Lyrics Spotlight: "Worlds Apart"

Author's note:  The views and opinions expressed in this post are mine and mine alone, and do not necessarily reflect the other writers at Legends of Springsteen,  or the website as a whole.  Thank you.

"Sometimes the truth just ain't enough,
But it's too much in times likes this."- "Worlds Apart", The Rising




Last week, Bill Maher and Ben Affleck made headlines on Maher's HBO show "Real Time With Bill Maher", when they got into a heated debate on the Islamic faith.  Even though I'm fairly conservative, and Maher is staunchly liberal, I do watch his show every week.  Part of the reason is the intellectual reward of wanting to broaden my horizons and hear the counter-thoughts to my views so I can fully understand issues.  However another part, and major part at that, is because I like how angry shows like this make me and strengthen my own conservative arguments.

However, even though I usually can't stand Maher, I absolutely agreed with him on this issue.  It got me thinking about the Springsteen song "Worlds Apart", which musically and lyrically compare and contrast Eastern and Western cultures.  Maher is an unapologetic critic of all organized religion, but has said "All religion is disease.  But Christianity is herpes, and Islam is cancer."  I thought about the above Springsteen lyrics during this debate, when Maher and author Sam Harris plead for fellow liberals to stand up for their liberal values and face the ugly truth that sometimes criticizing someone other than White Christian Males, which liberals are always fine with criticizing, is sometimes acceptable.  But notice, even before they get to that point that Ben Affleck, another staunch liberal, seems to sense where this conversation is going.  Before Harris is even finished with his point, Affleck is combative and dismissive of his credentials.  When Harris confirms that he has studied Islamic culture extensively, Affleck give him an incredibly passive-aggressive comment of "I was just asking."   And the whole debate is downhill from that point, and neither really seems to listen to one another.  Maher asks his fellow liberals to examine the facts and not just label criticism of Islam as bigoted.  Affleck, overwhelmed by anger and emotion, lashes out and calls Maher a bigot.  "Sometimes the truth just ain't enough,  But it's too much in times likes this."  Worlds Apart, indeed.

Springsteen Lyrics of the Week: I'll Work For Your Love

"Now our city of peace has crumbled
Our book of faith's been tossed
And I'm just out here searchin'
For my own piece of the cross" - "I'll Work For Your Love", Magic


"I'll Work For Your Love" is easily one of my top 5 songs Bruce put out in the new millennium.  It's catchy, with a great chorus and fantastic imagery in the lyrics.  The song makes references and nods to Christianity, specifically the Roman Catholic Faith.  Bruce has made many references to being raised Catholic, but it isn't something he talks about that he currently practices.  But as a Catholic, I can tell you it's not something you can just take and pick up when you feel like it.  It's ingrained you.  Even people who leave the Catholic Church, have a hard time leaving the messages and teachings.


Throughout the song, an unnamed 1st person character sings to the object of his affection, Theresa.  It's no surprise Bruce used the name Theresa, as it is one of the most important female names in the Catholic Faith.  At times I've wondered if Theresa might be Terry from "Backstreets".  30 years later, all grown up, maybe a little worse for the wear.  Theresa definitely seems to have hardships of her life.  When describing her he makes reference to The Stations of The Cross and crown of thorns.  But there's something more to her than just sorrow and pain, she also has redemption.  Redemption and salvation are the cornerstones of Christianity.  Finally he refers to their possible future, as a book of faith (The Bible) and more specifically the Book of Revelations.  The character swears he will not take her love for granted, he's ready to work for it.  He has a great faith in their future together. 


Bruce has often mixed the faith of love and religion together, but never so much as he has in this song.  The concept faith, is used interchangeably between a faith in their love together, and a faith in God, perhaps who brought these two together.  Faith that no matter what obstacles are placed in front of him, he can overcome them with Faith.  

Springsteen Lyrics of the Week - Rocky Ground

"Jesus said the money changers in this temple will not stand"
- Rocky Ground, Wrecking Ball

In a song chock full of powerful religious iconography, these lyrics speak to me the most. I like that they are emphatic and forceful without suggesting violence, unlike so much else on the Wrecking Ball album.