We Take Care of Our Own (3:53)

The We Take Care of Our Own Songfacts explains that much of the song’s lyrical content appears to contradict its title. For instance Springsteen explicitly references America’s lack of care for the Hurricane Katrina casualties. (“From the shotgun shack to the Super Dome/There ain’t no help, the cavalry stayed home”). Springsteen clarified the song’s message, during the unveiling of Wrecking Ball to the world’s media at Sony Records’ Paris headquarters. “The song asks the question that the rest of the record tries to answer which is, ‘Do we?’ - we often don’t,” he said.

The Boss added that songs such as this with an apparently positive chorus should not be misinterpreted. “I write carefully and precisely,” he said, “and I believe clearly. If you’re missing it you’re not quite thinking hard enough.”