I'm Goin' Down

"I'm Goin' Down"
Cover of Bruce Springsteen single showing the singer wearing a black suit and crouched in front of a dark urban background
Single by Bruce Springsteen
from the album Born in the U.S.A.
B-side
  • "Janey, Don't You Lose Heart" (7-inch and 12-inch singles)
  • "Held Up Without a Gun" (12-inch single only)
ReleasedAugust 27, 1985 (1985-08-27)
RecordedMay 12–13, 1982
StudioPower Station, New York City
GenreRock
Length3:29
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Bruce Springsteen
Producer(s)
Bruce Springsteen singles chronology
"Glory Days"
(1985)
"I'm Goin' Down"
(1985)
"My Hometown"
(1985)

"I'm Goin' Down" is a rock song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. It was released on August 27, 1985 by Columbia Records as the sixth single from his 1984 album Born in the U.S.A. The song was recorded with the E Street Band in May 1982 at Power Station studio in New York City, and co-produced by Springsteen, Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, and Steve Van Zandt. Although Springsteen had changing ideas about the songs to put on the album, "I'm Goin' Down" was ultimately selected for inclusion.

The recording is based on an energetic band performance that gives prominence to a heavy drum sound. The lyrics focus on sexual frustration in a deteriorating relationship. The single reached No. 9 on both Billboard and Cash Box and top 30 in Sweden, Italy, and Canada. On the album's release, it was praised by critics for the band's musicianship and Springsteen's vocals and lyrics. Later it received favorable rankings in retrospectives of Springsteen's career, among which was an NME list calling it his fourth best song.

Springsteen has not often performed the song since the Born in the U.S.A. Tour. Between 2002 and 2023, it appeared on about 6.5 percent of the set lists published on his official website. "I'm Goin' Down" has been covered by Frank Black and the Catholics, Trampled by Turtles, Free Energy, Vampire Weekend, and other artists.