I used to steal my old man’s car and listen to Bruce’s seventies songs in the 80s as a teenager. Great times. Funny the old man always knew he told me later before he died and we both laughed

One of the finest dramatic ballads of the century. A rare treasure.

I was 13 years old in 78 when I lost my big brother to a drunk driving. The sense of loss was almost paralyzing. My other older brother gave me an album to listen to and said it was Boone's (my deceased brother) favorite album. I listened to it every day for months. Both sides but more often than not, side two. It was this song, specifically, that helped me grieve. I know one day, when I see Boone again, we will jam out to this song.

Even at 18 minutes, this song ends too soon. I could listen to it all day.

The Main Point concerts were amazing. ‘73,74. No questions the site was small and intimate. 73 we stood on our chairs from 9:00 to 2:30. He floated out the door with pride. Amazing nights.

I was there. There was no place else to be on Earth that night.

The old world and all of it’s hand made beauty dims more each day. But I put my headphones in and walk back home up lexington Avenue and listen to this and I know that greatness like this can never disappear. There is nothing I love more than Bruce’s music and how it brings us all together

Love how he takes his time. This is rock and a beat, but he's not doing a 3-minute song. He's taking you for a ride, and it's going to take as long as it takes.

This song evokes feelings that cannot be described.

I saw Springsteen back in 75' It was like a shot of adrenaline. Music Changed and came alive again.. He Changed the face of Rock,,, He played 3 Hr plus gigs.. when it was over you felt rung out and drained. Like you just ran a marathon... Awesome...

Been listening to this tune for close to 40 years and this version makes me feel like I am hearing it for the first time.

Love Greetings and The Wild. The years when I would have most liked to been there; sweaty little venues and the essence of what it is to be young on show. Wow! Time Machine…

The best version! Just love the rawness of the early days

Wow…Gary’s bass playing is fantastic in this version.

Anybody that can remotely feel the restless soul in this song is alive. I bought this boot when I was 15 in 1979. It created a fire that will never go out. Thank You Bruce. I am glad I got the good fortune to see this band grow up on vinyl and black-and-white video. While Bruce continues to grow, and has asked to "Don't Look Back" , I have to. Its what gets me through this life with a smile.

In answer to the question, "if you could go back to any point in time, where and when would you go?", I would go to this gig, this night, in this venue, listening to this track, with my forever love, Emma. I think about it all the time. What an experience!

By far the best version could never be duplicated

Long, Long time ago. When a Hungry Group of Guys were polishing their skills, getting tight , gaining confidence with improvised lyrics. They Knew they could be something, But , I bet they weren't envisioning the next few decades to be what it did. ...In those vacuums between writing, recording, playing, im so glad they stayed grounded, remembering that something special is happening. Magical talents and a champion mentality .

Stuff legends are made of. Dang it, invent a time machine so I can be there when he plays this.

His best song ever. Period.

He opened Philly with this 9-7-2016. The way it filled the warm and humid South Philly air that night was incredible.. I'll take it with me to the end.

Standing on the corner Under the awning on Speed's drugstore, the cold drizzle fighting the noreaster just to finally hit the ground collar turned up on my old navy pea, puddles casting neon beams at what is left of me Springsteen from a jukebox and a murmur of revelry...... I miss the early 70's. Bruce when his craft was so perfect in its unintended perfection. He was nostalgia when he explored.

if I could only take one song to my grave, this version of this song is it...period, end of story.....

Don’t mind me just bawling my eyes out, I love you Bruce

"You Can Trust Your Car to the Man Who Wears the Star" is the best damned boot ever.

Most beautiful song on the entire album, IMO.

the greatest artist on the planet

Just listened to my three favourite live versions of Serenade and I love this one best in part because the photos are such a perfect match for the stream of consciousness lyrics -- a great tribute, MauryDann73. The Geneva Theatre 1974 version is also epic, I think it holds the record for longest live version. Here, Bruce’s vocals are more prominent because the venue is relatively small and the audience doesn’t interrupt every quiet moment with hoots and hollers. Why is this song such a stunner? It's so sad and soulful, a cry from the heart. The piano, all the way through, delicate at first then crashing, and Suki's violin, and the giggling after the "new stereo" lyric. Perfection. I can't think of another track that combines so many powerful elements. I recently saw the version they did in Rome in 2017 and yes it was huge and beautiful, backed by a magnificent orchestral string section, but it wasn't hungry like these early versions. So grateful for KZfaq and grateful to the people who captured it when it happened. If this was all he ever did, it would have been enough. Who's gonna miss us?

I lost my sister. Also I was 12 years old and for some reason he gave me a redemption in every song he saying the comfort of my heart.

My dad brought the the wild and innocent from America in '75 Nobody in Holland knew who Bruce was. I met Bruce in eighties a few times and count that as great blessings. In '83 While stationes in Lebanon i would be listening to his albums on my walkman. After Nebreska I never bought an album again. Everything before nebreska (and nebreska) is just so, so good. And when the spiritin the night decides my switch is pulled I will go with a smile knowing that i lived during the Springsteen years.

After thousands of hours of research, I have not found a finer version.

This Jersey Shore boy was there. The magical days of Bruce shows. So much energy, raw emotion. Bruce, vamping like Charley Chaplin or brooding like Brando. Simply the best of times for us.

That has got to be one of…if not the most ever…epic moments in rock history. Seriously…what from who…could even come close to being as unbelievable as that son in that moment…that night. This is what made him great to me…just unbelievably great. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️💯

The recording and performance is so raw but by the end you know you listened to something very special. Bruce is a legend.

thank you so much. this saved my soul tonight. "baby we can steal away..."

Oh...the days before the world discovered Bruce...

No one tops 70's Springsteen

This sounds like pure youth

This & Rosalita are my all-time favourite Springsteen songs! Just think this was released in 73' same year as 'Band on The Run' & 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' just inhale that for one moment! Picture the fact not one of them has aged & I still have my original vinyl's & they're perfect ❤️💖❤️ what a great time in my life. I was 11yrs old and WOW!! 😍😍😍 Thanks Bruce, Elton & Paul for all the decades they've seen me through & still do. I'll love them forever 🤘✊❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 50yrs coming up 💖

Just found this...what AN amazing song, and this versión is something else. Reading through the comments, and you see how important Bruce and his songs have been, and will be forever.

When I die, I hope they just play side two of the Wild and the Innocent. It's all I ever hoped to be; it's all I ever pretended to be.

That was the *original* Main Point in Bryn Mawr, PA. It no longer exists as the same venue that it was in the early 1970s. It was a small venue, maybe a hundred or so people. At the time, Bruce was doing very well in Philadelphia and in Texas. It took the rest of the country a while to appreciate his talent, and his genius at storytelling through music. It was a wonderful experience to have been able to see him in such a small venue, before most people even knew who he was.... priceless...

When Bruce entered the scene in the early 70's he was a true original genius, he was nothing like anything that came before him. Passion, talent and the balls to follow his vision. Completely non commercial and his music was authentically a product of his background. Saw Bruce in Madrid in 2012, played over 4 hours, totally killed it, but there is nothing like early Springsteen...

Did not see this concert, but did see him in DC at the Carter Barron in 1975. The E Street Band/Bruce Springsteen was the first band I ever spent half the time with my eyes closed while they played. I always felt it was easier to be swept away in the music. And yes, the audience was Quiet!. No yelling, whistling, singing along. It's why I stopped going to concerts when it got too big. I'm grateful for the five or so times I got to see him at small venues. No horn section, just Clarence, no back up singers except the band. I wish the sound quality was better on this recording, but at least I can get a sense of the concert. And OMG, I had such a crush on Bruce. We are about the same age. LOL

He was very popular in Philly. His music from his first two albums was played often on Philadelphia's WMMR. Philadelphia was likely the first city to embrace his music. He was a regular at the Main Point, a unique venue, the likes of which will probably (sadly) never exist again. It hosted some wonderful artists in a small, cozy venue (Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg & other wonderful artists). Google "The Main Point". Wikipedia has a nice review. I am very lucky to have been there!

Holy moly, this version is epic

yeah. the first time i heard this song, my mom had just died a few years earlier, and this whole movie popped out in my mind about me and her, set in New Jersey. (I lived then in Pottstown, she was from Philly.) My favorite by him, though I have many others also. Bruce saved my life when I was young, survivally and creatively. Such a great, real person.

I've had the incredible pleasure of seeing this, and Incident in concert. In fact, he played most, if not all of the Wild and Innocent. August 30, 2016. Most incredible night of my life....

Bruce just murda this trak, first time hearing this version. Incredible..this will be in heavy rotation, somewhere in the swamps of jersey tonight.

I was looking for the version I heard at the Tower Theater in Philadelphia round about the same time frame. Violin accompaniment, was magical. But this is different again and pretty impressive.

So beautiful to hear the "young" Bruce voice.

I’m speechless - just speechless. This version is RAW and emotional...I get lost in it and am transported to another place and time. Thanks so much for posting!

Holy shit....what I'd give to have seen this live.

The master. I love this version.

People who don’t know about this early time of Bruce Springsteen don’t know anything. I love these songs. I remember the first time when I got sober in the early 90s and I played this album for the first time it was on the CD. And when I got this song this whole entire movie about my mother who had died only years earlier due to toxins from a landfill in Pottstown, just burst out of my head. It was like the first time I ever realized how creative I was. It was basically a movie about me meeting her through all the different ages that she was. And then at the end of it I had to say goodbye to her we had a flyover and everything. It was awesome. And it was all set in New Jersey. I absolutely love Bruce Springsteen. When we were living in poverty and I was driving around with my friends in the devastated 25% unemployment Pennsylvania in the 80s, of course we were fucked up half the time, majorly, people like him were the only people that saved us.

This song is like a fine wine that just gets better with age.

I have listened to this song hundreds of times since I bought the album in 1976. It was my first Bruce Album and my favorite song. This is the greatest version I have ever heard. I can listen to this and Van Morrison's Madame George every day of my life.

check out the version in rome 2013. my fave. just amazing - cant stop listening to it. love bruce. and how bout garry tallent!! great bass player. very underrated

Being a songwriter and performer, I always marvel at Bruce's ability to render multiple versions of his songs. This version so unlike the album version - yet both have the hypnotic power to bring me into a world all their own...and I don't want to leave.

11:51....lyrically, Bruce used to say more in a single sentence than other artists could say in an entire album. 15:30, musically brilliant. What a career laid ahead for him, glad I was a part of it, if only a little. Thanks Bruce.

If and when they invent time travel I'd totally go back to see this show live. It's what I think of when I think of Bruce Springsteen!

Great piece of art. Springsteen in the 70s was exceptional. Poetry wise, music wise. A great "painter" a sublime story teller. I wish I could have seen him in those days. Nonetheless, I'm gratefull that I can listen to those recordings today.

Bruce gives 💯.. Gives his ❤ and soul.. And the mighty Clarence C, his not so secret weapon.. Bruce looked like a wild gypsy back then..

I Love Springsteen, He truly was the Soundtrack of my young Life! His first three albums I wore out, then bought 8 tracks, then cassettes, then CD’s I wore all those out, yes you can ware out those media’s. Thank you for posting this vintage Bruce cut.

My God the artistry. Thank you. The photography is pitch perfect for this magnificent piece of music. He was born for this.

Being from NJ I saw Bruce quite a few times between 1974 - 1978 in the smaller venues. In my opinion those were the shows that still stand out for me, after 1978 things got crazy and tickets became harder to get. Although I knew he would become a big star one day, I was still upset about sharing him with the rest of the world. Us New Jerseyians wanted to keep him to ourselves....

This is just incredible, a masterpiece.

My favorite Boss song, NYC-S has played through the decades of my life like a best friend. Reading his biography (Carlin) now going through this time in his career, what a treasure to hear this - captured out of a time capsule from the true glory days and birth of this amazing artist. Just. Wow

the most beautiful song of all time. i don't know how bruce understands people, but it gives me solace. you all take it easy. - "we are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams." willy wonka (gene wilder)

this is the greatest version of this song ever recorded. . i was fortunate to see bruce do this version back then. the e street band was so good. the only thing that could of made this video better would be the video itself. damn u steve jobs for not being born sooner. bruce sang with so much soul then. just when you thought the song was over at 9:58 is when it starts. bruce taking it down to a sexy whisper. johnny carson on with the sound turned off. down n down we go.maybe we could slip away!

WOW 18 minutes of what I envision heaven may be like. How much would you spend to go back and see this live?

40 years,ago. Tonight......

I remember buying the bootleg from Tam in the Barras (Glasgow) This lad was (is) a legend for buying bootlegs from (Long before the internet), this Bootleg and also `This guns for hire` are two of the finest copies of boots that I have ever heard. I also seen Bruce in Glasgow in 2013 and was blown away as it was the best show that I had been to by far...

OMG I JUST CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH

Bruce live in the 70’s... Glad I was there🎸

I grew down the street from this venue❤️ The main point had a lot of famous acts play in it before they became famous ❤️

God bless Bruce Springsteen and the E street band

Good Lord, I wish I would have been there, great stuff!!

Billy, he's down by the railroad tracks Sittin' low in the back seat of his Cadillac Diamond Jackie, she's so intact And she falls like an angel beneath him Jackie's heels are stacked Billy's got cleats on his boots Together they're gonna boogaloo down Broadway and come back home with their loot It's midnight in Manhattan, this is no time to get cute It's a mad dog's promenade So walk tall, or don't walk at all Fish lady, ohhh my fish lady She baits them tenement walls She won't take them corner boys Ain't got no money, they got no cars And they're so easy Take my hand girl I"m easy, down Broadway, take my hand little one Move with me down Broadway I'm a young man and I talk real loud Hey babe I'm walkin' real proud for you I'll be proud with ya baby I"ll be proud with ya baby I'll be proud with ya baby So c'mon and hook it up Hook up to the night train Hook up to the silver train But I know that she won't take the train, no she won't take the train No she won't take the train, no she won't take the train She's afraid them tracks are gonna slow her down And when she turns around I'll be gone Baby so long, sometimes you just gotta walk on, walk on, walk on Hey vibes man, hey jazz man play me your serenade Any deeper blue and you'll be blowing that hole in your grave Save your notes, don't spend 'em on the blues boy Save your notes, don't spend 'em on the darlin' yearlin' lil' boy Straight for the church note ringin', vibes man sting a trash can Listen to your junk man Listen to your junk man Listen to your junk man Listen to your junk man He's singin', singin', singin', singin' He's got your money in his pocket walkin' past the alley, all dressed up in gold, standin there on the corner Singin' singin' Watch out for your junk man, watch out for your junk man Watch out for your junk man when we're in the streets tonight, I'll take you in my arms When we're in the streets tonight , I'll take you in my arms Hey little stranger what you doin' tonight? You're looking a lil' lost like me You're just running in the streets Runnin' crazy in the streets Baby, I know a place Nobody goes there like me You're just crazy runnin in the streets Baby I know a place maybe we can go Nobody knows there Nobody goes there Where it's warm and dry It's safe there Nobody ever goes there Here, it's crowded all night long Nobody knows there I just got this new stereo and Hey lil' stranger what are ya doin' tonight Looking lost Standing in the rain in the streets And that joker standing on the corner in the streets Selling them dreams that can't come true Oh I laughed at you baby That night I bought them too Down down down we go Hey little stranger what you doin' tonight Round round Down down we go The tv's on with the sound turn off, Johnny Carson's going on Down down it goes All inside down, down it goes Hey lil' stranger what you doin' tonight While you're outside, the cops are inside drinkin coffee in their squad car Honey, outside the girls come up to you Sayin' "Hey mister you got a girlfriend You wanna go out tonight?" Baby, baby we could slip away We could slip away We could steal away I think I could take my money out of the bank Baby we could steal away Hey lil' stranger what you doin' tonight? Baby we could steal away Don't tell your ma, don't tell your pop Baby we could steal away I got my car parked outside, pack your bags baby We could shake these city lights You can quit your job Shhhh Baby we could steal away Slip away

Had this boot for a long time, glad to see people exploring and valuing true, raw, and talented music

Brings tears to my eyes, what a glorious song

My biggest regret to this day is turning down an offer to see Bruce play West Chester University in 1974. I had not heard any of his music at that time. My buddy had an older brother who attended the school. I have seen him many times since so life is not all bad😀

pure opera, wonderfull, magic, he should release this, modern opera

I think this is the definite best song on the album, all though the whole album is a masterpiece with a similar overall mood , where the songs are connected to each other. It's a big beautiful symphony this album. I think his first album, Greetings from Asbury park (same year, 1973) was just as good. I love them both just as much. I think "Lost in the flood" is the best song on his debut album. "Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?" too. It's like This two songs are connected. Before I thought it was the same song. First song more up tempo and glad, when "Lost in the flood" is more silent, darker, serious. Just like only Bruce can sing it. He still is The Boss. We're lucky he's still with us and in good health.

just some beautiful songs to come out of those first two albums.. so different from everything that would come after. listening to some of these recordings around the 1975 time period.. is to hear a band with one foot in the past, and one foot going forward. For a bunch of young guys from NJ, by 1975 what a tight band it was.

and at night i bought em too. awesome.

Wow, amazing version of this song with great vintage photos of NYC mixed in. Thanks..... this song is one of my favorites.

Love it. Thanks for that song.❤🕊

Nice. FISHHHH LADYYYY. OMGraciousness bruceness. Delicious at the Main Point. I Was about 7 then. My Babysitters spinned Bruce, Bowie, 10CC, Crazy Kevin Rowland DEXYS, whom I still LOVE, the CLASH, Van, Stones, Ray Davies, Waterboys, King Crimson..& so many other Mad Dog's promanades.. and more. Bruce and my ESB rule nonetheless. He's SINGin. 30 shows under my belt. xxx

A great performance of a great song. Thank you for sharing it with us...

thats different beautiful. . Masterpiece!

Thanx for posting........brings it all back.

Just an awesome version. WOW

Thanks for sharing this gorgeous music!

Thankyou to bruce and whoever uploaded this

Thank you for posting. I have long considered this particular performance the apogee of the power and potential of the genre of rock-n-roll. Listen to how quiet the audience is during his rap (e.g. 14:00-15:30) - you could hear a pin drop. On the bootleg I have, the sound quality of the recording suddenly goes to hell just as this song starts - sounds the same here, so I guess the "original" was flawed, but the magic of the performance is captured.

Absolutely brilliant. It is so good we have these performances and shows available to listen to :)

This is the finest recording I ever heard. Thanks for posting this classic :)

Just trying to walk Tall in NYC is really hard some days, but hearing this song makes it a little easier...

Love 9:56 and forward, and the bass play = magic