About the song
“Streets of Philadelphia” was created for the film “Philadelphia,” highlighting the struggles of individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Bruce Springsteen’s song captures the urban landscape’s isolation and despair, as the narrator navigates the streets witnessing hardship. The lyrics reflect the resilience amidst adversity, with a poignant message of perseverance and hope in the face of adversity. Springsteen’s emotive vocals and the song’s minimalist arrangement underscore the emotional weight of the subject matter, making it a powerful anthem for those affected by the disease and a poignant reflection on the human condition.
Video
Lyric
I was bruised and batteredI couldn’t tell what I feltI was unrecognizable to myselfSaw my reflection in a windowAnd didn’t know my own faceOh brother are you gonna leave me wastin’ awayOn the streets of Philadelphia?I walked the avenue, ’til my legs felt like stoneI heard the voices of friends vanished and goneAt night I could hear the blood in my veinsJust as black and whispering as the rainOn the streets of PhiladelphiaAin’t no angel gonna greet meIt’s just you and I my friendAnd my clothes don’t fit me no moreA thousand miles just to slip this skinThe night has fallen, I’m lyin’ awakeI can feel myself fading awaySo receive me brother with your faithless kissOr will we leave each other alone like thisOn the streets of Philadelphia?