GROWIN' UP^©

Tracks version

Well I stood stone-like at midnight suspended in my masquerade
I combed my hair till it was just right and commanded the night brigade
I was open to pain and crossed by the rain and I walked on a crooked crutch
Well I strolled all alone through a fallout zone and came out with my soul untouched
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, when they said "sit down" I stood up
Ooooh, growin' up

Well the flag of piracy flew from my mast, my sails were set wing to wing
I had a jukebox graduate for first mate, she couldn't sail but she sure could sing
I pushed B-52 and bombed 'em with the blues with my gear set stubborn on standing
We broke all the rules and I strafed my old high school, never once gave thought to landing
I stayed in the clouded warmth of the crowd but when they said "come down" I threw up
Ooooh, growin' up

Yeah!

I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere and you know it's really hard to hold your breath
I lost everything I ever loved or feared, I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress
Well my feet they finally took root in the earth but I got me a nice little place in the stars
I swear I found the key to the universe in the engine of an old parked car
I hid in the mother breast of the crowd but when they said "pull down" I pulled up
Ooooh, growin' up

These lyrics refer to the version Springsteen recorded during his first studio demo session that took place at on 03 May 1972 at CBS Studios, New York City, NY. This session is known as the "John Hammond Demo Session". That  studio recording was later published on Tracks and 18 Tracks and also appears on The Unsurpassed Springsteen Vol. 3 bootleg.

Check also the album's version (more details) and the alternative version. The live versions are all pretty similar, and have no important lyrics variations. Only the spoken intro differs. Check them out: 10 Aug 1972, 31 Oct 1973, 05 Feb 1975, 30 Dec 1975, 07 Apr 1976, 27 Oct 1976, 04 Nov 1976, 23 Mar 1977, 24 Mar 1977, 31 May 1978, 25 Jun 1978, 05 Jul 1978, 07 Jul 1978, 04 Aug 1978, 09 Aug 1978, 20 Aug 1984, 14 Sep 1984, 22 Sep 1992, 24 Sep 1999, 19 Feb 2003, and 22 Jun 2003.

Thanks Timmy Petersson (Terry at Greasy Lake) for the lyrics help.