Incident on 57th Street (fades in) Songtext
von Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Spanish Johnny drove in from the underworld last night
With bruised arms and broken rhythm in a beat-up old Buick
But dressed just like dynamite
He tried sellin′ his heart to the hard girls over on Easy Street
But they sighed "Johnny it falls apart so easy
And you know hearts these days are cheap"

And the pimps swung their axes and said
"Johnny you're a cheater"
Well the pimps swung their axes and said
"Johnny you′re a liar"
And from out of the shadows came a young girl's voice
Saying, "Johnny don't cry"

"Puerto Rican Jane
Oh, won′t you tell me what′s your name?
I want to drive you down to the other side of town
Where paradise ain't so crowded
There′ll be action goin' down on Shanty Lane tonight"
All them golden-heeled fairies in a real bitch fight
Pull 38′s and kiss the girls good night


Oh good night, it's all right Jane
Now let them black boys in to light the soul flame
We may find it out on the street tonight baby
Or we may walk until the daylight maybe

Well like a cool Romeo he made his moves
Oh, she looked so fine
Like a late Juliet she knew he′d never be true
But then she didn't really mind
Upstairs a band was playin'
And the singer was singin′ something about going home
She whispered, "Spanish Johnny, you can leave me tonight
But just don′t leave me alone"

And Johnny cried, "Puerto Rican Jane
Word is down the cops have found the vein"
Oh, all them barefoot boys they left their homes for the woods
Them little barefoot street boys they say homes ain't no good
They left the corners, threw away all their switchblade knives
And kissed each other good-bye


Johnny was sittin′ on the fire escape
Watchin' the kids playin′ down the street
He called down, "Hey little heroes, summer's long
But I guess it ain′t very sweet around here anymore"
Janey sleeps in sheets damp with sweat
Johnny sits up alone and watches her dream on, dream on
And the sister prays for lost souls
Then breaks down in the chapel after everyone's gone

Jane moves over to share her pillow
But opens her eyes to see Johnny up and puttin' his clothes on
She says, "Those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys)
All they ever want to do is fight"
Those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys)
They′re callin′ through the window
"Hey Spanish Johnny, you want to make a little easy money tonight?"
And Johnny whispered

"Good night, it's all tight Jane
I′ll meet you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane
We may find it out on the street tonight baby
Or we may walk until the daylight maybe"

"Ah, good night, it′s all right Jane
I'm gonna meet you tomorrow night on Lover′s Lane
Ah, we can find it out on the street tonight baby
Or we may walk until the daylight maybe"

"Ah, good night, it's all right Jane
I'll meet you tomorrow night on Lover′s Lane
Now we may find it out on, on the street tonight baby
Or we may have to walk until the morning light maybe"