My Hometown
"My Hometown" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" | ||||
Released | November 21, 1985 | |||
Recorded | June 29, 1983[1] | |||
Studio | Hit Factory, New York City | |||
Genre | Heartland rock | |||
Length | 4:33 (album version) 4:10 (edit) | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) | Bruce Springsteen | |||
Producer(s) |
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Bruce Springsteen singles chronology | ||||
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"My Hometown" is a single by
Lyrics
The song's lyrics begin with the speaker's memories of his father instilling pride in the family's hometown. While it first appears that the song will be a nostalgic look at the speaker's childhood, the song then goes on to describe the
Some of the song's images reference the recent history of Springsteen's hometown
Reception
Music video
The music video for "My Hometown" was a straightforward video filming of a performance of the song at a Springsteen and E Street Band concert late in the Born in the U.S.A. Tour, eschewing fast-paced cutting for slower montages of Springsteen and various band members. Despite its lack of visual excitement, it still managed substantial MTV airplay in late 1985 and early 1986.
Track listing
- "My Hometown" - 4:33
- "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" - 4:27
The B-side of the single, "
Covers
- U2 performed the song live on their 1985 The Unforgettable Fire Tour.
- Cindy Kallet, Ellen Epstein & Michael Cicone performed the song on their 1993 album Only Human.
- Neil Young recorded the song on his 2014 album A Letter Home.[6]
- Pavel Bobek performed the song as "Můj rodný dům" on his 1988 album Já při tom byl.
- Mischief Brew, Erik Petersen recorded and digitally released the song on Thanks, Bastards.
Personnel
According to authors Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon:[7]
- Bruce Springsteen – vocals, guitars
The E Street Band
- Roy Bittan – keyboards
- Clarence Clemons – tambourine
- Danny Federici – organ
- Garry Tallent – bass
- Max Weinberg – drums
- Ruth Jackson – backing vocals
Charts
Chart (1986) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Singles Chart | 47 |
Canada ( RPM Magazine)[8]
|
16 |
Irish Singles Chart | 6 |
Netherlands Music Chart
|
24 |
New Zealand Music Chart | 28 |
Sweden Music Chart | 21 |
UK Singles Chart
|
9 |
US Billboard Hot 100 | 6 |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 1 |
US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard) | 6 |
Sales and certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[9] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[10] | Gold | 50,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[11] | Silver | 250,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[12] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
See also
- Death to My Hometown
- List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1986 (U.S.)
References
- ^ Heylin, Clinton (2012). Song By Song. London: Penguin. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1996). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 6th Edition (Billboard Publications)
- ^ Demasters, Karen (April 9, 2000). "A Factory That Wove Rugs and Bound a Town Together". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-03-28.
The mill was referred to in the Bruce Springsteen song My Hometown; Mr. Springsteen's father worked there for a time. ...
- ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. December 7, 1985. p. 9. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
- ^ "Reviews". Billboard. December 7, 1985. p. 75. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
- ^ Greene, Andy (18 April 2014). "Neil Young's New Covers Album Available Right Now: Surprise!". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
- ISBN 978-1-78472-649-2.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - February 1, 1986" (PDF).
- ^ "Oct 2023 Single Accreds" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Bruce Springsteen – My Hometown". Music Canada. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ "British single certifications – Bruce Springsteen – My Home Town/Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – Bruce Springsteen – My Hometown". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
External links