In early 1982, right after the new year, Springsteen recorded some songs on cassette in his New Jersey bedroom, hoping they’d serve as demos for the E Street Band when they got back together. Instead, they ended up on ‘Nebraska’ later in the year as Springsteen’s first true solo album (he plays every single sound heard on the record). And unlike his preceding work, the songs on ‘Nebraska’ offered little hope for their subjects. The music set the mood, all dark and haunted. The album’s most accessible track, “Atlantic City,” is far from sunny: It starts with a mafia hit and ends with a working man turning to a life of crime to make ends meet. Despairing.
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Atlantic City
Well they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night now they blew up his house too
Down on the boardwalk they’re gettin’ ready for a fight gonna see what them racket boys can do
Now there’s trouble busin’ in from outta state and the D.A. can’t get no relief
Gonna be a rumble out on the promenade and the gamblin’ commission’s hangin’ on by the skin of its teeth
(Chorus)
Well now everything dies baby that’s a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on fix your hair up pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Well I got a job and tried to put my money away
But I got debts that no honest man can pay
So I drew what I had from the Central Trust
And I bought us two tickets on that Coast City bus
(Chorus)
Now our luck may have died and our love may be cold but with you forever I’ll stay
We’re goin’ out where the sand’s turnin’ to gold so put on your stockin’s baby `cause the night’s getting cold
And everything dies baby that’s a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Now I been lookin’ for a job but it’s hard to find
Down here it’s just winners and losers and don’t get caught on the wrong side of that line
Well I’m tired of comin’ out on the losin’ end
So honey last night I met this guy and I’m gonna do a little favor for him
Well I guess everything dies baby that’s a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your hair up nice and set up pretty
and meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Meet me tonight in Atlantic City