MY HOMETOWN 
Album version
I was eight years old and running with a dime in my hand
Into the bus stop to pick up a paper for my old man
I'd sit on his lap in that big old Buick and steer as we drove through town
He'd tousle my hair and say son take a good look around
This is your hometown
This is your hometown
This is your hometown
This is your hometown
In '65 tension was running high at my high school
There was a lot of fights between the black and white, there was nothing you could do
Two cars at a light on a Saturday night, in the back seat there was a gun
Words were passed in a shotgun blast, troubled times had come
To my hometown
My hometown
My hometown
My hometown
Now Main Street's whitewashed windows and vacant stores
Seems like there ain't nobody wants to come down here no more
They're closing down the textile mill across the railroad tracks
Foreman says these jobs are going boys and they ain't coming back
To your hometown
Your hometown
Your hometown
Your hometown
Last night me and Kate we laid in bed talking about getting out
Packing up our bags maybe heading south
I'm thirty-five, we got a boy of our own now
Last night I sat him up behind the wheel and said son take a good look around
This is your hometown
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Info
MY HOMETOWN is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 1984 album Born In The U.S.A.. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of MY HOMETOWN as released in 1984.
The album version of MY HOMETOWN was included on the Greatest Hits (1995 edition) compilation album and the Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- compilation album.
Writing and Recording
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In the liner notes of his 1995 Greatest Hits album, Springsteen wrote: "The harshness of Reganism, post-industrial America, memories of my childhood + my Town."
Born In The U.S.A.
Born In The U.S.A. is Bruce Springsteen's seventh studio album. It was released on 04 Jun 1984 on Columbia Records. It was recorded between January 1982 and February 1984 at The Hit Factory and The Power Station in New York City, NY.
Bruce Springsteen -- Born In The U.S.A.
The album features 12 tracks and clocks at 46:57. It is produced by produced by Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, Bruce Springsteen, and Steven Van Zandt.
Single Release
The album version of MY HOMETOWN was released as a single in November 1985, with the live 12 Dec 1975 version of SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TOWN on the B-side. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at #1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart and at #6 on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart. The single was reissued on cassette and CD in 1998.
Bruce Springsteen -- "Dancing In The Dark / My Hometown"
7" single - CBS (7012843) - Costa Rica, 1984
Sunburst labels version, comes in a CBS company sleeve.
A1-
DANCING IN THE DARK
B1-
MY HOMETOWN
Bruce Springsteen -- "Dancing In The Dark / My Hometown"
7" single - CBS (7012843) - Costa Rica, 1984
Pink labels version, comes in a CBS company sleeve.
A1-
DANCING IN THE DARK
B1-
MY HOMETOWN
Bruce Springsteen -- My Hometown
7" single - CBS (BA 3394) - Australia, 1985
A white label promo counterpart was also issued.
A1-
MY HOMETOWN
B1-
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN [Live 12 Dec 1975 version]
Bruce Springsteen -- My Hometown
7" single - CBS / Sony (07SP 935) - Japan, 1985
Comes with a picture insert. Promotional copies are identical to the commercial ones with the exception of "NOT FOR SALE / SAMPLE" (in Japanese) imprint above the catalogue number on the labels.
A1-
MY HOMETOWN
B1-
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN [Live 12 Dec 1975 version]
Bruce Springsteen -- "My Hometown / Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town"
7" single - CBS (BA 3394) - New Zealand, 1985
Comes in a CBS company sleeve.
A1-
MY HOMETOWN
B1-
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN [Live 12 Dec 1975 version]
Bruce Springsteen -- Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
7" single - CBS (A 6773) - Portugal, 1985
The Portuguese pressing of this single has the A-side and the B-side switched and comes in a unique picture sleeve totally different from the remaining pressings of this single.
A1-
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN [Live 12 Dec 1975 version]
B1-
MY HOMETOWN
Bruce Springsteen -- "My Hometown / Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town"
7" single - CBS (SSC 5899) - South Africa, 1985
Comes in a CBS company sleeve.
A1-
MY HOMETOWN
B1-
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN [Live 12 Dec 1975 version]
Bruce Springsteen -- My Hometown
7" single - CBS (A 6773) - Spain, 1985
Promotional release, one-sided.
A1-
MY HOMETOWN
B1- [blank]
Bruce Springsteen -- My Hometown
7" single - CBS (A 6773) - UK, 1985
7" single - CBS (A 6773) - Ireland, 1985
The Irish pressing of this single was issued in UK picture sleeve. There are two versions of the Irish pressing, one with orange/yellow labels and one with red labels.
A1-
MY HOMETOWN
B1-
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN [Live 12 Dec 1975 version]
Bruce Springsteen -- My Hometown
7" single - CBS (38-05728) - USA, 1985
Promotional release, comes in a special promotional picture sleeve.
A1-
MY HOMETOWN
B1-
MY HOMETOWN
Bruce Springsteen -- My Hometown
12" single - CBS (CAS 2233) - USA, 1985
Promotional release.
A1-
MY HOMETOWN
B1-
MY HOMETOWN
Bruce Springsteen -- "My Hometown / Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town"
7" single - Columbia (13-08414) - USA, 1986
Columbia's "Hall Of Fame" series reissue, comes in a "Hall Of Fame" company sleeve.
A1-
MY HOMETOWN
B1-
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN [Live 12 Dec 1975 version]
Bruce Springsteen -- "My Hometown / Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town"
7" single - Columbia (13-08414) - USA, late 1980's
Collectables reissue, comes in a Collectables company sleeve.
A1-
MY HOMETOWN
B1-
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN [Live 12 Dec 1975 version]
Bruce Springsteen -- "My Hometown / Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town"
7" single - Columbia (13-08414) - USA, mid-1990's
Mid-1990's reissue, comes in a white paper sleeve.
A1-
MY HOMETOWN
B1-
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN [Live 12 Dec 1975 version]
Greatest Hits 1995 Edition
Greatest Hits (1995 edition) is a collection of some of Bruce Springsteen's hit singles and popular album tracks through the years, in addition to four previously unreleased songs, three of which were recorded with the E Street Band in 1995 — Springsteen's first release with his backing band since the late eighties. Some of the songs on Greatest Hits are shorter versions of the original album releases.
In 1994, Bruce Springsteen recorded an album with members of the 1992-1993 touring band. His manager Jon Landau wasn't a fan of the project and recommended shelving it and focusing more on a "career overview". This lead to the Greatest Hits sessions with the E Street Band in 1995. Springsteen called the band in early January to record some new songs for the album and they assembled for the recording sessions on 09 Jan 1995 at The Hit Factory in New York City, NY. The sessions, which lasted about ten days, were the band's first studio reunion in 11 years (since the Born In The U.S.A. sessions) and their first ever with Nils Lofgren.
Bruce Springsteen -- Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits was released on 27 Feb 1995 on Columbia Records. It was commercially successful, debuting at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 where it stayed on the chart for 32 weeks. It also peaked at #1 in Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and many European countries. By 2008 the album had sold more than four million copies in the United States.
In 2013, Sony Music reissued the album in Venezuela as part of its Star Collection series, which was made exclusively for the Venezuelan market via Sony Music Venezuela in 2013. The album is titled after the series and features totally different artwork. Just like on Greatest Hits, the songs are shorter versions of the original album releases.
Bruce Springsteen -- Star Collection
CD - Sony Music (001) - Venezuela, 2013
Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-
Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- is a Bruce Springsteen compilation album released by Sony Music Japan in 2023. The compilation, which was exclusively released in Japan, consists of previously released 35 audio tracks and 62 video tracks. The collection is part of a 26-title reissue campaign to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's debut album. The series, issued in three waves (25 Oct 2023, 22 Nov 2023, and 20 Dec 2023), includes 25 albums originally released between 1973 and 2014 plus a new compilation album that includes all of Springsteen's singles released in Japan from 1975 to 1999. All audio CD's were manufactured using Sony Japan's Blu-spec CD2 format.
Bruce Springsteen -- Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-
Other Official Releases
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Bruce Springsteen -- Interview With Bruce Springsteen
2xCD - Columbia (SAMPCD 3184 9) - Germany, 1996
Germany-only promotional 2-CD set featuring 16 Springsteen tracks interspersed with segments from an exclusive interview for German radio station "Radio Eins" conducted in Los Angeles in February 1996.
The album version of MY HOMETOWN was included on some various artists albums.
Various artists -- Kuschelrock 11
2xCD - Sony Music Media (SMM 487444 2) - Germany, 1997
2xCD - Sony Music Media (SMM 487444 9) - Germany, 1997
2xCD - Sony Music Media (SMM CL 36627 8) - Germany, 1997
2xMC - Sony Music Media (SMM 487444 4) - Germany, 1997
2xCD - Sony Music Media (SMM4874440) - Germany, 2004
2xCD - Sony BMG (88697 27177 2) - Germany, 2008
Various artists -- Knuffelrock 6
2xCD - Sony Music Media (488924-2) - Holland, 1997
Other versions of MY HOMETOWN were also officially released.
The live 05 Aug 1984 version of MY HOMETOWN was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey 1984 official live download in 2015.
The live 06 Aug 1984 version of MY HOMETOWN was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena August 6, 1984 official live download in 2020.
The live 20 Aug 1984 version of MY HOMETOWN was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena, NJ August 20, 1984 official live download in 2015.
The live 27 Sep 1985 version of MY HOMETOWN was released on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Sept 27, 1985 official live download in 2019.
The live 16 Nov 1990 version of MY HOMETOWN was released on The Christic Shows, November 16 & 17, 1990 official live download in 2016.
The live 17 Nov 1990 version of MY HOMETOWN was released on The Christic Shows, November 16 & 17, 1990 official live download in 2016.
The live 25 Jul 1992 version of MY HOMETOWN was released on the Meadowlands July 25, 1992 official live download in 2019.
The live 24 Jun 1993 version of MY HOMETOWN was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey June 24, 1993 official live download in 2018.
The live 08 Nov 1996 version of MY HOMETOWN was released on the Freehold, NJ 1996 Saint Rose Of Lima School Gym official live download in 2018.
The live 16 Jun 2003 version of MY HOMETOWN was released on the Helsinki June 16, 2003 official live download in 2018.
The live 25 Jun 2005 version of MY HOMETOWN was released on the Stockholm 2005 official live download in 2020.
The live 20 Oct 2009 version of MY HOMETOWN was released on the Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 10/20/09 official live download in 2017.
Live History: on-tour
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In preparation for Springsteen On Broadway, MY HOMETOWN was performed during all of the tour's three known private rehearsal shows that took place in September 2017 in West Long Branch, NJ, and New York City, NY, and during both of the tour's known private rehearsal shows that took place in June 2021 in New York City, NY.
MY HOMETOWN was performed 268 times during Springsteen On Broadway (268 dates, October 2017 to December 2018 and June to September 2021). On this tour, the song was played solo on piano. The live July 2018 version of MY HOMETOWN was released on the Springsteen On Broadway album in 2018.
Live History: off-tour
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MY HOMETOWN was performed off-tour on 18 Jun 1988 at Chateau De Vincennes in Paris, France, during a guest appearance at the S.O.S. Racism Concert. The song featured Bruce Springsteen on vocals and acoustic guitar, accompanied by Clarence Clemons on backing vocals and percussion. See the live 18 Jun 1988 version for mroe details.
MY HOMETOWN was performed off-tour on 10 Jun 2018 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, NY, during the 72nd Annual Tony Awards ceremony. A brief portion of the song was played, solo on piano, and was preceded by monologue from Springsteen On Broadway. See the live 10 Jun 2018 version for more details.
Appearance in Movies
Bruce Springsteen's album version of MY HOMETOWN appears in one movie.
Roger & Me
It was used in the 1989 documentary film Roger & Me, directed by Michael Moore. No soundtrack album was released for this film.
Covers
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At least 40 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's MY HOMETOWN.
John Bayless -- Greetings From John Bayless
CD - Megaforte Digital / Atlantic Records (81906-2) - USA, 1988
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
The Songrise Orchestra -- The Music Of Bruce Springsteen - 17 Instrumental Hits
CD - Hits 'N' Hits (3831CD) - UK, 1995
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. It was reissued in 2011 by the Pyramid Music label as a download-only digital album titled Greatest Hits From The Superstars - Born In The USA credited to Gary Tesca Orchestra. It was again reissued in 2014 by the Bringins Music label as a download-only digital album titled Memories Are Made Of These - The Best Of Bruce Springsteen credited to Twilight Orchestra.
American Boys -- Bruce Springsteen - Coverversion
CD - Azzurra (TBP 1113) - Italy, 2000
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. It was reissued in 2003 under the title Bruce Springsteen: The Best - Cover 100%, with catalog number TBP 1152 and with a different artwork.
Studio 99 -- Born In The USA: Springsteen - A Tribute
CD - Going For A Song (GFS402) - UK, 2001
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Various artists -- Tribute To Bruce Springsteen: Made In The U.S.A.
CD - Purple Pyramid (CLP 1049-2) - USA, 2001
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. MY HOMETOWN is performed by Robin McAuley.
Nick White -- The Music Of Bruce Springsteen
CD - Millennium Gold (MG2110) - Holland, 2002
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
The Section -- Hometown: The String Quartet Tribute To Springsteen
CD - Vitamin (CD 8678) - USA, 2002
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Session musicians -- Super Instrumental
CD - O6epir-XXI / Vikkon (no catalog number) - Ukraine, 2003
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Solo -- Canciones De Bruce Springsteen
CD - no label (no catalog number) - Spain, 2003
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. MY HOMETOWN is a Spanish adaptation titled "Mi ciudad".
Various artists -- Light Of Day: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
2xCD - Schoolhouse Records / Big Daddy (SHR0022-2) - USA, 2003
2xCD - Good Sounds / DiscMedi Blau (DM 797E-02) - Spain, 2003
3xCD - Good Sounds / DiscMedi Blau (DM 797-02) - Spain, 2003
2xCD - Schoolhouse Records / Revolver (REV XD244) - UK, 2004
2xCD - Revolver / Sony (MHCP 928-9) - Japan, 2005
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. There are five issues of this album (with three track configurations) and this track was included on all five issues listed above. MY HOMETOWN is performed by Jason Ringenberg.
New Jersey All Stars -- A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
CD - Cedar (1402) - Europe, 2004
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Studio Group -- A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen Vol 2
Digital album - Charly Records (no catalog number) - unknown country, 2006
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
The Voices On Tour -- The Music Of Bruce Springsteen
CD - Promo Sound (PS 1723 CD) - Germany, 2006
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Rock Riot -- A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Digital EP - Vanilla OMP (unknown catalog number) - unknown country, 2009
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute EP. It was later reissued featuring a different artwork and credited to "The Wanted".
The Wave Pictures -- Play Some Pool
CD-R - Where It's At Is Where You Are (no catalog number) - UK, 2009
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. It's a free disc included with the label's "Girls In Their Summer Clothes / If I Should Fall Behind" 7-inch single.
Various artists -- Play Some Pool, Skip Some School, Act Real Cool: A Global Pop Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
2xCD - Where It's At Is Where You Are (WIACD20) - UK, 2009
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. MY HOMETOWN is performed by Travis Elborough.
Starlite Singers -- Glory Days (In The Style Of Bruce Springsteen)
Digital album - Starlite / Suite 102 (unknown catalog number) - Canada, 2010
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
The Hit Co. -- A Tribute To The Best Of Bruce Springsteen Box Set
Digital album - Planet Music (unknown catalog number) - unknown country, 2010
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album. It was also released the same year as three separate volumes: Long Live The Boss: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen Vol. 1 1973-1985, Long Live The Boss: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen Vol. 2 1980-1989, and Long Live The Boss: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen Vol. 3 1990-2009. A Tribute To The Best Of Bruce Springsteen Box Set however includes two tracks not found on the three separate volumes. In 2012, the same tracks found on A Tribute To The Best Of Bruce Springsteen Box Set were distributed over three download-only digital Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp tribute albums: Working Class Heroes: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp, Vol. 1, Working Class Heroes: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp, Vol. 2, and Working Class Heroes: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp, Vol. 3.
The Boss Band -- The Ultimate Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Digital album - Big Eye Music (unknown catalog number) - USA, 2011
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Déjà Vu -- Tribute To Working Class Hero Bruce Springsteen - Vol. 1
Digital album - Zulu (unknown catalog number) - USA, 2012
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Frans Pollux -- Pollux Duit Springsteen
CD - hippoproducties (no catalog number) - Holland, 2012
2xLP - unknown label (unknown catalog number) - Holland, 2022
This is a live Bruce Springsteen tribute album. All songs are in Dutch. The album was reissued on vinyl in 2022, with three additional tracks and completely different artwork. MY HOMETOWN is a Dutch version titled "De Maon Van Thoés". It's one of three bonus tracks added to the 2022 reissue.
Heinrich Müller & Band -- On Fire: A Tribute To The Music Of Bruce Springsteen
CD - Carusounds (NB0325) - Switzerland, 2012
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Das Traumstern-Orchester -- Spielt Hits Von Bruce Springsteen
CD - Europa Family Music / Sony Music (88765 47379 2) - Germany, 2013
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Judson Mancebo -- Babies Love Bruce Springsteen
CD - Sony Music (88765482692) - Brazil, 2013
CD - DIVUCSA (38-534) - Spain, 2015
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Rock Riff Tones -- We Love (A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen)
Digital album - Devoted Music (unknown catalog number) - unknown country, 2013
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Laptop Instrumental -- The Bruce Springsteen Instrumental Collection
Digital album - Loudr (no catalog number) - USA, 2014
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
New Tribute Kings -- World Allstars - Bruce Springsteen Tribute Hits
Digital album - Legacy Records (unknown catalog number) - unknown country, 2014
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Various artists -- Bruce Springsteen Tribute (Rauch Auf Dem Wasser - Edition)
CD - Coaast TMP (no catalog number) - Germany, 2014
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. MY HOMETOWN is performed by Phon.
Various artists -- Dead Man's Town: A Tribute To Born In The U.S.A.
LP - Lightning Rod Records (LRR25523) - USA, 2014
CD - Lightning Rod Records (LRR25523) - USA, 2014
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. MY HOMETOWN is performed by North Mississippi All-Stars.
Hungry Hearts -- Live In My Hometown
CD-R - no label (no catalog number) - Italy, 2015
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album, recorded live on 09 Jan 2015 at Inferno Di Dante in Tortona, Italy.
Lullaby Teddy -- Easy Listening Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Digital album - Lullaby Teddy (unknown catalog number) - unknown country, 2015
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Relaxing Piano Covers -- Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Digital album - Relaxing Piano Covers (unknown catalog number) - USA, 2015
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
The Waybacks & Friends -- Merlefest Hillside Album Hour 2015: Back In The U.S.A.
CD - no label (no catalog number) - USA, 2016
This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Kevin Heider -- Ohio: A Tribute To Springsteen
Digital album - no label (no catalog number) - USA, 2019
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
David Furtado -- Tribute to Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Digital album - no label (no catalog number) - Portugal, 2020
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Sweet Little Band -- Babies Go Bruce Springsteen
Digital album - RGS Music (unknown catalog number) - Argentina, 2020
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Heaven Is Shining -- Born In The USA
Digital album - Rosenklang (unknown catalog number) - Germany, 2021
This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
The Bruceband -- Born In The U.S.A. Live
Digital album - Dr K Music (no catalog number) - Holland, 2021
This is a download-only digital live Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
The Boss Brothers -- Live
Digital album - 729285 Records DK (no catalog number) - The Netherlands, 2023
This is a download-only digital live Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Mr. Campfire -- ...Through The Years
CD - no label (no catalog number) - Germany, unknown release year
Available Versions
List of available versions of MY HOMETOWN on this website:
MY HOMETOWN [Album version]
MY HOMETOWN [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
MY HOMETOWN [Live 18 Jun 1988 version]
MY HOMETOWN [Live 29 Jun 2000 version]
MY HOMETOWN [Live 10 Jun 2018 version]
MY HOMETOWN [Live July 2018 version]
Page last updated: 14 Jun 2018
