VALENTINE'S DAY^©

Album's version

I'm driving a big lazy car rushin' up the highway in the dark
I got one hand steady on the wheel and one hand's tremblin' over my heart
It's pounding baby like it's gonna bust right on through
And it ain't gonna stop till I'm alone again with you

A friend of mine became a father last night
When we spoke in his voice I could hear the light
Of the skies and the rivers, the timberwolf in the pines
And that great jukebox out on Route 39
They say he travels fastest who travels alone
But tonight I miss my girl, mister tonight I miss my home

Is it the sound of the leaves left blown by the wayside
That's got me out here on this spooky old highway tonight
Is it the cry of the river with the moonlight shining through
That ain't what scares me baby, what scares me is losing you

They say if you die in your dreams, you really die in your bed
But honey last night I dreamed my eyes rolled straight back in my head
And God's light came shinin' on through
I woke up in the darkness scared and breathin' and born anew
It wasn't the cold river bottom I felt rushing over me
It wasn't the bitterness of a dream that didn't come true
It wasn't the wind in the grey fields I felt rushing through my arms
No no baby, baby it was you

So hold me close honey, say you're forever mine
And tell me you'll be my lonely valentine
Lonely valentine

Page last updated: 04 Sep 2007

Music and lyrics by Bruce Springsteen, published on Tunnel Of Love in 1987. It was recorded during the album's recording sessions, sometime between Jan and May 1987 at Thrill Hill East, Springsteen's home studio in Colt's Neck, NJ. The above lyrics correspond to that album's version.

VALENTINE'S DAY was rehearsed for the Tunnel Of Love Express Tour on 28 Jan 1988 at Expo Theater, Fort Monmouth, NJ. Check out live 28 Jan 1988 take #1 and live 28 Jan 1988 take #2 for more details. The song was never played during the tour's regular shows.

The song reappeared 17 years later, played on piano, 6 times, during the Devils & Dust Solo Acoustic Tour:

• 23 Jul 2005 at Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
• 26 Jul 2005 at Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
• 31 Jul 2005 at Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH (check out the live 31 Jul 2005 version)
• 10 Aug 2005 at Rosegarden Theatre of the Clouds, Portland, OR
• 15 Oct 2005 at Dane County Arena, Madison, WI
• 21 Oct 2005 at Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, RI

VALENTINE'S DAY was covered by Hem on their 2002 CD EP I'm Talking With My Mouth, and by Lucky 7 on the tribute album Light Of Day: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen in 2003. Check out Lucky 7's version.

The above lyrics correspond to the album's version. Check out also the other available versions of this song:

• Album's version
• Live 28 Jan 1988 take #1
• Live 28 Jan 1988 take #2
• Live 31 Jul 2005 version
• Lucky 7's version