The 30 Day Song Challenge, Day 8

Day 8? More like Day Great!

As we careen past a week of Springsteen songs, we encounter yet another day that could have multiple answers.  While Bruce can write some crazy lyrics, there's easily a handful of songs we all know by heart.  Here's the choice for today:

When I first got into Springsteen, I was obsessed with "Thunder Road" - it could easily have been the choice for day one of the challenge.  I tried to insert "Thunder Road" lyrics into most aspects in my high school / early college days, whether it be in my Facebook profile, AOL Instant Messenger away messages, or anything else that reminds me of how old I am.

Feel free to add your favorite Springsteen songs you can karaoke to without a screen in the comments.

Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger - "Thunder Road", 10/3/1980

With Springsteen's tour kicking into full gear shortly, I'm sure there will be many surprise guest musicians.  With that in mind, today we spotlight the original "Seger Session" from 1980.  The audio is rough, but it is such a rare combination that it is worth a listen.  In the comments, let us know your favorite Bruce surprise guest, and who you'd like to see on the upcoming tour!

Song Spotlight - "Thunder Road"

Key Live Performance



Bruce chose to open his set at the 2012 Hard Rock Calling festival in London’s Hyde Park with a barebones version of “Thunder Road” accompanied only by Roy Bittan on piano. With his arms frequently folded behind his back, Bruce croons the lyrics to “Thunder Road” with the wistful restraint of a man who has been singing this song for 30+ years but hasn’t forgotten how important it was to him the day he wrote it. One of my favorite parts of this video is at the 0:28 second mark where a young couple cheer and kiss when they realize what song Bruce is playing. It makes me think of the joy my wife and I experienced the first time we both heard him play Rosalita live.

Key Lyrics

“It's town full of losers
And I'm pulling out of here to win”

“Thunder Road” is chock full of indelible lyrics but it’s this final exultation that serves as the rally cry for not only the Born to Run album but in many ways, Bruce’s entire career.

Overall

For many years I resisted this song because I had trouble embracing the instrumental conclusion. On the one hand I appreciate it as a lovely piece of music. But on the other, I can’t help not imagining it as what would be played if there was ever a commercial for a cheesy Springsteen-themed Broadway musical. You know, something between the real ads for Movin’ Out and this Ben Stiller parody of a Tom Cruise one-man show.

I’m pleased to say though that I’ve finally grown past this and come to embrace it with all my heart. “Show a little faith there's magic in the night”; “I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk”; “The door's open but the ride ain't free”… It’s not just some of Bruce’s finest writing, it’s some of the best pop music writing in history.

Monday Motivation: Springsteen Songs to Save a Bad Week

Having a bad week? And it’s only Monday? Springsteen doesn’t go hand-in-hand with upbeat, feel good music, but there’s something about The Boss that can pull you out of your deepest doldrums. Here’s a playlist designed to improve your perspective in just 30 minutes.

1. "Reason to Believe" (Nebraska) – If you’re feeling down, chances are you’ll need to stew a little before you can start climbing out of your funk. So, start things off by commiserating with “Reason to Believe.” Yes, the song is traced with cynicism but there’s also recognition that no matter how bad it gets, you can still find a reason to believe.



2. "Tougher than the Rest" (Tunnel of Love) – Okay, so you’re feeling like you aren’t alone any more in your state of despondence. But that’s not just it. In fact, you’re not just anybody. You can get through this. You’re tougher than the rest.



3. "Better Days" (Lucky Town) – “Every fool's got a reason to feelin' sorry for himself.” And Bruce is right. You know what? Things aren’t so bad. In fact they’ve been worse. It’s time to start counting your blessings.



4. "Thunder Road" (Born to Run) – Alright, time to start tapping your feet and boosting your confidence. You can’t be kept down. After all, it’s a town full of losers and you’re pulling out of here to wiiiiinnnnnn.



5. "Rosalita" (The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle) – That bad mood you were in? The things that were nagging at you? Almost completely gone. The only thing needed to eradicate them completely? Crank up the volume and revel in the unbridled joy of youthful abandon.




What Springsteen songs do you turn to when you need a boost?

Lyrics Spotlight - "Long Walk Home"

My father said "Son, we're lucky in this town,
It's a beautiful place to be born.
It just wraps its arms around you,
Nobody crowds you and nobody goes it alone"
- "Long Walk Home", Magic

There's nothing that takes me back to my care-free childhood than long summer days spent exploring for adventure in the suburbs.  When hitting those teenage years, though, those small towns become even smaller, and I yearned for more.  It's the sentiment perfectly captured on "Thunder Road": "It's town full of losers, and I'm pulling out of here to win."

However, in "Long Walk Home", written over 30 years since "Thunder Road", Bruce is now softened to his hard stance on those small New Jersey communities, talking about how they accept you and will make you stronger.  I can't quite decide if Bruce is speaking as the father or the son in this song, but I feel either interpretation could work.  While I wouldn't throw the same accolades on my hometown as Bruce does in this song, my angst-driven feelings on it have softened throughout the years.  I don't feel it's arms around me, but it isn't a town full of losers, either.  Perhaps in another 30 years, I'll have come around to Springsteen's point-of-view.  So, please make sure to e-mail me on July 8th, 2044, just to see where I'm at.

Blu-ray Review: Springsteen & I

“Does anyone love their fans as much as Bruce?” That’s the question I posed a few weeks ago when BruceSpringsteen.net posted a “thank you” video to attendees of the Wrecking Ball Tour cut to an unreleased version of Bruce’s cover of “Dream Baby Dream.” Springsteen & I is a new a crowd-sourced documentary about the emotional connection fans feel to Springsteen. Purposefully, the film opens with with a clip of Springsteen in concert, telling the crowd that he can’t do it without their support. Springsteen & I is equal parts love letter to Springsteen and love letter to Springsteen’s fans.

When the filmmakers announced their call for submissions last November, inviting the entire world to upload video footage describing their connection to Bruce, I uploaded a video of my wife and I having our first dance to “Happy.” A year later, the finished film is so perfect that I’m only a little sad we didn’t make the cut.

The footage of fans’ first-person professions of love is intermingled with a healthy proportion of Springsteen performance footage from different venues and decades. Fans of all ages, races, ethnicities and nationalities are featured in the film. Included in the footage are monologues, three-word descriptions, visual representations, sprawling dialogues, and more. Many of the submissions are charmingly unpolished. Credit goes to the filmmakers that they don’t shy away from displaying a few submissions that teeter on the edge of unhealthy obsession.

Out of the tales, the live concert recollections are definitely the most powerful. I felt ridiculous, but I found myself choking back tears throughout the film. Forget any sentimental Oscar-bait coming out later this year; Springsteen & I is the true tearjerker of 2013. Well, at least for the Springsteen indoctrinated. I’m not sure how non-fans or casual fans would respond to this film – and I’d be fascinated to hear their reactions. Springsteen & I isn’t a life-changing experience. If you’re watching the film, chances are that Bruce Springsteen has already changed your life.

My own memories of concert experiences came flooding back to me throughout the film… Unexpectedly scoring day-of tickets to his first night at the Meadowlands on the Working on a Dream tour and being closer to Bruce than I ever imagined. Taking my Mom to see her first ever Springsteen concert. Watching Bruce blow out candles on his 63rd birthday at 2:00 in the morning after a three-hour weather delay. The ecstatic embrace my wife and I felt in Louisville when we heard “Rosalita” performed live together for the first time.

I’m still sad that I wasn’t able to see Springsteen & I in the movie theater to experience the communal atmosphere that accompanies those concert memories, but seeing it on this stunning Blu-ray is a great consolation. The bonus features include 30+ minutes of concert footage from Hard Rock Calling 2012, which is worth the price of the Blu-ray alone. The performances include a stripped-down, tear-inducing version of “Thunder Road” (introduced by Bruce as the first song he ever played on British soil) and the infamous duet with Paul McCartney on “Twist & Shout” (in all its uninterrupted glory). Between this and the Hard Rock Calling 2009 Blu-ray, I’ve vowed that if he ever plays Hyde Park again, I need to find a way to go see him there in person.

Also included are four uncut fan submissions. Each one is beautiful and artistic in its own way. My favorite is by Rogerio from Brazil. It details his odyssey to see Springsteen in concert through the use of stop-animation. The final special feature involves a few of the lucky fans featured in the movie getting to meet Bruce back-stage after a concert. Bruce interacts with his fans in the kind of personalized, intimate manner you’d imagine based on the many legends of fan-interaction we’ve heard over the years.

Springsteen & I is an accomplishment of diligent curating and masterful editing. The right clip in the wrong place could have seriously derailed the film, but the filmmakers never take a misstep. A sequence containing a man in his car crying as he talks about Springsteen easily could have been risible if it had been inserted with less grace.

Some of the film’s simplest moments are also its most profound. Early in the film, a young girl states that she likes Bruce Springsteen because he puts so much effort into every song. But my favorite part involved a lovesick young man who brought a sign saying “Hi Bruce, I just got dumped.” Springsteen reads the sign and asks the young man, “What happened?” “She didn’t think I was spending enough time with her,” the young man responds. “You probably weren’t,” Bruce advises before giving the man a hug. And that’s the Springsteen wisdom encapsulated. He offers truthful, sobering commentary, but he also offers compassion and comfort.

I’m hard-pressed to think of anything else to sum up the experience of watching Springsteen & I than to merely echo the chorus of voices that conclude the film: “Thank you, Bruce.”

More: Springsteen & I theatrical review

Bruce Springsteen and the Sesame Street Band

Several months ago, my wife and I were babysitting our niece and after a few hours of reading books and playing with toys, the method of entertainment turned to watching YouTube videos on an iPhone. Our niece repeatedly requested “Ernie” and following back-to-back viewings of “Rubber Ducky,” we began searching for other Sesame Street videos to watch. Knowing that Sesame Street has a history of pop culture awareness and celebrity guest stars, I went out on a limb and searched for “Sesame Street” and “Springsteen.” While I didn’t find a clip of Bruce himself on Sesame Street, I was delighted to find two parody songs: “Born to Add” and “Barn in the U.S.A.”






Of the two, “Born to Add” is clearly the better song. It captures the melody and energy of three Springsteen classics (“Born to Run,” “Jungleland,” and “Thunder Road”) very nicely without making it too hard rockin’ for kids. It even amalgamates the three songs so smoothly that I didn’t realize it was a medley until I read it in the YouTube comments. It also features a nice nod to the Jersey Shore.

For my taste, the melody of “Barn in the U.S.A.” sounds a bit too threatening and almost demonic. However, it has a lot of animals, which is a surefire way to spark interest with kids. I also love the Bruce puppet in this one.

Whichever song you prefer, I love that these exist. Hats off to the good people at Sesame Street. These videos not only give adults access points to child-friendly entertainment but also do their part to introduce the magic of Springsteen to kids at an early age!

Springsteen Lyrics Of The Week: "I Wanna Be With You"

"I don't understand it,
you're not pretty at all.
But I'll come when you whisper,
I'll run when you call. " - "I Wanna Be With You", Tracks

Bruce has never been the shallow type.  He rarely mentions a girl's physical appearance and instead relies on describing the beauty of her soul and the connection he has with her.  You can tell by the way Bruce sings about her, that in his eyes it's the most beautiful girl in the world, it'd almost be insulting to talk about her physical attributes in such a way.  Occasionally he does, but it's not often.  But in this song, one that sings of devotion (bordering on obsession), he makes a specific point of saying that she isn't a good looking girl.  Ouch.  I mean even in "Thunder Road" she wasn't a beauty, but hey she's alright.

What's great about these lyrics is it's not if the singer was saying "hey ugly, you're not gonna do any better than me, so you might as well take it."  The singer is perplexed by this undying love too, but doesn't question it.  I've always loved this song, and can't believe it didn't get released until Tracks, and even since then is rarely played live.  It's a shame, but despite the catchy chorus and infectious guitar riff lies some great lyrics.  If Bruce stripped this down, and played it at just a piano at a slower tempo it'd be a beautiful ballad.

Springsteen Lyrics Of The Week- "Thunder Road"

"Roy Orbison singing for the lonely"- Thunder Road, Born To Run


Roy Orbison is one of those artists I just never appreciated.  I just thought he was the old timer with the sunglasses and the funny voice who wrote songs for Van Halen to make better.  It wasn't until I heard Springsteen declare his undying support for him, that I finally realized "Hey, maybe I was wrong."

And was I ever wrong.  While I'm still far from a fanatic of Roy Orbison, I've come to appreciate so much more after learning of his influence on Bruce.  He's one of the most legendary voices in rock n' roll, and an influence on practically ever songwriter to come after him.  Bruce had the privilege to play with him in the concert "Roy Orbison and Friends: Black and White", which was a celebration of Orbison's music and one of the best concerts you will ever see.  I highly recommend it.  Bruce also had the honor of inducting him into the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame.  With all fanatics Bruce has, it's so odd to see him humbled by someone else, but that's the only way to describe Bruce's introduction.

"In 1970, I rode for fifteen hours in the back of a U-haul truck to open for Roy Orbison at the Nashville Music Fair. It was a summer night and I was 20 years old, and Orbison came out in dark glasses, a dark suit and he played some dark music. In 1974, just prior to going into the studio to record my album Born To Run, I was looking at Duane Eddy for his guitar sound and I was listening to a collection of Phil Spector's records and Orbison's All-Time Greatest Hits. I'd lay in bed at night with just the lights of my stereo on and I'd hear 'Crying', 'Love Hurts', 'Running Scared', 'Only The Lonely', and and 'It's Over' filling my room. Orbison's voice was unearthly. He had the ability, like all great Rock and Rollers, to sound like he dropped in from another planet and yet get the stuff that was right to the heart of what you were livin' in today, and it was how he opened up your vision. I carry his records with me when I go on tour today, and I'll always remember what he means to me and what he meant to me when I was young and afraid to love. In 1975, when I went into the studio to record, Born To Run, I wanted to make a record with words like Bob Dylan, that sounded like Phil Spector's productions, but most of all I wanted to sing like Roy Orbison. Now, everybody knows that nobody sings like Roy Orbison."

- Bruce Springsteen (Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Speech, January 21, 1987

Springsteen Video of the Week - Light of Day Charity

Legends of Springsteen has been in business for just over five months now, and this is our 100th post.  On that note, on behalf of the other two editors, I'd like to thank our readers, especially those who contributed guest posts.  I have to say, some weeks are tougher than others in finding new content.  We are mere fans, doing this as a hobby.  Our time and resources are limited, and there are times where it has been tough to find a new post-worthy video each week.  However, every once in a while, I'll stumble across something on the internet that will surprise and inspire me to keep going at this labor of love.

The above video is from earlier this year, as Bruce is performing "Thunder Road" with Bob Benjamin.  I had no idea who Bob Benjamin was, or the context of this video (the Youtube description was very sparse, as well).  So, after a quick trip to Google, I found the Light of Day foundation.  This foundation supports research to cure Parkinson's disease, has been around for eleven years, and has had strong support from Springsteen the whole time (while he didn't start the charity, it was named after his song).

Now, this charity may be well known by many Springsteen fans already.  But, to borrow a line from NBC's mid-90s summer reruns, I haven't seen it, so it is new to me.  If you'd like to donate, you can click here.  I usually like to do research on any charity I donate to, but a Springsteen-endorsement is good enough for me.  I mean, who hasn't given to the food bank of your local city by now?  Plus, this website has pictures of Michael J. Fox rocking out with the Boss.  How cool is that?

First Drafts - Wings for Wheels (Thunder Road)

In this new series of articles, we'll be taking a look at the early versions of Bruce songs that later became classics.  First up, "Wings for Wheels", which later became the seminal "Thunder Road".





I remember Tom Petty once remarking that he write his music first, then plugs in lyrics that match.  This explanation can account for some of his nonsensical and bizarre lyrics in songs such as "Free Falling."  In "Wings for Wheels," we can see that Springsteen takes a different approach.  Both the music and the lyrics are almost finished, but not quite.  Let's take a look at the differences.

The first thing everyone notices is the lack of the signature harmonica to open this song.  The first stanza is basically the same, with Angelina replacing Mary.  I think both Angelia and Mary are fine names that work within the song, and the switch is puzzling.  Perhaps the name Mary is just more significant to Bruce, as it would show up in future songs.  Or maybe it was easier to sing since it only had two syllables.  Or maybe Angelina got mad when he dumped her and keyed his car.  Another great mystery that may never be solved.

The second verse is completely different.  Here, instead of the religious imagery used in the final cut, Bruce writes about something he knows very, very well: cars.  "I'm no prince and I can't lay the stars at your feet" is a wonderful line that I'm surprised didn't get used in the final version, but given the amount of cars Bruce would sing about not just in future songs, but in future verses of THIS song, it is for the best that he trimmed it down here.

By the time Bruce reaches the swelling chorus, you are just dying for him to put the words "thunder" and "road" together.  (It reminds me of this early version of Elliott Smith's "Miss Misery", also missing the titular line.)  However, he just sings "dance all the way", and sort of trails off.  There is something charming about hearing this, as you can almost imagine Bruce feeling that something wasn't quite right in that very moment he was singing.  Also, unlike the final version, Bruce comes back again to the chorus.  This, I feel, is a great addition.  Who wouldn't have liked another chance to scream "thunder road" again?

The bridge in here is another interesting piece of music and lyrics, as Bruce slows it down and uses the word "jive."  It is very different from the originally, and from what I can tell was scrapped completely and not recycled in any other part of the song.  It leads into a rehash of the second verse, and then Bruce's classic "town full of losers" line seals the deal.  We unfortunately miss out on ghosts in Mary's exes' eyes and burnt out Chevrolets.  The end of this version sounds more improvisational, like Clarence and the band are just free-styling.  They clearly fell in love with the "Thunder Road" riff, and go back to it a lot.  It isn't as clean and professional sounding at the final version, but like Bruce singing "dance all the way," it has its charm.

When I first heard this version of "Thunder Road," I must say I wasn't a fan.  It fell into the "uncanny valley" - it was too close to "Thunder Road," but it wasn't quite "Thunder Road."  However, over time, I've found the song has its own merits as a youthful, more innocent version of the final cut we all know and love.

Springsteen Lyrics of the Week - Thunder Road

“Well I got this guitar and
I learned how to make it talk”
- Thunder Road, Born to Run

Compared to the majority of Springsteen devotees, it can be argued that I undervalue “Thunder Road.” My problem with it is the instrumental section that begins at 3:49 and concludes the song. Everytime I hear it, I can’t help but imagine it one day being played over a commercial for a crass Broadway adaptation of the Boss’ music (a la Movin’ Out).

But there’s no denying the evocative lyrics and the above are some of my favorites of all time. In Bruce Springsteen and Philosophy, Randall Auxier and Doug Anderson isolate these lyrics for the introduction of their fascinating collection of analytical essays on Bruce’s music through the lens of philosophy. I strongly recommend reading this book, if nothing else but for their introduction in which they explain how Bruce’s guitar talks rather than plays.

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.

Bruce for Beginners: OB's playlist

Even though I’ve never had to make a list for anyone like Rory and Steve did, I figured I would join in with my playlist as well.



1.  Thunder Road-  As Bruce said, about the song on his VH1 Stortellers, “It’s an invitation…we invite you to something, not sure what yet.”  It’s one of Bruce’s most well known songs and the perfect way to introduce someone to Bruce Springsteen.  This very well could be the definitive Springsteen song.


2.  The Rising- This is the song that re-introduced Bruce to myself and my generation.  We didn’t have to be around for Born to Run or Born In The USA.  We could claim this song, and the whole album, as ours.  As much as I love his classic stuff, this song will always be special to me.


3.  Night-  This up tempo rocker, is one of my favorites to play before I go out on a Friday night.  Yes, I really do listen to a song about going out, before I do.  Laugh if you want, but you’ll definitely be pumped for your next night out if you do it too.


4.  Downbound Train - Easily one of my top 5 songs, I absolutely love this song.  A great opening guitar riff, pounding drums, and some of Bruce’s best lyrics is an easy formula for a Springsteen Classic.  Mandatory listening.


5.  The River-  Ever wonder where Bruce got his reputation as an excellent storyteller?  It’s from this song.  I used to think this was the definitive Springsteen song, but it’s just not rocking enough to truly show off all of Bruce‘s skills.  Still easily one of my favorites though, and if you wanted to explain to my why this is his best song, I won’t argue too much


6.  Born to Run-  Do you really have to ask why?  It’s one of the most iconic rock songs of all time.  And as much as I can do without some of his other pop hits (“Dancing In The Dark“, I’m looking at you) I never get sick of this song. And as cliché as it may sound, this song is truly the anthem for New Jersey’s youth.


7. The Way-  A song that only recently was released on The Promise, and even then as a hidden track.  This slow-paced song has what I consider to be Bruce’s most romantic lyrics.  It may take a few listens to appreciate but I think you will agree that it belongs on this play list.  It’s very simple, yet you can feel the sincerity and power in this ballad.


8.  Candy's Room- Alright enough mushy sentimental crap.  Let’s get down to a song we all want to hear,  A hard rocking, heavy hitting song about being in love with a hooker.  I love intro of softly spoken lyrics leading into a huge crescendo of the band kicking in and Bruce providing us with another classic.  Also one of Bruce’s shortest songs, but try not to get pumped up listening to this song.  Go ahead, you won’t be able to.


9.  Tougher Than the Rest - I know I just said “The Way” was his most romantic song.  And it is.  But those are idealistic, fantasy lyrics.  This song is the real deal.  Pain, passion, but above all else commitment.  In particular him singing this live with his wife Patti, makes for a particularly moving song.


10.  Atlantic City-  I had to decide which version of this song to include, live or studio.  They are 2 totally different songs.  Not lyrically, that way they are identical.  But like most songs from Nebraska or The Ghost Of Tom Joad, when Bruce plays those songs live with the E Street Band, it’s a totally different song musically.  I decided to go with the original acoustic version, but you can’t go wrong with either one.


11.  No Surrender- I never used to consider this song one of my favorites until recently.  I always thought it was good , but he had better songs.  But as one grows older and realizes they can’t hold on to the past anymore, this song takes on a special meaning.  Rather than being a depressing song about getting old, Bruce instead wrote about feeling nostalgic but still forging ahead.


12. Unsatisfied Heart-  I I covered this song fairly well in a previous post.  I really wish this song was more well known.


13.  Darkness On The Edge Of Town-  If you don’t like this song you’re an idiot.  It’s beautiful and it’s powerful.  When Bruce was honored by being inducted into the Kennedy Center, “Born On The Fourth of July” author Ron Kovic gave an incredible introduction that will tell you all you need to know about this one.


14. Leap Of Faith -  Although most fans agree that Bruce’s non-E Street albums pale in comparison, there are still some great songs on there.  This song is definitely one of the great ones.  I’d like to see this brought out more often on the live concerts, just to switch it up a bit.


15.  Out In The Streets- Definitely one of the most fun songs to hear live.  Not every Bruce song has to be introspective or thought-provoking.  Some are just good old-fashioned fun rock and roll.  If you’re going to see Bruce on his upcoming tour and lucky enough to hear this gem live, you’ll know why I included this.


16.  Death To My Hometown-  I know what you’re thinking “What?  OB!!!  Surely you’re not including something off his brand new album as something that would be mandatory listening to understanding Bruce Springsteen, are you?” You’re damn right I am!  This is my favorite song on the new album, and although I don’t know how much longer Bruce will continue to tour, I’d like to see this remain in the setlist beyond this tour.


16.  Incident On 57th Street-  It’s my favorite Springsteen song, and although I’ve never been fortunate enough to hear this one live, I’m hoping that will change on the upcoming tour.  This song is everything that is Bruce Springsteen, it’s a love song, it’s got kick-ass guitar soloing to make it rock, it tells a story, but more than anything it sings about hope.  At least I think it does, and it’s my favorite.

I hope you have enjoyed reading our playlists.

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.

Cover Me, Part 1 - Artists Covering Bruce

I am a huge fan of Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Maybe it’s the fact that I can listen to any sports game I want, or because I’m a big fan of The Opie and Anthony Show, but most likely it’s that the geniuses at the network decided to create a 24/7 Bruce Springsteen channel that has made me not want to ever go back to terrestrial radio. In addition to playing Springsteen‘s songs from his albums, “E Street Radio” plays full concerts, interviews, outtakes and B-Sides, and just recently they started a show called Cover Me.

Cover Me, cleverly named after the track from Born In The USA, plays bands that cover Bruce in addition to playing covers of other artists performed by Bruce. I love this show to see just how far Bruce’s influence goes as well as seeing who Bruce was influenced by. The last show of 2011 had them counting down their favorite covers of Bruce and their favorite covers by Bruce. This week I’ll be discussing other artists covering Bruce.

According to Cover Me, the top five covers are:

5. “Ghost of Tom Joad”- Rage Against The Machine



Rage is one of those bands that as I grow older I fail to see what I ever found so great about them. Zach De La Rocha’s voice is terrible, he doesn’t even sing. And while Tom Morello is an absolutely brilliant guitar player, he seems to be “too good” on the guitar. Seriously, can’t he just do a normal solo or riff? Does everything has to be some manipulation of the guitar strings? Rage will always be remembered for their political stances, and certainly that’s why they would be drawn to cover to this song but I can’t stand their version. It’s everything I can’t stand about the band, but Bruce seems to be a big fan of it as evidenced by the number of times Tom Morello has joined him on stage to play this song, so I guess I’m in the minority here but no way would this be one of my picks.

4. “Atlantic City” - The Hold Steady





I had never heard this cover before, but wow, I was impressed. This piano and brass instrument driven version of song really pays tribute to this Springsteen classic, while making it their own, at the same time. When Springsteen plays “Atlantic City” live now it is a full electric song with the E Street Band, that while certainly a great song, it takes away from some of the somberness from the original acoustic studio version found on Nebraska. This cover I think really combines the Springsteen’s studio and live version quite well. It illustrates the dire situation the protagonist finds himself in, as well as being a fun upbeat song that you’ll find yourself tapping your toes along with. Big thumbs up for this pick.

3. “Thunder Road” - Tortoise with Bonnie "Prince" Billy



Another cover I was not familiar with. This is definitely an interesting version. At first I didn’t care for it, but the more I listened to it the more I could at least respect it, if not be a small fan of it. It’s nowhere near as good as the Springsteen version, but I don’t think it was trying to be. It’s simply a different interpretation, and while it’s not exactly my cup of tea, I absolutely will give Tortoise credit for being unique. Not one of my picks but, kudos anyway.


2. “Growing Up”- Eddie Veder



Eddie Veder and Pearl Jam have covered Bruce countless times. Some of them I like, others I’m not too crazy about. This is one I’m not too crazy about. There’s nothing unique about it. It’s just Eddie Veder singing “Growing Up”. It’s not bad at all, but I just don’t find anything too special about it. Now, when Veder covered “My City of Ruins” at Springsteen’s induction into the Kennedy Center, that was impressive. I would have definitely picked that. But, to each their own.


1. “Because the Night” - Patti Smith



This isn’t really fair to put this on the list. Yes, Bruce did write this song, but he didn’t release it till 2010 on The Promise. Patti Smith made this song a hit, and certainly deserves the credit for it. I wouldn’t put this song on the list because of that technicality, but if you can get past that, then I have no argument with this being #1. My particular favorite version is Bruce and Patti singing this with U2 at 25th anniversary concert for the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.


My picks:
5. “Atlantic City” - The Hold Steady
4. “My City of Ruins”- Eddie Veder


3. “I’m Going Down” - Vampire Weekend


2. “Badlands” - Dropkick Murphy’s


1. “Atlantic City” - The Band



Let me know your choices for the best covers in the comments. Next week: the top five songs covered by Bruce.