Given that everyone carries around smartphones, and you can access every song ever made at any time, day 18's "song you wish you heard on the radio" seems quaint. But I'll answer anyway:
I've written plenty of times about "Livin' In The Future". It feels like it should've been a hit, and I would love to still hear it on the radio (or in live shows, or at dentist's offices, or at weddings).
What song do you wish got more radio play, or anywhere play?
"Woke up Election Day, skies gunpowder and shades of gray
Beneath a dirty sun, I whistled my time away"
-- "Livin' in the Future", Magic
Long-time readers may be experiencing deja vu with this post, and they would be right. Fellow LOS writer Steve and I have referenced this lyric on every election day since 2008. We are truly a hilarious duo.
In last year's post, I encouraged everyone to "go out and vote", which, if you actually know me, is very uncharacteristic. I'm very against pro-voting rhetoric - in fact, I didn't even vote in 2012. I have various thoughts about the election process that I really can't devote the time and energy to properly present on this little blog; but basically, I feel that choosing not to vote is a personal choice that should be respected.
However, I also believe in the maxim "if you don't vote, don't complain." Having not voted in 2012, I'm proud to say that I really haven't complained. LOS writer OB and I frequently discuss politics, and while I have had my share of complaints with the country, I have not directed my frustration at the Obama administration. With that being said, I will not be whistling my time away this year. I fully plan to vote, not for patriotic reasons, but for whining reasons. If my candidate loses, I really want to feel justified in my whinging and belly-aching for the next four years.
So, unlike last year's call to vote, this year, I'll just say: vote, or don't. It's really up to you. I'm just in it for the complaining.
If you wanna see me
You know I'm easily found
Just climb the stairs where we used to live
Wrap your fist 'round my heart
Yeah, you know how it pound, pound, pound
- “Everything is Easy”, Third Eye Blind
Okay, so this one is a bit if a stretch. In fact, I didn't even notice it myself. The AbsolutePunk review had to alert me to this slight “Darkness on the Edge of Town” reference. But it's an excuse to talk about one of my other favorite bands, Third Eye Blind.
Third Eye Blind’s fifth album Dopamine was just released last month, nearly 20 years after their debut album. So they certainly don’t share Bruce’s prolific level of output. But there are two distinct similarities: their sense of location and their propensity to tell sad stories set to a snappy beat.
In terms of location, their hometown of San Francisco penetrates many of their songs, even when it’s about its absence and the feeling of being an outsider in locations like New York City ("Motorcycle Drive By"), Los Angeles ("Forget Myself"), or London ("London").
Third Eye Blind has gone through several band member rotations and it’s clear that Stephan Jenkins is the heart and soul of the band while the rest are “salaried employees” (to quote Max Weinberg talking about The E Street Band).
Lyrical complexity is one of Third Eye Blind’s strongest traits (the music speaks for itself and Jenkins has stated its importance to him in interviews). Like Springsteen, this complexity can lead to frequently misunderstood songs. But Third Eye Blind’s music gets misconstrued in a way different to Springsteen’s. Bruce’s stories are usually straightforward with clear characters that have clear - if misguided - motivations. Jenkins' lyrics on the other hand often need a Lit major and/or a pervert to decode them. For example: “But the light, it falls on my castle walls; And my basketballs pelt me with bricks in my dreams” – An Ode to Maybe
What these two bands have most in common though is that they so effectively set downbeat stories to upbeat tempos. Songs like “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Blinded,” and now “Everything is Easy” are dirtier, angst-ridden variations of the classic Springsteen "happy/sad" song we dance our hearts out to like “I’m Goin’ Down,” “Livin’ in the Future,” or “Bobby Jean.”
What do you think? Is Third Eye Blind truly under the influence of Springsteen? Or are these passing coincidences?
As Rory mentioned recently in relation to "The Promised Land," we’re always susceptible to Bruce’s slowed-down acoustic versions of his hard rock singles. This got me thinking, which hard rocking song would I most like to hear performed acoustic but never have? For me, the answer is “Lucky Town.”
Of course, Bruce being a prolific experimenter and the Internet being a never-ending cache of live performance footage, I was able to find this pretty quickly. Bruce performed “Lucky Town” a few times during the Devils & Dust tour in 2005. Like so many of his acoustic versions, the lyrics take on a new sense of poignancy when delivered slower and unencumbered by a mass of instruments. In particular, I enjoyed hearing my favorite lyrics in this version: “I got dirt on my hands but I’m building me a new home.”
Are there any of Bruce’s classic rock songs that haven’t received the acoustic treatment yet? I’d be interested in hearing “Livin’ in the Future” acoustic but I feel that we get a good taste of that from the slower version he performed live during the Magic tour.
What is your favorite acoustic version of a Bruce classic? Which song hasn’t received the treatment yet but deserves it the most?
Six years ago today, Bruce Springsteen released his fifteenth studio album, Magic. It was his first album with the E Street Band since The Rising, which was more or less the gateway album into my fandom (as it was for many younger Springsteen fans). With that in mind, Magic had a lot to live up to - the last two albums, while they have grown on me in retrospect, were not the classic Springsteen sound that hooked me.
A month before the full album dropped, the first single "Radio Nowhere" was released. While it was not a particularly groundbreaking or deep song (as many critics noted, it shared much in common with Tommy Tutone), it was a wake-up call that the Boss was back, and making sure we were all ready to join him. When the album was finally released, I was immediately hooked. After maybe a day (or an hour) of trying to be skeptical or nit-picky about the album, I just knew that Springsteen had released another classic album. Like The Rising, the tracks were at once catchy rock tunes and very political. Whereas The Rising spoke to the strength of America post-9/11, Magic spoke towards the mistakes we've made as a country, believing the lies of our leaders, and how it is our job to both acknowledge and solve the problems we've created. It encapsulated a dark-yet-hopeful feeling, as opposed to Wrecking Ball's dark-and-angry feeling. I saw two shows during the Magic tour, and I loved Springsteen's preambles introducing the new songs, such as "Livin' In The Future":
However, I really haven't given the album much of a listen in several years, and many songs from it were noticeably absent in the Working on a Dream and Wrecking Ball tours. So, in the interests of the current blog post you are reading, I decided to re-immerse myself in Magic, hoping it didn't lose any of its...um...charm. Instead of keeping you in suspense, I'll let you know up front: it is still amazing.
What is really outstanding about the album is it is just chock full of songs that, had they been released earlier in Springsteen's career, would be iconic hits for the boss. The zenith of the album is "Livin' In The Future", which brings back the classic E Street sound from the Greetings from Asbury Park days. In the track, the band is fast and free-wheeling, perhaps being influenced by the Seeger Sessions. The lyrics are Springsteen turned up to his "Madman drummer bomber" level of zaniness, as we are treated to monkeys on leashes and barrel-piston-esque boot heels.
On a side note: Regarding the lyrics, each election year, fellow Legends of Springsteen writer Steve and I have a tradition based on "Livin' In The Future". On the first Tuesday in November, Steve will update his Facebook status with "Woke up election day. Sky's gunpowder and shades of grey." I, dutifully, update mine with "Beneath the dirty sun, I whistle my time away." While Steve's update generally receives little notice, mine usually sends a message that I'm being lazy, and have often received messages reminding me to get out there and vote (my general cynicism about politics also plays a roll in this perception). Now, you may be wondering what this has to do with the album Magic, and you'd be right. Moving on....
"Girls In Their Summer Clothes" was the album's biggest hit, as it encapsulated a unique and specific summer feeling that is rarely touched upon - the summer song of the aging. Trust me, when I go to the Jersey shore and start seeing how much younger everyone than me is, you can be certain that I always grimly shake my head, put my headphones on, dial up "Girls In Their Summer Clothes", and slowly walk away. I really do watch too many movies.
But the albums hits don't stop there. "I'll Work For Your Love" also sounds like an early Springsteen track, as the haunting piano and religious imagery were Springsteen's modus operandi in the Born to Run era. "Long Walk Home" is an amazing companion piece to "My Hometown" - you could easily see one segueing into another during a concert. Even when Springsteen goes slower and sadder on this album, he absolutely nails it, making "Terry's Song", a tribute to Terry Magovern, a touching tribute that I'll write into my will to be played at my funeral.
And that just concludes what I consider to be the A-list songs, but there are several songs that are solid additions to the Springsteen catalog, such as the aforementioned "Radio Nowhere", "Gypsy Rider" (this is a near classic, as the opening is amazing, but I just wish it was more subdued throughout the whole song), and "Last To Die" (could have easily switched places with "Radio Nowhere" as the leading single, but the lyrics may have been too political). If I had to list any criticisms, it would be that sometimes Bruce's voice is over-manipulated (as in "You'll Be Comin' Down Now"), making him sound flatter and removing the "raw" quality from his voice. Also, the title track leaves me flat, as it is too dark for my tastes, yet the tune of the song is not that bad (it could easily be re-appropriated into a love song), and it is the shortest song on the track.
As I mentioned before, this album is an instant classic, and I'd easily rank it among Springsteen's ten best, if not in the top five. It is a shame that we don't hear Springsteen play more tracks from this album in concert, as not hearing it live could make fans reluctant to continue to listen to it. So, if you have overlooked this album recently (as I had before this article), do yourself a favor and give it another spin - you won't be disappointed.
"Woke up Election Day, skies gunpowder and shades of gray
Beneath a dirty sun, I whistled my time away"
-- "Livin' in the Future", Magic
"Livin' in the Future" is quickly becoming one of Springsteen's most underrated songs. Played frequently during the Magic tour, it as all but disappeared from his current concert setlists. Springsteen would always introduce the song with a rousing introduction - "This song's called 'Livin' in the Future', but it's about what's happening NOW!" Even five years later, the song is still about what's happening now - people ignoring their current situations, insisting that they've moved past their problems and into a better state of life. The song is an indictment of the lackadaisical state of our country - instead of choosing a leader, people are whistling their time away.
So, the morale of the story is - go out and vote. Or, failing that, re-listen to Magic. The lack of Magic songs on Bruce's current tour is a true tragedy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’s latest track, “Jack of All Trades,” has a very romantic sound and a reassuring chorus that becomes considerably less comforting by the time we get to the dark, sinister ending.
The song reminds me somewhat of “Livin’ in the Future” – a song whose weight I didn’t fully appreciate until I heard it played live and slowed down.
It should be noted that Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine guests on this track playing electric guitar. After hearing his accompaniment on the live version of “Ghost of Tom Joad,” I was really excited that the two were pairing again. However, while Morello’s solo at the 5:00 minute mark is strong and nicely integrated, what really strikes me in this song is the horn section. I have a feeling this is a song Bruce is going to play frequently and with heartfelt solemnity.
