Studio version 10
One, two, three
If you're out on your own and you ain't got a home
And it feels like the whole worlds just gonna fall on you
You're just running scared, look around, there's nothing there
And you ain't got the strength and your friends all just stall on you
Well, along comes a cloud, and you're lost in the crowd
Once you thought you might make it, but babe, these days you doubt it
If you need a hand, honey, I understand
Just stand on up, yeah, stand up and shout it girl
Don't back down, don't back down
Don't back down, don't back down on me
Don't back down, don't back down
Don't back down, don't back down, baby
Now you see all the ones worn out and tired
Fool and broken down by the way side
With two hearts call out for hire
Filled with hurt, defeated by their foolish pride
Girl, you hear the sound of a one passing down
And you don't think that these days you can make it, babe
Just step on up, I'll give you a hand
And if you ain't got a problem, maybe we can share it, baby
Don't back down, don't back down
Don't back down, don't back down, baby
Don't back down, don't back down
Don't back down, don't back down, baby
Don't back down, don't
Baby, don't back down, don't
Baby, don't back down, don't
Na na na, yeah
If you're out on your own and you ain't got a home
And it feels like the whole world's just gonna fall on you
You're just running scared, look around, there's nothing there
And you ain't got the strength and your friends all just stall on you
Well, along comes a cloud, and you're lost in the crowd
Once you thought you might make it, but babe, these days you doubt it
I understand if you need a helping hand
Baby, don't be afraid, just stand up and shout it girl
Don't back down, don't back down
Don't back down, don't back down on me
Don't back down, don't back down
Don't back down, don't back down on me
Don't back down, don't back down
Don't back down, don't back down, baby
Don't back down, don't back down
Don't back down, don't back down, baby
Don't back down, don't back down
Don't back down, don't back down, baby
Don't back down, don't back down
Don't back down, don't back down
Don't back down, baby
The above lyrics are for a rock-flavored version of DON'T BACK DOWN, recorded sometime between mid-January and mid-February 1983 at Thrill Hill West, Springsteen's home studio in Los Angeles, CA. It features double-tracked vocals and a very different melody and lyrics from other versions of the song. It can be considered an altogether different song musically and lyrically.
This studio version of DON'T BACK DOWN was released on The Lost Masters Vol. 16 (Labour Of Love) [track 04] bootleg.
Thanks Mark, Heye, and Cosmickid for the corrections.
The above lyrics may not be 100% correct. If you have any corrections, additions, or comments, please contact me via the below form or by email: .
List of available versions of DON'T BACK DOWN on this website:
DON'T BACK DOWN [Studio version 1]