Sometimes it is hard to imagine that there was a time when Bruce Springsteen actually meant anything. That there was really a time when he stood, at least in the abstract, for something; especially something musically significant. I know he is a rich liberal that many politicians on the left like to solicit donations from. I know he is a slightly less aggravating American version of the patronizing and overtly political U2 frontman Bono. But how long has it been since musically, sonically, and historically Bruce Springsteen has been relevant?
Sure, he stood up to the modern world, hitched up his jeans and asked: "57 Channels (and Nothin’ on)?" But for the most part, to younger generations he is the progenitor of a misunderstood, yet explicitly inward-looking, mid-American ethos — characterized by his album Born in the U.S.A. — an ethos that is now championed by car-commercial patriots like Toby Keith and (unfortunately) John Mellencamp.
Bruce Springsteen though, has authored albums that stand alone in the American canon: the defiantly lonely Nebraska, the messy, spoilt-broth masterpiece The Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle and the singularly thrilling Born to Run — a magical love letter to the (often vehicular) romance of a dirt-poor, greasy, and romantic youth which has, as its title track, the spine tingling piece de resistance of the Springsteen catalogue: the magnificent "Born to Run."
Greil Marcus famously said that Born to Run was a ’57 Chevy that ran on melted Crystals records. And obviously Springsteen had sixties hot rod muscle on his mind, as he brilliantly conflated the Phil Spector-inspired Wall of Sound with James Dean-mumbled sensitivity and a Dylanesque scope of Americana, making "Born to Run" a sonically intense epic reading of a mythic and lost American youth.
Today though, Springsteen is bloated, happy, and well-heeled; a brand name and a corporate entity unto himself. He is not that lean and hungry boy that he once was. With his oversized hat, youthful scraggly beard, and tank top, he seemed such an outsider. He was just another gauche kid from New Jersey. Now, with his rich and paunchy tucked-in middle section and pasty fiftyish face he is The Boss (of what, I do not know).
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Mat Brewster
But how long has it been since musically, sonically, and historically Bruce Springsteen has been relevant?
Um, about nine months ago with the release of The Seeger Sessions.
2 - Gary P
Is Born to Run the best song ever?
Yes
3 - John Z
When was the last time Springsteen was relevant?
He wrote the one record that dealt with 9/11 in a healing "fashion"... remember a record called "The Rising"?
Listen to "You're Missing" - a masterpiece written about 9/11 but it can be about anyone who's lost a loved one.
Right after 9/11 someone saw Springsteen and shouted "We need you now" ----- in 2007, we need Bruce Springsteen more than ever.
As far as best song of all time... why does there have to be a "best"? Everyone's taste is different and subjective. I don't think anyone can "objectively" choose the best song of all time.
4 - D'oh
Southside Johnny > Springsteen....i was there , then
As for the question - was it the best song ever written?
no...it was and is a great song, but not the best
your mileage may very
the Tao of D'oh.
5 - J. P. Spencer
Let's put it this way. If you're an American, who grew up in a factory town, where the factory eventually left the town and you watched the town slowly wither away to an empty shell, "Born To Run" is the best song ever written.
For the rest of the world, it's "God Only Knows" or something.
6 - D'oh
JP - i grew up right where Springsteen did...went to school with one of his cousins...bounced at the Stone Pony...
I said I was *there* during *then*...
it's is A "great song"....but not THE "greatest"
just my opinion, of course...
7 - Edna
Totally unrelated-- but have you ever heard Nat Cole sing Stardust? And the arrangement! But, true enough, it's not politically relevant....
8 - Glen Boyd
Congrats. Your article has just been selected for BC News Promotions to Digg, Reddit, & Netscape.
So be sure to vote!
End BC business ---
Begin Personal note ---
Good article too. I'd probably go with "Like A Rolling Stone" for best ever myself. My favorite Bruce track is the relatively obscure "The Price You Pay". My favorite album is "Darkness."
But in terms of impact, BTR would be right up there -- no doubt.
-Glen
9 - JR
J. P. Spencer: Let's put it this way. If you're an American, who grew up in a factory town, where the factory eventually left the town and you watched the town slowly wither away to an empty shell, "Born To Run" is the best song ever written.
Sounds like growing up in a cultural and intellectual void. If that's what it takes to make it the best song ever written...
10 - D'oh
FYI there JR - that "void" wasn't what you think it was... take it from someone who comes from there.
but it still isn't the "greatest" song...
the Tao of D'oh.
11 - tsds
you might consider researching more before writing.
12 - Vern Halen
BTR one of rock's truly great numbers? Sure.
Greatest song? An impossible task.
But right at this moment I'm going with The Modern Lovers' Roadrunner.
"Radio on!" indeed.
13 - Vern Halen
Sorry - I just noticed the title is "Best Song Ever WRITTEN?" That award goes to Wichita Lineman by Jimmy Webb.
14 - gozino
it's a great song but it's not the greatest
15 - JR
D'oh: FYI there JR - that "void" wasn't what you think it was... take it from someone who comes from there.
In your case, sure. But most dead factory towns aren't 30 miles from NYC.
16 - D'oh
Point taken.
17 - Holly Hughes
We're never going to reach consensus on this one. But I have to say, as someone who's been disgusted with Bruce Springsteen for many years (and no, I DON'T think the Seeger Sessions is a great album AT ALL), you have done a fine job of reminding me why Springsteen did once matter. I wouldn't pick this one as my fave -- I'm partial instead to that tender boardwalk epic "Sandy" -- but the general idea is right on the money.
18 - bryan price
"sandy' is excellent, as is "prove it all night," there are a bunch of good ones, but no more, which is fine. all good things must come to an end. i had no idea this would cause such a response. i may have been a little sloppy with my superlatives. "witichita lineman" is good but "galveston" is better. as for my research methods, shoot me, you get the point. my jonathan richman favorites of the moment are "rockin' rockin' leprechauns" and "new teller."
19 - Matt
You're a moron if you think Springsteen is no longer relevant. In this decade alone he's done the most signifant piece of art about 9/11 (The Rising, in case you haven't heard of it), released a tremendous folk album that is right in line with the story he's been telling for more than 30 years, and recorded and toured with a 19 piece Seeger Sessions band that absolutely tore the house down at every show. You don't know what the F you're talking about. Congrats on listing off some less-than-well-known songs as potential greatests of all time; that must make you feel like a real music expert.
20 - bryan price
matt is so angry. I think he must be bruce springsteen's dad or his roadie or something. matt, go put some "devils and dust" on and relax.
21 - Glen Boyd
A quick qualifier to my previous comment (#8):
While I enjoyed the article, I do not agree at all with the sentiment that Springsteen is no longer relevant. I'm not endorsing that statement at all (though I wont repeat the reasons why, since they've already been covered in previous comments).
Still I liked this article.
I'll tell ya what though?
Springsteen may be older, and even have a bit of a paunch as you mention. Age happens okay?
But for my money, he is still making great records (look no further than Devils & Dust for some of his most descriptive storytelling to date); challenging his audience (more than a few commenters rightfully bring up the Seeger Sessions album and tour); and his live shows still leave you breathless pretty much every damn time. I've yet to go to any rock and roll show where I feel like I'm a room with about 20,000 of my best friends the way I do at a Springsteen concert.
I loved your descriptions of Bruce's early stuff. I can also kind of understand if Bruce's nineties output (or lack thereof) may have been frustrating to you (the non-E Street rock records are admittedly an aquired taste for some).
But since at least the 1999 E Street reunion tour, Springsteen is clearly rejuvenated artistically, and is back making records that once again really do matter. Born To Run II is simply not gonna happen at this stage of the game. Nor should it. That should be left to the next twenty something vagabond drifter out there somewhere.
In the meantime, Bruce has grown up quite nicely for my money. His newer reflect that maturity, while continuing to ring true to the ideals of that 'one last chance to make it real' of his youth.
I would suggest you reexamine his recent work starting with The Rising.
-Glen
22 - bryan price
Glen, I appreciate what you are saying, and I appreciate that you can act like an adult and be reasonable.
for my part, I can admit when i am wrong. what I should have said is Bruce Springsteen is no longer relevant to me, he is obviously relevant to many people and I can appreciate that.
I suppose I see him like I see Tom Petty: I like a handful of late seventies/early eighties albums, but there is so much out there, I don't have time to listen to "Highway Companion."
As far as the age thing goes, no offense to those in the Boss' age bracket, it's just that i'm not into aging rockers, i don't listen to new Dylan, new Bowie, new Mccartney, new Neil Young, and if John Lennon and Marc Bolan rose from the dead to record an album with Phil Spector, I would be uninterested (aside from the supernatural aspect).
(note to responders: please don't exhort me to listen to all the great stuff these dinosaurs have done since they turned sixty-I don't care).
I am sorry again for offending the Boss' legion of fans, I should have thought more about it-of course he's relevant, that's why he's sold a trillion albums and makes a trillion more dollars every year on tour. He's adored.
So I take back the whole he's not relevant thing, that's my mea culpa.
HE IS STILL RELEVANT. I AM WRONG. YOU ARE ALL RIGHT.
To everyone else, please read how Glen wrote a well reasoned response to my off-the-cuff feelings about Bruce Springsteen.
He was nice, respectful and made his point so much i kind of feel bad.
Please respond like that, instead of like a wounded child, which means no more: "you don't know what the f you're talking about."
It is probably true, but when you insult me, do it like an adult.
b
23 - Glen Boyd
Bryan,
When they insult you, that means you've caused a reaction. In a weird sort of way, it's a compliment. Trust me on that one. And welcome to BC.
-Glen
24 - bryan price
Thanks, again.
25 - daryl d
I'm gonna write my "Bruce Springsteen" anger article soon, just like I've done with U2. The guy has made some excellent records. However, starting with his anti-police "41 Shots," the man has made me sick. "The Rising" was the biggest musical exploitation of a tradgedy I've ever seen. It's almost as if Bruce helped plan the terrorist attacks just so he could write a "song" about it. The fact that it sold so many records wasn't because he was relevant; it was because of 911. Everything that this guy has done since The Greatest Hits album was been cheap, boring, and irrelevant. Everything before has been pretty great. I even liked the Human Touch album! Like I said, you will have my Bruce Springsteen irrelevancy article soon. I'm still calming down from my U2 one.