HUMAN TOUCH^©

Album's version

You and me we were the pretenders
We let it all slip away
In the end what you don't surrender
Well the world just strips away

Girl ain't no kindness in the face of strangers
Ain't gonna find no miracles here
Well you can wait on your blessings my darlin'
But I got a deal for you right here

I ain't lookin' for prayers or pity
I ain't comin' 'round searchin' for a crutch
I just want someone to talk to
And a little of that Human Touch
Just a little of that Human Touch

Ain't no mercy on the streets of this town
Ain't no bread from heavenly skies
Ain't nobody drawin' wine from this blood
It's just you and me tonight

Tell me in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much?
I just want something to hold on to
And a little of that Human Touch
Just a little of that Human Touch

Yeah!
Yeah hey!
Yeah yeah!
Whoa hey yeah yeah!

Oh girl that feeling of safety you prize
Well it comes with a hard hard price
You can't shut off the risk and the pain
Without losin' the love that remains
We're all riders on this train

Yeah hey yeah!
Whoa!
Hey!
Whoa!
Yeah yeah!
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeahhh!
Whoaaa!

So you been broken and you been hurt
Show me somebody who ain't
Yeah I know I ain't nobody's bargain
But hell a little touchup and a little paint

You might need somethin' to hold on to
When all the answers they don't amount too much
Somebody that you could just to talk to
And a little of that Human Touch

Baby in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much?
I just want to feel you in my arms
And share a little of that Human Touch
Share a little of that Human Touch
Feel a little of that Human Touch in you
Feel a little of that Human Touch
Share a little of that Human Touch in you
Feel a little of that Human Touch
Give me a little of that Human Touch in you
Give me a little of that Human Touch

Heyyy now!
Oh yeah!
Oh yeah yeah!
(Share a little of that Human Touch)
(Feel a little of that Human Touch)
(Give me a little of that Human Touch)
Whoa!
Feel a little of that Human Touch
Give me a little of that Human Touch
(Give me a little of that Human Touch)
Whoooa whoooa
(Need a love)
Ohhh yeahhh!
Ohhh yeah!
Whoooa
Whoooa whoooa
Whoooa
Whoa!

Title track of the Human Touch album. In late Jan or early Feb 1992, Bruce shot the HUMAN TOUCH video on the St. Charles streetcar line in New Orleans, LA. The video was directed by Meiert Avis, and was later included on The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 DVD. The HUMAN TOUCH / BETTER DAYS single came out on 04 Mar 1992. On Mar 21, it enters the Top 40 and will reach #16.

The song appeared live for the first time on 06 May 1992 at the Bottom Line, New York City, NY, during a performance for Columbia Executives and staff as well as a warm up for the radio broadcast the next month. Played on a 05 Jun 1992 at Hollywood Sound Stage, Los Angeles, CA, during a rehearsal concert that broadcasted on US radio.

Played heavily during the Human Touch tour, missing only 9 out of the 105 shows of the tour. Also played on 22 Sep 1992 at Warner Hollywood Studios, Los Angeles, CA, during the MTV Unplugged Taping concert. Most of the set, including HUMAN TOUCH, was released on MTV UnPlugged in 1993, and the whole set was released on the MTV UnPlugged DVD. The 22 Sep 1992 version was also included on a European single. An edited version that was used for radio airplay was included on Greatest Hits in 1995.

During the Reunion tour, the song was sound-checked in Mar and Apr 2000, and then appeared on only 5 of the tour shows:
- 25 Apr 2000 at Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
- 07 May 2000 at Civic Center, Hartford, CT
- 21 May 2000 at Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, CA
- 03 Jun 2000 at Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
- 23 Jun 2000 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY

During The Rising tour, the song was sound-checked in Oct 2002, and then appeared on only 3 of the tour shows:
- 21 Nov 2002 at TD Waterhouse, Orlando, FL
- 13 Sep 2003 at FedEx Field, Washington, DC
- 16 Sep 2003 at Rentschler Field, Hartford, CT

Included on The Essential Bruce Springsteen collection in Nov 2003. Also appeared on other singles in 1992 with SOULS OF THE DEPARTED and THE LONG GOODBYE, and the live 22 Sep 1992 version from MTV UnPlugged appeared on a European single in 1993 with LUCKY TOWN, both album and live 22 Sep 1992 versions.

Covered by Bonnie Tyler and included on her album Heart Strings. Covered by Joe Cocker and his rendition was included in 1997 on the tribute album One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen.

The above lyrics refer to the album's version. Check also the live versions: 06 Jul 1992, 20 Apr 1993, 24 Jun 1993, 23 Jun 2000, 21 Nov 2002, and 13 Sep 2003. They are all very similar.

Liner notes by Bruce Springsteen in the Greatest Hits booklet:

...Searchin' for the bottom line...

Liner notes from the One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen tribute booklet:

I've been a big fan of Bruce's since the early days of the E Street Band, and I'm so pleased that "Human Touch" will be included in the tribute to Bruce.

Cheers Bruce and all the best and "Keep Rockin'."

A story that comes to mind is... while on tour last year... when we seemed to be following Bruce around Europe. When in Zurich we asked the local promoter if he knew of a great Italian restaurant. He said "Let me take you to Bruce Springsteen's favorite Italian restaurant." While in Milano, Copenhagen, Brussels and London - the same scenario. From that point on when we were in a new city we just asked the local promoter to take us to Bruce Springsteen's favorite Italian restaurant. I must say, Bruce knows his Italian.

Thanks Bruce.

-Joe Cocker