Live 29 Apr 2003 version
| Bruce Springsteen (spoken intro): | I, I'm gonna be impressed if Johnny's got all these chords, that's all I can say. That shows some grit. Are we ready? We have a mighty task in front of us. I think we can do it. |
| Bruce Springsteen: | Whoa, 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, well, I'm gonna pick up Little Gun | |
| Together we're gonna go out tonight, we'll 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 | |
| You're the one! | |
| Jon Bon Jovi: | Oh, 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 | |
| Now, papa's on the corner, waiting for the bus | |
| Mama, she's home in the window, waitin' up there for us | |
| Bruce Springsteen: | She'll be there in that chair 'til they wrestle her upstairs, you know we ain't gonna come |
| I ain't here on business, baby | |
| Jon Bon Jovi: | I'm only here for fun |
| Springsteen and Bon Jovi: | You're the one! |
| Springsteen and Bon Jovi: | Rosalita, jump a little lighter |
| Senorita, come sit by my fire | |
| I just want to be your lover, ain't no liar | |
| Oh, Rosie, you're my stone desire | |
| Bruce Springsteen: | Whoa! |
| Bruce Springsteen: | Jack the Rabbit, Weak Knees Willie, you know they're gonna be there |
| Jon Bon Jovi: | Ah, gonna be Sloppy Sue and Big Bones Billy, they're comin' up for air |
| Bobby Bandiera: | We're gonna play some pool, skip some school, act real cool |
| Stay out all night, it's gonna feel all right | |
| Jon Bon Jovi: | Oh, Rosie, come out tonight, Rosie, come out tonight |
| Windows are for cheaters, and chimneys for the poor | |
| Closets are for hangers, yeah, winners use the door | |
| Use it, Rosie! That's what it's there for! | |
| Springsteen and Bon Jovi: | Rosalita, jump a little lighter |
| Senorita, come sit by my fire | |
| I just want to be your lover, ain't no liar | |
| Rosie, you're my stone desire | |
| Bobby Bandiera: | I know your mama, she don't like me 'cause I play in a rock and roll band |
| Jon Bon Jovi: | I know your daddy don't dig me, he never did understand |
| Bruce Springsteen: | Papa lowered the boom and locked you in your room |
| I'm coming to lend a hand | |
| I want to liberate you, confiscate you, I want to be your man | |
| Bobby Bandiera: | Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny |
| Jon Bon Jovi: | Now you're sad, your mama's mad |
| Your papa says he knows that I don't have any money | |
| Papa says he knows that I don't have any money | |
| Papa says he knows that I don't have any money | |
| Bruce Springsteen: | This is his last chance to get his daughter in a fine romance |
| Record company, Rosie, gave me a big advance! | |
| My tires were slashed and I almost crashed, the Lord had mercy | |
| My machine, she's a dud, out stuck in the mud somewhere in the swamps of Jersey | |
| Jon Bon Jovi: | You gotta hold on tight, stay up all night, well, Rosie, I'm comin' on strong |
| Bobby Bandiera: | By the time we meet the morning light I will hold you in my arms |
| Jon Bon Jovi: | I know a pretty little place in Southern California down San Diego way |
| Bruce Springsteen: | A little café |
| Bobby Bandiera: | They play the same thing all night and day |
| Jon Bon Jovi: | You can see 'em in the back room strummin' |
| Hold tight, girl, don't you know I'm coming | |
| Everybody say | |
| (Ohhh!) | |
| Do that! Do that! Come on! | |
| Whoa! | |
| Springsteen and Bon Jovi: | Rosalita, jump a little lighter |
| Senorita, come sit by my fire | |
| I just want to be your lover, ain't no liar | |
| Rosie, you're my stone desire | |
| Bruce Springsteen: | Rrrrrr! Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo! |
| (Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!) | |
| Bruce Springsteen (spoken outro): | Yes! |
The above lyrics are for the live 29 Apr 2003 performance of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) at Count Basie Theatre in Asbury Park, 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.
The 29 Apr 2003 show at Count Basie Theatre, billed "The Hope Concert", was a benefit for Robert Bandiera Jr., son of Bobby Bandiera, who suffers from a rare neurological disorder and requires full time care. Along with Bobby Bandiera and his band, the concert featured Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Gary U.S. Bonds, The Max Weinberg 7, Southside Johnny, and others.
Bobby Bandiera is a New Jersey guitarist and songwriter whose relationship with Bruce Springsteen dates back to the early eighties, when Bandiera was the front man of Cats On A Smooth Surface. The band was throughout the eighties the house band at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. They backed Springsteen on drop-in appearances mostly at The Stone Pony but also at other clubs around the Jersey Shore. Bandiera was reportedly considered for the guitarist position in the E Street Band for the Born In The U.S.A. Tour in 1984 when Steve Van Zandt left the band, but this position went to Nils Lofgren. Bandiera joined Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes in 1985, and continued to perform with Springsteen at various off-tour shows, including club appearances, benefit concerts, and Holiday shows. Bandiera remains one of Springsteen's most frequent non-E Street Band musical mates.
Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake at BTX and Greasy Lake) for the lyrics help.
I am not 100% sure that it is Bobby Bandiera singing on the verses credited to him. Maybe it's Jimmy Vivino. If you can help confirming this, please contact me via the below form or by email: .
List of available versions of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) on this website:
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Album version]
