Springsteen

I first discovered the music of Bruce Springsteen when I was a freshman in college. I bought “The River” album and I was hooked. He has been an important part of my life ever since.

Bruce is certainly not the greatest singer. However, I do think his less than epic voice does create a sense of everyman authenticity in his music that I can relate to.

When I was 12 years old, I witnessed first-hand what an incredible singing voice was all about. I accompanied my parents to see Elvis Presley in Charleston, WV near the end of his career. At such a young age, I didn’t really appreciate what a blessing this was, but I knew without a doubt that I was witnessing greatness. His voice was incredibly beautiful and to this day, I have never heard anything like it.

Bruce is not the greatest musician. He would never be compared to Prince or Jimmy Hendricks on the guitar. On a snowy night in Cleveland in 1985, I watched Prince sing, dance, gyrate, and play the guitar, piano, and drums just like they were a part of himself. Without a doubt, the best musician I have ever witnessed in person.

But Bruce owns words. And I love words. If he were not a rock star, I am sure he would have been a famous author. Many people listen to music for beat, for energy, for fun. I listen to music to be moved. To feel something. To be reminded of something. Springsteen’s lyrics touch a chord in me. He draws me into his characters and I feel what they are feeling.

My favorite author is James Lee Burke. He has the ability to describe someone or something in terms that I would never think to use, but they paint a complete and lasting picture in my mind.

“In the alluvial sweep of the land, I thought I could see the past and the present and the future all at once, as though time were not sequential in nature but took place without a beginning or an end, like a flash of green light rippling outward from the center of creation, not unlike a dream inside the mind of God.”

Springsteen’s lyrics evoke these same kind of pictures and feelings for me.

Long Time Coming is about a man trying to change and be better. Trying not to repeat the mistakes of his past.

I'm riding hard carrying a catch of roses

A fresh map that I made

Tonight I'm going to get birth naked and bury my old soul

And dance on its grave, and dance on its grave

Well, now down below and pulling on my shirt

Yeah, I got some kids of my own

If I had one wish in this god forsaken world, kids

Let your mistakes be your own

Yeah, your sins would be your own

Brilliant Disguise is about people not being who they appear to be. About how we hide parts of ourselves from those around us, even the ones we love. The last four lines are incredible.

Tonight our bed is cold

Lost in the darkness of our love

God have mercy on the man

Who doubts what he's sure of

The Wall is about a surviving Viet Nam veteran returning to the memorial in DC to visit his fallen friend / soldier / brother. The third verse is haunting.

I'm sorry I missed you last year

I couldn't find no one to drive me

If your eyes could cut through that black stone

Tell me would they recognize me?

For the living time it must be served, the day goes on

Cigarettes and a bottle of beer

Skin on black stone

And of course, I love these lines from Jungle Land:

Barefoot girl

Sitting on the hood of a Dodge

Drinking warm beer

In the soft, summer rain

You can see her vividly in your mind.

I would encourage you to read Springsteen’s autobiography. It is amazing and incredibly well-written. I would also encourage you to watch his Broadway show on Netflix. This Tony Award winning one-man show is a testament to one of America’s truly great storytellers.