VALENTINE'S DAY

Album 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


Info

VALENTINE'S DAY is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 1987 album Tunnel Of Love. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of VALENTINE'S DAY as released in 1987.


Not to be confused with VALENTINE'S DAY, a song from The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle period (fall 1972 to fall 1973).

Writing and Recording

VALENTINE'S DAY was recorded during the Tunnel Of Love album's recording sessions, sometime between January and May 1987 at Thrill Hill Recording (Springsteen's home studio) in Colts Neck, NJ.

Tunnel Of Love

Tunnel Of Love is Bruce Springsteen's eighth studio album. It was released on 06 Oct 1987 on Columbia Records. It was recorded between January and July 1987 at Thrill Hill East, Springsteen's home studio in Colts Neck, NJ.

Bruce Springsteen -- Tunnel Of Love
Bruce Springsteen -- Tunnel Of Love

The album features 12 tracks and clocks at 46:25. It is produced by produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, and Chuck Plotkin.

Other Official Releases

In addition to its release on Tunnel Of Love, VALENTINE'S DAY was also released in 1988 on the B-side of TUNNEL OF LOVE in Costa Rica. This coupling is unique to Costa Rica and marks the only release of VALENTINE'S DAY on a single. The song can also be found on one Bruce Springsteen promo-only sampler.

Bruce Springsteen -- "Tunnel Of Love / Valentine's Day"
Bruce Springsteen-- "Tunnel Of Love / Valentine's Day"

7" single - CBS (7013384) - Costa Rica, 1988

A1- TUNNEL OF LOVE
B1- VALENTINE'S DAY
Bruce Springsteen -- Bruce Springsteen (1984 - 1993)
Bruce Springsteen -- Bruce Springsteen (1984 - 1993)

CD-R - Sony (no catalog number) - Japan, 2005

Japan-only promotional "Digest" CD-R advance sampler tying in with the release of the second batch of the Japanese 2005 "mini-LP"-style Springsteen CD album reissues. This disc comes in a plain slimline jewel case with no artwork.

Other versions of VALENTINE'S DAY were also officially released.

Bruce Springsteen -- Schottenstein Center, Ohio 2005
The live 31 Jul 2005 version of VALENTINE'S DAY was released on the Schottenstein Center, Ohio 2005 official live download in 2015.

Live History

In preparation for the Tunnel Of Love Express Tour, VALENTINE'S DAY is known to have been practiced during at least one of the private rehearsals that took place in late January and early February 1988 at Expo Theater in Fort Monmouth, NJ, prior to the tour's first leg. See the live 28 Jan 1988 version (take #1) and live 28 Jan 1988 version (take #2) for more details. The song was not played on any of the tour's regular dates.

VALENTINE'S DAY was performed 6 times during the Devils & Dust Solo Acoustic Tour (72 dates, April to November 2005). The song was played solo on piano. The live 31 Jul 2005 version of VALENTINE'S DAY was released on the Schottenstein Center, Ohio 2005 official live download in 2015.

  1. 23 Jul 2005 at Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
  2. 26 Jul 2005 at Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
  3. 31 Jul 2005 at Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
  4. 10 Aug 2005 at Rose Garden Theater Of The Clouds, Portland, OR
  5. 15 Oct 2005 at Dane County Arena At Alliant Center, Madison, WI
  6. 21 Oct 2005 at Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, RI

Covers

At least 3 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's VALENTINE'S DAY.

Jimmy LaFave -- Trail
Jimmy LaFave -- Trail

2xCD - Bohemia Beat (0009) - USA, 1999
2xCD - Southbound Records (SBDCD9) - UK, 1999

This is a collection of 31 previously unreleased tracks. It's a 15-year retrospective of live performances and studio outtakes. VALENTINE'S DAY is a live version.
Hem -- I'm Talking With My Mouth
Hem -- I'm Talking With My Mouth

CD EP - Setanta (SETCD 108) - UK, 2002
Various artists -- Light Of Day: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Various artists -- Light Of Day: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - Schoolhouse Records / Big Daddy (SHR0022-2) - USA, 2003
2xCD - Good Sounds / DiscMedi Blau (DM 797E-02) - Spain, 2003
3xCD - Good Sounds / DiscMedi Blau (DM 797-02) - Spain, 2003
2xCD - Schoolhouse Records / Revolver (REV XD244) - UK, 2004
2xCD - Revolver / Sony (MHCP 928-9) - Japan, 2005

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. There are five issues of this album (with three track configurations) and this track was included on all five issues listed above. VALENTINE'S DAY is performed by Lucky 7.

Available Versions

List of available versions of VALENTINE'S DAY on this website:

VALENTINE'S DAY [Album version]
VALENTINE'S DAY [Live 28 Jan 1988 version (take #1)]
VALENTINE'S DAY [Live 28 Jan 1988 version (take #2)]
VALENTINE'S DAY [Live 31 Jul 2005 version]
VALENTINE'S DAY [Lucky 7's cover version]

Page last updated: 19 Sep 2010