Album version
Teardrops on the city
Bad Scooter searching for his groove
Seem like the whole world walking pretty
And you can't find the room to move
Well, everybody better move over, that's all
'Cause I'm running on the bad side
And I got my back to the wall
Tenth Avenue freeze-out
Tenth Avenue freeze-out
Well, I was stranded in the jungle
Trying to take in all the heat they was giving
Till the night is dark, but the sidewalk bright
And lined with the light of the living
From a tenement window a transistor blasts
Turn around the corner, things got real quiet real fast
I walked into a Tenth Avenue freeze-out
Tenth Avenue freeze-out
And I'm all alone, I'm all alone
[Clarence Clemons:] And, kid, you better get the picture!
And I'm on my own, I'm on my own
And I can't go home
When that change was made uptown
And the Big Man joined the band
From the coastline to the city
All the little pretties raise their hands
I'm gonna sit back right easy and laugh
When Scooter and the Big Man bust this city in half, oh
Tenth Avenue freeze-out
Tenth Avenue freeze-out
Tenth Avenue freeze-out
Tenth Avenue freeze-out
I'm talking about a, tell me
Yeah, nothing but a, tell me
I'm talking about the, tell me
Ain't nothing but a Tenth, Tenth, Tenth, Tenth, Tenth, Tenth, Tenth, Tenth, Tenth, Tenth, Tenth, Tenth, Tenth
I'm talking about the Tenth, Tenth Avenue freeze-out
Tenth Avenue freeze-out
Tenth Avenue freeze-out
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 1975 album Born To Run. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT as released in 1975.
The album version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was included on The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2015 edition) compilation album, the Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- compilation album, and the Best Of Bruce Springsteen (digital edition) compilation album.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was most probably written in Winter or Spring 1975. According to Brucebase, it was the final song recorded for the Born To Run album.
The song features Bruce Springsteen on guitar and vocals, Garry Tallent on bass guitar, Max Weinberg on drums, Roy Bittan on piano, Clarence Clemons on tenor saxophone, plus a sessions horn section consisting of Randy Brecker on trumpet and flugelhorn, Michael Brecker on tenor saxophone, David Sanborn on baritone saxophone, and Wayne Andre trombone. The horns were co-arranged with Steven Van Zandt. The song was produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, and Mike Appel, and recorded and mixed at The Record Plant in New York City, NY.
Steven Van Zandt's contribution to TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT is discussed in detail in the Wings For Wheels: The Making Of Born To Run documentary. When they were having a hard time arranging the song's horn section, Van Zandt basically walked in the studio just at that moment and said that he got the parts for the horns. As Jon Landau recalls, Van Zandt said, "Just listen to me, I'm gonna tell you what to do." Landau then said that night, "it was time to get Steve in the band." Steven Van Zandt would then join the band officially for the Born To Run Tour.
A previously not circulating early studio take of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT appeared for the first time around late 2005 on Sirius XM's E Street Radio channel. It's a run-through take with different lyrics to what was later officially released. See the outtake version for more details.
According to Brucebase, a brief snippet (clocking at 0:34) of the tail section of what appears to be a different studio recording of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT is in limited circulation among fans.
The lyrics "And you can't find the room to move", "I was stranded in the jungle", and "Till the night is dark, but the sidewalk bright and lined with the light of the living" are similar to lyrics from JAZZ MUSICIAN.
Many believe that Tenth Avenue is 10th Avenue that runs through E Street in Belmar, NJ. The band got their name from the street, which is where they used to rehearse. But Tenth Avenue may very well be the truck route that runs down the west side of Manhattan and through Hell's Kitchen, which was known as a depressed, gritty area at the time the song was written. Immediately below that is the West Village, which was also known for its mean streets, decades before gentrification. Springsteen used to play in small clubs in the West Village before he became famous. According to lifelong New Jersey Shore resident and Springsteen fan Stan Goldstein, Tenth Avenue is in New York City, and he was told so by longtime Springsteen associate and close friend Terry Magovern.
Bad Scooter in the opening line is a pseudonym for Bruce Springsteen himself, as indicated by the initials they share. The Big Man is Clarence Clemons who joined the band in 1972. TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT loosely tells the story of the formation of the E Street Band, but the meaning of the phrase "Tenth Avenue freeze-out" remains a mystery. Even Springsteen himself says, laughing, in the Wings For Wheels: The Making Of Born To Run documentary, "I have no idea what that means to this day, but it's important." In the documentary, with his electric guitar in hands, Springsteen briefly explains the song's meaning while being interviewed in studio:
"Teardrops on the city, Bad Scooter searching for his groove" (brief archive footage of Bruce Springsteen is shown at this moment). So that was me. It was teardrops on the city. "Seem like the whole world walking pretty, but you can't find the room to move". That's right. It goes, "everybody better move over, that's all". That's our plan. "'Cause I'm running on the bad side with my back to the wall". "Tenth Avenue freeze-out," I have no idea what that means to this day (chuckles), but it's important (chuckles). Alright.
"Stranded in the jungle trying to take in all the heat they was giving". Alright? So, "the night is dark, but the sidewalk's bright and lined with the light of the living". Uh, "from a tenement window a transistor blasts, turn around the corner, things got real quiet real fast, I walked into a Tenth Avenue freeze-out".
And then the important part. "Well, I'm all alone, I'm all alone, I'm on my own, I'm on my own, I'm on my own, and I can't go home", until the next verse. "'Cause a change was made uptown and the Big Man joined the band" (archive photos of Clarence Clemons are shown at this moment). That's the whole thing right there (chuckles). You know, I'm all alone, I'm on my own, I'm struggling through this world (chuckles), until the last verse.
"Change was made uptown, Big Man joined the band, from the coastline to the city all the little pretties raise their hands". Testifying time! You know, uh, "I wanna sit back right easy and laugh, when Scooter and the Big Man bust the city in half" (brief archive footage of Bruce and Clarence is shown at this moment) "with the Tenth Avenue freeze-out". That was our plan (chuckles).
The Born To Run recording sessions can be divided into two phases: the 1974 sessions and the 1975 sessions. The first phase consisted of scattered sessions conducted between May and October 1974 at 914 Sound Studios in Blauvelt, NY, while Springsteen and the band were still in the midst of The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle Tour. When the lengthy tour came to an end in March 1975, the recording sessions continued at The Record Plant in New York City, NY, in March 1975 and lasted till July. 914 Sound Studios was Mike Appel's studio of choice, but The Record Plant was advised by Springsteen's friend and future manager Jon Landau. All tracks on the Born To Run album, except the title track, were recorded during these Mar-Jul 1975 sessions.
Born To Run was commercially released on Columbia Records 01 Sep 1975. Note that a small quantity of blank label, advanced promo copies (known as the "Script Covers") were issued to VIPs on or around 12 Aug 1975, and normal promo copies were sent to radio stations on or around 24 Aug 1975. The album peaked at #3 on the U.S. Billboard 200. It also reached #36 on the UK Album Chart. The album re-entered the Billboard 200 in the eighties, reaching #66 in 1980 and #101 in 1985. The 30th anniversary reissue reached #18 in 2005.
The album features 8 new Springsteen compositions and clocks at 39:26. It is produced by Bruce Springsteen, Mike Appel, and Jon Landau.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released as a single in December 1975 in North America and February 1976 in the rest of the world, with SHE'S THE ONE THE B-side. The single peaked at #83 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. In South Africa, TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was uniquely released on the B-side of BORN TO RUN.
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:
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.
Disc 1: (audio CD)
Disc 2: (audio CD)
Disc 3: (DVD)
Disc 4: (DVD)
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.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT can also be found on four Bruce Springsteen promo-only samplers.
Other versions of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT were also officially released.
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TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT is known to have been performed at least 65 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, album-style arrangement (see the live 15 Aug 1975 (early show) version and the live 18 Nov 1975 version) except on the last three shows, from 28 to 31 Dec 1975, where it was played in a full-band, slow, piano-led arrangement (see the live 31 Dec 1975 version). The live 18 Nov 1975 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Hammersmith Odeon, London '75 album and home video in 2005. The live 24 Nov 1975 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the London 11/24/1975 official live download in 2020. The live 09 Aug 1978 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Tower Theater, Philadelphia 1975 official live download in 2015.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT is known to have been performed at least 21 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 Chicken Scratch Tour. On this tour, the song was played in a full-band, traditional arrangement (see the live 07 Apr 1976 version).
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT is known to have been performed at least 58 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 traditional full-band arrangement. As far as it's known, all of these versions featured the Miami Horns quartet. The first eight performances (01 to 22 Aug 1976) featured Miami Horns line-up #1: Carlo Novi (saxophone), Ed Manion (saxophone), Tony Palligrosi (trumpet), and Rick Gazda (trumpet). This foursome came from Southside Johnny's Miami Horns outfit during a break in Southside's touring schedule (see the live 07 Aug 1976 version and the live 22 Aug 1976 version). The remaining 49 performances (September 1976 to March 1977) featured Miami Horns line-up #2: John Binkley (trumpet), Ed De Palma (saxophone), Dennis Orlock (trombone), and Steve Paraczky (trumpet and flugelhorn). Despite the similar name, this Philadelphia-based foursome (line-up #2) has no affiliation with Southside Johnny's Miami Horns (see the live 25 Mar 1977 version). Partial video footage for the live 07 Aug 1976 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was included on The Promise: The Making Of Darkness On The Edge Of Town documentary in 2010. The live 07 Feb 1977 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Palace Theatre, Albany 1977 official live download in 2017. The live 08 Feb 1977 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, NY 1977 official live download in 2017.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT is known to have been performed at least 46 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 may have been played on some more dates during the Darkness On The Edge Of Town Tour. On this tour, the song was played in a traditional full-band arrangement. The live 19 Sep 1978 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the September 19, 1978 official live download in 2019. The live 20 Sep 1978 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ September 20, 1978 official live download in 2017. The live 30 Sep 1978 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the September 30, 1978 official live download in 2020. The live 08 Dec 1978 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story box set in 2010. The live 15 Dec 1978 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Winterland 12/15/78 official live download in 2019. The live 16 Dec 1978 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Winterland 12/16/78 official live download in 2019.
In preparation for The River Tour, TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT is known to have been practiced during at least one of the private rehearsals that took place over the period of four nights in late September 1980 in Lititz, PA, prior to the tour's first leg.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT is known to have been performed at least 90 times during The River Tour (138 dates, October 1980 to September 1981). A few setlists from that period are incomplete, and therefore, the song must have been played on some more dates during The River Tour; it must have been a stable number from the beginning of the tour till mid-December 1980. On this tour, the song was played in a traditional full-band arrangement. The live 29 Dec 1980 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Nassau Coliseum, New York 12/29/80 official live download in 2019.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was performed 28 times during the Born In The U.S.A. Tour (156 dates, June 1984 to October 1985), all of them during the tour's first four months. On this tour, the song was played in a traditional full-band arrangement. Two of these performances, 20 Aug 1984 in East Rutherford, NJ, and 14 Sep 1984 in Philadelphia, PA, featured a guest appearance by the Miami Horns, consisting of Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg (trombone), Mark Pender (trumpet), Stan Harrison (tenor saxophone) and Eddie Manion (baritone saxophone). The live 05 Aug 1984 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey 1984 official live download in 2015. The live 06 Aug 1984 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena August 6, 1984 official live download in 2020. The live 20 Aug 1984 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Live/1975-85 box set in 1986.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was performed 36 times during the Tunnel Of Love Express Tour (67 dates, February to August 1988). On this tour, the song was played in a in a traditional full-band arrangement. The live 23 Apr 1988 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the LA Sports Arena, California 1988 official live download in 2015. The live 28 Apr 1988 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Los Angeles, April 1988 official live download in 2021. The live 23 May 1988 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Madison Square Garden 1988 official live download in 2019. The live 03 Jul 1988 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Stockholm Stadion, Sweden 1988 official live download in 2017.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was performed once during World Tour 1992-1993 (104 dates, June 1992 to June 1993), on 24 Jun 1993 in East Rutherford, NJ. The 24 Jun 1993 show in East Rutherford, NJ, was billed as "Concert To Fight Hunger" (see the live 24 Jun 1993 version). The song was played in a full-band arrangement and featured guest appearances by Steven Van Zandt, Clarence Clemons, and the Miami Horns. The live 24 Jun 1993 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey June 24, 1993 official live download in 2018.
In preparation for The Reunion Tour, TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was performed during both of the tour's two public warm-up rehearsal shows that took place in March 1999 in Asbury Park. It was played in a full-band arrangement featuring band introductions, much shorter than the performances will become over the course of the tour. See the live 18 Mar 1999 version for more details. The song is also known to have been practiced during the private rehearsal that took place in April 1999 in Barcelona the day before the tour kicked off in Spain.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was performed 132 times during what is known as The Reunion Tour (132 dates, April 1999 to July 2000); that is each and every one of the tour's regular dates. The song was played in a heavily extended full-band arrangement including band introductions and a variety of interpolated songs and song snippets. See each of the individual versions below for more details. The live 25 Sep 1999 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the First Union Center, Philadelphia September 25, 1999 official live download in 2020. The live 30 Sep 1999 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Chicago September 30, 1999 official live download in 2018. The live 23 Oct 1999 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Los Angeles October 23, 1999 official live download in 2019. The live 27 Jun 2000 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Madison Square Garden, New York 06/27/2000 official live download in 2021. The live 01 Jul 2000 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Madison Square Garden, New York 07/01/2000 official live download in 2017. The live 29 Jun 2000 / 01 Jul 2000 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Live In New York City album and home video in 2001.
In preparation for Springsteen On Broadway, TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was performed during all of the tour's three known private rehearsal shows that took place in September 2017 in West Long Branch, NJ, and New York City, NY, and during both of the tour's known private rehearsal shows that took place in June 2021 in New York City, NY.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was performed 268 times during Springsteen On Broadway (268 dates, October 2017 to December 2018 and June to September 2021). On this tour, the song was played solo on piano. The live July 2018 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was released on the Springsteen On Broadway album in 2018.
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TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was reportedly performed off-tour on 04 Jul 1976 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, where Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band did an impromptu concert following a Southside Johnny gig. No audio recording of this show is known to exist.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was reportedly performed off-tour on 16 Apr 1982, 16 May 1982, and 27 Jun 1982 at Big Man's West in Red Bank, NJ, with Clarence Clemons & The Red Bank Rockers. No audio recording of these shows is known to exist.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was performed off-tour on 16 Nov 1990 and 17 Nov 1990 at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA, during the benefit shows for the Christic Institute. The song was played in a unique solo piano arrangement. The live 16 Nov 1990 version and the live 17 Nov 1990 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT were released on The Christic Shows, November 16 & 17, 1990 official live download in 2016.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was performed off-tour on 05 Apr 1995 at Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City, NY, during the taping of an episode of the Late Show With David Letterman. The song was played with the E Street band, in a strange and largely instrumental arranegemement. See the live 05 Apr 1995 (Ed Sullivan Theater) version for more details.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was performed off-tour on 31 Jan 1998 at Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ, during the "Come Together: Jon Bon Jovi & Friends" benefit concert. The song was played in a full-band arrangement backed by Bobby Bandiera and his band and Clarence Clemons, and featuring Jon Bon Jovi on shared lead vocals. See the live 31 Jan 1998 version for more details. The also rehearsed the previous day at Count Basie Theatre.
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was performed off-tour on 15 Mar 1999 at Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, NY, during the 14th annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. The song was played in a full-band arrangement with the E Street Band. The live 15 Mar 1999 version of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT was first released on the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame + Museum Live: Sweet Emotion home video in 2009.
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At least 25 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT.
Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake at BTX and Greasy Lake) for transcribing the lyrics and for all the help. Thanks Michael Simpson (Walklikeasupercaley) for some of the above singles' scans.
Some of the above info about the studio recording and the live performances is taken from Brucebase.
Please contact me if you have the brief studio snippet (clocking at 0:34) of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT or if you have any additional information about it.
Please contact me if you have scans or info about any official release containing TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT that's not mentioned on this page.
Any additions, comments, or corrections to this page are welcome. You can contact me via the below form or by email: .
List of available versions of TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT on this website:
TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT [Album version]