Posted on 06/23/2008 2:51:15 AM PDT by Apollo 13
Springsteen was good before he became a pretty boy.
I think "The Rising" is a masterpiece and is the only true musical chronicle of 9/11. I still choke up when I go back and listen to it. "My City of Ruins" is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and that is very hard to achieve in a song. "Into the Fire" is an awesome tribute to the firefighters who died in the WTC. "You're Missing" perfectly captures the sudden and unspeakable loss that so many families suffered that day. Everyone should thank Springsteen for writing and recording this remarkable album.
Bruce is a Baby Boomer who has been unduly influenced by a lot of leftists in the entertainment industry. But he was also moved by what he saw happen to the America he grew up in, where factories closed and people like his father lost their livelihoods. He came from a working class town where there was not a lot of opportunity or optimism, and most of the guys in his band did too. Their America was never a great place to begin with and it got worse as they grew up.
The leftwing propaganda in some of his songs and in his monologues is hard to take sometimes. But many of his songs beautifully chronicle the lives of people who are often forgotten in the popular media. I would much rather listen to that kind of song, even if I don't agree with its political point of view, than many of the hard-rock, pop, and hip-hop artists who just sing about themselves and their sex lives.
Bruce is also nearing the end of his music career. It's hard to begrudge him using the fame he has left to try to make a difference for the world as he sees it, regardless of whether you agree with him or not. If it offends you that much it is pretty easy to avoid his music.
Beautifully stated. Couldn’t have done it any better myself. Heartfelt thanks.
B side 50’s stuff is amazing, even among better knowns like Elvis, Orbison and Buddy Holly. Sad more radio stations don’t play them.
If you can approach its statistical density in its basic form.
Few artists--very few artists--create their own genre.
Shut up an Play Yer Guitar is not only a great album, it's pretty good advice, too.
I can remember something like 1975 or thereabouts. I was listening to my college radio station in Madison WI. The DJ came on and in a breathless voice said - you all have to listen to this - this is the next Big Thing - the next Dylan or whatever.
I listened and it was Springsteen. At the time I couldn’t fathom what all the fuss was about and fast forward 30 years later I understand even less. Not my cup of tea and never will be. As some folks have said, he sounds like he’s trying to defectate and not succeeding.
The funny thing is one of my favorite artists is Emmylou Harris, someone who is known for finding songs from almost anywhere and making the her own. I like almost every thing she’s ever done, but she’s done about 5 or so Springsteen songs and I detest them all with the possible exception of Tougher than the Rest.
Excuse me but the above is just so much crock of crap. Not a lot of opportunity or optimism. Please. This is the United States of America, not some dung-heap third-world nation. You can't make it someplace you move and try something else. I mentioned before that I got out of the Navy in 80 and lived in San Diego. You talk about a place that was hard to find work. After about 2 years, I said screw it and left, went back to Maryland. I found a job in construction and then went back in the Navy.
Since I have retired from the service in 96, I started as a software instructor and now I write documentation for in-house systems. I've earned a English degree. And you talk about Springsteen coming from a place with little opportunity and the clown is making millions. Spare me.
He sang a song about the firefighters of 9/11. Does that give him a pass on his song comdemning cops and calling them murderers. I have a sister-in-law whose brothers are police officers. You think she's a Springsteen fan? He's just a half-assed singer who got lucky and made it big. I've seen better acts than him in plenty of bars. The average service member who does time in the military has done more for America in one day than this clown ever has.
I don't fault the guy for being a rich performer. I do fault him for trashing our president's decision to take the fight to the radical Islamists who wish to cut our throats and destroy our country.
And I fault him for donating his time and talents to raise money for politicians who are worthless traitors.
And I fault him for trashing our country through his songs.
It would be safe to say that I don't and won't be buying any of his music or tickets to his shows.
Try googling the lyrics from Megadeth’s “United Abomination” and “The System Has Failed.”
So you’re saying you’re not a Bruce fan?
baseball cap. ok so he’s a fag too.
just kidding.
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