Monday Motivation: Springsteen Songs to Save a Bad Week

Having a bad week? And it’s only Monday? Springsteen doesn’t go hand-in-hand with upbeat, feel good music, but there’s something about The Boss that can pull you out of your deepest doldrums. Here’s a playlist designed to improve your perspective in just 30 minutes.

1. "Reason to Believe" (Nebraska) – If you’re feeling down, chances are you’ll need to stew a little before you can start climbing out of your funk. So, start things off by commiserating with “Reason to Believe.” Yes, the song is traced with cynicism but there’s also recognition that no matter how bad it gets, you can still find a reason to believe.



2. "Tougher than the Rest" (Tunnel of Love) – Okay, so you’re feeling like you aren’t alone any more in your state of despondence. But that’s not just it. In fact, you’re not just anybody. You can get through this. You’re tougher than the rest.



3. "Better Days" (Lucky Town) – “Every fool's got a reason to feelin' sorry for himself.” And Bruce is right. You know what? Things aren’t so bad. In fact they’ve been worse. It’s time to start counting your blessings.



4. "Thunder Road" (Born to Run) – Alright, time to start tapping your feet and boosting your confidence. You can’t be kept down. After all, it’s a town full of losers and you’re pulling out of here to wiiiiinnnnnn.



5. "Rosalita" (The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle) – That bad mood you were in? The things that were nagging at you? Almost completely gone. The only thing needed to eradicate them completely? Crank up the volume and revel in the unbridled joy of youthful abandon.




What Springsteen songs do you turn to when you need a boost?

Springsteen Video Of The Week- "It's Been A Long Time"

"It's Been A Long Time"- Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes (Featuring Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Van Zandt)

Ah Southside Johnny, the other guy who made Asbury Park famous.  In a more perfect world, Southside Johnny would be much more famous, but unfortunately that's just not the case.  Southside Johnny was a major influence on Bruce and Bon Jovi and is barely known outside of South Jersey, while Bruce and Jon tour the world playing major stadiums.  However even though he's a fraction as popular as Springsteen and Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes have legions of their own fans and they're as hardcore about him, as we are about Bruce.  And it doesn't hurt to have Bruce Springsteen as one of your biggest fans.

It was actually this song that introduced me to Southside Johnny.  I had heard his name mentioned before, however didn't know much about him.  But I came across this video a few years back on YouTube, and liked it so much that I immediately bought Southside's Better Days album, which featured this song.  And ever since then, I have called myself a fan of Southside Johnny.