Lyrics

STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA

1993 music video version


I was bruised and battered, I couldn't tell what I felt
I was unrecognizable to myself
Saw my reflection in a window, didn't know my own face
So brother are you gonna leave me wasting away
On the streets of Philadelphia

(Li-li li-li-li, li-li li-li-li)
(Li-li li-li-li, li-li li-li-li)
(Li-li li-li-li, li-li li-li-li)
(Li-li li-li-li, li-li li-li-li)

I walked the avenue 'til my legs felt like stone
I heard voices of friends vanished and gone
At night I hear the blood in my veins
Just as black and whispering as the rain
On the streets of Philadelphia

(Li-li li-li-li, li-li li-li-li)
(Li-li li-li-li, li-li li-li-li)
(Li-li li-li-li, li-li li-li-li)
(Li-li li-li-li, li-li li-li-li)

Ain't no angel gonna greet me
It's just you and I my friend
My clothes don't fit me no more
I walked a thousand miles just to slip this skin

Night has fallen, I'm lying awake
I can feel myself fading away
So receive me brother with your faithless kiss
Or will we leave each other alone like this
On the streets of Philadelphia

(Li-li li-li-li, li-li li-li-li)
(Li-li li-li-li, li-li li-li-li)
(Li-li li-li-li, li-li li-li-li)
(Li-li li-li-li, li-li li-li-li)
(Li-li li-li-li...)
[Fades out]

Info

The above lyrics are for the 1993 music video version of STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA. The audio track is the same core recording as the official studio version, except that it features an alternate vocals over the same instrumental track. The vocal track was recorded live during the shooting of the song's music video, using a hidden microphone. Not to be confused with the less-known 1994 music video version.

The music video was shot in Philadelphia on 06 and 07 Dec 1993 and was directed by Jonathan Demme and his nephew Ted Demme. It begins by showing Springsteen walking along desolate city streets, followed by a bustling park and schoolyard, interspersed with footage from the movie Philadelphia. After a quick shot of Rittenhouse Square, it ends with Springsteen walking along the Delaware River, with the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in the background. Tom Hanks is also visible as the lead character he plays in the film, looking on as Bruce begins the final verse.

The music video was released in December 1993. It won an MTV Video Music Award For Best Video From A Film and was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award For Best Male Video.

The 1993 music video of STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA was included on the The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 home video and the Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- compilation album. It was posted on Bruce Springsteen's VEVO YouTube channel in October 2009.


Video Anthology Home Video

Video Anthology / 1978-88 is a collection of 18 Bruce Springsteen music videos and concert performances, released on VHS on 31 Jan 1989. The home video was also released on LaserDisc.

Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA VHS cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA VHS cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA LaserDisc cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA LaserDisc cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (Japan LaserDisc cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (Japan LaserDisc cover art)

Video Anthology / 1978-88 track list

  1. ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Live 08 Jul 1978 version] — originally released in 1978, directed by Arnold Levine
  2. THE RIVER [Live 21 Sep 1979 version] — originally released in 1980, directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza
  3. THUNDER ROAD [Mix of live 21 Sep 1979 version and live 22 Sep 1979 version] — originally released in 1980, directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza
  4. ATLANTIC CITY — originally released in 1982, directed by Arnold Levine
  5. DANCING IN THE DARK — originally released in 1984, directed by Brian De Palma
  6. BORN IN THE U.S.A. — originally released in 1984, directed by John Sayles
  7. I'M ON FIRE — originally released in 1985, directed by John Sayles
  8. GLORY DAYS — originally released in 1985, directed by John Sayles
  9. MY HOMETOWN [Live 30 Sep 1985 version] — originally released in 1985, directed by Arthur Rosato
  10. WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version] — originally released in 1986, directed by Arthur Rosato
  11. FIRE [Live 13 Oct 1986 version] — originally released in 1986
  12. BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version] — originally released in 1987, directed by Arthur Rosato
  13. BRILLIANT DISGUISE — originally released in 1987, directed by Meiert Avis
  14. TUNNEL OF LOVE — originally released in 1987, directed by Meiert Avis
  15. ONE STEP UP — originally released in 1988, directed by Meiert Avis
  16. TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version] — originally released in1988, directed by Meiert Avis
  17. SPARE PARTS [Live 10 Jul 1988 version] — originally released in 1988, directed by Carol Dodds
  18. BORN TO RUN [Live 27 Apr 1988 version] — originally released in 1988, directed by Meiert Avis

Sonny reissued the video on DVD on 16 Jan 2001. Titled The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000, the new expanded release added a second disc with 15 additional music video, concert performances, and television appearances.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 (DVD cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 (DVD cover art)

The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 track list

Disc 1:

  1. ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Live 08 Jul 1978 version] — originally released in 1978, directed by Arnold Levine
  2. THE RIVER [Live 21 Sep 1979 version] — originally released in 1980, directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza
  3. THUNDER ROAD [Mix of live 21 Sep 1979 version and live 22 Sep 1979 version] — originally released in 1980, directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza
  4. ATLANTIC CITY — originally released in 1982, directed by Arnold Levine
  5. DANCING IN THE DARK — originally released in 1984, directed by Brian De Palma
  6. BORN IN THE U.S.A. — originally released in 1984, directed by John Sayles
  7. I'M ON FIRE — originally released in 1985, directed by John Sayles
  8. GLORY DAYS — originally released in 1985, directed by John Sayles
  9. MY HOMETOWN [Live 30 Sep 1985 version] — originally released in 1985, directed by Arthur Rosato
  10. WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version] — originally released in 1986, directed by Arthur Rosato
  11. FIRE [Live 13 Oct 1986 version] — originally released in 1986
  12. BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version] — originally released in 1987, directed by Arthur Rosato
  13. BRILLIANT DISGUISE — originally released in 1987, directed by Meiert Avis
  14. TUNNEL OF LOVE — originally released in 1987, directed by Meiert Avis
  15. ONE STEP UP — originally released in 1988, directed by Meiert Avis
  16. TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version] — originally released in1988, directed by Meiert Avis
  17. SPARE PARTS [Live 10 Jul 1988 version] — originally released in 1988, directed by Carol Dodds
  18. BORN TO RUN [Live 27 Apr 1988 version] — originally released in 1988, directed by Meiert Avis

Disc 2:

  1. HUMAN TOUCH — originally released in 1992, directed by Meiert Avis
  2. BETTER DAYS — originally released in 1992, directed by Meiert Avis
  3. 57 CHANNELS (AND NOTHIN' ON) — originally released in 1992, directed by Adam Bernstein
  4. LEAP OF FAITH [Live 06 Aug 1992 version] — originally released in 1992, directed by Meiert Avis
  5. STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA — originally released in 1993, directed by Jonathan Demme and Ted Demme
  6. MURDER INCORPORATED — originally released in 1995, directed by Jonathan Demme
  7. SECRET GARDEN — originally released in 1995, directed by Peter Care
  8. HUNGRY HEART [Live 09 Jul 1995 version] — originally released in 1995, directed by Rudi Dolezal and Hannes Rossacher
  9. DEAD MAN WALKIN' — originally released in 1196, directed by Tim Robbins
  10. THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD — originally released in 1996, directed by Arnold Levine
  11. THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD [Live 27 Nov 1995 version] — from The Tonight Show With Jay Leno
  12. HIGHWAY PATROLMAN — previously unreleased, directed by Sean Penn
  13. IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND [25 Sep 1999 sound-check version] — previously unreleased, directed by Jonathan Demme
  14. BORN IN THE U.S.A. [Live 20 Nov 1998 version] — from The Charlie Rose Show
  15. LIFT ME UP — audio only, plays over end credits
  16. SECRET GARDEN [with Strings] — previously unreleased, directed by Peter Care

Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-

Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- is a Bruce Springsteen compilation album released by Sony Music Japan in 2023. The compilation, which was exclusively released in Japan, consists of previously released 35 audio tracks and 62 video tracks. The collection is part of a 26-title reissue campaign to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's debut album. The series, issued in three waves (25 Oct 2023, 22 Nov 2023, and 20 Dec 2023), includes 25 albums originally released between 1973 and 2014 plus a new compilation album that includes all of Springsteen's singles released in Japan from 1975 to 1999. All audio CD's were manufactured using Sony Japan's Blu-spec CD2 format.

Bruce Springsteen -- Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-
Bruce Springsteen -- Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-

Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- track list

Disc 1: (audio CD)

  1. BORN TO RUN
  2. TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT
  3. PROVE IT ALL NIGHT
  4. BADLANDS
  5. HUNGRY HEART
  6. I WANNA MARRY YOU
  7. SANTA CLAUSE IS COMIN' TO TOWN [Live 12 Dec 1975 version]
  8. ATLANTIC CITY
  9. DANCING IN THE DARK
  10. COVER ME
  11. BORN IN THE U.S.A.
  12. I'M ON FIRE
  13. GLORY DAYS
  14. I'M GOIN' DOWN
  15. MY HOMETOWN
  16. WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
  17. FIRE [Live 16 Dec 1978 version]

Disc 2: (audio CD)

  1. BRILLIANT DISGUISE
  2. TUNNEL OF LOVE
  3. ONE STEP UP
  4. TOUGHER THAN THE REST
  5. SPARE PARTS
  6. HUMAN TOUCH
  7. BETTER DAYS
  8. 57 CHANNELS (AND NOTHIN' ON)
  9. ROLL OF THE DICE
  10. STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA
  11. SECRET GARDEN
  12. THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD
  13. DEAD MAN WALKIN'
  14. BLOOD BROTHERS [Alternate studio version]
  15. I WANNA BE WITH YOU
  16. CHIMES OF FREEDOM [Live 03 Jul 1988 version]
  17. AMERICAN BEAUTY
  18. I'LL STAND BY YOU

Disc 3: (DVD)

  1. ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Live 08 Jul 1978 version]
  2. BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version]
  3. TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT [Live 05 Nov 1980 version]
  4. THUNDER ROAD [Live 05 Nov 1980 version]
  5. PROVE IT ALL NIGHT [Live 08 Jul 1978 version]
  6. BADLANDS [Live 05 Nov 1980 version]
  7. HUNGRY HEART [Live 09 Jul 1995 version]
  8. I WANNY MARRY YOU [Live 05 Nov 1980 version]
  9. THE RIVER [Live 21 Sep 1979 version]
  10. ATLANTIC CITY
  11. HIGHWAY PATROLMAN
  12. DANCING IN THE DARK
  13. COVER ME [Live 30 Jun 2013 version]
  14. BORN IN THE U.S.A.
  15. I'M ON FIRE
  16. GLORY DAYS
  17. I'M GOIN' DOWN [Live 30 Jun 2013 version]
  18. MY HOMETOWN [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
  19. WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
  20. FIRE [Live 13 Oct 1986 version]
  21. BRILLIANT DISGUISE
  22. TUNNEL OF LOVE
  23. ONE STEP UP
  24. TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version]
  25. SPARE PARTS [Live 10 Jul 1988 version]
  26. VIGILANTE MAN [Live Feb 1988 version]
  27. HUMAN TOUCH
  28. BETTER DAYS
  29. 57 CHANNELS (AND NOTHIN' ON)
  30. ROLL OF THE DICE [Live 22 Sep 1992 version]
  31. LEAP OF FAITH [Live 06 Aug 1992 version]
  32. IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND [25 Sep 1999 sound-check version]

Disc 4: (DVD)

  1. STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA [1993 music video version]
  2. MURDER INCORPORATED
  3. SECRET GARDEN
  4. THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD [Live 27 Nov 1995 (NBC Studios) version]
  5. DEAD MAN WALKIN'
  6. LONESOME DAY
  7. WAITIN' ON A SUNNY DAY [Live 16 Oct 2002 version]
  8. DEVILS & DUST
  9. RADIO NOWHERE
  10. LONG WALK HOME
  11. WORKING ON A DREAM
  12. THE LAST CARNIVAL
  13. A NIGHT WITH THE JERSEY DEVIL
  14. SAVE MY LOVE
  15. WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN
  16. ROCKY GROUND
  17. HIGH HOPES
  18. JUST LIKE FIRE WOULD
  19. HELLO SUNSHINE
  20. TUCSON TRAIN
  21. WESTERN STARS
  22. I'LL STAND BY YOU
  23. LETTER TO YOU
  24. GHOSTS
  25. THE POWER OF PRAYER
  26. I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS
  27. DO I LOVE YOU (INDEED I DO)
  28. NIGHTSHIFT
  29. DON'T PLAY THAT SONG
  30. TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

Other Official Releases

In addition to its inclusion on The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 home video, the 1993 music video of STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA was also included on two promo-only home videos.

Bruce Springsteen -- Streets Of Philadelphia
Bruce Springsteen -- Streets Of Philadelphia

VHS - Columbia (no catalog number) - UK, 1994

Promo-only release containing one Bruce Springsteen music video.
Bruce Springsteen -- Greatest Hits
Bruce Springsteen -- Greatest Hits

VHS - Columbia (no catalog number) - UK, 1995

Promo-only release compiling eleven Bruce Springsteen music videos.

Available Versions

List of available versions of STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA on this website:

STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA [Official studio version]
STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA [1993 music video version]
STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA [1994 music video version]
STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA [Live 08 Sep 1994 version]
STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA [Live 25 Sep 1999 version]
Page last updated: 20 Jan 2019