The first single off of Springsteen’s seminal album Born In The U.S.A., this track was written two years after most of the other songs on the album.

Producer Jon Landau thought the new album lacked a… Read More [Verse 1]

I get up in the evening

And I ain't got nothing to say

I come home in the morning

I go to bed feeling the same way

I ain't nothing but tired

Man, I'm just tired and bored with myself

Hey there, baby

I could use just a little help

[Chorus]

You can't start a fire

You can't start a fire without a spark

This gun's for hire

Even if we're just dancing in the dark

[Verse 2]

Messages keep getting clearer

Radio's on, and I'm moving 'round my place

I check my look in the mirror

I wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face

Man, I ain't getting nowhere

Ah, just living in a dump like this

There's something happening somewhere

Baby, I just know that there is

[Chorus]

You can't start a fire

You can't start a fire without a spark

This gun's for hire

Even if we're just dancing in the dark

[Bridge]

You sit around getting older

There's a joke here somewhere, and it's on me

I'll shake this world off my shoulders

Come on, baby, the laugh's on me

[Verse 3]

Stay on the streets of this town

And they'll be carving you up all right

They say, "You gotta stay hungry"

Hey, baby, I'm just about starving tonight

I'm dying for some action

I'm sick of sitting around here trying to write this book

I need a love reaction

Come on now, baby, give me just one look

[Chorus]

You can't start a fire

Sitting 'round crying over a broken heart

This gun's for hire

Even if we're just dancing in the dark

You can't start a fire

Worrying about your little world falling apart

This gun's for hire

Even if we're just dancing in the dark

[Outro]

Even if we're just dancing in the dark

Even if we're just dancing in the dark

Even if we're just dancing in the dark

Hey, baby

[Outro - Saxophone Solo]