Hungry Heart – English Lyrics

• By: Bruce Springsteen, The E Street Band
• Album: Letter to You, The River

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of Bruce Springsteen's "Hungry Heart," a catchy rock and roll tune that, despite its joyful sound, delves into profound human desires. Through its relatable lyrics about longing and the search for fulfillment, you can explore everyday American English and common expressions of the heart. The song's unique blend of pop hooks and meaningful storytelling makes it a compelling listen, perfect for understanding the nuances of conversational and narrative English within a classic rock context.

[English]

Yeah

...

Come on

Got a wife and kids in Baltimore, Jack

I went out for a ride and I never went back

Like a river that don't know where it's flowing

I took a wrong turn and I just kept going

Everybody's got a hungry heart

Everybody's got a hungry heart

Lay down your money and you play your part

Everybody's got a hungry heart

Oh, oh

...

I met her in a Kingstown bar

We fell in love, I knew it had to end

We took what we had and we ripped it apart

Now here I am down in Kingstown again

Everybody's got a hungry heart

Everybody's got a hungry heart

Lay down your money and you play your part

Everybody's got a hungry heart

...

Oh, la-la-la-la-la

...

Oh, la-la-la-la-la-la

...

Everybody needs a place to rest

Everybody wants to have a home

Don't make no difference what nobody says

Ain't nobody like to be alone, yeah

Everybody's got a hungry heart

Everybody's got a hungry heart

Lay down your money and you play your part

Everybody's got a hungry heart

(Everybody's got a hungry heart) Oh, yeah

(Everybody's got a hungry heart) Hungry heart

(Lay down your money and you play your part) Oh, yeah

(Everybody's got a hungry heart)

Oh, yeah, yeah

La-la-la-la-la

Oh, yeah, yeah

La-la-la-la-la

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
hungry /ˈhʌŋɡri/ A1	adjective - feeling an urgent need for food; craving
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - the organ that pumps blood around the body; emotions or inner self
ride /raɪd/ A1	verb - to travel on a vehicle or animal
flowing /ˈfloʊɪŋ/ A2	verb - moving in a steady, continuous stream
turn /tɜːrn/ A1	verb - to change direction or position
lay /leɪ/ A2	verb - to put or place something down
money /ˈmʌni/ A1	noun - a medium of exchange for goods and services
play /pleɪ/ A1	verb - to engage in a game or activity for enjoyment
part /pɑːrt/ A1	noun - a portion or piece of something larger
rest /rɛst/ A1	verb - to cease work or movement in order to relax
home /hoʊm/ A1	noun - the place where one lives permanently
difference /ˈdɪfərəns/ A2	noun - a distinction or contrast between things
alone /əˈloʊn/ A1	adjective - without others; solitary
wife /waɪf/ A1	noun - a married woman in relation to her husband
kids /kɪdz/ A1	noun - children
bar /bɑːr/ A1	noun - a place where alcoholic drinks are served
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to have a deep affection for someone
end /ɛnd/ A1	noun - the final part of something
rip /rɪp/ B1	verb - to tear something into pieces

Key Grammar Structures

• Got a wife and kids in Baltimore, Jack

  ➔ Present Simple Tense

  ➔ The verb 'got' is in the present simple tense, indicating a habitual or permanent situation. It describes a current state of having a family.

• I went out for a ride and I never went back

  ➔ Past Simple Tense

  ➔ The verbs 'went' and 'went' are in the past simple tense, describing completed actions in the past. They highlight the speaker's departure and lack of return.

• Like a river that don't know where it's flowing

  ➔ Present Simple with 'don't'

  ➔ The verb 'don't know' is in the present simple tense with the contraction 'don't', indicating a current lack of knowledge. It compares the speaker's situation to a river's uncertain path.

• Everybody's got a hungry heart

  ➔ Present Perfect with 'has/have got'

  ➔ The phrase 'has/have got' is used in the present perfect tense to indicate possession or a current state. Here, it emphasizes that everyone possesses a 'hungry heart'.

• Lay down your money and you play your part

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The verbs 'lay' and 'play' are in the imperative mood, giving direct commands. They instruct the listener to take action.

• Everybody needs a place to rest

  ➔ Present Simple with 'needs'

  ➔ The verb 'needs' is in the present simple tense, indicating a general truth or necessity. It expresses a universal need for a resting place.

• Don't make no difference what nobody says

  ➔ Double Negative

  ➔ The phrase uses double negatives ('don't' and 'no'), which is non-standard in formal English but common in colloquial speech. It emphasizes that opinions do not matter.

• Ain't nobody like to be alone, yeah

  ➔ Contraction with 'ain't'

  ➔ The contraction 'ain't' is a non-standard form of 'is not' or 'are not', commonly used in informal speech. It emphasizes the idea that no one likes to be alone.