ALL THE WAY HOME

Album's version

Whoa!

Yeah I know what it's like to have failed, baby
With the whole world lookin' on
I know what it's like to have soared
And come crashin' like a drunk on a bar room floor*

And now you got no reason to trust me
My confidence is a little rusty
But if you don't feel like bein' alone
Baby, I could walk you all the way home

Well now our old fears and failures
Oh baby, they do linger
Like the shadow of that ring
Hmmm, that was on your finger
Those days they've come and gone
Baby, I could walk you all the way home

Whoa!
Whoa!
Whoa!
Whoa!

Yeah love leaves nothin' but shadows and vapor
We go on, as is our sad nature
Baby
Now it's some old Stones' song the band is trashin'
If you feel like dancin', baby I'm askin'

It's comin' on closing time
Bartender, he's ringin' last call
These days I don't stand on pride
And I ain't afraid to take a fall

So if you're seein' what you like
Maybe your first choice he's gone
Well that's all right
Baby, I could walk you all the way home
Baby, I could walk you all the way home

Whoa!
Yeah!
Whoa hoo!
Whoa!
Whoa hoo!
Yeah!
Whoa hoo!
Come on!
Oh yeah!

Written by Bruce Springsteen for Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes who recorded it as a soul ballad for their 1991 album Better Days. Bruce was also on background vocals and various and assorted keyboards and guitars for the recording of that song. He went to New York to contribute to Southside's new album, recording his parts for the song on 02 Jul 1991. The album has brought together numerous old friends including Max, Garry, various Jukes, and Little Steven back at the helm.

Bruce totally rearranged the song as a country-rock shuffle and recorded it for his 2005 album Devils & Dust. The song is revisited, rewritten, and reworked until it's hardly recognizable from Southside Johnny's version.

The song appeared in 2005 on two 1-track promotional singles, CD format (info and scans from the Lost In The Flood website):

ALL THE WAY HOME Promotional single pressed in Austria for distribution throughout Europe; catalogue # COL SAMPCS 14992. ALL THE WAY HOME US promotional single; no catalogue number.

As far as it's known, Bruce first live performance of the song was during the Human Touch tour on 25 Jul 1992 at Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, NJ, during the sound-check. He later played it on 4 of the tour's regular shows that year:

• 30 Jul 1992 at Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
• 07 Aug 1992 at Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, NJ, with Southside Johnny who was a guest at the show
• 13 Aug 1992 at The Centrum, Worcester, MA
• 03 Sep 1992 at World Music Theater, Tinley Park, IL

Performed on 23 Mar 1993 at Count Basie Theater, Red Bank, NJ, during a benefit show and warm up for the Human Touch tour.

Rehearsed for the Devils & Dust tour on 11 Apr 2005 at the Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ, and played 19 times during the tour. Also played during an appearance on WBJB-FM, for the fifth (and final) day of the Fall Membership Drive. Bruce did an interview with Jeff Raspe and performed two at WBJB-FM studios, Lincroft, NJ.

The song was covered by Joe Slomp on his 2000 album Introducing Joe Slomp.

The above lyrics refer to Bruce Springsteen album's version. Check out Southside Johnny's version, live 07 Aug 1992 version, and live 30 May 2005 version.

* This line appeared first on MY BEAUTIFUL REWARD

Track credits:
Vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion - Bruce Springsteen
Bass, tambora, sitar, electric sarangi - Brendan O'Brien
Drums - Steve Jordan
Piano - Chuck Plotkin
Steel guitar - Marty Rifkin