The Rising (Bruce Springsteen song)

The Rising
Company type	Single
Industry	Music
Founded	2002
Founder	Bruce Springsteen
Products	Music single

'The Rising serves as the lead track on Bruce Springsteen's twelfth studio album, The Rising, and was released as a single in 2002. Composed in reaction to the September 11, 2001 attacks, the song received widespread critical praise and secured Grammy Awards for Best Rock Song and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, along with a nomination for Song of the Year. It earned the 35th spot on Rolling Stones list of the decade’s best songs, while VH1 ranked it 81st among its "100 Greatest Songs of the '00s". Additionally, it was used during the closing credits of the 2002 World Series coverage on Fox Sports.

History and themes

Conceived late during the album’s creation as a complement to the track "Into the Fire," The Rising narrates the story of a New York City firefighter climbing one of the World Trade Center towers in the aftermath of the attacks. The lyrics depict his hazardous ascent through darkness and uncertainty:

Can't see nothin' in front of me,

Can't see nothin' coming up behind

I make my way through this darkness,

I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me.

The choruses feature uplifting "Li, li, li" vocalizations that evoke hallelujah-like refrains, while the verses deepen the storyline with vivid firefighting imagery and spiritual motifs, including references to Mary Magdalene and Easter symbolism. Springsteen has explained that the figure “Mary” may symbolize either a religious icon or a personal loved one. The composition is broadly regarded as a hopeful anthem rising from devastation.

Release

Prior to the album launch, the single was made available on June 24, 2002, through AOL First Listen and saw its official release on July 16. This marked Springsteen’s inaugural studio collaboration with producer Brendan O'Brien, introducing a refreshed sound distinct from earlier projects. Although it reached only #52 on the Billboard Hot 100, it enjoyed significant airplay success—climbing to #24 on Mainstream Rock, #16 on Adult Contemporary, and securing #1 on Triple-A charts across the United States.

The Rising has been featured on Springsteen’s compilation albums The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003) and Greatest Hits (2009), as well as appearing in the concert film Live in Barcelona (2003).

Music video

A hand-held style video attributed to Springsteen was broadcast twice on Australia’s ABC program rage. This grainy footage includes scenes of Springsteen driving through rain, studio rehearsals, and visuals connected to the song’s lyrics without any lip-syncing; however, its official status remains unclear. The audio accompanying this video is an edited 20-second excerpt from the album version.

Awards and critical reaction

During the 45th Grammy Awards, The Rising won accolades for Best Rock Song and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance and was also nominated for Song of the Year. Critics have lauded it as one of Springsteen’s finest works—an anthem emphasizing collective endurance and healing rather than vengeance. Rolling Stone praised its transcendent message beyond patriotic interpretations. It holds a place among Rolling Stone’s greatest songs ever recorded and ranks highly in VH1’s top tracks of the decade.

Chart performance

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Chart (2002–2003)	Highest ranking
Quebec (ADISQ)	3
Romania (Romanian Top 100)	9

Use in sports

During their 2006 playoff campaign, including the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, the Carolina Hurricanes consistently incorporated this track into their in-arena presentations.

Personnel

As detailed in the album credits:

Bruce Springsteen – lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, baritone guitar, harmonica
Roy Bittan – keyboards, piano, mellotron, Kurzweil synthesizer, pump organ, Korg M1, crumar
Clarence Clemons – saxophone, backing vocals
Danny Federici – Hammond B3 organ, Vox Continental, Farfisa organ
Nils Lofgren – electric guitar, Dobro, slide guitar, banjo, backing vocals
Patti Scialfa – vocals
Garry Tallent – bass guitar
Steven van Zandt – electric guitar, mandolin, backing vocals
Max Weinberg – drums

Additional contributors:

Soozie Tyrell – violin, backing vocals
Jane Scarpantoni – cello