When You're Alone

Album: Tunnel of Love (1987)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is mostly about how one would continue at the end of a relationship. The second verse describes about how one might feel afterwards: "With just the shirt on my back, I left and swore I'd never look back. But, there are things that'll knock you down that you don't even see coming, and send you crawling, like a baby, back home." This describes when the memory of something good will aid in the return. The third verse describes how time will pass and one would forget about all the bad times and think only of the good. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Gene - San Diego, CA
  • "When You're Alone" is a deep cut in Springsteen's catalog, played live only a handful of times. It's from his Tunnel Of Love album, which he recorded mostly on his own, bringing in members of his E Street Band for overdubs. This was a turbulent time for Bruce, whose marriage to Julianne Phillips was ending and his spark with E Street singer Patti Scialfa was turning into a fire. His divorce was finalized in 1989, the same year he broke up the E Street Band (he brought them back together in 1999). In 1991 he married Scialfa.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.