Legends of Springsteen's Legendary Super Bowl Picks!

Sure, this blog is just sputtering along, with only a handful of posts the last six months.  But, never fear!  We're back, with what you've all been craving: our Super Bowl picks!  Let 'er rip:

OB: Patriots 34, Eagles 28 (Overall 3-3)

Rory: Patriots 23, Eagles 20 (Overall 3-3)

Steve: Patriots 45, Eagles 7 (Overall 3-3)

There you have it.  With a combined record of 9-9, you can take those picks to the bank.  Or don't take them.  Let's end with something by quasi-related:

Enjoy the big game!

RIP Jonathan Demme, 1944-2017

We lost another legend this year in filmmaker Jonathan Demme.  Perhaps best remembered for Silence of the Lambs, he was notable to us Springsteen fan's for his "Streets of Philadelphia" video (the use of it in Demme's Philadelphia earned Springsteen an Oscar).  It should also be noted that Demme used Springsteen's "My Love Will Not Let You Down" in his final major film Ricki And The Flash.  He's truly a great director, and will be missed be all of us here.

The Great Albums - Born In The USA Podcast

The Great Albums is a music podcast that has been running for a little under two years, and I've been a fan since close to the beginning.  It is run by two dudes in their early 30s from New Jersey, where their goal is to discuss music as fans would, rather than critics.  Sound familiar?  Having Born To Run as one of their earliest episodes also helped hook me.  Since then, I've tuned into nearly every episode.  Not only does it help me discover new music, but I find their analysis helps me articulate my own musical opinions better.

This month, they are celebrating "Massive Album November", tackling extremely popular albums by extremely popular artists - Madonna, Pink Floyd, The Who, and, now, Bruce.  If you've got two hours, check out their Born In The USA podcast, and, if you are jonesing for more, they have a bonus episode featuring "Streets of Philadelphia".

Lyrics Spotlight - Streets of Philadelphia

"The night has fallen, I'm lyin' awake
I can feel myself fading away
So receive me brother with your faithless kiss
or will we leave each other alone like this
On the streets of Philadelphia"
--"Streets of Philadelphia", Greatest Hits

"Streets of Philadelphia" is one of the more controversial Springsteen songs, as Bruce tackles the issue of the AIDS epidemic, without ever mentioning the disease in question.  Furthermore, there doesn't seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel, as the song starts negative and goes further downhill by the end.  Fortunately, the same is not true when it comes to the disease in the real world, as scientists have recently cured a baby with HIV.  However, the secret behind the cure seems to be, frighteningly enough, bees.

That's right.  Bees.

Come on scienece, really?  Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I am not a scientist.  I attempt to read these articles, then my head hurts, then I close the window and move onto to posting about what I think I understood.  But, I think we can all agree that bees are still a menace to society.  I'd feel comfortable sharing a bottle of water with someone who had HIV, but if a bee comes anywhere within 15 feet of me I would freak out and flail my body to avoid its horrible sting.  Now you are saying bees might save thousands of lives?  I'm sorry, but this sounds like pro-bee propaganda.  Can we really trust these sticky flying monsters, especially after what they've done to Macaulay Culkin and Nicholas Cage?

Sure, curing a baby with HIV is an absolutely outstanding medical breakthrough that only an idiot would find fault in.  However, can't we find a better way to do it, preferably sans bees?

Springsteen Lyrics of the Week - Streets of Philadelphia

“Ain’t no angel gonna greet me,
It’s just you and I, my friend”
- Streets of Philadelphia, Philadelphia (Soundtrack)

Despite being a movie buff, I’ve still never seen the movie Philadelphia. I’ve always intended to but just haven’t gotten around to it. Without having seen the movie, I always feel the above lyrics give me a vivid picture of the movie. Extrapolating what I know about the movies, it feels like the above lyrics evocate the bond between Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington’s characters – two people where professional circumstance leads into a bond of friendship that neither expected. If I ever get around to watching the movie I’ll find out if that’s true but for now I enjoy having my version.

These lyrics speak to the randomness of circumstance; divine power is eschewed for the common man standing next to you. What I love about this is the sense that we don’t always know who the friend we need the most is going to be.

Top Ten Springsteen Road Trip Songs

Legends of Springsteen is excited to present a guest post from Mark Dowling, Springsteen fanatic and New York City-based improv performer and sketch writer.

Here’s a list of songs that are essential to any road trip playlist. They are broken up into two categories: Day Time and Night Time. The Day Time songs are the ones that you’re more likely to sing along with and get stares while stopped at a red light. The Night Time songs are the ones you kind of hum while your girlfriend sleeps in the passenger’s seat. It’s hard to pick just ten songs, which is why I cheat a little bit and double up.

Here’s the list!

Day Time

These are the songs that make you want to drive on a long stretch of highway on a sunny day with the windows rolled down and your sunglasses on.

1.Rosalita (The Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle)
2.Tenth Avenue Freeze Out (Born to Run)
3.The Promised Land (Darkness On the Edge of Town)
4.Pink Cadillac (Tracks)
5.Waitin’ On a Sunny Day / Lonesome Day (The Rising)

Also worth mentioning: “Darlington County” and "The E Street Shuffle."

Night Time

These are the songs you listen to on the long drive back. You’re on a dark empty road and all you have to guide you are your headlights.
1.Thunder Road / Backstreets (Born to Run)
2.I’m On Fire (Born in the U.S.A.)
3.The River (The River)
4.Streets of Philadelphia (Philadelphia Soundtrack)
5.Racing In the Street (Darkness On the Edge of Town)

“Jungleland” is a great song (am I going against the grain?) but it’s an obvious choice. I almost included “Secret Garden” but couldn’t find a place for it.

To make sure all of these where accurate choices, I tested each one of them out behind the wheel of my 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Springsteen Video of the Week - Bruce Wins an Oscar

At the 84th Annual Academy Awards last night, we saw a mere two nominees compete in the Best Original Song category. The category has been in a major decline for many years now due to ridiculous eligibility requirements and voting processes as well as an overall decline in heavily marketed original power ballads (Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” was nearly 15 years ago).

But instead of getting angry, let’s think back to a simpler time. March 21, 1994, to be precise, the day that The Boss became Oscar-winner Bruce Springsteen. The video above features Bruce’s Oscar performance of “Streets of Philadelphia” from Philadelphia followed by his win (announced with limited enthusiasm by Whitney Huston) and his moving acceptance speech laced with humility and praise for the power of popular art.

[Note: The only video I could find includes a Spanish commentator translating. Be not afraid, Bruce’s voice dominates.]