Original Jimmy Cliff And Jamaica version
Well it seems like I've fallen in your trap again
And it seems like I'll be wearing the same old pain
But good must conquer evil and truth will set me free
So you see that somewhere I have found the key
Yes you see that somewhere I have found the key
Ooh
Well it seems like I've been sleeping in your bed too long
And it seems like you've been planning to do me wrong
But evil concentrated must be disintegrated
So I know that I'll be walking out again
Yes I know that I'll be walking out again
Ooh
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah yeah
Well it seems like I have played the game your way too long
And it seems the game I've played has made you strong
But when this game is over, I won't end up the loser
And I know that I'll be walking out again
Yes I know that I'll be walking out again
Ooh ooh ooh
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah yeah
It seems like I've fallen in your trap again
And it seems like I'll be wearing the same old pain
But good must conquer evil and truth will set me free
So you see that somewhere I have found the key
Yes you see that somewhere I have found the key
Ooh
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah
Ooh yeah yeah yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah yeah
Trapped... [fades out]
TRAPPED is a song written by Jimmy Cliff and originally released by Jimmy Cliff And Jamaica as a single B-side in 1972. The above lyrics are for the original Jimmy Cliff And Jamaica version of TRAPPED as released in 1972.
According to Dave Marsh's 1987 book Glory Days: Bruce Springsteen In The 1980s, while on the European leg of The River Tour, Springsteen purchased a cassette tape of Jimmy Cliff music in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in late April 1981. He discovered TRAPPED on it and decided to incorporate it into his act, making an arrangement for the E Street Band that replaced the reggae rhythm with a straight rock one.
Springsteen's take on the song was first performed on 29 May 1981 in London, UK. It would then be performed during most of the remaining dates of The River Tour, as well as much of the Born In The U.S.A. Tour and World Tour 1992-1993 dates. The song was also occasionally played on later tours with The E Street Band.
The live 06 Aug 1984 version from East Rutherford, NJ, was included on the 1985 charity album We Are The World. "I look at it as a compliment," Jimmy Cliff told The Arizona Republic newspaper in 1988 regarding Springsteen's version of his song. "He's an artist in his own right and he's written a lot of good songs, too. It's good when an established artist docs your work and does it in his way." He added, "From a commercial point of view, I didn't gain from ['Trapped']. All the royalties were donated to the cause, and I gained in the moral sense that I have done something for the cause."
See the live 29 May 1981 version for more details about Bruce Springsteen's version of TRAPPED.
List of available versions of TRAPPED on this website:
TRAPPED [Live 29 May 1981 version]