Being a 'man' is a big deal in Springsteenland. I'm defining Springsteenland as the universe that emerges from all the characters and events of his songs. Kinda like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but with Johnnys and Marys instead of Iron Mans and Thors. Springsteenverse? Planet Springsteen? Maybe I'll think of a catchier name as this goes along.

Anyways, there's this from The Promised Land: "Mister, I ain't a boy, no I'm a man." One album later, there's this from Two Hearts: "Someday these childish dreams must end / To become a man and grow up to dream again." So this idea of becoming a man is important and thematic throughout Springsteenland.

Walk Like a Man is an account of that transition from boy to man, focusing on the narrator's wedding day. There's probably three events that we can point to as traditional "you're a man now" moment's in a boy's life. His wedding, the birth of his child, and his father's death. There are other important moments, sure. First job. Driver's license. Sex. Moving out. Graduation. But if we're picking moments that can divide life on a B.M. / A.M (Before Man / After Man) timeline, then those first three are the big ones.

Back to the lyrics. There's a slight ambiguity in what the narrator is reflecting on, which could lead to two different readings of the line.

Reading A: Well, I was young and I didn't know what to do...[this moment in time was] when I saw your best steps stolen away from you.

Reading B: Well, I was young and I didn't know [how to react] when I saw your best steps stolen away from you

Reading A is a passive reflection. I saw you struggling, but I was young and naive. That's just where we we're both at in our lives. Reading B is more regretful. I was young, but I saw what was happening, and I couldn't figure out how to help. I subscribe to Reading B, and then next line: "Now I'll do what I can" is the narrator making an admission that he couldn't do anything before, but he'll make up for it now, in the only way he can: to 'walk like a man' just as he saw his father do.

There may not be too many Father/Son Wedding songs out there, but this one deserves a place on the list.