Lyrics Spotlight - American Land

"The McNicholas, the Posalski's, the Smiths, Zerillis, too
The Blacks, the Irish, Italians, the Germans and the Jews
Come across the water a thousand miles from home
With nothin in their bellies but the fire down below."
-- "American Land", Wrecking Ball

While this song spotlights the struggles and hopes of all immigrants, my mind immediately conjures up images of the 1880s Irish immigrants coming into New York City with nothing but their whiskey, potatoes, and shillelaghs.  Am I stereotyping?  Of course, but at least I've got the whole "I can make fun of my own people" thing going for me.  On that note, St. Patrick's Day is this weekend, and this song makes a perfect addition to any drinking playlist.   So have fun, stay safe, and make that beer flow through the faucets all night long.

(And just a side note, in regards to the lyrics spotlighted, so perhaps is shouldn't be a side note: is it just me, or does Bruce put a strange emphasis on "the Jews" when he sings this?  Perhaps he's just frustrated because everyone assumes he is Jewish based on his last name.)

"Peg O' My Heart" featuring Bruce Springsteen!

I guess technically this should be a video of the week, but I don’t care.  Bruce is definitely a fan of punk rock.  His cover of "London Calling", his playing with The Gaslight Anthem, and times he’s invited The Dropkick Murphy’s to play along with him.  However, one thing Bruce had not done before is appeared on a punk album.  That was until last year, when The Dropkick Murphy’s released Going Out In Style.  That album featured a punk cover of the traditional Irish ballad "Peg O' My Heart" featuring none other than Mr. Bruce Springsteen!

I've always enjoyed The Dropkick Murphy’s and I know they are big fans of Bruce Springsteen.  Their covers of “Badlands” and “Born In The USA” are some of my favorite covers of Bruce songs.  When Bruce invited them to play some of his songs on stage with them I thought it was really cool of Bruce to sort of give them “the rub.”  But I never thought Bruce would appear on one of their albums.  It almost seemed beneath him, to appear with a band that wasn’t anywhere near his level.  The Dropkick Murphy’s are hardly a “no-name” band, their appearance on the soundtrack to the 2006 film The Departed gave them huge exposure.  But when they go out and tour, they play concert halls, ballrooms,  and clubs.  Bruce plays major sports arenas and stadiums.  But after all these years I should know better than to doubt Bruce.

Anyways, this is a great performance of a great song off a great album featuring a great band and a great cameo by Bruce.  In other words, it’s great.  So enjoy!