Full Lyrics of “Streets of Minneapolis” by Bruce Springsteen
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| Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis |
Bruce Springsteen has never been an artist to stay silent in moments of national tension. With his newly released song “Streets of Minneapolis,” the 76-year-old rock legend once again steps into the role of cultural witness, responding directly to unfolding events in the United States.
Springsteen wrote and recorded “Streets of Minneapolis” within days, a rare act of speed for an artist known for carefully crafted albums. The song was inspired by recent unrest in Minneapolis tied to aggressive federal law-enforcement actions and renewed debates over immigration policy and civil rights. According to Springsteen, the track was created as an immediate reaction to what he described as violence and fear impacting everyday people in the city.
Musically, the song leans on spare folk-rock arrangements, allowing the lyrics to take center stage. The tone is urgent and somber, reflecting grief, anger, and solidarity with affected communities. Rather than offering easy answers, Springsteen presents Minneapolis as a symbol of a broader national struggle, where power, justice, and humanity collide.
Springsteen announced the release Wednesday on Instagram.
"I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis," Springsteen said. "It's dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good."
Full Lyrics of “Streets of Minneapolis” by Bruce Springsteen:
[Verse 1]
Through the winter's ice and cold
Down Nicollet Avenue
A city aflame fought fire and ice
'Neath an occupier's boots
King Trump's private army from the DHS
Guns belted to their coats
Came to Minneapolis to enforce the law
Or so their story goes
[Verse 2]
Against smoke and rubber bullets
In the dawn's early light
Citizens stood for justice
Their voices ringing through the night
And there were bloody footprints
Where mercy should have stood
And two dead, left to die on snow-filled streets
Alex Pretti and Renee Good
[Chorus]
Oh, our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Singing through the bloody mist
We'll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
Here in our home, they killed and roamed
In the winter of '26
We'll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis
[Verse 3]
Trump's federal thugs beat up on
His face and his chest
Then we heard the gunshots
And Alex Pretti lay in the snow dead
Their claim was self-defense, sir
Just don't believe your eyes
It's our blood and bones
And these whistles and phones
Against Miller and Noem's dirty lies
[Chorus]
Oh, our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Crying through the bloody mist
We'll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis
[Bridge]
Now they say they're here to uphold the law
But they trample on our rights
If your skin is black or brown, my friend
You can be questioned or deported on sight
In our chants of ICE out now
Our city's heart and soul persists
Through broken glass and bloody tears
On the streets of Minneapolis
[Chorus]
Oh, our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Singing through the bloody mist
Here in our home, they killed and roamed
In the winter of '26
We'll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
We'll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis
We'll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis
[Outro]
ICE out (ICE out)
ICE out (ICE out)
ICE out (ICE out)
ICE out (ICE out)
ICE out (ICE out)
ICE out
The song fits squarely within Springsteen’s long history of socially conscious work. From “Born in the U.S.A.” to “The Rising,” he has repeatedly used music to confront difficult moments in American life. “Streets of Minneapolis” continues that tradition, showing that even after decades in the spotlight, Springsteen remains committed to using his voice when he believes it matters most.
It is available on YouTube and social media.
Who Is Bruce Springsteen?Bruce Springsteen is an American singer, songwriter and musician widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in rock history. Born on September 23, 1949, in Freehold, New Jersey, he rose to fame in the 1970s with his backing band, the E Street Band. Known for his working-class storytelling and energetic live performances, Springsteen has released more than 20 studio albums, including Born to Run, Born in the U.S.A., and The Rising. He has won multiple Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom, cementing his status as a defining voice in American music and culture. |
