So there's a place in the E Street cosmos where alleged fans of the E Street Band gather to say awful things about Bruce Springsteen, the band, each other, and anything else they can conjure. To quote Obi-Wan Kenobi, " You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy." I don't dwell with these people for I cannot abide them. Unfortunately, 11 does and it pleases him very much to wind me up by telling me the inane things being said by these people. One of these days, I'm going to find a friend who doesn't take pleasure in winding me up. Until then, I have 11 and I have you people.
As Nashville approaches, the dwellers in this den of iniquity were bantering back-and-forth about their Nashville wishlist. Someone, presumably with a straight face, suggested the band do "Tennessee Waltz." Another group started talking about which Elvis song Bruce should do, because he has to do an Elvis song.
Okay, maybe a geography lesson is in order. Bruce should pay attention, too, because he apparently loses track of himself as well. Elvis was born in Mississippi. He lived in Memphis? What in the name of The King's ass does Elvis have to do with Nashville? Am I the only person who wants to hear Bruce Springsteen songs at this show? Hell's holy acre! If you want to hear Elvis songs, go to Vegas! Save yourself $100 and go to the Wild Horse Saloon in downtown Nashville if you want to hear "Tennessee Waltz."
I don't get it. I wish I did, but I don't understand it. I didn't go to the U2:360 show last month hoping they'd play an R.E.M. song, or thinking they should try their hand at "Rainy Night in Georgia." I didn't think it would be cool to hear Coldplay try something by Guns N' Roses or "Sweet Home Alabama" in Birmingham.
Article comments
1 - Charlie Doherty
Amen to that, Josh! "Hard Times" is pretty good stuff but I had a choice between that and "Atlantic City," I'd go with the latter (which used to be one of my favorite Springsteen songs).
As far as stupid cover-hungry fans as concerned, I can't help but think of my first Smashing Pumpkins concert I went to back in 1997 in Connecticut - when I was 16 - and about halfway through the show some kids in the pit held up a sign requesting they play a STONE TEMPLE PILOTS song, of all things.
Obviously, those idiots were not serious fans and they got booed and the sign was eventually ripped down. But still, WTF, right? Great 2-hour-plus show, otherwise.
2 - 11
I want to hear Hank Jr.'s 'Whiskey Bent and Hellbound.'
3 - Dr. Jimmy
Hearing the band blast through "Jailhouse Rock" recently at Giants Stadium was a major highlight of the tour. It's those off the cuff covers that he tries that make his shows unique and worth traveling for.
Or one of the reasons at least.