Well I guess everything dies baby that’s a fact/
But maybe everything that dies someday.

Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City” tells the story of a poor couple who gather up their money and head to Atlantic City to try to make ends meet. They are aware that the city has an unsavory reputation–the city is being overtaken by the mob- but they have few options.

There are few jobs available there, and the man does end up getting involved with the mob by “doing a little favor for them.” He is sick of ending up on the wrong side, seeing everyone else wind up rich. The chorus is great. Springsteen discusses his hopes for the resurrection of the city that has died in the context of a man who hopes that this turn to the mob will not make him irredeemable.

That rawness of “Atlantic City” provides much of the appeal. Supposedly, Springsteen tried to make this into a rock song, but producer Jon Landau convinced him to keep it with the folkish sound. He has played it in concert with the full band and it never sounds the same.

The harmonica plays an essential part on this song. It is a great solo instrument here, and I think it is Springsteen’s finest harmonica work. I also like the mandolin. It brings the song together and brings home the Italian imagery.

Atlantic City Lyrics

Well they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night,
Now they blew up his house too.
Down on the boardwalk they’re gettin’ ready for a fight,
Gonna see what them racket boys can do.

Now there’s trouble busin’ in from out of state,
And the D.A. can’t get no relief.
Gonna be a rumble out on the promenade,
And the gambling commission’s hanging on by the skin of its teeth.

Well now everything dies, baby that’s a fact.
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty,
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

Well I got a job and tried to put my money away,
But I got debts that no honest man can pay.
So I drew what I had from the Central Trust,
And I bought us two tickets on that Coast City bus.

Well now everything dies baby that’s a fact.
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty,
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

Now our luck may have died and our love may be cold
But with you forever I’ll stay.
We’re goin’ out where the sand’s turning to gold.
So put on your stockings baby
Cause the night’s getting cold.

And everything dies baby that’s a fact,
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.

Now I been lookin’ for a job but it’s hard to find-
Down here it’s just winners and losers,
And don’t get caught on the wrong side of that line.
Well I’m tired of comin’ out on the losing end.

So honey last night I met this guy
And I’m gonna do a little favor for him.

Well now everything dies baby that’s a fact.
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.
Put your hair up nice, fix your make up pretty,
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

written by Bruce Springsteen