Well, I stood stone-like at midnight
Suspended in my masquerade
And I combed my hair, it was just right
And commanded the night brigade
I was open to pain and crossed by the rain
And I walked on a crooked crutch
I strolled all alone through a fallout zone
And came out with my soul untouched
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd
But when they said, "Sit down" I stood up
Ooh, growin' up

The flag of piracy flew from my mast
My sails were set wing to wing
I had a jukebox graduate for a first mate
She couldn't sail but she sure could sing
And I pushed B-52 and bombed them with the blues
With my gear set stubborn on standing
I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school
Never once gave thought to landing
I hid in the clouded warmth of the crowd
But when they said, "Come down" I threw up
Ooh, growin' up

Work it back now

I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere
And you know it's really hard to hold your breath
I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared
I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress
But my feet they finally took root in the earth
But I got me a nice little place in the stars
And I swear I found the key to the universe
In the engine of an old parked car
I hid in the mother breast of the crowd
When they said, "Pull down" I pulled up
Ooh, growin' up
Ooh, growin' up


Lyrics submitted by fearofmusic

Growin' Up Lyrics as written by Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Growin' Up song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I believe the line actually says

    "I hid in the clouded warmth of the crowd but when they said, "Calm down," I threw up"

    Image In Nationon December 11, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Pretty simple song to realize the meaning, its all about growin up.

    A22loudoggon July 25, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Good one. I'll agree.

    Buddha of Suburbiaon December 14, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    reminds me of myself...great metaphors and stuff it reminds me of summer

    born2runon February 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Live version is superb - "bye bye New Jersey, we were airbourne"

    nagromnaion February 10, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The acoustic version on 18 tracks is way better than the Asbury Park version in my opinion. I think this song can be related to anyone in the teenage/early 20 years.

    ScubaDooon December 10, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    the live 1975-1985 version is really strong. "i guess you'll have to settle for rock and roll"...BOOM! (paraphrased). amazing.

    YouKnowStuffon June 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    youtube.com/watch - "It's about becoming a man - or maybe a woman too, I don't know" =D

    Christofferzon November 20, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The general meaning is about him growing up but there are a lot of things to question - such as this - strolled all alone through a fallout zone and came out with my soul untouched

    derek1969on February 16, 2014   Link

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