Live 05 Oct 2006 version
To the east the factories stand
Like fire-breathing dragons against the sky
And from their throats a scarlet river
Burns itself into smoky lullabies
Over neon and fluorescent skies
Valerie, can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico
But I'm stranded here alone
And once I knew a true love
It's been three years since he's gone
And if I could get that feeling back
I'd give up everything I own
16 days since I left Corona
And I traveled to this carnival town near Alberndeel
And I rode the coaster there on the fairground
Twisted backbone of a beast that never heels
And I left some skin on fortune's wheel
Valerie, can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico
But I'm stranded here alone
And once I knew a true love
It's been three years since he's gone
And if I could get that feeling back
I'd give up everything I own
Everything's in slow motion now
In this little border town
I've come so close from so far
Just to hide behind these windows here
From the world outside
I watch those cars and trucks raise trails of dust
Down the road as they pass by
Valerie, can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico
But I'm stranded here alone
And once I knew a true love
It's been three years since he's gone
And if I could get that feeling back
I'd give up everything I own, ooh (ooh)
Everything I own, ooh (ooh)
Everything I own, ooh (ooh)
Everything I own
VALERIE is a 1993 song by Patti Scialfa. See the original Patti Scialfa version for more details.
The above lyrics are for live 05 Oct 2008 performance of VALERIE at Arena Di Verona in Verona, Italy, during The Seeger Sessions Tour.
In the midst of the 05 Oct 2006 show, Bruce Springsteen introduced Patti Scialfa saying that she has to leave the tour for the moment because "iragazzi hanno bisogno della mamma" (Italian for "the children need their mom"). She took the lead and sang VALERIE backed up by Bruce Springsteen & The Seeger Sessions Band. This was the only time she had performed the song live with her husband. Patti Scialfa would re-join the band on the road again for the Dublin shows at the end of the tour.
In preparation for The Seeger Sessions Tour, VALERIE was performed during at least two of the private rehearsals that took place in September 2006 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's second European leg. The song was performed with Patti Scialfa on vocals.
VALERIE was performed once during The Seeger Sessions Tour, on 05 Oct 2006 in Verona, Italy. The song was performed with Patti Scialfa on vocals.
Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake at BTX and Greasy Lake) for the lyrics help.
List of available versions of VALERIE on this website:
VALERIE [Live 05 Oct 2006 version]