HEARTS OF STONE

Unofficial studio version



Two, three, four

You stare in the mirror at the lines in your face
And you try to see, girl
The way things were when we were at your place
In the days it was just you and me, girl
And you cry because things ain't like before
Well don't you know they can't be that way anymore
But don't worry baby

But I can't talk now, I'm not alone
So put your ear close to the phone
'Cause this is the last dance
This is the last chance for hearts of stone
Hmmm

If there was something, baby, that I could do
Something that would last, honey, I would
But we all know, girl, especially you do
How you can't return to your past, no
So girl close your eyes and I'll be there
Hold me once more and we can go anywhere
Ah, we could babe

Oh with you I can't talk, I'm not alone
Just put your ear close to the phone
This is the last dance
The last chance for hearts of stone
Whoa well, Big Man

With you I can't talk, I'm not alone
So put your ear close to the phone
Baby this is the last chance
The last dance for hearts of stone
Whoa yes it is babe

You stare in your mirror at the lines in your face
And now you try once again to see
The way it was, the way it was when it was you and me
And you cry because things get so strange, so fast
And you cry because times change and you lived in the past
Well I know babe

If there was something I could do
Well baby I promise I would
But this is the last dance
The last chance for hearts of stone
This the last dance
The last chance for hearts of stone
Hmmm


Info

The above lyrics are for an unofficial studio version of HEARTS OF STONE, recorded on 14 Oct 1977 at The Record Plant in New York City, NY. It's the same core recording as the official studio version which was released on the Tracks box set in 1998, but a different mix.

This original 1977 recording of HEARTS OF STONE has been heavily edited and polished for its release on the Tracks box set. A horn section and background vocals were added, and the verses in the second half of the song were drastically rearranged or edited out (see details below).

Count-in:
The count-in is edited out on the official studio version.

Unofficial studio version:Two, three, four

Official studio version:[not available]

Verse 1:
This verse is left intact on the official studio version.

Unofficial studio version:You stare in the mirror at the lines in your face
And you try to see, girl
The way things were when we were at your place
In the days it was just you and me, girl
And you cry because things ain't like before
Well don't you know they can't be that way anymore
But don't worry baby

Official studio version:You stare in the mirror at the lines in your face
And you try to see, girl
The way things were when we were at your place
In the days it was just you and me, girl
And you cry because things ain't like before
Well don't you know they can't be that way anymore
But don't worry baby

Verse 2:
This verse is left intact on the official studio version.

Unofficial studio version:But I can't talk now, I'm not alone
So put your ear close to the phone
'Cause this is the last dance
This is the last chance for hearts of stone
Hmmm

Official studio version:But I can't talk now, I'm not alone
So put your ear close to the phone
'Cause this is the last dance
This is the last chance for hearts of stone
Hmmm

Verse 3:
This verse is left intact on the official studio version.

Unofficial studio version:If there was something, baby, that I could do
Something that would last, honey, I would
But we all know, girl, especially you do
How you can't return to your past, no
So girl close your eyes and I'll be there
Hold me once more and we can go anywhere
Ah, we could babe

Official studio version:If there was something, baby, that I could do
Something that would last, honey, I would
But we all know, girl, especially you do
How you can't return to your past, no
So girl close your eyes and I'll be there
Hold me once more and we can go anywhere
Ah, we could babe

Verse 4:
On the official studio version, the first line in this verse is replaced by the first line from verse 2.

Unofficial studio version:Oh with you I can't talk, I'm not alone
Just put your ear close to the phone
This is the last dance
The last chance for hearts of stone
Whoa well, Big Man

Official studio version:But I can't talk now, I'm not alone
Just put your ear close to the phone
This is the last dance
The last chance for hearts of stone
Whoa well, Big Man

Verse 5:
This verse is edited out on the official studio version.

Unofficial studio version:With you I can't talk, I'm not alone
So put your ear close to the phone
Baby this is the last chance
The last dance for hearts of stone
Whoa yes it is babe

Official studio version:[not available]

Verse 6:
This verse is edited out on the official studio version and replaced by the last three lines from verse 1, plus a fourth line ("I know it baby") that was added in 1998 ─ the vocals on the fourth line are obviously modern.

Unofficial studio version:You stare in your mirror at the lines in your face
And now you try once again to see
The way it was, the way it was when it was you and me
And you cry because things get so strange, so fast
And you cry because times change and you lived in the past
Well I know babe

Official studio version:And you cry because things ain't like before
Well don't you know they can't be like that anymore
But don't worry baby
I know it baby

Verse 7 (lines 1-2):
On the official studio version, these lines are replaced by lines 1-2 from verse 2.

Unofficial studio version:If there was something I could do
Well baby I promise I would

Official studio version:But I can't talk now, I'm not alone
So put your ear close to the phone

Verse 7 (lines 3-4):
On the official studio version, these lines are replaced by lines 3-4 from verse 4 (of the unofficial studio version).

Unofficial studio version:But this is the last dance
The last chance for hearts of stone

Official studio version:Baby this is the last chance
The last dance for hearts of stone

Verse 7 (lines 5-6):
These lines are left intact on the official studio version.

Unofficial studio version:This the last dance
The last chance for hearts of stone
Hmmm

Official studio version:This is the last dance
The last chance for hearts of stone
Hmmm

Bootleg Releases

This unofficial studio version of HEARTS OF STONE has been in circulation on bootlegs since the mid-eighties. It can now be on several CD bootlegs, including Darkness Outtakes 1978 Vol. 2: The Way (Scorpio) [track 16], Son You May Kiss The Bride (unknown label) [track 06], and The Definitive Darkness Outtakes Collection (E. St. Records) [disc 1, track 07].

Bruce Springsteen -- Darkness Outtakes 1978 Vol. 2: The Way (Scorpio)
Bruce Springsteen -- Darkness Outtakes 1978 Vol. 2: The Way (Scorpio)
Bruce Springsteen -- Son You May Kiss The Bride (unknown label)
Bruce Springsteen -- Son You May Kiss The Bride (unknown label)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Definitive Darkness Outtakes Collection (E. St. Records)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Definitive Darkness Outtakes Collection (E. St. Records)

Available Versions

List of available versions of HEARTS OF STONE on this website:

HEARTS OF STONE [Official studio version]
HEARTS OF STONE [Unofficial studio version]
HEARTS OF STONE [Live 26 Nov 1988 version]
HEARTS OF STONE [Live 29 Apr 2014 Version]
HEARTS OF STONE [Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes' cover version]
HEARTS OF STONE [Grand Drive's cover version]

Page last updated: 23 May 2018