dec 1978 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Winterland 12/16/78 official live download in 2019.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) is known to have been performed at least 136 times during The River Tour (138 dates, October 1980 to September 1981). A few setlists from that period are incomplete, and therefore, the song may have been played on some more dates during The River Tour (31 Oct 1980 in Los Angeles, CA and 04 Mar 1981 in Lexington, KY); it may have been a stable number during that tour. On this tour, the song was played in a full-band arrangement, featuring band introductions, occasionally with an instrumental snippet of the traditional song THE YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS in the introduction (see the live 09 Nov 1980 version), a snippet of the traditional song STAGGER LEE sung by Springsteen or Clarence Clemons as an introduction (see the live 01 Nov 1980 version), an instrumental snippet of the United States presidential anthem HAIL TO THE CHIEF during the band introductions (see the live 01 Nov 1980 version), a snippet of Arthur Conley's SWEET SOUL MUSIC during the band introductions (see the live 20 Aug 1981 version), and/or some or another lyric variant. The live 05 Nov 1980 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on The Ties That Bind: The River Collection box set in 2015. The live 29 Dec 1980 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Nassau Coliseum, New York 12/29/80 official live download in 2019. The live 31 Dec 1980 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Nassau Coliseum, New York 1980 official live download in 2015. The live 05 Jun 1981 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Wembley Arena June 5, 1981 official live download in 2018. The live 09 Jul 1981 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena 1981 official live download in 2020.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed 81 times during the Born In The U.S.A. Tour (156 dates, June 1984 to October 1985), including the first 49 consecutive dates and all European dates. On this tour, the song was played in a traditional full-band arrangement with band introductions, sometimes featuring a snippet of Jay And The Americans' COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER as an introduction. See the live 12 Jul 1984 version. The live 05 Aug 1984 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey 1984 official live download in 2015. The live 06 Aug 1984 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena August 6, 1984 official live download in 2020. The live 20 Aug 1984 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena, NJ August 20, 1984 official live download in 2015.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed 38 times during the 67-date-long Tunnel Of Love Express Tour; these were the first 38 consecutive dates. On this tour, the song was played in a traditional full-band arrangement. This was the first tour where ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed without serving as the band introduction song. The live 28 Mar 1988 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Joe Louis Arena, Detroit 1988 official live download in 2020. The live 23 Apr 1988 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the LA Sports Arena, California 1988 official live download in 2015. The live 28 Apr 1988 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Los Angeles, April 1988 official live download in 2021.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed once during World Tour 1992-1993 (104 dates, June 1992 to June 1993), on 10 Aug 1992 in East Rutherford, NJ. The song was played in a full-band arrangement. See the live 10 Aug 1992 version.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed 3 times during The Ghost Of Tom Joad Solo Acoustic Tour (128 dates, November 1995 to May 1997), on the three November 1996 Asbury Park shows. The song was played in an acoustic arrangement with Springsteen on guitar and a different combination of guest musicians on each of the three nights. The live 24 Nov 1996 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Asbury Park 11/24/96 official live download in 2019.
In preparation for The Reunion Tour, ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) is known to have been practiced during at least one of the private rehearsals that took place in March 1999 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's first leg.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed once during what is known as The Reunion Tour (132 dates, April 1999 to July 2000), on 12 Aug 1999 in East Rutherford, NJ. The song was played in a traditional full-band version and featuring band introductions. Springsteen replaced the "This is his last chance to get his daughter in a fine romance / The record company, Rosie, gave me a big advance" lines with "Well, this is his last chance to get his daughter in a... not to be brokenhearted / 'Cause it ain't over, it's okay, kiss me, we're just getting started!". See the live 12 Aug 1999 version for more details.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed 35 times during The Rising Tour (120 dates, August 2002 to October 2003), on 22 Mar 2003 in Sydney, Australia, plus the tour's last 34 consecutive shows. The song was played in a traditional full band version, sometimes featuring a snippet of Jay And The Americans' COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER as an introduction (see the live 06 Aug 2003 version), a snippet of Sam Cooke's ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT as an introduction (see the live 09 Aug 2003 version), or a snippet of the traditional song STAGGER LEE as an introduction (see the live 03 Oct 2003 version).
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed 29 times during the Magic Tour (100 dates, October 2007 to August 2008), all in 2008. The song was played in its traditional full band arrangement, and all versions were with Charles Giordano on organ. The live 22 Apr 2008 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL, April 22, 2008 official live download in 2019.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed 44 times during the Working On A Dream Tour (83 dates, April to November 2009), mostly in the United States. The song was played in its traditional full-band arrangement. Jay Weinberg replaced his father on drums on five of these performances, and 12 performances towards the end of the tour featured Curt Ramm on trumpet. The live 18 May 2009 performance of the song in Washington, DC, featured a snippet of the United States presidential anthem HAIL TO THE CHIEF as in introduction (see the live 18 May 2009 version). The live 14, 19, and 20 Oct 2009 performances of the song in Philadelphia, PA, featured a snippet of Bill Conti's GONNA FLY NOW (THEME FROM ROCKY) as an introduction, played by Curt Ramm on trumpet (see the live 20 Oct 2009 version). The live 25 Oct 2009 performance of the song in St. Louis, MO, featured an apparently original trumpet intro by Curt Ramm. The live 28 Jun 2009 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the London Calling: Live In Hyde Park home video in 2010. The live 04 May 2009 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Nassau Coliseum 05.04.09 official live download in 2020. The live 20 Oct 2009 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 10/20/09 official live download in 2017. The live 07 Nov 2009 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the MSG 11.07.09 official live download in 2020. The live 22 Nov 2009 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY 11/22/2009 official live download in 2016.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed 32 times during the Wrecking Ball Tour (133 dates, March 2012 to September 2013). The song was played in a full-band arrangement. The live 11 Jul 2013 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was released on the Ippodromo Delle Capannelle, Rome 2013 official live download in 2015.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed 7 times during the High Hopes Tour (34 dates, January to May 2014). The song was played in a full-band arrangement. Audio recordings for most High Hopes Tour shows are officially available for purchase. See the live 01 Mar 2014 version for more details.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was reportedly performed off-tour on 22 Jan 1977 at The Jail in Hillsdale, NJ, where Bruce Springsteen made a guest appearance with local band Pegasus, playing a two-song set. No audio recording of this show is known to exist.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed off-tour on 25 Aug 1978 at Toad's Place in New Haven, CT, during a guest appearance with Beaver Brown.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed off-tour on 15 Apr 1979 at The Fast Lane in Asbury Park, NJ. Springsteen, along with four members of the Asbury Jukes (Kevin Kavanaugh on piano, Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg on trombone, Eddie Manion on baritone saxophone, and Joel Gramolini on guitar) made a guest appearance with Beaver Brown, playing a four-song set.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) 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 ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) were released on the No Nukes 1979 official live download in 2018.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed off-tour on 05 Oct 1979 at The Fast Lane in Asbury Park, NJ. Springsteen made a guest appearance with Beaver Brown, playing a three-song set. See the live 05 Oct 1979 version for more details.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed off-tour on 21 Jun 1984 at The Village in Lancaster, PA, during a Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band surprise appearance at the nightclub. See the live 21 Jun 1984 version for more details.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed off-tour on 03 Sep 2001 at Donovan's Reef in Sea Bright, NJ. Springsteen and Patti Scialfa joined local house band Brian Kirk & The Jirks, playing a four-song set. The song was played in a full-band version. See the live 03 Sep 2001 version for more details.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed off-tour on 29 Apr 2003 at Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ, during "The Hope Concert" benefit. The song was played in a full-band arrangement, backed by the Max Weinberg 7, including horns, and featuring Jon Bon Jovi and Bobby Bandiera on shared lead vocals and guitar. See the live 29 Apr 2003 version for more details. The song was also practiced the previous day at Count Basie Theatre during the concert's rehearsals.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed off-tour on 05 Apr 2007 at Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY, during "The Music of Bruce Springsteen" benefit/tribute concert. Springsteen performed the song twice that night, once solo acoustic, and once with the house band and sharing lead vocals with several of the event's artists. See the live 05 Apr 2007 version for more details.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed off-tour on 07 May 2008 at Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ, during a benefit show for the historic theatre. The song was played in a full-band arrangement featuring a horns section. See the live 07 May 2008 version for more details.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed off-tour on 25 Feb 2012 at The Press Room in Asbury Park, NJ, during a surprise appearance at a gig with Boccigalupe and the Badboys. The song was played in a full-band version. See the live 25 May 2012 version for more details.
In 1974, Bruce Springsteen performed ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) on one radio performance. The song was played in a unique full-band acoustic arrangement featuring band introductions. See the live 09 Apr 1974 version for more details.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed during both 2000 Asbury Park holiday shows and all five 2003 Asbury Park holiday shows. These concerts were billed as "Bruce
Springsteen with The Max Weinberg 7 and Friends", with The Max Weinberg 7 serving as the house band, and Springsteen bringing guests on and off the stage throughout the shows. On these shows the song was played in a traditional full-band version, with Springsteen backed by the full E Street Band (minus Steve Van Zandt and Roy Bittan in 2001), plus Bobby Bandiera on guitar and the Max Weinberg 7 (including horns).
Since 2002, Springsteen has been playing private benefit shows for schools and colleges that his kids attended — Rumson Country Day School of Rumson, NJ, and Ranney School of Tinton Falls, NJ, and Boston College of Chestnut Hill, MA. ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) was performed at 3 of these fundraisers, always at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, and backed by Bobby Bandiera and his band plus Max Weinberg on drums.
Bruce Springsteen's album version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) appears in one movie.
At least 7 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT).
Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake at BTX and Greasy Lake) for all the help. Thanks Carlo Bondi for the Storia E Musica Rock: Bruce Springsteen cassette tape scan.
Some of the above info about the studio recording and the live performances is taken from Brucebase.
List of available versions of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) on this website:
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Album version]
