4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)

Album version



Sandy, the fireworks are hailing over Little Eden tonight
Forcing a light into all those stony faces left stranded on this warm July
Down in the town, the Circuit's full of switchblade lovers, so fast, so shiny, so sharp
As the wizards play down on Pinball Way on the boardwalk way past dark
And the boys from the casino dance with their shirts open like Latin lovers on the shore
Chasing all them silly New York virgins by the score

And Sandy, the aurora is rising behind us
This pier lights our carnival life forever
Oh, love me tonight, for I may never see you again
Hey, Sandy girl
My, my, baby

Now, the greasers, ah, they tramp the streets or get busted for sleeping on the beach all night
Them boys in their high heels, ah, Sandy, their skins are so white
And me, I just got tired of hanging in them dusty arcades, banging them pleasure machines
Chasing the factory girls underneath the boardwalk where they all promise to unsnap their jeans
And you know that tilt-a-whirl down on the south beach drag
I got on it last night and my shirt got caught
And they kept me spinning, babe, didn't think I'd ever get off

Oh, Sandy, the aurora is rising behind us
This pier lights our carnival life on the water
Running, laughing 'neath the boardwalk, ah, with the boss's daughter
I remember, Sandy, girl
Na, na, na, na, na, baby

Sandy, that waitress I was seeing lost her desire for me
I spoke with her last night, she said she won't set herself on fire for me anymore
She worked that joint under the boardwalk, she was always the girl you saw bopping down the beach with the radio
The kids say last night she was dressed like a star in one of them cheap little seaside bars, and I saw her parked with lover boy out on the Kokomo
Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie for telling fortunes better than they do
For me this boardwalk life is through, babe
You ought to quit this scene too

Sandy, the aurora is rising behind us
This pier lights our carnival life forever
Oh, love me tonight and I promise I'll love you forever
Oh, I mean it, Sandy, girl
My, my, my, my, my baby
Yeah, I promise, Sandy, girl
Sha, la, la, la, la, baby


Info

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 1973 album The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) as released in 1973.


The album version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was included on The Essential Bruce Springsteen (both 2003 and 2015 editions) compilation album and the Chapter And Verse compilation album.

Within the E Street Band, the song was heavily identified with Danny Federici's accordion part, which is the main musical element. A version recorded by The Hollies charted in North America and became a hit in Europe in 1975. See The Hollies' cover version for more details.

Writing and Recording

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was written in mid-1973. In his 1998 book Songs, Springsteen wrote: "I'd been evicted from my apartment above the beauty salon, so I moved on myself and was living with my girlfriend in a garage apartment, five minutes from Asbury Park, in Bradley Beach. This is where I wrote '4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy),' a goodbye to my adopted hometown and the life I'd lived there before I recorded. Sandy was a composite of some of the girls I'd known along the Shore. I used the boardwalk and the closing down of the town as a metaphor for the end of a summer romance and the changes I was experiencing in my own life."

"Sandy" may be none other than Diane Lozito, Springsteen's girlfriend between summer 1971 and early 1975. See ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) for more about Diane Lozito.

The band line-up on this track is Bruce Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, Danny Federici, Garry Tallent, Vini Lopez, and David Sancious, plus Suki Lahav who provided the "choir" backing vocals. Springsteen had hired a church children's choir to sing on the studio recording of the song, "but they didn't show," Lahav told the Jerusalem Post in 2007. "And I was around. And I had this high, pure clear voice. So that was my first time." Lahav's voice was recorded and overdubbed repeatedly to give a choir-like effect that Springsteen wanted. Vini Lopez explained in 2007 that he and Clarence Clemons tried to sound like Lahav when singing backing vocals on the song live. "Not easy", he recalled. Lahav, then the wife of Louis Lahav who was Springsteen's sound engineer at the time, would not be credited for her role, but would later join the E Street Band for six months as a violinist and singer.

The track, as well as the whole album, was recorded at Sound Studios in Blauvelt, NY, and produced by Mike Appel and Jimmy Cretecos.

A handwritten lyrics sheet containing what appears to be an early draft of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was auctioned in 2013. See the early draft for more details.

Circulating Studio Versions

Two other different mixes (but same basic recording) of the album version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) have been circulating on bootlegs: an instrumental backing track, and a mix with Springsteen's original vocal overdub with the "Sparkin' an empty light in all those lonely faces reachin' up like bandits in the sky" lyric line. See the original studio version for more details. The mix that was eventually released on The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle album features a Springsteen vocal overdub that changed that lyrics line to "Forcin' a light into all those stony faces left stranded on this warm July."

The instrumental backing track can be found on several bootlegs, including The Unsurpassed Springsteen Volume 5 (Yellow Dog Records) [track 08] and Born In The Studio (Archive Productions) [track 04].

Bruce Springsteen -- The Unsurpassed Springsteen Volume 5 (Yellow Dog Records)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Unsurpassed Springsteen Volume 5 (Yellow Dog Records)
Bruce Springsteen -- Born In The Studio (Archive Productions)
Bruce Springsteen -- Born In The Studio (Archive Productions)

Madam Marie

The "Madam Marie" mentioned in the song is Marie Castello, a real-life fortune teller who worked on the Asbury Park boardwalk from 1932 and until her passing away in 2008. She was the longest running tenant on the Asbury Park boardwalk, where she operated from a small one-room concrete structure called the "Temple Of Knowledge". Castello's family continues to give readings at the Temple Of Knowledge, which has become a landmark on the Asbury Park boardwalk.

Madam Marie's Temple Of Knowledge, 08 Nov 2009 (Keith Mallaby photo, used with permission)
Madam Marie's Temple Of Knowledge, 08 Nov 2009 (Keith Mallaby photo, used with permission)

Castello gained a following among celebrities who often stopped at Asbury Park to perform at the nearby Asbury Park Convention Hall, specially during the sixties. Her famous clients included Ray Charles, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and many others. A young Bruce Springsteen began visiting her around the age of 17 and often played his guitar outside of her booth. He later immortalized her in his 1973 song 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) -- she became an icon among Springsteen fans worldwide.

Marie Castello died on 27 Jun 2008 at the age of 93. Springsteen offered memories and condolences of her on his website, saying: "Back in the day when I was a fixture on the Asbury Park boardwalk, I'd often stop and talk to Madam Marie as she sat on her folding chair outside the Temple Of Knowledge. I'd sit across from her on the metal guard rail bordering the beach, and watched as she led the day trippers into the small back room where she would unlock a few of the mysteries of their future. She always told me mine looked pretty good - she was right. The world has lost enough mystery as it is - we need our fortunetellers. We send our condolences out to her family who've carried on her tradition. Over here on E Street, we will miss her."

A few days following her death, Springsteen dedicated 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) to Marie Castello during the 04 Jul 2008 Magic Tour show in Goteborg, Sweden, and again a few day later during the 11 Jul 2008 Magic Tour show in Helsinki, Finland. See the live 04 Jul 2008 version for more details.

The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle

The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle is Bruce Springsteen's second studio album. It was recorded between mid-May 1973 and mid-September 1973 at 914 Sound Studios in Blauvelt, NY. Studio time was slotted in during various itinerary breaks in the Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. Tour, but recording sessions dragged on much longer than originally anticipated and this eventually caused some gig rescheduling and cancellations during the period from July to September 1973.

The album's recording sessions can be split into distinct phases:

  • The first phase of sessions took place on 15-22 May and 17-20 June, and featured the then-touring line-up of Bruce Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, Danny Federici, Garry Tallent, and Vini Lopez. Neither David Sancious nor any other musicians were involved in these initial sessions.
  • The second phase of sessions took place on 26 June-02 July, 11-16 July, 04-12 August, and 10-25 September, and included all of the above-mentioned musicians, plus new E Street Band member David Sancious (who joined in on 22 June), as well as niche session contributions by Suki Lahav on vocals, Richard Blackwell on congas and percussion, and Albee Tellone on baritone sax.

Most of the basic ensemble recording of The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle emanates from the first phase of sessions, prior to the arrival of David Sancious to the sessions on 22 Jun 1973. Sancious verified in a late seventies interview with Thunder Road magazine that most of the session songs had already been recorded (as basic tracks) by the time he joined. He then overdubbed his parts onto these recordings. THE E STREET SHUFFLE is an exception, which was written after Sancious became a member of the band. The latter phase of the sessions involved embellishing additional "frills" instrumentation, vocals, and experimenting with different mixes. No audio evidence has yet emerged that any of the basic recordings of were re-recorded from scratch with Sancious. Indeed, one of the most noteworthy aspects to the audio evidence that has emerged from The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle recording sessions is that there is not one genuine alternate take to be found – all song recording variations are merely alternate mixes of the same basic recording.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle
Bruce Springsteen -- The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle

The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle was produced by Mike Appel and Jim Cretecos and engineered by Louis Lahav. It features 7 new Springsteen compositions and clocks at 46:47. It was commercially released on 05 Nov 1973.

The Essential Bruce Springsteen

The Essential Bruce Springsteen is a compilation album released as part of Sony BMG'S (previously Sony Music Entertainment) series of "Essential" sets. According to Springsteen's liner notes comments, the collection was intended as an introduction to his music for new fans who attended shows on The Rising Tour.

The collection is fundamentally a 2-disc set (clocking at 153:37) compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Live In New York City release. A 3-disc limited edition (clocking at 201:04) was also released. It includes a bonus third disc comprising of a selection of rarities and previously unreleased recordings.

The Essential Bruce Springsteen was released on 11 Nov 2003 on Columbia Records. It debuted and peaked at #14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart where it spent 13 weeks. It also reached #28 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was awarded certified gold and platinum records by the RIAA on 16 Dec 2003.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003 edition)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003 edition)

The Essential Bruce Springsteen was reissued on 16 Oct 2015, this time as a 2-disc set (clocking at 156:25) with an updated track list, compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Greatest Hits (1995 edition) collection. This 2015 reissue features remastered tracks not found in that form on other Springsteen releases.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2015 edition)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2015 edition)

Chapter And Verse

Chapter And Verse is a Bruce Springsteen compilation album released on Columbia Records on 23 Sep 2016 in the U.S. It was officially announced on 28 Jul 2016. The album is an audio companion to Springsteen's autobiography Born To Run, which was published four days later, on 27 Sep 2016, by Simon & Schuster.

The album is a career retrospective consisting of 18 tracks. It spans almost half a century of Springsteen's career, from as early as 1966. According to the press release, Springsteen selected the songs to reflect the themes and sections of the autobiography. The first five tracks have not been previously released.

Tracks 1 and 2 are from The Castiles era, track 3 is from the Steel Mill era, and track 4 is from The Bruce Springsteen Band era. Tracks 5 and 6 are Springsteen solo, from around the time he signed his record deal with CBS. The remaining 12 tracks are compiled from 12 different Bruce Springsteen studio albums, from 1973 to 2012. All song were written by Bruce Springsteen, except tracks 1 (co-written by Bruce Springsteen and George Theiss) and track 2 (written by Willie Dixon). Track 2 is only song on the album recorded live.

Bruce Springsteen -- Chapter And Verse
Bruce Springsteen -- Chapter And Verse

Chapter And Verse is available as a single-disc CD and as a double-disc LP, as well as digital download and streaming.

1975 Single Release

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released as a single in mid-1975 in Germany, with THE E STREET SHUFFLE on the B-side. This coupling is unique to Germany and was the very first ever Springsteen 7-inch single issued outside the United States. Both commercial and promotional versions were pressed.

Bruce Springsteen -- Sandy (4th July, Asbury Park)
Bruce Springsteen-- Sandy (4th July, Asbury Park)

7" single - CBS (S 3512) - Germany, 1975

Commercial issue.

A1- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)
B1- THE E STREET SHUFFLE
Bruce Springsteen --"Sandy (4th July, Asbury Park) / The E Street Shuffle"
Bruce Springsteen-- "Sandy (4th July, Asbury Park) / The E Street Shuffle"

7" single - CBS (S 3512) - Germany, 1975

Promotional issue.

A1- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)
B1- THE E STREET SHUFFLE

The Hollies were always a highly popular band in Germany, and their cover version of Springsteen's 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY), titled "Sandy (4th July, Asbury Park)", was a modest hit in Germany and some neighboring countries in the summer of 1975. See The Hollies' cover version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) for more details.

In an attempt to capitalize on the success of The Hollies' version, CBS released Springsteen's version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) as a single in Germany in mid-1975. The single features the text "Originalaufnahme" (which translates to "Original recording") and adapts the title "Sandy (4th July, Asbury Park)" that The Hollies used on their releases. Springsteen's single sold virtually nothing in German and that's why now collectors pay many hundreds of dollars for a stock copy. Promotional copies on the other hand are relatively easier to come by than their stock counterparts.

Other Official Releases

In 1987, 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was included on the Dutch and Greek pressings of the Brilliant Disguise EP. In 1995, it was included on the European and South African pressings of the Secret Garden EP and the European pressings of the Murder Incorporated EP.

Bruce Springsteen -- Brilliant Disguise
Bruce Springsteen -- Brilliant Disguise

12" EP - Columbia (651141 6) - Holland, 1987

Comes with a 36-inch x 24-inch poster.

A1- BRILLIANT DISGUISE
B1- LUCKY MAN
B2- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)
Bruce Springsteen -- Brilliant Disguise
Bruce Springsteen -- Brilliant Disguise

12" EP - Columbia (651141 6) - Greece, 1987

Some copies came with a 36-inch x 24-inch poster announced by a sticker on the front sleeve.

A1- BRILLIANT DISGUISE
B1- LUCKY MAN
B2- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)
Bruce Springsteen -- Secret Garden
Bruce Springsteen -- Secret Garden

CD EP - Columbia (661295 2) - Austria, 1995

Austrian pressing for the European market.

01- SECRET GARDEN
02- BECAUSE THE NIGHT [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
03- PINK CADILLAC
04- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)
Bruce Springsteen -- Secret Garden
Bruce Springsteen -- Secret Garden

CD EP - CBS/Sony (661295 2) - Austria, 1995

Austrian pressing for the Spanish market.

01- SECRET GARDEN
02- BECAUSE THE NIGHT [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
03- PINK CADILLAC
04- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)
Bruce Springsteen -- Secret Garden
Bruce Springsteen -- Secret Garden

CD EP - Columbia (CDSIN 30 I) - South Africa, 1995

01- SECRET GARDEN
02- BECAUSE THE NIGHT [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
03- PINK CADILLAC
04- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)
Bruce Springsteen -- Murder Incorporated
Bruce Springsteen -- Murder Incorporated

12" EP - Columbia (661313 6) - Holland, 1995

Dutch pressing for the French market, withdrawn for unknown reasons.

A1- MURDER INCORPORATED
A2- BECAUSE THE NIGHT [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
B1- PINK CADILLAC
B2- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)
Bruce Springsteen -- Murder Incorporated
Bruce Springsteen -- Murder Incorporated

CD EP - Columbia (661313 2) - Austria, 1995

Austrian pressing for the French market.

A1- MURDER INCORPORATED
A2- BECAUSE THE NIGHT [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
B1- PINK CADILLAC
B2- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)

The album version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) can also be found on some Bruce Springsteen promo-only samplers.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Future Of Rock'n'Roll / 70's To 80's
Bruce Springsteen -- The Future Of Rock'n'Roll / 70's To 80's

2xCD - CBS/Sony (XADP 90009~10) - Japan, 1988

Japan-only promotional 2-CD set sampler compiling 28 tracks from Bruce Springsteen's first nine albums plus two 1988 live B-sides.

Disc 1: (70's)
01- THUNDER ROAD [Live 18 Oct 1975 (early show) version]
02- BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
03- RACING IN THE STREET
04- KITTY'S BACK
05- BADLANDS
06- GROWIN' UP
07- PROVE IT ALL NIGHT
08- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)
09- BACKSTREETS [Live 07 Jul 1978 version]
10- FOR YOU
11- TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT
12- THE PROMISED LAND
13- ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Live 07 Jul 1978 version]
14- BORN TO RUN

Disc 2: (80's)
01- BORN IN THE U.S.A. [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
02- BRILLIANT DISGUISE
03- DANCING IN THE DARK
04- CADILLAC RANCH [Live 06 Jul 1981 version]
05- WALK LIKE A MAN
06- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
07- JOHNNY 99
08- HUNGRY HEART [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
09- I WANNA MARRY YOU
10- MY HOMETOWN [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
11- THE RIVER
12- GLORY DAYS
13- OUT IN THE STREET
14- TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version]
15- SPARE PARTS [Live 09 Jul 1988 version]
16- THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND [Live 29 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen -- Bruce Springsteen Sampler
Bruce Springsteen -- Bruce Springsteen Sampler

CD - Columbia (CDNK 677) - Canada, 1992

Canada-only promotional CD sampler compiling 10 tracks from Springsteen's albums up to 1987, plus the 1988 acoustic live version of BORN TO RUN. Comes in a plain white die-cut cardboard sleeve.

Bruce Springsteen -- Interview With Bruce Springsteen
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.

Disc 1:
01- Interview
02- IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY
03- Interview
04- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)
05- Interview
06- THE RIVER
07- Interview
08- NEBRASKA
09- Interview
10- TOUGHER THAN THE REST
11- Interview
12- BORN IN THE U.S.A.
13- Interview
14- MY HOMETOWN
15- Interview
16- HIGHWAY 29
17- Interview
18- TUNNEL OF LOVE
19- Interview
20- SINALOA COWBOYS [Live 08 Dec 1995 version]

Disc 2:
01- Interview
02- HUNGRY HEART [Live 09 Jul 1995 version]
03- Interview
04- STRAIGHT TIME
05- Interview
06- HUMAN TOUCH
07- Interview
08- ACROSS THE BORDER
09- Interview
10- THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD
11- Interview
12- DEAD MAN WALKIN'
Bruce Springsteen -- Ballads Vol. 1 (1973 - 1982)
Bruce Springsteen -- Ballads Vol. 1 (1973 - 1982)

CD-R - Sony (no catalog number) - Japan, 2005

Japan-only promotional "Digest" CDR advance sampler tying in with the release of the first six Japanese 2005 "mini-LP"-style Springsteen CD album reissues. This disc comes in a plain slimline jewel case with no artwork.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Albums Collection Vol. 1, 1973-1984 - Radio Sampler
Bruce Springsteen -- The Albums Collection Vol. 1, 1973-1984 - Radio Sampler

CD-R - Columbia / Legacy (no catalog number) - USA, 2014

US-only promotional CD-R radio sampler tying with the release of Springsteen's box set of his first seven albums in remastered form.

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on two various artists albums in the seventies, Rockwork in Germany and After Dark in Sweden.

Various artist -- Rockwork
Various artist -- Rockwork

2xLP - CBS (88200) - Germany, 1975

This Germany-only various artists album contains a unique 3:42 edited version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY). This was the very first various artists album release ever to contain a Springsteen recording.
Various artist -- After Dark
Various artist -- After Dark

LP - CBS (SP 13311) - Sweden, 1977

This Sweden-only various artists "CBS Special Products" sampler that was available exclusively through mail order via domestic teen magazine Vecko-Revyn as part of a subscription promotion in June 1977.

Other versions of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) were also officially released.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- The Roxy 1975
The live 18 Oct 1975 (early show) version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on The Roxy 1975 official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Hammersmith Odeon, London '75
The live 18 Nov 1975 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the Hammersmith Odeon, London '75 album and home video in 2005.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- London 11/24/1975
The live 24 Nov 1975 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the London 11/24/1975 official live download in 2020.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Tower Theater, Philadelphia 1975
The live 31 Dec 1975 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the Tower Theater, Philadelphia 1975 official live download in 2015.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Palace Theatre, Albany 1977
The live 07 Feb 1977 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)was released on the Palace Theatre, Albany 1977 official live download in 2017.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, NY 1977
The live 08 Feb 1977 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)was released on the Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, NY 1977 official live download in 2017.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- The Agora, Cleveland 1978
The live 09 Aug 1978 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on The Agora, Cleveland 1978 official live download in 2014.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- September 19, 1978
The live 19 Sep 1978 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the September 19, 1978 official live download in 2019.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Nassau Coliseum, New York 12/29/80
The live 29 Dec 1980 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the Nassau Coliseum, New York 12/29/80 official live download in 2019.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Live/1975-85
The live 31 Dec 1980 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was first released on the Live/1975-85 box set in 1986.
Bruce Springsteen -- Asbury Park 11/24/96
The live 24 Nov 1996 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the Asbury Park 11/24/96 official live download in 2019.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- TD Banknorth Garden, Boston 11/19/07
The live 19 Nov 2007 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the TD Banknorth Garden, Boston 11/19/07 official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Magic Tour Highlights
The live 20 Mar 2008 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the Magic Tour Highlights digital EP in 2008.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL, April 22, 2008
The live 22 Apr 2008 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL, April 22, 2008 official live download in 2019.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- MSG 11.07.09
The live 07 Nov 2009 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the MSG 11.07.09 official live download in 2020.
live.brucespringsteen.net
Audio recordings for most High Hopes Tour shows were officially released on live.brucespringsteen.net. These include two versions of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY).

  1. 23 Feb 2014 at Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, Australia
  2. 26 Feb 2014 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia

Live History: on-tour

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is known to have been performed at least 4 times during what is considered the Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. Tour (October 1972 to September 1973). Many of that period's setlists are incomplete or unknown, and therefore, the song must have been played on some more dates during the Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. Tour. On this tour, the song featured an acoustic arrangement with Bruce Springsteen on guitar and Danny Federici on accordion. Each version featured a unique set of early lyrics, some of which are similar to those in the original studio version.

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is known to have been performed at least 42 times during what is considered The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle Tour (September 1973 to March 1975). Some of that period's setlists are incomplete or unknown, and therefore, the song must have been played on some more dates during The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle Tour. The performances from fall 1973 were played in an acoustic arrangement with Bruce Springsteen on guitar and Danny Federici on accordion, just like during the Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. Tour. For the rest of the tour (in 1974 and 1975), the song was played in a new full-band arrangement. Ernest "Boom" Carter played drums and David Sancious played piano until August 1974, and they were replaced by Max Weinberg on drums and Roy Bittan on piano from September 1974 onward. Suki Lahav joined in from October 1974 onward, singing backup vocals (and perhaps playing violin) on the song. In the Spring 1974 part of the tour, Springsteen switched over to a rewritten third verse.

  1. 20 Oct 1973 at Franklin Pierce College, Rindge, NH
  2. 30 Oct 1973 (late show) at The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, PA
  3. 31 Oct 1973 (late show) at The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, PA
  4. 11 Nov 1973 at Trenton State College, Ewing, NJ
  5. 15 Dec 1973 at Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY
  6. 03 Mar 1974 (early show) at Georgetown University, Washington, DC
  7. 03 Mar 1974 (late show) at Georgetown University, Washington, DC
  8. 24 Mar 1974 at Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
  9. 05 Apr 1974 at Widener College, Chester, PA
  10. 06 Apr 1974 at Burlington County College, Pemberton, NJ
  11. 09 Apr 1974 (early show) at Charlie's Place, Cambridge, MA
  12. 26 Apr 1974 at Brown University, Providence, RI
  13. 09 May 1974 (late show) at Harvard Square Theatre, Cambridge, MA
  14. 03 Jun 1974 at The Agora, Cleveland, OH
  15. 13 Jul 1974 at The Bottom Line, New York City, NY
  16. 30 Jul 1974 at The Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA
  17. 14 Aug 1974 (late show) at Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank, NJ
  18. 19 Sep 1974 (early show) at The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, PA
  19. 20 Sep 1974 at Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA
  20. 22 Sep 1974 at Kean College, Union, NJ
  21. 04 Oct 1974 at Avery Fisher Hall, New York City, NY
  22. 12 Oct 1974 at Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
  23. 18 Oct 1974 at Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ
  24. 19 Oct 1974 at Union College, Schenectady, NY
  25. 26 Oct 1974 at Julia Sanderson Theater, Springfield, MA
  26. 29 Oct 1974 at Music Hall, Boston, MA
  27. 01 Nov 1974 at Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA
  28. 02 Nov 1974 at Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA
  29. 16 Nov 1974 at American University, Washington, DC
  30. 23 Nov 1974 at Salem State College, Salem, MA
  31. 29 Nov 1974 at War Memorial Theatre, Trenton, NJ
  32. 06 Dec 1974 at State Theatre, New Brunswick, NJ
  33. 07 Dec 1974 at Geneva Theatre, Geneva, NY
  34. 08 Dec 1974 at Burlington Memorial Auditorium, Burlington, VT
  35. 05 Feb 1975 at The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, PA
  36. 06 Feb 1975 at Widener College, Chester, PA
  37. 07 Feb 1975 at Widener College, Chester, PA
  38. 19 Feb 1975 at Penn State University, University Park, PA
  39. 23 Feb 1975 at Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, NY
  40. 07 Mar 1975 at Painters Mill Music Fair, Owings Mills, MD
  41. 08 Mar 1975 at DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, DC
  42. 09 Mar 1975 at DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, DC

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is known to have been performed at least 54 times during the Born To Run Tour (73 know dates / 81 known shows, July to December 1975). Some of that period's setlists are incomplete or unknown, and therefore, the song must have been played on some more dates during the Born To Run Tour. On this tour, the song was played in the full-band arrangement and with the rewritten third verse that Springsteen switched over to in Spring 1974. The live 18 Nov 1975 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the Hammersmith Odeon, London '75 album and home video in 2005. The live 24 Nov 1975 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the London 11/24/1975 official live download in 2020. The live 31 Dec 1975 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the Tower Theater, Philadelphia 1975 official live download in 2015.

  1. 20 Jul 1975 at Palace Concert Theatre, Providence, RI
  2. 22 Jul 1975 at Geneva Theatre, Geneva, NY
  3. 23 Jul 1975 at Music Inn, Lenox, MA
  4. 25 Jul 1975 at Kutztown State College, Kutztown, PA
  5. 26 Jul 1975 at Kutztown State College, Kutztown, PA
  6. 28 Jul 1975 at Carter Barron Amphitheatre, Washington, DC
  7. 01 Aug 1975 at Mosque Theatre, Richmond, VA
  8. 08 Aug 1975 at Akron Civic Theatre, Akron, OH
  9. 13 Aug 1975 (late show) at Bottom Line, New York City, NY
  10. 15 Aug 1975 (early show) at Bottom Line, New York City, NY
  11. 17 Aug 1975 (late show) at Bottom Line, New York City, NY
  12. 23 Aug 1975 at Alex Cooley's Electric Ballroom, Atlanta, GA
  13. 06 Sep 1975 at Theatre Of The Performing Arts, New Orleans, LA
  14. 12 Sep 1975 at Municipal Auditorium, Austin, TX
  15. 13 Sep 1975 at Music Hall, Houston, TX
  16. 14 Sep 1975 at Music Hall, Houston, TX
  17. 16 Sep 1975 at Dallas Convention Center Theater, Dallas, TX
  18. 20 Sep 1975 at Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA
  19. 23 Sep 1975 at University Of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  20. 25 Sep 1975 at Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL
  21. 26 Sep 1975 at University Of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  22. 28 Sep 1975 at Memorial Hall, Kansas City, KS
  23. 02 Oct 1975 at Uptown Theatre, Milwaukee, WI
  24. 04 Oct 1975 at Michigan Palace, Detroit, MI
  25. 11 Oct 1975 (early show) at Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank, NJ
  26. 11 Oct 1975 (late show) at Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank, NJ
  27. 16 Oct 1975 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
  28. 17 Oct 1975 (early show) at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
  29. 17 Oct 1975 (late show) at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
  30. 18 Oct 1975 (early show) at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
  31. 18 Oct 1975 (late show) at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
  32. 19 Oct 1975 at The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA
  33. 01 Nov 1975 at University Of California, Santa Barbara, CA
  34. 06 Nov 1975 at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
  35. 10 Nov 1975 at Jai Alai Fronton, Tampa, FL
  36. 11 Nov 1975 at Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, FL
  37. 18 Nov 1975 at Hammersmith Odeon, London, England
  38. 21 Nov 1975 at Konserthuset, Stockholm, Sweden
  39. 23 Nov 1975 at Amsterdam RAI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  40. 24 Nov 1975 at Hammersmith Odeon, London, England
  41. 02 Dec 1975 at Music Hall, Boston, MA
  42. 03 Dec 1975 at Music Hall, Boston, MA
  43. 05 Dec 1975 at Georgetown University, Washington, DC
  44. 10 Dec 1975 at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
  45. 11 Dec 1975 at Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
  46. 12 Dec 1975 at C.W. Post College, Greenvale, NY
  47. 16 Dec 1975 at State University Of New York, Oswego, NY
  48. 17 Dec 1975 at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY
  49. 19 Dec 1975 at Théâtre Maisonneuve, Montreal, Canada
  50. 20 Dec 1975 at National Arts Centre, Ottawa, Canada
  51. 21 Dec 1975 at Seneca College, Toronto, Canada
  52. 27 Dec 1975 at Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA
  53. 28 Dec 1975 at Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA
  54. 30 Dec 1975 at Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA
  55. 31 Dec 1975 at Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is known to have been performed at least 20 times during the so-called Chicken Scratch Tour (35 know dates, March to May 1976). Some of that period's setlists are incomplete or unknown, and therefore, the song must have been played on some more dates during the Chicken Scratch Tour; it may have been a stable number during the tour. On this tour, the song was played in the full-band arrangement and with the rewritten third verse that Springsteen switched over to in Spring 1974.

  1. 25 Mar 1976 at Township Auditorium, Columbia, SC
  2. 26 Mar 1976 at Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA
  3. 28 Mar 1976 at Duke University, Durham, NC
  4. 29 Mar 1976 at Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC
  5. 04 Apr 1976 at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
  6. 05 Apr 1976 at Ohio Theatre, Columbus, OH
  7. 07 Apr 1976 at Allen Theatre, Cleveland, OH
  8. 09 Apr 1976 at Colgate University, Hamilton, NY
  9. 10 Apr 1976 at Paul Mellon Arts Center, Wallingford, CT
  10. 13 Apr 1976 at Penn State University, University Park, PA
  11. 15 Apr 1976 at Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, PA
  12. 17 Apr 1976 at University Of Rochester, Rochester, NY
  13. 22 Apr 1976 at Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA
  14. 26 Apr 1976 at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium, Chattanooga, TN
  15. 29 Apr 1976 at Ellis Auditorium, Memphis, TN
  16. 03 May 1976 at Robinson Auditorium, Little Rock, AR
  17. 10 May 1976 at Municipal Auditorium Theater, Mobile, AL
  18. 13 May 1976 at Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, LA
  19. 27 May 1976 at Eisenhower Hall Auditorium, West Point, NY
  20. 28 May 1976 at Halsey Field House, Annapolis, MD

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is known to have been performed at least 33 times during what is known as The Lawsuit Tour (62 know dates, August 1976 to March 1977). Some of that period's setlists are incomplete or unknown, and therefore, the song must have been played on some more dates during the Lawsuit Tour; it may have been a stable number during the 1976 leg of the tour. On this tour, the song was played in a full-band arrangement and with the rewritten third verse that Springsteen switched over to in Spring 1974. The live 07 Feb 1977 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)was released on the Palace Theatre, Albany 1977 official live download in 2017. The live 08 Feb 1977 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)was released on the Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, NY 1977 official live download in 2017.

  1. 01 Aug 1976 at Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank, NJ
  2. 02 Aug 1976 at Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank, NJ
  3. 03 Aug 1976 at Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank, NJ
  4. 05 Aug 1976 at Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank, NJ
  5. 06 Aug 1976 at Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank, NJ
  6. 07 Aug 1976 at Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank, NJ
  7. 21 Aug 1976 at Palace Theater, Waterbury, CT
  8. 22 Aug 1976 at Springfield Civic Center, Springfield, MA
  9. 26 Sep 1976 at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, AZ
  10. 29 Sep 1976 at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, CA
  11. 30 Sep 1976 at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, CA
  12. 02 Oct 1976 at Paramount Theatre, Oakland, CA
  13. 05 Oct 1976 at Santa Barbara County Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA
  14. 09 Oct 1976 at University Of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN
  15. 10 Oct 1976 at Miami University, Oxford, OH
  16. 12 Oct 1976 at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
  17. 13 Oct 1976 at Kean College, Union, NJ
  18. 16 Oct 1976 at The College Of William And Mary, Williamsburg, VA
  19. 17 Oct 1976 at Georgetown University, Washington, DC
  20. 25 Oct 1976 at Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
  21. 27 Oct 1976 at Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
  22. 28 Oct 1976 at Palladium, New York City, NY
  23. 29 Oct 1976 at Palladium, New York City, NY
  24. 30 Oct 1976 at Palladium, New York City, NY
  25. 02 Nov 1976 at Palladium, New York City, NY
  26. 03 Nov 1976 at Palladium, New York City, NY
  27. 04 Nov 1976 at Palladium, New York City, NY
  28. 07 Feb 1977 at Palace Theatre, Albany, NY
  29. 08 Feb 1977 at Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, NY
  30. 10 Feb 1977 at Memorial Auditorium, Utica, NY
  31. 02 Mar 1977 at Civic Center Auditorium, Atlanta, GA
  32. 05 Mar 1977 at Jai Alai Fronton, Orlando, FL
  33. 11 Mar 1977 at Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is known to have been performed at least 29 times during the Darkness On The Edge Of Town Tour (111 dates, May 1978 to January 1979). A few of that period's setlists are incomplete or unknown, and therefore, the song may have been played on some more dates during the Darkness On The Edge Of Town Tour. On this tour, the song was played in the full-band arrangement and with the rewritten third verse that Springsteen switched over to in Spring 1974. The live 09 Aug 1978 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on The Agora, Cleveland 1978 official live download in 2014. The live 19 Sep 1978 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the September 19, 1978 official live download in 2019.

  1. 03 Jun 1978 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
  2. 29 Jul 1978 at Bayfront Center Arena, St. Petersburg, FL
  3. 31 Jul 1978 at Township Auditorium, Columbia, SC
  4. 01 Aug 1978 at Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, Charleston, SC
  5. 04 Aug 1978 at Charleston Civic Center, Charleston, WV
  6. 05 Aug 1978 at Louisville Gardens, Louisville, KY
  7. 09 Aug 1978 at The Agora, Cleveland, OH
  8. 10 Aug 1978 at Rochester Community War Memorial, Rochester, NY
  9. 12 Aug 1978 at Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, ME
  10. 14 Aug 1978 at Hampton Roads Coliseum, Hampton, VA
  11. 15 Aug 1978 at Capital Centre, Largo, MD
  12. 18 Aug 1978 at Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
  13. 19 Aug 1978 at Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
  14. 21 Aug 1978 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
  15. 22 Aug 1978 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
  16. 23 Aug 1978 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
  17. 25 Aug 1978 at New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum, New Haven, CT
  18. 26 Aug 1978 at Providence Civic Center, Providence, RI
  19. 28 Aug 1978 at Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA
  20. 29 Aug 1978 at Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA
  21. 30 Aug 1978 at Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH
  22. 09 Sep 1978 at University Of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN
  23. 10 Sep 1978 at Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, OH
  24. 12 Sep 1978 at Onondaga County War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, NY
  25. 13 Sep 1978 at Springfield Civic Center, Springfield, MA
  26. 15 Sep 1978 at Palladium, New York City, NY
  27. 19 Sep 1978 at Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ
  28. 12 Nov 1978 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
  29. 28 Dec 1978 at Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is known to have been performed at least 37 times during The River Tour (138 dates, October 1980 to September 1981), mostly between December 1980 and February 1981. A few setlists from that period are incomplete, and therefore, the song may have been played on some more dates during The River Tour. On this tour, the song was played in the full-band arrangement and with the rewritten third verse that Springsteen switched over to in Spring 1974. The live 29 Dec 1980 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the Nassau Coliseum, New York 12/29/80 official live download in 2019. The live 31 Dec 1980 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the Live/1975-85 box set in 1986.

  1. 28 Nov 1980 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
  2. 02 Dec 1980 at Rochester Community War Memorial, Rochester, NY
  3. 06 Dec 1980 at Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
  4. 09 Dec 1980 at Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
  5. 11 Dec 1980 at Providence Civic Center, Providence, RI
  6. 12 Dec 1980 at Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT
  7. 15 Dec 1980 at Boston Garden, Boston, MA
  8. 16 Dec 1980 at Boston Garden, Boston, MA
  9. 18 Dec 1980 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
  10. 19 Dec 1980 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
  11. 28 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
  12. 29 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
  13. 31 Dec 1980 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
  14. 20 Jan 1981 at Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
  15. 21 Jan 1981 at Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
  16. 23 Jan 1981 at The Forum, Montreal, Canada
  17. 24 Jan 1981 at Ottawa Civic Centre, Ottawa, Canada
  18. 26 Jan 1981 at University Of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN
  19. 28 Jan 1981 at Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO
  20. 29 Jan 1981 at Iowa State University, Ames, IA
  21. 01 Feb 1981 at St. Paul Civic Center Arena, Saint Paul, MN
  22. 02 Feb 1981 at Dane County Memorial Coliseum, Madison, WI
  23. 04 Feb 1981 at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
  24. 05 Feb 1981 at Kemper Arena, Kansas City, MO
  25. 12 Feb 1981 at Municipal Auditorium, Mobile, AL
  26. 13 Feb 1981 at Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
  27. 15 Feb 1981 at Lakeland Civic Center, Lakeland, FL
  28. 18 Feb 1981 at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Jacksonville, FL
  29. 20 Feb 1981 at Hollywood Sportatorium, Hollywood, FL
  30. 22 Feb 1981 at Carolina Coliseum, Columbia, SC
  31. 25 Feb 1981 at Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN
  32. 28 Feb 1981 at Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
  33. 02 Mar 1981 at Hampton Roads Coliseum, Hampton, VA
  34. 04 Mar 1981 at Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
  35. 05 Jul 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
  36. 19 Jul 1981 at Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
  37. 07 Aug 1981 at Capital Centre, Largo, MD

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was performed 3 times during World Tour 1992-1993 (104 dates, June 1992 to June 1993), all during the 1992 North American leg. The first performance was an acoustic version with Springsteen on guitar and Roy Bittan on organ, plus some backing vocals (see the live 30 Jul 1992 version), while the latter two were full-band versions (see the live 10 Aug 1992 version). On this tour Springsteen used the rewritten third verse that he switched over to in Spring 1974.

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was performed 4 times during The Ghost Of Tom Joad Solo Acoustic Tour (128 dates, November 1995 to May 1997), on the three November 1996 Asbury Park shows plus one show in Australia in February 1997. The first two performances were in an acoustic guitar-and-accordion arrangement (see the live 24 Nov 1996 version for more details), the third performance was in an acoustic full-band arrangement (see the live 26 Nov 1996 version for more details), and the final performance was in a solo acoustic guitar arrangement (see the live 15 Feb 1997 version for more details). On this tour Springsteen used the rewritten third verse that he switched over to in Spring 1974. The live 24 Nov 1996 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the Asbury Park 11/24/96 official live download in 2019.

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was performed twice during what is known as The Reunion Tour (132 dates, April 1999 to July 2000). The song was played in a slightly slowed down full-band arrangement and with the rewritten third verse that Springsteen switched over to in Spring 1974.

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was performed 3 times during The Rising Tour (120 dates, August 2002 to October 2003), in May and July 2003. The song was played in a slightly slowed down full-band arrangement and with the rewritten third verse that Springsteen switched over to in Spring 1974.

  1. 12 May 2003 at Koning Boudewijn Stadion, Brussels, Belgium
  2. 29 May 2003 at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester, England
  3. 24 Jul 2003 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was performed 5 times during the Devils & Dust Solo Acoustic Tour (72 dates, April to November 2005). The song was played in a new solo electric piano arrangement. On this tour Springsteen used the song's orginal lyrics.

  1. 18 Jul 2005 at HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY
  2. 13 Aug 2005 at Pontiac Theatre At GM Place, Vancouver, Canada
  3. 04 Oct 2005 at Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ
  4. 24 Oct 2005 at Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, VA
  5. 13 Nov 2005 at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was performed 12 times during the Magic Tour (100 dates, October 2007 to August 2008). The song was played in an album-style full-band arrangement. The first three performances of featured Danny Federici on accordion, while the rest featured a combinations of Roy Bittan, Charles Giordano, and/or Jason Federici. On the last show of the tour, 30 Aug 2008 in Milwaukee, Danny Federici's son Jason guested on accordion. See the live 30 Aug 2008 version for more details. On this tour Springsteen used sometimes kept the song's original lyrics and sometimes he used the rewritten third verse that he switched over to in Spring 1974. See performances list below for details. The live 19 Nov 2007 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the TD Banknorth Garden, Boston 11/19/07 official live download in 2018. The live 20 Mar 2008 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the Magic Tour Highlights digital EP in 2008. The live 22 Apr 2008 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL, April 22, 2008 official live download in 2019.

  1. 15 Nov 2007 at Times Union Center, Albany, NY (Spring 1974 lyrics, with Danny Federici on accordion and Roy Bittan on keys)
  2. 19 Nov 2007 at TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA (original lyrics, with Danny Federici on accordion, Roy Bittan on keys)
  3. 20 Mar 2008 at Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN (original lyrics, with Danny Federici on accordion, Roy Bittan on keys)
  4. 22 Apr 2008 at St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL (Spring 1974 lyrics, with Roy Bittan on accordion and Charles Giordano on keys)
  5. 25 May 2008 at RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland (original lyrics, with Roy Bittan on accordion and Charles Giordano on keys)
  6. 31 May 2008 at Emirates Stadium, London, England (original lyrics, with Roy Bittan on accordion and Charles Giordano on keys)
  7. 23 Jun 2008 at Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium (original lyrics, with Roy Bittan on accordion and Charles Giordano on keys)
  8. 04 Jul 2008 at Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden (original lyrics, with Roy Bittan on accordion and Charles Giordano on keys)
  9. 11 Jul 2008 at Helsingfors Olympiastadion, Helsinki, Finland (original lyrics, with Roy Bittan on accordion and Charles Giordano on keys)
  10. 15 Jul 2008 at Estadio Anoeta, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain (original lyrics, with Roy Bittan on accordion and Charles Giordano on keys)
  11. 24 Aug 2008 at Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO (original lyrics, with Roy Bittan on accordion and Charles Giordano on keys)
  12. 30 Aug 2008 at The Roadhouse At The Lakefront, Milwaukee, WI (Spring 1974 lyrics, with Jason Federici and Roy Bittan on accordion and Charles Giordano on keys)

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was performed 3 times during the Working On A Dream Tour (83 dates, April to November 2009). The song was played in an album-style full-band arrangement. On this tour Springsteen used the song's original lyrics. The live 07 Nov 2009 version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was released on the MSG 11.07.09 official live download in 2020.

  1. 05 Jul 2009 at Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria
  2. 08 Oct 2009 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
  3. 07 Nov 2009 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY (complete The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle album performed)

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was performed twice during the Wrecking Ball Tour (133 dates, March 2012 to September 2013).

  1. 04 Jul 2012 at Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
  2. 01 Nov 2012 at Penn State University, University Park, PA

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was performed twice during the High Hopes Tour (34 dates, January to May 2014), both in Australia. Audio recordings for most High Hopes Tour shows are officially available for purchase. See the live 23 Feb 2014 version for more details.

  1. 23 Feb 2014 at Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, Australia
  2. 26 Feb 2014 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia (complete The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle album performed)

Live History: off-tour

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was performed off-tour on 27 Jul 1973 at Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, CA, during a private three-day sales convention for CBS Records.

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was performed off-tour on 21 Apr 2008 at United Methodist Church in Red Bank, NJ, during Danny Federici's funeral service.

  1. 27 Jul 1973 at Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, CA
  2. 21 Apr 2008 at United Methodist Church, Red Bank, NJ

In 1974, Bruce Springsteen performed 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) on one radio performance. The song was played in an acoustic arrangement featuring Bruce Springsteen on guitar and Danny Federici on accordion, just like they did during the Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. Tour. See the live 09 Apr 1974 version for more details

Between 2002 and 2011, Bruce Springsteen played private benefit shows for schools and colleges that his kids attended ─ Rumson Country Day School of Rumson, NJ, and Ranney School of Tinton Falls, NJ, and Boston College of Chestnut Hill, MA. 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was performed at 3 of these fundraisers, always at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, and backed by Bobby Bandiera and his band. On these shows the song was played in a full-band version.

  1. 11 Sep 2010 at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ (during a private fundraiser for Boston College)
  2. 29 Jan 2011 at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ (during a private fundraiser for Ranney School)
  3. 22 Oct 2011 at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ (during a private fundraiser for Boston College)

Appearance in Movies

Bruce Springsteen's album version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) appears in one movie.

Promotional poster for the film "Pitch People"
Pitch People

It was used in the 1999 documentary film Pitch People, directed by Stanley Jacobs. The film was shot at several location in the USA and the UK, including Asbury Park, NJ.

Covers

At least 12 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY).

The Hollies -- Another Night
The Hollies -- Another Night

LP - Polydor (2442-128) - UK, 1975
LP - Epic (PE 33387) - USA, 1975

The Hollies' cover of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) was included on many more releases. See The Hollies' cover version for more details.
Theu Boermans & "De Groep" -- Asfalt Gigolo
Theu Boermans & "De Groep" -- Asfalt Gigolo

LP - EMI (058-26488) - Holland, 1980

Includes two Bruce Springsteen covers: 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) and FACTORY. 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is a Dutch adaptation titled "Venlo '67".
Ulf Lundell -- Sweethearts
Ulf Lundell -- Sweethearts

LP - EMI (1361401) - Sweden, 1984
CD - EMI (1361404) - Sweden, 1984

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is a Swedish adaptation titled "Sanna (Nyårsafton Åre 1983)".
Air Supply -- Air Supply
Air Supply -- Air Supply

LP - Arista (AL8-8283) - USA, 1985
CD - Arista (ARCD 8283) - USA, 1985
John Bayless -- Greetings From John Bayless
John Bayless -- Greetings From John Bayless

CD - Megaforte Digital / Atlantic Records (81906-2) - USA, 1988

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Various artists -- One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen
Various artists -- One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - The Right Stuff (7243 8 59780 2 9) - USA, 1997
2xCD - EMI (TOCP-50377/8) - Japan, 1997

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. Disc 1 was reissued in 2000 as The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen. 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is performed by Ben E. King. See Ben E. King's cover version for more details.
Georg Siegl -- Strossnkoda
Georg Siegl -- Strossnkoda

CD - no label (no catalog number) - Austria, 2002

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is a German adaptation titled "Sandra".
Richard Shindell -- Courier - Live
Richard Shindell -- Courier - Live

CD - Signature Sounds (SIG 1270) - USA, 2002

This is a live album. 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is titled "Fourth Of July, Asbury Park" on this release.
The Section -- Hometown: The String Quartet Tribute To Springsteen
The Section -- Hometown: The String Quartet Tribute To Springsteen

CD - Vitamin (CD 8678) - USA, 2002

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
We're About 9 -- Live Wherever You Are
We're About 9 -- Live Wherever You Are

CD - no label (no catalog number) - USA, 2004

This is a live album. 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is titled "4th Of July, Asbury Park" on this release.
Dirk Darmstaedter -- Original Podcasts Vol. 2
Dirk Darmstaedter -- Original Podcasts Vol. 2

CD - no label (no catalog number) - Germany, 2006

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) is titled "Fourth Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" on this release.
Greg Von Teig -- The Prisoner Of His Dreams: Greg Von Teig Plays Bruce Springsteen
Greg Von Teig -- The Prisoner Of His Dreams: Greg Von Teig Plays Bruce Springsteen

CD - no label (no catalog number) - USA, 2016

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album, available in downloadable digital form and on CD. The digital version contains two tracks not found on the CD issue: DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN and IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY.

Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls recorded a version of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) in 2009 in Los Angeles. Their version was endorsed by Bruce Springsteen and was released through Springsteen's official website and on Backstreets.com. A video was also released on Bruce Springsteen's YouTube channel. The video was directed by Jeff Kussmann and shows the band recording the song in studio. Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls band's line up features Danny Federici's son, Jason Federici. He wrote, "Our version of 'Sandy' came about as a tribute to my father who loved that song."

Credits / References

Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake at BTX and Greasy Lake) for transcribing the lyrics and for all the help. Thanks Domingo (dobama at Greasy Lake) for the Greek Brilliant Disguise 12-inch EP info and scan and Keith Mallaby (Born To Walk at Greasy Lake) for the Madam Marie's Temple Of Knowledge photo.

Some of the above info about the studio recording and the live performances is taken from Brucebase. Info for some of the above official Springsteen releases is taken from the Lost In The Flood website. Info for some of the above 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) cover releases is taken from the Nebraska website.

Request

Please contact me if you have scans for or info about any official release containing 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) that's not mentioned on this page. I also need scans for the following releases:

  • Georg Siegl -- Strossnkoda || CD - no label (no catalog number) - Austria, 2002

Any additions, comments, or corrections to this page are welcome. You can contact me via the below form or by email: .

Available Versions

List of available versions of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) on this website:

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Album version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Original studio version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Early draft]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 23 Jul 1973 (early show) version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 31 Jul 1973 (late show) version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 31 Oct 1973 (late show) version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 03 Mar 1974 (late show) version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 09 Apr 1974 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 29 Oct 1974 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 05 Feb 1975 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 02 Oct 1975 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 18 Nov 1975 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 31 Dec 1975 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 07 Apr 1976 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 04 Nov 1976 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 09 Aug 1978 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 29 Dec 1980 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 30 Jul 1992 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 10 Aug 1992 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 24 Nov 1996 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 26 Nov 1996 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 15 Feb 1997 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 11 Aug 1999 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 12 May 2003 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 18 Jul 2005 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 20 Mar 2008 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 22 Apr 2008 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 04 Jul 2008 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 30 Aug 2008 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 07 Nov 2009 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Live 23 Feb 2014 version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [The Hollies' cover version]
4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) [Ben E. King's cover version]

Page last updated: 15 Apr 2016