Bruce Springsteen just dropped a brand new protest track called “Streets of Minneapolis” on January 28, and the timeline of how it all came together is incredible.
As Bruce explained to his fans, he wrote the lyrics on a Saturday, took the song into the studio to record the very next day, and released it immediately. He did not want to wait around. He stated clearly that he put the music out in direct response to what he described as the state terror currently unfolding in Minneapolis.
This is a highly specific and deeply personal release. Springsteen dedicated the track to the people living in the city and to innocent immigrant neighbors. He also made a point to dedicate the music to the memories of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
When you dive into the lyrics, you will find that The Boss does not hold back. He directly calls out what he refers to as King Trump’s private army. At the same time, the song serves as a powerful tribute to the people on the ground. He sings the praises of the observers and demonstrators who stood up for justice with their voices ringing through the night.
If you want to hear the track for yourself, it is officially out in the world. You can catch the premiere on E Street Radio with host Jim Rotolo starting today at 5 PM Eastern. You can tune in through your car radio or the SiriusXM app, and you can read through the full lyrics below to take in the complete message.
“Streets of Minneapolis” Lyrics
Through the winter’s ice and cold
Down Nicollet Avenue
A city aflame fought fire and ice
‘Neath an occupier’s boots
King Trump’s private army from the DHS
Guns belted to their coats
Came to Minneapolis to enforce the law
Or so their story goes
Against smoke and rubber bullets
By the dawn’s early light
Citizens stood for justice
Their voices ringing through the night
And there were bloody footprints
Where mercy should have stood
And two dead left to die on snow-filled streets
Alex Pretti and Renee Good
Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Singing through the bloody mist
We’ll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
Here in our home they killed and roamed
In the winter of ’26
We’ll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis
Trump’s federal thugs beat up on
His face and his chest
Then we heard the gunshots
And Alex Pretti lay in the snow, dead
Their claim was self defense, sir
Just don’t believe your eyes
It’s our blood and bones
And these whistles and phones
Against Miller and Noem’s dirty lies
Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Crying through the bloody mist
We’ll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis
Now they say they’re here to uphold the law
But they trample on our rights
If your skin is black or brown my friend
You can be questioned or deported on sight
In chants of ICE out now
Our city’s heart and soul persists
Through broken glass and bloody tears
On the streets of Minneapolis
Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Singing through the bloody mist
Here in our home they killed and roamed
In the winter of ’26
We’ll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
We’ll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis
We’ll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis
