Backstreets (w/ Sad Eyes) - Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band (Passaic 9/19/1978)

[@danielpadgug714]

It doesn't get any better than this. I can never repay you Bruce for the joy you've given me. Hopefully somehow you know I represent millions that feel the same way.

[@michellehalpin7995]

He knows, every time he gets up there with the band and plays nonstop❤

[@mollyfh]

could not have said this better.

[@77willnot]

I really do think he is one of the few musicians that understand and respect his fans, and knows how much he is loved.

[@jeffwojdyla8505]

Bravo Dan well put!!! He's the best

[@Bernacide]

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@temporarystranger95]

Just watch the way Max Weinberg attacks the drums during this song. It’s assault and battery. That tells you more than anything else you need to know about the power, the passion, and the rawness of this iconic song.

[@bcal4877]

So true. We went to the show two nights ago, and my wife, not even a huge fan, said during the show, and after, how good Max is. The whole ESB is incredible, of course, but Max is such a powerful influence, just amazing

[@waynemoriarty]

It's been said that Max plays his drums like they owe him money

[@henrynusbaum3066]

The Boss punched a hole in the universe that night!!!!❤

[@phlbst]

Some songs just never get old.

[@chrissmith7686]

My God we’re so lucky to have access to these older versions of his hits. Thanks to all who provide these early versions of his music.

[@ThePablito1974]

Until the day that someone show me some better song than THIS ONE, or Thunder Road,Jungleland,The Promise or Darkness on the edge of town, or Incident on 57th Street, i will keep saying that this man is the best song-writer,story-teller, front-man,and best live-show in the world. New bands, keep trying....

[@davefeener2211]

ThePablito1974 Right with you on this one!

[@TheGregory99]

AMEN

[@iamthatguy1169]

Ok, I'm gonna think on that and get back to you

[@ziblot1235]

Yes he is. If you can find it, try to listen to Resurrection, by Steel MIll..Bruce, back in the day. I just wished he would stay out of politics. Love his music but hes forgot where he came from.

[@oddterjefossen1816]

The boss

[@kindnessfirst9670]

I'll stack the first 5 minutes of this video up against any other 5 minutes of live music ever anywhere by anyone. I saw him live in 1980- still the best concert of my life.

[@suebrac491]

my ex wife is Terry and I sent her this video and we both cried

[@aliasdyln33]

Yes, the live Backstreets song, with the Sad Eyes coda, is a golden moment in Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band history. It just don't get better than this.

[@matthewquering7028]

What’s crazy is you could argue this version here isn’t even in his top 3. That’s how good that Sad Eyes interlude is.

[@christianwirsen8987]

@@matthewquering7028are you a Boston 78-person? What are the top 3 interludes according to you? Will love to listen to every single version you list… (Next topic - which one of the song-ending (5) screams on jungleland is the best one? Was a vote on this on a swedish springsteen-forum 15-20 years ago…) Thanks!

[@christianwirsen8987]

Sorry. Boston 77.

[@jamesrodriguez1389]

This version of Backstreets is outstanding, out of this world.

[@philiprosscrimi4917]

Still after 48 years...Bruce and the E street just blow me away.

[@WegrennerX]

If I was Roy Bitton and I could play this live for 40.000 people in 78 I would have imploded from the sheer greatness and happyness of that moment. O M F G!!! I can't can't find words for this.......

[@bcal4877]

Greatest rock and roll pianist of all time

[@matthewkontra6181]

The greatest live performance of a song ever.

[@gh0strats]

My older brother by a year, I was 15 or 16 at the time, bought me a ticket to this concert, like the 7th row in this shit hole in Passaic that was one of the best small concert halls, now just a ghost. Never heard of Bruce before, but he dragged me to it. One of the greatest events, not just as a concert, that I have ever been to. We don't talk anymore, family stuff, mostly my fault, I miss those times. Knicks on the radio with Marv Albert... 102.7 the nightbird allison steele... what days they were.

[@puckpaul810]

It’s underrated how great Marv was on the radio. Knicks and Rangers.

[@alexanderfleming5627]

You can feel the pain in his voice when he says "babies been lying"

[@alexanderfleming5627]

My bad I mean he says "that baby been lying"

[@gageiiiiitttt]

So "Drive All Night" from The River started as an ad lib on this? This is amazing, what a show. Wish I had a time machine.

[@philipcass488]

Yep. Amazing, right?

[@DoubleDiesal]

Pretty crazy how that worked out huh.. and I guess you can say the song sad eyes from tracks stemmed from this as well and that wasnt recorded until the 90s hahaha.. the man is and will forever be a God in my eyes ears and heart

[@johnwalls7170]

Me too!!!

[@josiahbennett7573]

The Piano player wow

[@JerseyTomato0428]

My first Bruce concert :) I'll never forget this show. It changed my life

[@johnwalls7170]

Where and when was it?!!! Please tell me Caryl

[@emmanueldeliancourt6497]

Lucky you, Caryl!!

[@BigBruceFan]

Carly, I was there the next night on the 20th. Nothing ever will compare to these shows from 1978!

[@Machia52612]

@@BigBruceFan 1975🎸

[@dansimpson875]

I've lived the first 90% of the song. It haunts me how real it is, right down to her name. We swore we'd live forever. The truth did run us down, in the end, too. Forced to confess...... I was so ready to be your fool.

[@suprememeowmix9613]

I feel you bud, I feel you. Just gotta keep pushing on, live for you. You’re some internet stranger but you’re too good to dwell on the past and hurt like this

[@markrevelband3902]

Dude! I can so relate..,right down to the name too….I would have done anything for her BITD…..now 50 years later everything is so complicated…,

[@jimbarron8688]

The band performed this in the late 70's in Toronto. After singing Backstreets they broke into Candy's Room before the final 'hiding on the backstreets' versus. I thought he wasn't going to sing the ending to save his voice but boy was I happily wrong. They ripped and they wailed right to the bitter end. What a great moment in my life... all thanks to my dear friend John E.

[@jeffreyklein8177]

Was there as well My first show and was hooked Been to about 50 more since Need another tour

[@vikkijones5246]

My most heart felt thank you to whoever posted this video.I had a bootleg of this very recording given to me 36yrs.ago,by a very beloved friend who was the only one who ever really understood the depth of the love I felt for this man.Never before or since has a song moved me as this one did.I lost my recording of it 25yrs.ago and have searched for it since,until tonite.Thank you for allowing me to be moved to tears once again by this beautiful version.

[@ace19428]

Your emotions bring me to tears.

[@vikkijones5246]

AND HEARING THIS BEAUTIFUL SONG AGAIN,BROUGHT ME TO TEARS AS WELL.THANK YOU SO MUCH ONCE AGAIN...

[@frankmcchrystal4029]

I found that bootleg deep in the bowels of Boston for 20 bucks. A great one.

[@marsboi4423]

Is He Jesus?????

[@dickgibby1005]

@@marsboi4423 yes

[@alwayspunny]

The greatest 11 1/2 minutes in musical history.

[@markv2596]

Only Bruce can turn a great rock song into a film noir movie in a single beat

[@lonso47]

It was a shoe emergency and the only store open late was hundreds of miles away. That's love.

[@BinaryRobin]

The part 5:00 to 9:00 is just amazing. It's too beautiful to comprehend...

[@michellehalpin7995]

Yes....makes me weep, I just want to hug him, so emotional😢,

[@AnotherBadyoga]

I was many years into Springsteen before I really heard this song and now I can listen to it on repeat....far too many times

[@motelghost477]

Garry Tallent writes the best bass lines I've ever heard. So underrated.

[@GrannySan-v9l]

I admire Garry's work, too

[@GrannySan-v9l]

Not sure he's not collaborating?

[@kindnessfirst9670]

Absolutely. In this and in 4th of July Asbury Park they are sublime.

[@budibausto]

He is terrific, always been, I rember the first time I listen Incident and was astonished about the ending crescendo. Sublime. Early Bruce was outstanding and Garry was prime

[@marioluketic7399]

Children, why do you dislike this?, close your eyes and listen, just like it was meant to be experienced .

[@fredericleroudier8732]

#1 on my wishlist for time travel destination!

[@gregcrowe2862]

Greatest Backstreets ever!!!!

[@dorothyg3012]

Good God!!! If there was ever a song that could rip my heart and soul open and lay it on the floor, it's this one! Thank you Bruce. You will never, ever know what you have given. The live shows are phenomenal!

[@GlenQuagmireful]

I remember so vividly being a freshman in college and getting the chance to listen to this live broadcast on WNEW FM-102.7 in New York on the last night of summer in 1978. It was and is magical.

[@bcal4877]

Same for me, but I was a freshman in hs..taped it on 8 track, really didn’t know him, and literally played it every night through high school. Began the soundtrack of my life

[@danbraun5807]

The finest performance in rock and roll history. Those who were there are truly blessed people.

[@maryrosecollins5260]

E

[@michellehalpin7995]

Bruce's vocals, guitar, the entire band was on point..epic

[@thomastartaron1680]

This is the song that made me first fall in love with Springsteen's music, and it is still my favorite Springsteen song. First saw him perform it on this same tour in Oxford, Ohio. Never saw anything like it and made me a lifetime fan.

[@BrianGriffin83]

Drive All Night is indeed an evolution of this interlude.

[@bcal4877]

Yes !!! And when i think of how much i love Drive All Night, just wow.

[@johnnyM809]

One of Bruce's many masterpieces....what a performer.. totally in a class of his own

[@glennlevy426]

My favorite version of Backstreets, from my favorite show...amazing...many summer nights listening to this show up in the Catskill Mountains in the 1980's

[@dopeterminator9174]

This is the greatest performance in rock and roll history.

[@johnpayne6860]

Yes, an there aren't many times, he was better, this song always, been a favorite no matter how many times I have I still cry., and he does too!

[@shawnkielty6605]

My all time favorite Bruce song, I know everyone is saying this is the best live version, I still say the live Winterland version is the best.

[@merissaxhelili]

I don't even know how to describe the joyful yet heartbreaking emotion when watching/listening to especially this version- it's like the feeling of desperately and uncontrollably falling in love

[@chriswalton1596]

I was there fourth row front and and center. 11 years old. Changed my life

[@KoryKing]

There is nothing better than this version of the song!

[@gator72060]

I heard this show on WNEW-NY when I was in High School. This was the start of my obsession with this wonderful talent man. Thanks Bruce & the Band, I will always be a loyal fan.

[@wadesavitt7019]

For me the best of all versions, the Sad Eyes interlude so moving, so well-sung. Like he could use all his talents, all his personality, in this one song.

[@suebrac491]

awesome love the piano and guitar!!! Springsteen at his best

[@lightningstrikelures2393]

Dude...Good look posting this...Possibly the greatest song ever sung. Hunted for this for years and now it's here...

[@luisa.bermejo5788]

No se puede ser mejor!!!!! La primera vez que he escuchado esta versión. La tenía de fondo mientras estaba trabajando y he tenido que parar para ver el vídeo y escucharla con toda la atención que se merece. Hace años que tuve la suerte de ir a un concierto del Boss. El mejor concierto que que he visto (debería decir "en el que he participado") en mi vida. Pero escuchando esta versión me he sentido transportado al concierto del 78 y sólo puedo decir ¡qué afortunados fueron los que allí estuvieron!

[@tri2dside]

I just wanted to say I have always loved this version and also the YOU LIED version !! Very powerful and still gives me the chills every time I hear it ! But I have noticed that when I first saw Bruce in1977 and every one up to now He talked more and told story's between songs ,and as he has gotten older he sings more !(I am not complaining) you would think that he might need to rest his voice and throat more .? BUT I have noticed is his voice, the band & the fun they have on stage have dramatically gotten stronger and powerful!!! He is the best moaner and singer and knows how to utilize his voice to its maximum awesomeness !! While lots of bands are wishing they still were touring & playing large arenas .they can't cause there front man can't hit or hold those notes like they use to! But BRUCE is not only still touring ( with new music!!) He has never sounded better...HE IS STILL RELEVANT IN 2015 !!!And know my life has been enriched "With the power ,With the glory ,With the power,With the ministry..... OF ROCK AND ROLL ¡!!! "

[@madelenaperrelli9358]

+Lissa Fiel, Hi I have been looking for the you lied version,any idea where I can find it?

[@tri2dside]

I am not to sure, the version I have is from a concert that was broadcast on the radio one night and I recorded it on my cassette player! A long long time ago!! LoL but if I come across one I will send you another comment on this site, if that's OK with you? Did you tried looking on KZbin for some more Springsteen videos of that song? part of the song I guess you got to check to see how long the version of backstreets is the longer one and the all the versions probably have so you lied part in it. I hope you find it.

[@sbubbb]

+Madelena Perrelli Put in for Backstreet Drive All Night - the Winterland version is on youtube with that great version

[@sbubbb]

+Madelena Perrelli Put in for Backstreet Drive All Night - the Winterland version is on youtube with that great version

[@tri2dside]

I think i just have the audio of that concert, but i will definetly check out youtube!!! thats for the info..

[@dbeagle10]

Brings me to tears and overwhelms me with memories of my teenage years every time I hear it.

[@arlen6658]

The dark horse candidate for Born To Run’s best deep cut, the majestic “Backstreets,” is known for having more than one definitive live version. Some say it’s the March 4, 1977 performance in Jacksonville, Florida, notable for Bruce’s soul-shattering scream of rage, “YOU LIED!!!,” during “Backstreet”’s interlude. Some say it’s the stream-of consciousness, improvised, extended performance of the song later that month at the Boston Music Hall (3/25), where, at 18 minutes, it’s certainly the longest “Backstreets,” if not the best. The best “Backstreets” live? The most definitive? For my money, it’s The Capitol Theater’s. Its version of the song’s “Sad Eyes” interlude is, sounding most like spoken-word poetry/performance art, an aria in a true rock opera; you can actually hear Bruce’s measured breathing syncopating with Roy’s music-box piano. The buildup of “Little girl we’ve got to stop!” to its crashing crescendo sounds as awesome as it was to behold: the stage going pitch black (Marc Brickman’s hyper-dramatic lighting) on Bruce’s final “STOP!!” The crowd hushed-then exploding a moment later, as the Band begins to reassemble in individual spotlights, fading up until the white-hot return of the glorious “Backstreets” theme, leading to Bruce’s aching, wordless howls- some of his best ever-over a most orchestral grandeur. THAT'S the definitive “Backstreets” live.

[@CPSJSMSUUMUGA]

+arlen schumer You were there? I'll bet. I suppose you were at Winterland, too. ;-)

[@pausanchez2535]

cuando puedas traducirlo a nun idioma comprensible , te estamos esperando . somos los andromercantes . del planeta....ytrzzr. dinos tu hubicacion

[@yuri19991]

I believe best version is Winterland...incredible, the best ever. I love the Jacksonville version but Winterland rules.

[@lonso47]

Did you really just call Backstreets a deep cut? To whom is that a deep cut?

[@SLFinSF]

I'll have to listen...there's one I've heard where, at the end, he scream " I want YOU...to look in to my FACE!..."..I thought it was Cleveland, but the 1 from Cleveland I found on KZbin yesterday isnt it....perhaps there was more than 1 performance in 1978 recorded there.

[@matthewquering7028]

Crazy this might not even be in the top 3 live versions of this song

[@youknow2469MitakuyeOyasin]

It is for Lil Ole me, maybe it's because it was the 1st time I had saw him.. 38 times later, it's still my favorite performance of this song of all time. The Boss is STILL boss'ing ❤

[@8695alex]

Never, ever there Will be another song or wharever that destroy my ego like this !

[@basolthof]

Best song ever, 1 month and 5 days before my birth...!!!

[@xknid]

one of the reasons why the "78" is so legendary !!!!

[@jaycats2358]

Probably my favorite all-time video and one of my favorite E Street Songs. I also like the Winterland 1978 version of this song when Bruce goes into Sad Eyes/Drive All Night although no video of that concert exists that I've ever found...only audio. The emotion he puts into his singing makes you believe he's actually feeling every pain all over again.

[@airdrummer55]

I was at Winterland. i think my heart fully stopped.

[@MrDaytripper22]

My dad still has this bootleg, I listen to it almost every month

[@jonbenson7645]

This is it, this is the one I've been looking for!!!!!!!!

[@davidreeder3424]

Awesome thanks for the best video of my one of many songs and it's a very good video for being old and from the 70s. Springsteen is the only one that has been in the music industry for years and is about the fans and his music is the most real and the most sincere. I have seen Bruce 12 times and he is the best when it comes to making sure everyone gets their money worth and he is the best when it comes to live shows. Thanks again for the awesome video.

[@buckbuster6213]

Hard to sit during this video with all the oceans of goosebumps resonating thru my legs as i listen to this beautiful masterpiece! My favorite version of Backstreets split by an awesome version of Sad Eyes !

[@jeffwojdyla8505]

Well said 👏

[@TheVinayNaidoo]

Thank-you so much for this. Simply phenomenal. My favourite piece of a gig i wasn’t at. This was The Boss. Desperate romance in a town without angels... This most passionate of all Drive All Nights (‘Sad Eyes’) moves me like no other tune. Thanks again, uploader, v.

[@TheFrancheesee]

the best artist who know how to write songs to touch ur heart

[@sisterearthful]

I've always loved Bruce Springsteen & the E Street B...It's been such a long time since I've heard this song and many others. He was very popular at the Airlines and Spain. Keep on Rocking Bruce, you bring back wonderful memories.

[@gregorhughesjgh]

Sublime. ❤️

[@gregorhughesjgh]

Utterly sublimely wonderful ❤️

[@ankerguitar]

Best Backstreets ever

[@johnnolan3034]

The Professor shines.

[@meone5112]

....you just found the "Future of Rock´n Roll"..... He still have at least 50 year within him...When He goes, there will be a long time untill we see a Man like him....miss him allready.....

[@marccresta7347]

Great piano intro.Epic song..Love old Bruce..

[@wmkennard]

OK THIS TAKES ME BACK THIS MAKES ME SCREAM AS LOUD TO GET THE PAIN N HURT OUT MY SOUL THANK YOU E STREET BAND OH YEA THE MOST INCREDIBLE LEADER N LEAD SINGER/LEAD GUITARIST n JUST FRICKEN BEST EVER ELVIS WOODY ROY ALL IN ONE

[@AlanSmithee5150]

My favorite version of a classic.

[@tman31372]

CAN I GET A AMEN!!! THIS VERSION JUST GIVES ME GOOSE BUMPS!!

[@roo7227]

Iconic piano intro.. I just love the stories he tells..

[@ChrisDutch]

I only saw him do this song once. That was the first time I saw him at the Meadowlands in 1984. Still sends chills up and down my spine.

[@franks.7736]

Simply, a masterpiece.

[@grahammccready2647]

i love this early footage. I got into Bruce when i was 14 but even this is a way too early for me to remember. First time i ever wished i was older

[@JadeSowry]

Wow

[@lunadaisy2]

Saw Bruce preform this way back when and have never heard it on any album... live or other wise.... it just gives me goose bumps! So glad I found this live video version. Thanks to who ever posted it.

[@savannasizemore3740]

This gave me chills. Such a treat!

[@afabiola22]

Beyond. Bruce and the band at the peak. Exceeded, if at all, at the Agora in Cleveland during the same tour.

[@birgittagrunerwald7726]

❤️❤️Masterpiece! I love this song! The lyrics, the performance, your voice! Thank you for this fantastic version! It is so good!❤️❤️

[@josiahbennett7573]

Beautiful

[@ShiningTrapezoid]

That drum sound is slammin

[@cymrudrago]

pure genius what else can i say

[@jeffreythies6071]

Awesome I will always remember when Bruce pi played at the spectrum in Philly and I was so blown away!! Bruce was at his best and the darkness tour was great!! Bruce played Prove it all night and Wmmr radio station played it on this rock and roll show called The King Biscuit Flower Hour and Bruce played Prove it all night and Wmmr radio station was getting so many calls and evrbody wanted to Know who he was!!! And that's when Bruce was at his best and I knew Bruce was going to be the best rock and roll Star ever!!

[@doteot78]

best rock n roll song/version ever

[@franks.7736]

Completely agree. The finest performance in rock and roll history.

[@BrianGriffin83]

"Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent". (L. Wittgenstein)

[@autosantpereautos3165]

Que maravilla!!!!!!!

[@JasonHowellKC]

This is from famous Passaic Night bootleg. Prob the absolute best version of Backstreets theyve ever done, and definitely the best with the Sad Eyes interlude. Whats interesting about this version is that this is the same Backstreets from the "Live 75-85" box set, and they edited out the Sad Eyes for the boxset.

[@martinesanthoire5683]

Fabuleux ! Pour moi ces concerts de Passaic font partie des plus grandes performances rock'n roll de tous les temps ! Inégalable !

[@saychinqua1]

Thank You Thank You Thank You!!

[@DavidBeck-vq3xg]

That was the good stuff

[@litzievirginia]

Beautiful! thanks BRUCE!!

[@dennisopihory9194]

the legendary capitol theatre passaic nj- all the best acts came there

[@dansimpson875]

This one really hits hard

[@leogussenhoven7905]

Super ,,, and top !!!

[@tzurl1]

Amazing

[@BeverageUnderground]

There's Bruce...and then there is everybody else

[@badlanders888]

Classic. Spine Tingling. Rock and Roll at its best.

[@wmkennard]

Greatest performance ever

[@darkwhite333]

i have this show on cd haha awesome love it!!!!