- The lyrics are based on Springsteen's adolescence. He did not fit in at school and was constantly at odds with his father, who wanted him to get a real job.
- Springsteen performed this at most of his concerts in the '70s and '80s. He would often lead into it with stories of his youth.
- This was one of the songs that convinced Columbia Records to sign Springsteen. In 1972, he got an audition with John Hammond, who had also signed Bob Dylan to Columbia. What was supposed to be a short meeting turned into a 2 hour audition, with "Growin' Up" as one of the highlights.
- Springsteen's backup band did not have a name when this album was released. On their next one, they were christened The E Street Band.
- The version on his box set Live 195-1985 was recorded at the Roxy in 1978. Springsteen intros it with a rant about growing up in New Jersey.
- David Bowie recorded this in 1974, but his version was not released until the 1990 CD issue of his covers album Pin-Ups.
- This was used in the 1999 Adam Sandler movie Big Daddy.
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