Skip to main content
DeepCutsArchive
BrowseArtistsTimelineMapDecadesSubmit

DeepCutsArchive

Preserving the footage that shaped music history. Rare clips, studio sessions, and moments lost to time.

BrowseArtistsGenresDecadesLocationsSubmit a ClipAboutContactEditorial Policy

© 2026 DeepCutsArchive. All footage remains the property of its original creators.

Privacy PolicyTerms of UseSupport

Developed with love as a personal project by Jamie McDonnell

ui-ux-design.comai-consultancy.company
Bruce Springsteen - The Big Payback (Nebraska Outtakes - Official Audio) — DeepCutsArchive
PreviousUse arrow keysNext
0 views
Share this clip

Bruce Springsteen - The Big Payback (Nebraska Outtakes - Official Audio)

R.E.M.Bruce Springsteen
Rareyoutube

Official Audio for "The Big Payback - Nebraska Outtakes" by Bruce Springsteen Listen to Bruce Springsteen: https://BruceSpringsteen.lnk.to/listenYD Subscribe to the official Bruce Springsteen YouTube channel: https://BruceSpringsteen.lnk.to/subscribeYD Watch more Bruce Springsteen videos: https://BruceSpringsteen.lnk.to/listenYC/youtube Follow Bruce Springsteen: Facebook: https://BruceSpringsteen.lnk.to/followFI Instagram: https://BruceSpringsteen.lnk.to/followII Twitter: https://BruceSpringsteen.lnk.to/followTI Website: https://BruceSpringsteen.lnk.to/followWI Spotify: https://BruceSpringsteen.lnk.to/followSI YouTube: https://BruceSpringsteen.lnk.to/subscribeYD #TheBigPayback #NebraskaOuttakes #BruceSpringsteen #OfficialAudio Lyrics: I bought a scooter and I rented a shack Out in the sun by the railroad track I got a job and I'm a-breakin' my back Workin' and workin' for the big payback I keep a-puttin' and a-puttin' out I keep a-sweatin' like all get out I work so long that I'm a-losin' track Waitin', waitin' on the big payback Well, it's a wham, bam, thank you ma'am, god damn, look out Sam It's a gone dead train rumblin' down this track They got your neck in the noose, you're draggin' long in back Chasin' and chasin' the big payback Oh, what my foreman does, well, I don't know He just throws me a shovel and yells, "Go, Bobby, go" Oh well—a-all day long he's just a diddy wack wack While I, I'm sweatin' and sweatin' the big payback Hey, it's a wham, bam, thank you ma'am, god damn, look out Sam It's a gone dead train rumblin' down the track They got your neck in the noose, you're hands are tied up in back And you're a-workin' and workin' for the big payback I quit that job and mister I ain't goin' back Got me a knife and she's a-long and black I'll tell you how I make my piece at night, Mac Down in the alley of the big payback I go a wham, bam, thank you ma'am, god damn, c'mon man You're a gone dead train rumblin' down this track I got your neck in the noose and I don't give a damn, Jack I'm on that long lost highway of the big payback I'm on that long lost highway of the big payback I'm on that long lost highway of the big payback

Know someone who'd love this clip?

Share it with friends and fellow fans.

Share this clip

Keep Exploring

All ArtistsAll GenresAll DecadesBrowse by Tag

About R.E.M.

R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe, who were students at the University of Georgia. R.E.M. was noted for Buck's arpeggiated "jangle" guitar playing; Stipe's distinctive vocal style, unique stage presence, and cryptic lyrics; Mills's countermelodic bass lines and backing vocals; and Berry's tight, economical drumming. In the early 1990s, other alternative rock acts suc...

More about R.E.M.→

Added 17 Apr 2026

About This Footage

This footage is notable because it's an official audio clip from Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska Outtakes, a collection of unreleased material recorded during the sessions for his 1992 album Nebraska. What makes this clip rare or significant is that it features Springsteen performing "The Big Payback", a song he didn't write - it was actually written by James Alexander, Albert King, and Ellas McDaniel (also known as Bo Diddley) in 1967.

At the time of filming, Bruce Springsteen was already an established artist, having released his breakthrough album Born to Run in 1975. He had built a reputation for his heartland rock sound and energetic live performances with the E Street Band. This clip is significant because it showcases Springsteen's ability to interpret and reimagine other artists' songs, adding his own unique perspective to the material.

The lyrics of "The Big Payback" paint a vivid picture of working-class life, where the protagonist is trapped in a cycle of drudgery and exploitation. The song's themes of alienation and rebellion would have resonated with Springsteen's audience at the time. By covering this song, Springsteen was acknowledging the struggles of everyday people and adding his voice to the conversation.

The Nebraska Outtakes collection itself is notable because it provides a glimpse into Springsteen's creative process during one of the most productive periods of his career. The album Nebraska marked a departure from his earlier work, with its stripped-down, acoustic soundscapes and introspective lyrics. This clip suggests that even in the midst of this experimentation, Springsteen was still drawn to songs that spoke to the experiences of working-class Americans.

R.E.M., on the other hand, was an influential alternative rock band that emerged in the early 1980s. Their music often explored themes of alienation and social critique, which aligns with the spirit of "The Big Payback". While they aren't directly involved in this clip, their influence can be heard in Springsteen's later work, particularly in his exploration of more experimental sounds.

Watching this clip will give viewers a sense of Springsteen's versatility as an artist and his ability to interpret different styles. It also highlights the importance of covering other artists' songs, which can lead to new insights and creative breakthroughs. By sharing this official audio clip with the world, Springsteen is giving fans a rare glimpse into his creative process and cementing his reputation as one of the most innovative and enduring songwriters of our time.

The Nebraska Outtakes collection has been praised for its raw, unpolished sound, which captures the essence of Springsteen's live performances. This clip is no exception, with its rough-around-the-edges production and Springsteen's emotive vocals bringing "The Big Payback" to life in a new way. By sharing this song with his audience, Springsteen is continuing to push the boundaries of what it means to be a rock artist.

In conclusion, this footage is significant because it showcases Springsteen's unique ability to reimagine other artists' songs and add his own perspective to the material. It also highlights the importance of covering other artists' work, which can lead to new insights and creative breakthroughs. By sharing this official audio clip with the world, Springsteen is giving fans a rare glimpse into his creative process and cementing his reputation as one of the most innovative and enduring songwriters of our time.

Curated from public records and music databases.