Recorded in 1981 for $1,050 (the equivalent of a Tascam four-track recorder), the song Bruce Springsteen «Atlantic City» was recorded in three takes, the last of which was included on his 1982 solo album «Nebraska» . Springsteen played all the instruments on the track: guitar, harmonica, and mandolin, and also sang vocals. Although Springsteen insisted on a full band, music producer Jon Landau convinced him otherwise, saying: «"It's by no means as good as what was on that demo tape.".
If you listen carefully to the lyrics of the song "Atlantic City," you'll be presented with a very dark, joyless story.
The song "Atlantic City" tells the story of a desperate couple who flee to New Jersey in desperation. To pay off their enormous debts, the narrator turns to organized crime and the mafia. The song explores the cost of survival and the inevitability of death for us all.
At the beginning of this poignant, heartfelt ballad, Springsteen sings:
«"Well, last night in Philadelphia they blew up the Chicken Man / Now they blew up his house too.".
These song lyrics are actually inspired by a grim but true event. In 1981, a man named Phil Testa began rising through the ranks of the Philadelphia crime family after murdering his friend and former boss, Angelo Bruno. Testa earned the nickname "Chicken Man" for using his poultry business as a cover for his criminal activities. In March of that year, Testa opened the door of his home at 2117 Porter Street and a homemade bomb exploded, killing him. His murder was allegedly orchestrated by his deputy and sparked a full-scale war within the family.
The song "Atlantic City" is widely regarded as one of Springsteen's greatest songwriting achievements and one of the best tracks on the album. «"Nebraska." Rolling Stone Magazine included it in his list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time," and Springsteen himself included it in his album «Greatest Hits» 1995.
Springsteen has continued to include the song in his live performances for over 40 years. In 2025, he even joined vocalist Zach Bryan for a surprise performance at Metlife Stadium, performing the song with Bryan and the Kings of Leon.
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See also: The famous 1984 rock anthem has one of the most misunderstood meanings in music history.
This article was originally published by Parade on May 30, 2026, in the News section. Add Parade to your list of recommended sources by clicking here.