Bruce for Beginners - Steve's Playlist

For the second entry in our series of Bruce for Beginners playlists, I’m sharing a list I sent a friend who became a fan after he heard “Happy” played at my wedding (which means that my marriage is unequivocally a success). My list isn’t representative of his entire discography but it attempts to sample his many modes and styles.

1. Livin' In The Future – Magic
I decided to open with a more recent track, one that captures all the rock n’ roll fun but is easily digestible without long instrumental sections. It’s also not as popular as "Radio Nowhere," "The Rising," or "Working on a Dream" so it feels fresh but also in line with pre-conceived notions of Bruce Springsteen’s music.

2. Bobby Jean – Born in the U.S.A.
Similar thought process here, keep the energy up with a track from a popular album but a song you don’t hear on the radio. Also, it introduces his trademark sadness while still keeping you rocking out.

3. Downbound Train – Born in the U.S.A.
Continuing along those lines, we feel more pain and acquaint ourselves with Bruce’s songs of futility and depression.

4. The Promised Land – Darkness on the Edge of Town
More sadness but at least you can commiserate with the dogs on Main Street.

5. Reason to Believe – Nebraska
Slow it down a bit to introduce Bruce’s folk side and his ability to go minimalist.

6. The River – The River
It’s a bit early to be going sad Bruce back-to-back but "The River" is a must-listen. If you want to be a Bruce fan, you have to let him break your heart.

7. Rosalita – The Wild, The Innocent and The E Street Shuffle
Tracks 5, 6, and 7 are the testing ground of the playlist, they’re all a bit challenging (even though it’s fun, "Rosalita" is seven minutes long) but this triptych gives you distilled insight into everything you need to know about Bruce.

8. Lucky Town – Lucky Town
I’ve been a fan of this song since I first heard it during the opening credits of the forgotten Eric Bana poker movie, Lucky You.

9. Ain't Good Enough For You – The Promise (Disc 2)
Bruce knows how to rock in any decade; here he is at his most raw and carefree.

10. I'm Goin' Down – Born in the U.S.A.
Forever one of my favorite Bruce songs. Even though it’s about a soured relationship, I can’t help but smile every time I hear it.

11. All I'm Thinkin' About – Devils & Dust
Now a very different sound for Bruce that gives a taste of his range. It’s an uncanny song somewhere between Beautiful Bruce and Folk Bruce.

12. Nothing Man – The Rising
With the preparation of track 11, we go deep into Beautiful Bruce.

13. Sad Eyes – Tracks (Disc 4)
More soulful crooning with a ‘90s beat.

14. Lonesome Day – The Rising
This is the song that first fostered my Bruce obsession. Everything in life seems all right when Bruce tells you so.

15. Janey Don't You Lose Heart – Tracks (Disc 3)
What a chorus. Here’s another song that offers encouragement through the hard times, but does it in a subdued, confident manner.

16. Backstreets – Born to Run
“But I hated him, and I hated you when you went away.”

17. Thundercrack – Tracks Disc 1
Bruce’s greatest instrumental bridge. It’s not as accessible as "Rosalita" so I’ve saved it for the end but everyone in the band is rocking as hard as they can and you should too.

Stay tuned for OB’s Bruce for Beginners playlist and read Rory’s here.

Bruce For Beginners - Rory's Playlist

Loyal readers, I have some bad news to share with you.  I hope you are sitting down.  Ready?  OK, here goes:

Some people don't listen to Bruce Springsteen.

You still with me?  Shocking, I know.  It is especially true amongst the millennial generation.  The burden is on us, the loyal Bruce die-hards, to keep the legacy alive.  Now, I don't recommend strapping non-Bruce fans down Clockwork Orange-style and forcing them to listen to his discography continuously for a month (although I don't speak for all the editors of this blog).  The best solution would be to create a simple playlist to give help newcomers ease into the Boss's vast catalog.  I recently created one for my girlfriend, and I think I did a fairly good job of it if I do say so myself.  I decided to use one song from pretty much all Bruce musical eras.  The playlist ended up looking like this:

1. "For You" from Greetings From Asbury Park

This song is captures Bruce's early career perfectly.  The lyrics are all over the place, as it shows the youthful ambition of Bruce, trying to cram a little too many ideas into one song. 

2. "Rosalita" from The Wild, The Innocent, and The E Street Shuffle

As mentioned in High Fidelity, the second song on any compilation has to kick it up a notch from the first song.  Duly noted, Mr. Hornby.  I think "Rosalita" fulfills the notch-kicking requirement.

3. "Thundercrack" from Tracks

One of my all-time favorites from the early Bruce years.  As Bruce said when introducing this song at a concert I saw him at several years ago, "This used to be our show-stopper when there was nobody there to stop the show."

4. "Thunder Road" from Born To Run

I know it is fun to impress people with some obscure or underrated songs, but sometimes, you've just got to stick with the classics.  One of the first full Bruce albums my girlfriend downloaded after listening to this playlist was Born To Run.  I approve. 

5. "Badlands" from Darkness on the Edge of Town

Darkness is my favorite Springsteen album, and this track was one of the first Bruce songs I fell in love with back in high school. 

6. "The Promised Land" from Darkness on the Edge of Town

I couldn't help myself from putting two Darkness songs on here. This song has a soft spot in my heart for the ridiculous pantomiming I do during it.  

7. "Save My Love" from The Promise

Is this a taste of new Bruce, or a taste of old Bruce?  This song is very tough to categorize.  Either way, are we all in agreement that The Promise disc two is superior to disc one?  Perhaps a topic for another blog post.  

8. "Jackson Cage" from The River

The River doesn't have a lot of my favorite tunes, but, like the previous song, this is a quick, catchy ditty that shows that, around this time, Bruce was an automatic.  He could crank out three-minute hits in his sleep. 

9. "Stolen Car" from Tracks

Not The River version, but the "Beautiful Bruce" version from Tracks.  At this point in the mix, I'm bringing it down a little.  They can't all be hand-clappers and boot-stompers!

10. "Atlantic City" from Nebraska

Whenever somebody asks me my all-time favorite Bruce song, I can never give them a straight answer.  At one point, it was "Rosalita".  At another point, it was "Thunder Road".  The one thing I can say is that "Atlantic City" has always been in my top five.  I've never been burnt out on this song. 

11. "I'm On Fire" from Born in the U.S.A.

This is one of the most accessible songs for new Bruce fans, as it is one that sounds the most modern.  I hear a lot of current bands basing their style off of this Bruce hit.  This song became my girlfriend's favorite Bruce song after listening to this mix. 

12. "I'm Goin' Down" from Born in the U.S.A. 

Probably not the best song to put on a CD for your girlfriend, but whatever.  I couldn't do slower songs forever.  It's fun as hell and a damn great song.  Sorry for swearing like a hell damn ass king, but this song gets me pumped ever time I hear it.

13. "If I Should Fall Behind" from Lucky Town 

Here I was, trying to be all-romantic-like.  Feel free to insert your favorite song from Tunnel of Love, Human Touch, or Lucky Town in this spot. 

14. "Countin' On A Miracle" from The Rising 

The Rising, in general, is a great album to start a new Bruce fan off with.  It was extremely influential to all three of your Legends of Springsteen editors.  This is my favorite track off the album. 

15. "Long Time Comin'" from Devils & Dust

I wanted to represent Devils & Dust on this CD, but at this point, I didn't want anything too slow or depressing.  Plus, you get to hear Bruce say "Fuck!"  What a bad-ass. 

16. "O Mary Don't You Weep" from We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions

This is a fun track from an album that has grown on me more and more over the last six years.  Plus, it is important for the new Bruce fans to see Bruce's influences. 

17. "Livin' In The Future" from Magic 

Magic was stunning to me when it was released.  I couldn't believe an artist, so late into his career, could write an album this good.  "Livin' In The Future" is a fantastic track that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Bruce's greatest hits. 

And....that's all from me.  Stay tuned as both Steve and OB weigh in with their choices for beginning Bruce fans.