Springsteen: Blinded By The Light?
A Naybob of financial advice queried a Naybob of macro economics, about the meaning behind the lyrics in Bruce Springsteen's 1973 Blinded In The Light. Tis pleasing to the ear and filled with whimsy so the Nattering One muses...
The song was covered in 1976 by Manfred Mann, and has one of the most misheard lyrics of all time, rather than DEUCE, lyratosis induces DOUCHE. Moving West...
With the aid of a rhyming dictionary, Springsteen wrote the song when he was in his early 20's, prior to major success as a recording artist. Although full of personal references and people Bruce knew, grew up around or had met on the Boardwalks, the song has oft been construed as being centered around drug or cocaine use viz blinded by the light - as a result of dilated pupils.
We shall attempt to "refrain" from going there? What follows is purely Nattering conjecture, supposition and hunch viz in our humble opinion...
This song is about a coming of age in which a "know it all" young man and his naivete, is lured in by the glitz and glamour of the music business and "blinded by the light". The immature, innocent "adolescent musician" gets schooled over time by the comeuppance in his journey or life experience.
Verse 1 - Intro and Synopsis of the Story?
Madman drummers, bummers, Indians in the summers with a teenage diplomat
In order, the 1st E-Street band drummer Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez (originally Madman), disappointments or letdowns in life, the name of Springsteen's Little League team, and the diplomat is an immature Bruce and an awkward coming of age.
In the dumps with the mumps, as the adolescent pumps his way into his hat
Stuck indoors sick with the mumps in bed, the young man's head (hat) is swelling and getting filled with grandiose ideas, or masturbating (pumps) to pass the time.
With a boulder on my shoulder, feeling kinda older, I tripped a merry-go-round
A cocky (thinks he maturing) young man (chip on shoulder) decides to trip a merry go round viz gets into something in life (the music business) that takes the protagonist for a unanticipated spin.
With this very unpleasing, sneezing and wheezing, the calliope crashed to the ground
In the experience or spin, the young man's calliope (muse, instrument or musical act) gets tripped up by his naivete about the way the world works.
Verse 2 - Getting Schooled By A Young Fling?
Some all-hot half-shot was headin' for the hot spot snappin' his fingers clappin' his hands
A horny young know it all who doesn't really know anything, is half in the bag (half shot) and headed where he is anticipating a conquest, celebrating with anticipation all the way.
And some fleshpot mascot was tied into a lover's knot with a whatnot in her hand
A young girl scantily dressed for summer in hot pants and halter with a joint? in her hand, has become involved with the young half shot.
And now young Scott with a slingshot finally found a tender spot and throws his lover in the sand
The young half shot who is packing a condom (rubber slingshot), talks the young girl (tender spot for him) into a walk out on the NJ beach, where they smoke a joint and throw down in the sand.
And some bloodshot forget-me-not whispers daddy's within earshot save the buckshot turn up the band
The stoned and unforgettable girl reminds him, this is a public beach, there are others around, be quiet, don't attract attention, stay the course (save the buckshot) make sure you finish the job (turn up the band) and get busy.
[Refrain]
And she was blinded by the light
Oh, cut loose like a deuce another runner in the night
Blinded by the light
She got down but she never got tight, but she'll make it alright
(More below) - She partied but she never got close to others, she'll manage.
Studio version 1973...
Verse 3 - Getting Schooled In The Music Biz?
Some brimstone baritone anti-cyclone rolling stone preacher from the east
An older constantly on tour (rolling stone) East coast musician with a deep voice is preachy (brimstone) to the younger musicians, and they think he is full of hot air (anti-cyclone).
He says, "Dethrone the dictaphone, hit it in its funny bone, that's where they expect it least"
Tape is going away, don't let the studio dictate, don't get stuck being a studio band, make the crowd laugh (funny bone) and do something (where they expect it least) to set yourself apart from other acts.
And some new-mown chaperone was standin' in the corner all alone watchin' the young girls dance
A budding leader (new mown chaperone) of the band attempts to separate himself from the groupies.
And some fresh-sown moonstone was messin' with his frozen zone to remind him of the feeling of romance
Young groupies attempt to break through the band leaders detachment.
[Refrain]
Yeah, he was blinded by the light
Oh, cut loose like a deuce another runner in the night
Blinded by the light
He got down but she never got tight, but he's gonna make it tonight
(More below) - He partied but she never got close, he'll manage tonight.
Verse 4 - A Walk On The Wild Side?
“Some silicone sister with her manager's mister told me I got what it takes."
A dancer with breast implants at one of the local strip joints in Asbury Park, and her pimp, likes what Bruce is either packin or layin down musically.
She said "I'll turn you on sonny to something strong, play the song with the funky break"
She will dance hard or give him drugs for a certain song OR put out for him (something strong) if he plays a certain song or offers her drugs (funky break = comes down fast and hard).
And go-cart Mozart was checkin' out the weather chart to see if it was safe outside.
A speedy composer is on party time paranoia curtain patrol OR this refers to Gordon Lightfoot who raced go carts, is known for his lyrics, lived in cold Canada and influenced Springsteen (see the Western Stars album).
And little early-pearly came in by her curly-wurly and asked me if I needed a ride.
In the morning (early), Bruce is in bed OR hitchhiking and... curly wurly = slang for a chatty person, with curly hair OR pubic hair OR rhyming slang for Herbie aka a VW Beetle. In any event, a talkative curly headed girl shows up, flashes her pearly whites, and asks Bruce if he needs an early morning ride in one way or another?
Manfred Mann...
Verse 5 - A Gig or Relationship Gone Bad?
Oh, some hazard from Harvard was skunked on beer playin' backyard bombardier
A Harvard grad musician drunk on beer playing a gig which has become an excessively loud house party.
Yes and Scotland Yard was trying hard, they sent some dude with a calling card
Johnny Law (LEO - law enforcement officers) got called in to break up the gig.
He said, do what you like, but don't do it here
Well I jumped up, turned around, spit in the air, fell on the ground
Asked him which was the way back home
He said take a right at the light, keep goin' straight until night, and then boy, you're on your own
Not gonna happen here, sweet talking by the band did not work, po-po broke up the gig, time to hit the road Jack and get out of town fast.
Alternatively, this verse as well as #3 and #6, could be about Bruce's early (pre 1973) managerial and production relationship's with Carl West, Mike Appel and Jim Creteco's. The latter two did not have happy endings as they were involved in intellectual property disputes with The Boss, which would later become the center of multiple international IP lawsuits.
Verse 6 - The Aftermath of Gig's Gone Bad?
And now in Zanzibar a shootin' star was ridin' in a side car hummin' a lunar tune
Now in a distant place (Zanzibar) the high as a kite musician (shootin star) is being driven out of town (he has no control), and is pissing and moaning (lunar tune - baying at the moon)) all the way.
Yes, and the avatar said blow the bar but first remove the cookie jar we're gonna teach those boys to laugh too soon
The bands manager (avatar) is ok with their hasty exit (blow the bar), and insists on not getting stiffed by taking cash or stash (cookie jar) to teach the venue or organizer a lesson.
And some kidnapped handicap was complainin' that he caught the clap from some mousetrap he bought last night
Perhaps during the great escape, an unwanted, inebriated traveling companion (kidnapped handicap) or other band member complains about an STD they have contracted from a hooker.
Well I unsnapped his skull cap and between his ears I saw a gap but figured he'd be all right
Self evident, said handicap needed their head examined, and despite the brain damage from long term exposure to excessive drugs and alcohol will survive.
[Refrain]
He was just blinded by the light
Cut loose like a deuce another runner in the night
Blinded by the light
Mama always told me not to look into the sights of the sun
Woah, but but mama that's where the fun is
This refrain is the theme throughout the song, the uninitiated overwhelmed by the situation, blinded to the consequences, and much like a 32 Ford deuce coupe flying like a bat out of hell, running into the night too fast, too much, too soon. Mother warned, don't grow up too fast, take it easy, be careful, but what would be the fun in following her advice?
[Outro]
I was blinded
Oh mama, oh mama
I was blinded
Oh mama, oh mama
I was blinded by the light
I was blinded
I was blinded
I was blinded by the light
I was blinded
I was blinded by the light
I was blinded
I was blinded
Mother's warnings were ignored, and she was right... they usually are and deaf ears or those who do not wish to learn, cannot be taught and must learn the hard way. Wadda ya gonna do? Good times.
At the end of the day, only Mr. Springsteen really knows what those lyrics are "all about Alfie", and that's all we can imagine folks.
The Boss acoustic...
Recommended Reading:
Harmony Central
Genius Lyrics Genius 2
Adam Young Logic
Song Meanings
Lyrics Mode
The song was covered in 1976 by Manfred Mann, and has one of the most misheard lyrics of all time, rather than DEUCE, lyratosis induces DOUCHE. Moving West...
With the aid of a rhyming dictionary, Springsteen wrote the song when he was in his early 20's, prior to major success as a recording artist. Although full of personal references and people Bruce knew, grew up around or had met on the Boardwalks, the song has oft been construed as being centered around drug or cocaine use viz blinded by the light - as a result of dilated pupils.
We shall attempt to "refrain" from going there? What follows is purely Nattering conjecture, supposition and hunch viz in our humble opinion...
This song is about a coming of age in which a "know it all" young man and his naivete, is lured in by the glitz and glamour of the music business and "blinded by the light". The immature, innocent "adolescent musician" gets schooled over time by the comeuppance in his journey or life experience.
Verse 1 - Intro and Synopsis of the Story?
Madman drummers, bummers, Indians in the summers with a teenage diplomat
In order, the 1st E-Street band drummer Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez (originally Madman), disappointments or letdowns in life, the name of Springsteen's Little League team, and the diplomat is an immature Bruce and an awkward coming of age.
In the dumps with the mumps, as the adolescent pumps his way into his hat
Stuck indoors sick with the mumps in bed, the young man's head (hat) is swelling and getting filled with grandiose ideas, or masturbating (pumps) to pass the time.
With a boulder on my shoulder, feeling kinda older, I tripped a merry-go-round
A cocky (thinks he maturing) young man (chip on shoulder) decides to trip a merry go round viz gets into something in life (the music business) that takes the protagonist for a unanticipated spin.
With this very unpleasing, sneezing and wheezing, the calliope crashed to the ground
In the experience or spin, the young man's calliope (muse, instrument or musical act) gets tripped up by his naivete about the way the world works.
Verse 2 - Getting Schooled By A Young Fling?
Some all-hot half-shot was headin' for the hot spot snappin' his fingers clappin' his hands
A horny young know it all who doesn't really know anything, is half in the bag (half shot) and headed where he is anticipating a conquest, celebrating with anticipation all the way.
And some fleshpot mascot was tied into a lover's knot with a whatnot in her hand
A young girl scantily dressed for summer in hot pants and halter with a joint? in her hand, has become involved with the young half shot.
And now young Scott with a slingshot finally found a tender spot and throws his lover in the sand
The young half shot who is packing a condom (rubber slingshot), talks the young girl (tender spot for him) into a walk out on the NJ beach, where they smoke a joint and throw down in the sand.
And some bloodshot forget-me-not whispers daddy's within earshot save the buckshot turn up the band
The stoned and unforgettable girl reminds him, this is a public beach, there are others around, be quiet, don't attract attention, stay the course (save the buckshot) make sure you finish the job (turn up the band) and get busy.
[Refrain]
And she was blinded by the light
Oh, cut loose like a deuce another runner in the night
Blinded by the light
She got down but she never got tight, but she'll make it alright
(More below) - She partied but she never got close to others, she'll manage.
Studio version 1973...
Verse 3 - Getting Schooled In The Music Biz?
Some brimstone baritone anti-cyclone rolling stone preacher from the east
An older constantly on tour (rolling stone) East coast musician with a deep voice is preachy (brimstone) to the younger musicians, and they think he is full of hot air (anti-cyclone).
He says, "Dethrone the dictaphone, hit it in its funny bone, that's where they expect it least"
Tape is going away, don't let the studio dictate, don't get stuck being a studio band, make the crowd laugh (funny bone) and do something (where they expect it least) to set yourself apart from other acts.
And some new-mown chaperone was standin' in the corner all alone watchin' the young girls dance
A budding leader (new mown chaperone) of the band attempts to separate himself from the groupies.
And some fresh-sown moonstone was messin' with his frozen zone to remind him of the feeling of romance
Young groupies attempt to break through the band leaders detachment.
[Refrain]
Yeah, he was blinded by the light
Oh, cut loose like a deuce another runner in the night
Blinded by the light
He got down but she never got tight, but he's gonna make it tonight
(More below) - He partied but she never got close, he'll manage tonight.
Verse 4 - A Walk On The Wild Side?
A dancer with breast implants at one of the local strip joints in Asbury Park, and her pimp, likes what Bruce is either packin or layin down musically.
She said "I'll turn you on sonny to something strong, play the song with the funky break"
She will dance hard or give him drugs for a certain song OR put out for him (something strong) if he plays a certain song or offers her drugs (funky break = comes down fast and hard).
And go-cart Mozart was checkin' out the weather chart to see if it was safe outside.
A speedy composer is on party time paranoia curtain patrol OR this refers to Gordon Lightfoot who raced go carts, is known for his lyrics, lived in cold Canada and influenced Springsteen (see the Western Stars album).
And little early-pearly came in by her curly-wurly and asked me if I needed a ride.
In the morning (early), Bruce is in bed OR hitchhiking and... curly wurly = slang for a chatty person, with curly hair OR pubic hair OR rhyming slang for Herbie aka a VW Beetle. In any event, a talkative curly headed girl shows up, flashes her pearly whites, and asks Bruce if he needs an early morning ride in one way or another?
Manfred Mann...
Verse 5 - A Gig or Relationship Gone Bad?
Oh, some hazard from Harvard was skunked on beer playin' backyard bombardier
A Harvard grad musician drunk on beer playing a gig which has become an excessively loud house party.
Yes and Scotland Yard was trying hard, they sent some dude with a calling card
Johnny Law (LEO - law enforcement officers) got called in to break up the gig.
He said, do what you like, but don't do it here
Well I jumped up, turned around, spit in the air, fell on the ground
Asked him which was the way back home
He said take a right at the light, keep goin' straight until night, and then boy, you're on your own
Not gonna happen here, sweet talking by the band did not work, po-po broke up the gig, time to hit the road Jack and get out of town fast.
Alternatively, this verse as well as #3 and #6, could be about Bruce's early (pre 1973) managerial and production relationship's with Carl West, Mike Appel and Jim Creteco's. The latter two did not have happy endings as they were involved in intellectual property disputes with The Boss, which would later become the center of multiple international IP lawsuits.
Verse 6 - The Aftermath of Gig's Gone Bad?
And now in Zanzibar a shootin' star was ridin' in a side car hummin' a lunar tune
Now in a distant place (Zanzibar) the high as a kite musician (shootin star) is being driven out of town (he has no control), and is pissing and moaning (lunar tune - baying at the moon)) all the way.
Yes, and the avatar said blow the bar but first remove the cookie jar we're gonna teach those boys to laugh too soon
The bands manager (avatar) is ok with their hasty exit (blow the bar), and insists on not getting stiffed by taking cash or stash (cookie jar) to teach the venue or organizer a lesson.
And some kidnapped handicap was complainin' that he caught the clap from some mousetrap he bought last night
Perhaps during the great escape, an unwanted, inebriated traveling companion (kidnapped handicap) or other band member complains about an STD they have contracted from a hooker.
Well I unsnapped his skull cap and between his ears I saw a gap but figured he'd be all right
Self evident, said handicap needed their head examined, and despite the brain damage from long term exposure to excessive drugs and alcohol will survive.
[Refrain]
He was just blinded by the light
Cut loose like a deuce another runner in the night
Blinded by the light
Mama always told me not to look into the sights of the sun
Woah, but but mama that's where the fun is
This refrain is the theme throughout the song, the uninitiated overwhelmed by the situation, blinded to the consequences, and much like a 32 Ford deuce coupe flying like a bat out of hell, running into the night too fast, too much, too soon. Mother warned, don't grow up too fast, take it easy, be careful, but what would be the fun in following her advice?
[Outro]
I was blinded
Oh mama, oh mama
I was blinded
Oh mama, oh mama
I was blinded by the light
I was blinded
I was blinded
I was blinded by the light
I was blinded
I was blinded by the light
I was blinded
I was blinded
Mother's warnings were ignored, and she was right... they usually are and deaf ears or those who do not wish to learn, cannot be taught and must learn the hard way. Wadda ya gonna do? Good times.
At the end of the day, only Mr. Springsteen really knows what those lyrics are "all about Alfie", and that's all we can imagine folks.
The Boss acoustic...
Recommended Reading:
Harmony Central
Genius Lyrics Genius 2
Adam Young Logic
Song Meanings
Lyrics Mode
Comments
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