Like much of the Tunnel of Love album, "Brilliant Disguise" was recorded by Springsteen at his home studio, called Thrill Hill East, in Rumson, New Jersey.

Several members of the E Street Band, including Roy Bittan on keyboards (where the 40th Roland D-50 internal patch "Rock Organ" was heard), Danny Federici on organ and Max Weinberg on drums, were recorded during March, and overdubbed to the master by engineer Toby Scott.

[4] The emotions expressed in the song include confusion, jealousy and anxiety about whether the singer's wife has become a stranger to him.

[5] The parallels with Springsteen's personal life at the time are evident: he had recently married then-model and actress Julianne Phillips, and the two divorced in 1989.

[6] Both he and his wife continue to play their roles – he of a "faithful man", she of a "loving woman", but the singer is nonetheless wracked with self-doubt.

"[8] Springsteen stated "after '85 I'd had enough and turned inward to write about men, women and love, things that have previously been on the periphery of my work.

[6] The setting is the kitchen of a modest home, & the singer sits uncomfortably on the edge of a chair, facing the camera.

[6] He plays his guitar as he sings the lyrics about what it means to try to trust someone, looking straight into the camera, never flinching as it slowly pushes in, ending with an extreme close-up.