Bruce Springsteen – Brilliant Disguise: Lyrics and Music Video
Brilliant Disguise by Bruce Springsteen lyrics and music video. You can sing while listening to the song Brilliant Disguise performed by Bruce Springsteen. Hope you like the music video and song lyrics for Brilliant Disguise.
About the Song
Bruce Springsteen - Brilliant Disguise: Song Overview
Bruce Springsteen's *Brilliant Disguise* (1987) is a hauntingly introspective track from his critically acclaimed album Tunnel of Love. Exploring themes of trust, identity, and marital doubt, the song delves into the fragility of relationships, reflecting Springsteen’s personal struggles during his first marriage. Its raw lyrics and stripped-down arrangement marked a departure from his earlier anthemic rock style.
Release and Chart Performance
- Released as the second single from Tunnel of Love in October 1987.
- Peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
- Certified Gold in the US for sales exceeding 500,000 copies.
Themes and Lyrics
The song’s lyrics dissect the masks people wear in relationships, with lines like:
“So tell me what I see here in your eyes / Is that you, baby, or just a brilliant disguise?”
Springsteen questions authenticity and connection, blending personal vulnerability with universal relatability. Its narrative mirrors his own marital tensions with actress Julianne Phillips, whom he divorced in 1989.
Musical Style
Featuring a minimalist arrangement with acoustic guitar, keyboards, and subdued percussion, *Brilliant Disguise* emphasizes lyrical depth over grandeur. Springsteen’s gravelly vocals convey emotional exhaustion, aligning with the song’s themes of disillusionment.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
- Praised as one of Springsteen’s most lyrically sophisticated works, often analyzed for its psychological depth.
- The music video, shot in a single continuous take, won acclaim for its intimate, unpolished aesthetic.
- Frequently covered by artists like The War on Drugs and referenced in discussions of 1980s heartland rock.
Keywords
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Bruce Springsteen: Brilliant Disguise Lyrics
What are those words whispered, baby, just as you turn away
I saw you last night out on the edge of town
I wanna read your mind to know just what i’ve got in this new thing i’ve found
So tell me what i see when i look in your eyes
Is that you, baby, or just a brilliant disguise?
I heard somebody call your name from underneath our willow
I saw something tucked in shame underneath your pillow
Well i’ve tried so hard, baby, but i just can’t see
What a woman like you is doing with me
So tell me who i see when i look in your eyes
Is that you, baby, or just a brilliant disguise?
Now look at me, baby
Struggling to do everything right
And then it all falls apart
When out go the lights
I’m just a lonely pilgrim
I walk this world in wealth
I want to know if it’s you i don’t trust
’cause i damn sure don’t trust myself
Now you play the loving woman, i’ll play the faithful man
But just don’t look too close into the palm of my hand
We stood at the altar, the gypsy swore our future was right
But come the wee wee hours, well maybe, baby, the gypsy lied
So when you look at me, you better look hard and look twice
Is that me, baby, or just a brilliant disguise?
Tonight our bed is cold
I’m lost in the darkness of our love
God have mercy on the man
Who doubts what he’s sure of
