A Balanced Look At Springsteen's Songwriting
On the other hand, examples such as that prove that Rooksby's book isn't as hagiographic as it first seems. In its first chapter, he chides Springsteen on the weaknesses of his songwriting, which favors fairly static melodies, as well as uses certain themes and music keys too often--frequently, to Springsteen's detriment, on the same album.
Which may be why it's not all that difficult to parody Springsteen's music--especially the core elements of twangy guitar, wailing sax, and a glockenspiel on top of a pair of keyboards. Certainly John Cafferty and his band did a decent job of it for the film Eddie and the Cruisers. But Rooksby's book works best for ideas to add elements of Springsteen's songwriting to your own. There's already one Boss. Learn from him--don't try to be his clone.
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