Tokyo
Read Tokyo lyrics by Bruce Springsteen on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Tokyo
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
The moon hung like a shadow on a rung over Shanghai
And the soldier boys were returning home screaming "Bonzai!"
And the kids are still playing their games,
Getting hustled and rustled out in the rain
As I sat inside listening to the broadcast.
Oh save my soul sweet rock and roll 'cuz I'm sinking fast.
And then the band played.
(Out of nowhere)
(Everybody)
(Everybody)
Well now the legendary chaplain of the fighting 51st
Was getting ready to go.
I said "Padre do you know a cheap virgin who likes to tango?"
He said "You can try Linda Lee;
Around the corner and across the sea.
Oh word is out, word is out she's fast."
Oh blow me down now Linda, 'cuz I'm sinking fast.
Yes and them cats are sure getting fat down in the trainyard.
And the sandman brings them dreams they ship out in boxcars.
The union says hold; break out the dice, break out the gold.
It's lunchtime at last.
And old big mama said George Raff's tonight on the late show.
She sits straddling the kitchen chair really gung-ho
She shivers with chills, wet with slotcar thrills
Hypnotically lost in the glass
And we all sighed...
With the sunrise
As we watched the credits pass.
And the little blue dot went away.
And then the morning cloak fell down like a hoax over sleepytown
And garbage truck Big Lenny's out drinking the last round
He hurriedly sipped his beer, and poking fun of the queer
And threatened to kick his ass.
And the bell rang
And the horn blows
And he's outside pumping gas
But things were moving so slow tonight
So the kid goes back inside the station
And turns on the radio to his local AM station
And the band played
Right on the radio
It's on the radio
And he listened to the bass line
And the boys in the band sang
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo
(They're so excited about it)
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo
(Everybody alright)
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo
(And the band played)
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo
(and the band played)
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo
(Everybody)
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Tokyo"?
Bruce Springsteen performs "Tokyo", and this lyric page sits inside the Bruce Springsteen catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Tokyo"?
Yes. The related section below points to Born To Run and The River with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Bruce Springsteen?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Bruce Springsteen's lyric pages.
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
What people are saying
No listener comments on Tokyo yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.