Streets of Philadelphia

recording by Springsteen

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

"Streets of Philadelphia" is a 1994 hit song by Bruce Springsteen. The song was featured in the film Philadelphia, a drama addressing the AIDS crisis. Springsteen received both an Academy Award and a Grammy Award for this song. It is known for its poetic lyrics that touch upon the concerns of everyday Americans, a hallmark of Springsteen's songwriting.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Bruce Springsteen
Working-class hero
…first in eight years) “Streets of Philadelphia,” from the AIDS-related courtroom drama film Philadelphia, for which he won both an Academy Award and a Grammy Award.
Read More
…first in eight years) “Streets of Philadelphia,” from the AIDS-related courtroom drama film Philadelphia, for which he won both an Academy Award and a Grammy Award.
Read More