“Streets of Philadelphia”: Bruce Springsteen Video Locations and Local Significance

Bruce Springsteen released “Streets of Philadelphia” as a single in 1993 for the movie Philadelphia.

Philadelphia tells the story of an attorney who gets fired by employers who find out about his homosexuality and HIV status. Tom Hanks won the Oscar for best actor for his role in the film, and Denzel Washington also played a lead role. 

The "Streets of Philadelphia" title still draws local attention, but the lyrics don’t contain many specific references to the City of Brotherly Love. The movie also isn’t one of the most commonly associated with Philadelphia (ironically).

The song’s official music video, however, provides the most direct references to the city of Philadelphia.

The official music video features Bruce Springsteen walking the streets in recognizable neighborhoods. Identifiable spots include South Philly, Port Richmond, Northern Liberties, Society Hill, and Center City. 

Peaches Goodrich undertook an incredibly creative “Covid-19 passion project” to identify the video’s background locations using Google Maps and Street View.

The first set of locations is upward toward Northeast Philly. Peaches used the St. John Neumann Shrine on 5th Street and Girard Ave. as the primary reference point to determine the locations. 

The second set of scenes is between Ellsworth and Federal Streets in South Philly near Sacks Playground. Other locations include Rittenhouse Square and the blocks of Fairmount.

The background images of mural art across the city, especially in neighborhoods of West Philly, authentically represent the feel of the city for its residents.

Shots of City Hall, the Ben Franklin Bridge, the skyline, and the Liberty Bell also appear in the music video. Some of the overhead shots also appear in the film Philadelphia.  

The Boss grew up in Freehold, New Jersey, and he has glorified the Jersey Shore more than any national celebrity. A Springsteen concert at the Wells Fargo Center is still a sure sellout. He even has the sellout banner hanging in the rafters to prove it. 

A city that lets local connections run deep will never push away the singer of "Streets of Philadelphia."

Bruce Springsteen has built a reputation over the course of a half century of performances as the hero of the common man.

His lyrics make him relatable to his fans. The semi-autobiographical narratives of many Springsteen songs have the power to inspire listeners.

The reputation started to materialize during the 1970s when “Born to Run” made Springsteen an iconic star.

Songs like "Thunder Road' and "Out in the Street" also had a feeling of authenticity that endeared Springsteen as a hero for his first generation of fans.

"Glory Days" told a genuine story about how life can pass you by, and "The Promised Land" was among his most inspiring songs.

One of his most memorable accomplishments came after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Springsteen released The Rising less than a year later with themes both directly and indirectly associated with the tragedies that took place.

The idea of the working class hero has continued all the way into modern times with the release of Blinded by the Light, a movie about a young Pakistani boy living in England who draws his inspiration to face the world from the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen.

Springsteen’s roots at the Jersey Shore make him even more relatable for people in the Philadelphia area. Romanticizing summer weather, cold drinks on the beach, and a peaceful mindset speaks to anyone who’s ever spent part of their summer vacation at the Jersey Shore.

The relatable image of a musician with local connections means people in the Philadelphia area will have an even easier time getting behind a hero of the common man.

It should come as no surprise that tickets to see Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band at the Wells Fargo Center in March sold out so quickly, but the band recently announced two more shows in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park in August.