Shut Out the Light
1984 · Columbia 38-04680 · Freehold, New Jersey
- Artist
- Bruce Springsteen
- Title
- Shut Out the Light
- Release
- Born in the U.S.A. / Shut Out the Light
- Year
- 1984
- Label
- Columbia # 38-04680
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- Freehold, New Jersey, USA
- Songwriter
- Bruce Springsteen
- Genre
- Rock · Americana
- Primary theme
- Post-War
Annotation — Bruce Springsteen Songs
The B-side song "Shut Out the Light" is also about the Vietnam War, but often overlooked, sitting next to the famous A-side. This track tells the story of a Vietnam veteran, who had just returned home: "on his porch they stretched a banner that said Johnny Welcome Home". But he suffered from PTSD.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Lyrics
English: The runway rushed up at him as he felt the wheels touch down He stood out on the blacktop and took a taxi into town He got out down on main street and went into a local bar He bought a drink and found a seat in a corner in the dark Well she called up her mama to make sure the kids were out of the house She checked herself out in the dining room mirror And undid an extra button on her blouse He felt her lying next to him, the clock said four a.m.
Notes
Columbia 38-04680, B-side of "Born in the U.S.A.", 3:45, written by B. Springsteen; released October 1984; not on the Born in the U.S.A. album. [From Discogs] Picture sleeve: cover photo Annie Leibovitz; art direction and design Andrea Klein. The back prints the lyrics of "Born in the U.S.A." and notes that "Shut Out the Light" does not appear on the Born in the U.S.A. album. A-side label: Stereo 4:39, taken from the Columbia LP QC 38653; produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin and Steve Van Zandt; recorded by Toby Scott; mixed by Bob Clearmountain. [From the record sleeve and label]
About the artist
Born Freehold, New Jersey, USA (23 September 1949). Currently Rumson, New Jersey.