Video hit Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen - Hungry Heart

This was Springsteen's first top 10 hit. Born To Run was a big album 5 years earlier, but did not have any hit singles. This song proved that Springsteen could not just sell concert tickets and albums, but could record hit Pop songs.

This song explores a man's wanderlust contrasted with his desire for a stable family life. Many of Springsteen's songs are about wanting to get away, and in this song the main character concludes that he does not want to be alone.

When Springsteen met Joey Ramone in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Ramone asked Bruce to write a song for his band, The Ramones. Springsteen wrote "Hungry Heart" that night but decided to keep it on the advice of his producer and manager, Jon Landau.

Springsteen's voice was slightly sped up on the recording, producing a higher vocal. Bob Dylan did the same thing on "Lay Lady Lay."

This was used in the Tom Cruise movie Risky Business. It was the first time a Springsteen song was used in a film.

In the 1981 Rolling Stone reader's poll, this was voted best single. Springsteen also won for Best Artist, Album, and Male Singer.

Bruce has the audience sing the first verse and chorus when he performs this live.

The single was backed with "Held Up Without A Gun." This started a tradition of using songs that did not appear on his albums as B-sides.

Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan of The Turtles sang backup.

This went to #28 when it was Reissued in England in 1995. The first time it was released it only went to #44.

The lyrics:

Got a wife and kids in baltimore jack

I went out for a ride and I never went back

Like a river that don't know where it's flowing

I took a wrong turn and I just kept going

Everybodys got a hungry heart

Everybodys got a hungry heart

Lay down your money and you play your part

Everybodys got a hungry heart

I met her in a kingstown bar

We fell in love I knew it had to end

We took what we had and we ripped it apart

Now here I am down in kingstone again

Everybodys got a hungry heart...

Everybody needs a place to rest

Everybody wants to have a home

Don't make no difference what nobody says

Aint nobody like to be alone

Everybodys got a hungry heart...