Lyric discussion by shadowwiththeeyes 

Bruce Springsteen actually wrote the music and chorus, but he was in some legal battle with his manager and couldn't record it so he gave it to Patti because he felt it suited her style and voice. She filled in the rest of the lyrics. They actually worked together a bunch of times.

@shadowwiththeeyes It's not what Springsteen tells in the Darkness' documentary... The story was more about him not feeling brave enough to continue writing the song... That's why he gave it to Patti Smith, because he felt that she would be able to finish it.

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