Glen Boyd "Long Time Comin'" from Devils & Dust by Bruce Springsteen.
I know Springsteen has been showing up here quite a bit lately, and that it has also drawn out his more, umm "vocal detractors". But I had to put this one up because there is a personal story attached to it. For me, Springsteen's voice has always been one I've turned to as a source of comfort, in times both good and bad. Right now, times are pretty good for me, as I've returned to a great new job in my first love, doing direct sales in the record business...after a particularly bad period last year. For me, it feels like I've kind of come "home" after being away far too long.
And that to me is what this song--one of Springsteen's best in my view--is all about. It's really a song of affirmation, whether it be through overcoming the odds to persevere, or just rediscovering that place you've really belonged all along.
For me these lyrics really sum it up:
"Tonight I'm gonna get birth naked,
and bury my old soul,
and dance on it's grave."
The storytelling and overall lyrical imagery of Devils & Dust is nothing short of amazing anyway. But this one hits me particularly hard on a personal level in the place I uniquely live.
Connie Phillips "You Don't Know Me" from Wanna Go Back by Eddie Money
When I first saw this album, I mistakenly believed it was going to be a "greatest hits" collection of Money's songs, include the song of the same name. What it was, in fact, was a collection of classic rock songs.
The first single, "You Don't Know Me" is one of my favorites from this album. A perfect fit for Money's smooth, yet testosterone coarse voice, it's a stunning rendition backed with a simple piano arrangement. The song is most famous for Ray Charles rendition and is as heart wrenching as it is simply beautiful.
If you love the classic songs rock music was formed on, you'll want to check out this album and song.
Mary K. Williams: "Tessie" by The Dropkick Murphys
About 18 months ago I wrote an innocuous little review of The Dropkick Murphys' release of The Warrior Code. I quite fell in love with the CD, but over time I've misplaced it. It was just recently that I had a renewed hankering for the sounds of TDM, caused in part because we just passed St. Patrick's Day not long ago.
Article Author: Josh Hathaway
Josh Hathaway is a Sr. Music Editor for Blogcritics. He is formerly an award-winning journalist and broadcaster.
Article comments
1 - Mat Brewster
Springsteen sucks! You're mama sucks! And your wife, well actually the wife to whom you are married edits a lot of my stuff, so god bless her.
Sheryl Crowe has never really done much to me in terms of music, but I'd let her do anything she wants in terms of body. Meow!
2 - Tom Johnson
Is THIS that "Cop Killer" song of Springsteen's?
I must be the only guy in the world that find Sheryl Crowe to be a complete turn off. She looks like a skeleton covered in wet leather. Nasty.
3 - Mat Brewster
What you don't like the skeleton covered in wet leather look? Weird.
4 - Peter
I have seen several posts on the current video remastering of a 1970s Springsteen show, anybody have more info?
5 - Glen Boyd
Peter,
Re: Comment #4:
The only thing that is out now officially is the "Hammersmith Odeon" show from 1975, which is available on DVD as part of the 30th anniversary edition of "Born To Run".
There are very strong rumors that a similiar DVD from a show in Phoenix from 1978 will be part of a 30th anniversary "Darkness On The Edge Of Town" set next year. The video certainly does exist and has been seen in snippets over the years, most notably a performance of "Prove It All Night" (with the legendary long guitar intro), and a performance of "Rosalita" that was part of the original TV broadcast of "The History Of Rock And Roll" back in the '80's.
Hope that helps.
-Glen
6 - Connie Phillips
Congrats! We just told all our friends at our myspace profile page all about this article!
7 - Johnny
Springsteen sucks. He crossed our IBEW picket line to perform at the Tacoma Dome in 1992. So much for the blue collar man.