Lines such as "Your legs were heaven, your breasts were the altar/ Your body was the holy land" may, at first, make conservative listeners balk, yet beyond the explicit references is an ode to the joy and passion that both love and lust can bring. For many, the wonder of connecting with another person — be that physically or emotionally — can deliver bliss as sublime as connecting with God or having a religious epiphany. Faith ultimately connects them all and is that which can reap emotional rewards. It's undoubtedly one of Springsteen's finest lyrics.
"You'll Be Comin' Down" - from 2007's Magic: For me, this is not just one of Springsteen's greatest overlooked songs, but one of his best songs, period. A masterful melding of melody and lyric, it achieves what, to my mind, is one of the ultimate feats any songwriter can accomplish: writing something that can be read and understood in two completely different ways, set to catchy rock-come-R&B music.
A venomous lyric, it can be understood on levels both personal and political. The chorus of "What goes around, it comes around/ And you'll be coming down" is exquisite in its simplicity, delivering a hefty emotional impact. Yet it's in the verses that magic lurks. Surrealistic imagery that hints of indignation — "Your cinnamon sky's gone candy-apple green/ The crushed metal of your little flying machine" — contrasts with scathing criticism — "You'll be fine long as your pretty face holds out / Then it's gonna get pretty cold out." Either the narrator is angry toward a lover who jilted him or simply at President Bush, "But pretty soon it turns out/ That you'll be coming down now, baby."
As heated as the lyrics get, though, the melody remains lush and lavish, reminiscent of "Born to Run" and "No Surrender," albeit slightly more subdued. On an album full of them, it's the most magical moment on Magic, yet fan recognition eludes it. Springsteen and the E Street Band only played it once on the tour to promote the album.
Article comments
1 - JC Mosquito
Interesting choice of Downbound Train - most critics consider it one of his weakest attempts - almost a throwaway piece. I myself always thought it was decent enough.
2 - Me and Wayne
I also like Downbound Train a lot. A song that seems like it connects the Nebraska and Born in the USA albums.
You'll be Comin' Down took a while to sneak up on me, but now it's a favorite. I often think of it as "that color song" because of all the different colors mentioned in the verses (I don't know what "daisy grey-blue" is exactly, but I like how it sounds). I also now sometimes think of Sarah Palin when listening to it. Her head was spinning in diamonds and clouds alright, and she sure had her hopes on high.
3 - Wesley Mead
Thanks for the comments. Good to know I'm not the only fan of "Downbound Train"!
I love all the colours used in "You'll Be Comin' Down". It evokes some great imagery.
4 - Tsafrir
nice and interesting choices. I must comment that Racing in the streets and to some extent Leap offace@ are obviously very much cherished by many fans.
I would have probably added Lost in the flood and candy's room to such list (and probably many more :)), but i guess thats totally personal.
great reading. ty!
5 - acoolromeo
"...I rushed through the yard, I burst through the front door
My head pounding hard, up the stairs I climbed
The room was dark, our bed was empty
Then I heard that long whistle whine
And I dropped to my knees, hung my head and cried.."
That is a killer lyric and a very powerful image.
It is a screen play in 46 words. Not many artists can do that.
Thanks for a great article.
6 - Me and Wayne
Hidden gems from Devils & Dust: "Maria's Bed" and "Black Cowboys".
7 - Wesley Mead
Thanks for all of the additional comments, very kind!
Devils & Dust: Definitely "Maria's Bed", though I'm not big on "Black Cowboys".
8 - fridaybrucefix
Great topic and great post, Wesley.
No disagreements with your choices. I'd add 'Two Faces' off Tunnel of Love, 'I Wish I Were Blind' off Human Touch, and 'Jesus Was An Only Son' off Devils & Dust. So many great songs to choose from.