ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT)

Album's version

Spread out now Rosie doctor come cut loose her mama's reins
You know playin' blind man's bluff is a little baby's game
You pick up Little Dynamite, I'm gonna pick up Little Gun
And together we're gonna go out tonight and make that highway run
You don't have to call me lieutenant Rosie and I don't wanna be your son
The only lover I'm ever gonna need's your soft sweet little girl's tongue
Ah Rosie you're the one

Dynamite's in the belfry baby playin' with the bats
Little Gun's downtown in front of Woolworth's tryin' out his attitude on all the cats
Papa's on the corner waitin' for the bus
Mama she's home in the window waitin' up for us
She'll be there in that chair when they wrestle her upstairs 'cause you know we ain't gonna come
I ain't here on business baby, I'm only here for fun
And Rosie you're the one

Rosalita jump a little lighter
Senorita come sit by my fire
I just want to be your lover ain't no liar
Rosalita you're my stone desire

Jack the Rabbit and Weak Knees Willie you know they're gonna be there
Ah sloppy Sue and Big Bones Billie they'll be comin' up for air
We're gonna play some pool, skip some school, act real cool
Stay out all night it's gonna feel alright
So Rosie come out tonight, Oh baby come out tonight
Windows are for cheaters, chimneys for the poor
Oh closets are for hangers, winners use the door
So use it Rosie, that's what its there for

Rosalita jump a little lighter
Senorita come sit by my fire
I just want to be your lover ain't no liar
Rosalita you're my stone desire
Alright

Now I know your mama she don't like me 'cause I play in a rock and roll band
And I know your daddy he don't dig me but he never did understand
Your papa lowered the boom he locked you in your room
I'm comin' to lend a hand
I'm comin' to liberate you, confiscate you, I want to be your man
Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny
But now you're sad, your mama's mad
And your papa says he knows that I don't have any money
Oh your papa says he knows that I don't have any money
Oh so your daddy says he knows that I don't have any money
(Oh your papa says he knows that I don't have any money)

Tell him this is last chance to get his daughter in a fine romance
Because a record company Rosie just gave me a big advance
And my tires were slashed and I almost crashed but the Lord had mercy
And my machine she's a dud out stuck in the mud somewhere in the swamps of Jersey
Well hold on tight, stay up all night 'cause Rosie I'm comin' on strong
By the time we meet the morning light I will hold you in my arms
I know a pretty little place in Southern California down San Diego way
There's a little cafe where they play guitars all night and day
You can hear them in the back room strummin'
So hold tight baby 'cause don't you know daddy's comin'
Ahhhh...

Rosalita jump a little lighter
Senorita come sit by my fire
I just want to be your lover ain't no liar
Rosalita you're my stone desire

Ohh yeah yeah yeah...
ho ho ho ho ho...

Performed live in every show from late 1973 till 19 Oct 1984 Tacoma, Washington DC, where it was surprisingly dropped. From that moment, there was some appearances during the Born In The USA tour and the Tunnel Of Love tour. In both the Human Touch tour and Reunion tour, it was played just once, at the closing night of the Meadowlands shows series, upon request of the fans.

The perennial show closer and fan's favourite for many years, the saga of Rosie remains close to the hearts of many. The scene of many an adlib, crazy stage antics and storytelling, Rosie signalled the link between the end of the show and the beginning of the encore from the mid 70's up until the Born In The U.S.A. tour. Although largely shunned during the recent tour, despite fans requests via the use of large signs (a tactic which in the end angered Bruce) its many wild playings live in the minds (and on the bootlegs) of many.

These lyrics refer to the version released on The Wild, The Innocent, And The E Street Shuffle album. Check also Live 1975-85 version, live version 1, live version 2, and the instrumental version.

Appeared on singles (one of them is the Live Collection) in 1974, 1975, 1979, 1981, and 1985 with SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT, GROWIN' UP, NIGHT, RACING IN THE STREET, THE RIVER, BORN TO RUN, I'M ON FIRE, BORN IN THE USA, JOHNNY BYE BYE, FOR YOU (07 Jul 1978), FIRE (16 Dec 1978), and INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (29 Dec 1980).

Available on:

1. The Wild, The Innocent, And The E Street Shuffle (track 6)
2. The Essential Bruce Springsteen (disc 1- track 5)
3. Live 1975-85 (disc 1- track 10)