Touching Funeral Song: “Streets of Philadelphia” by Bruce Springsteen



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In 1993, Bruce Springsteen wrote and performed the hauntingly beautiful song, “Streets of Philadelphia” for the critically-acclaimed movie about life with and eventual death from HIV and AIDS, Philadelphia. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1994. “Streets of Philadelphia” starts with Springsteen singing as though he is the protagonist of the film itself, a gay lawyer on the brink of dying from AIDS, dealing with the fear, suffering, isolation and pain that the disease has brought to his life.

With his trademark raspy voice and vivid lyrics, Springsteen allows listeners a heartbreaking glimpse into the life of someone close to death who has become a social outcast due to others’ fears. During this time in American history, fear about AIDS and of those stricken with this devastating disease — the majority being in the LGBT community — ran rampant. The lack of emotional and physical support, often due to homophobia combined with the fear and lack of information about AIDS, left many members of the LGBT community completely alone during a time when they needed love and support the most — at the times of their deaths.

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Springsteen voices the painful suffering and isolation by acknowledging that “I saw my reflection in a window, I didn’t know my own face,” followed by pleading “Oh brother are you gonna leave me wastin’ away/On the Streets of Philadelphia.”

Walking serves as a major theme in the song because the narrator has no place to go and no one to turn to when there “ain’t no angel gonna greet” him when death happens. Springsteen focuses on the physical and emotional pain that haunts him as he walks,”I walked the avenue, ’til my legs felt like stone,/I heard the voices of friends vanished and gone,/At night I could hear the blood in my veins,/Black and whispering as the rain,/On the Streets of Philadelphia.”

“Streets of Philadelphia” serves as a hauntingly beautiful funeral song that reminds us the importance of providing support for our loved ones who are dying. Regardless of what our own fears about death might be, we should be there for them because dying can be scary, especially if one feels likes no one cares about or loves them. If you’re afraid that you won’t know what to say or do to those you love who are dying, it is important to remember that just being there and showing them you love and care about them will mean more to them than anything else.

“…Ain’t no angel gonna greet me.
It’s just you and I my friend.
My clothes don’t fit me no more,
I walked a thousand miles
Just to slip this skin.

The night has fallen, I’m lyin’ awake,
I can feel myself fading away,
So receive me brother with your faithless kiss,
Or will we leave each other alone like this
On the Streets of Philadelphia”

Read the full lyrics here.