Streets of Philadelphia by Bruce Springsteen

Listening Activity

This listening activity is based on the famous Streets of Philadelphia by Bruce Springsteen. The lyrics of the song are ideal for English Learners and contain many interesting language points, such as the simple past.

Let’s start with some information about the song!

Streets of Philadelphia by Bruce Springsteen

“Streets of Philadelphia” is a song written and performed by American rock musician Bruce Springsteen. This listening activity offers information about the song, a link to the lyrics, and the official video.

Interesting Information about the Song

The song was written and performed by American rock musician Bruce Springsteen for the film Philadelphia (1993), an early mainstream film dealing with HIV/AIDS. Released in 1994, the song was a hit in many countries.

The Video

The Lyrics

Full lyrics of this song

Language Points

The song includes many interesting language points:

• Simple past

Expressions that may be useful to students:

• I was bruised and battered
  And I couldn’t tell what I felt
  I was unrecognizable to myself
  Saw my reflection in a window
  I didn’t know my own face

Listening Comprehension

Sentence Completion Exercise

1. I was bruised and battered, I couldn’t tell what I _____ (1).
2. I walked the avenue ’til my legs felt like _____ (2).
3. At night I could hear the _____ (3) in my veins.
4. Ain’t no _____ (4) gonna greet me, it’s just you and I, my friend.
5. So receive me, brother, with your faithless _____ (5).

Gap Fill Exercise

The following words are used in the song “Streets of Philadelphia by Bruce Springsteen. Here are their brief definitions:

1. Bruised: Having a dark mark on the skin from falling or being hit.
2. Reflection: The image of something in a mirror or on any reflective surface.
3. Vanished: Disappeared suddenly and completely.
4. Whispering: Speaking very softly using one’s breath without vocal cords.
5. Faithless: Disloyal, lacking faith or trust.
6. Avenue: A wide street in a town or city, typically lined with trees.
7. Fading: Gradually growing faint and disappearing.

Complete the sentences below with the correct word from the list above.

1. I was _____ (1) and battered, I couldn’t tell what I felt.
2. Saw my _____ (2) in a window and didn’t know my own face.
3. I heard the voices of friends _____ (3) and gone.
4. Just as black and _____ (4) as the rain on the streets of Philadelphia.
5. So receive me, brother, with your _____ (5) kiss.
6. I walked the _____ (6) ’til my legs felt like stone.
7. I can feel myself _____ (7) away.

Source: Wikipedia

More lyrics here