Confessions of a Conservative Atheist
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This is Shakespeare’s Othello in the modern age. Othello is so easily manipulated by Iago because he doubts himself and can’t possibly believe a fair noblewoman would choose him. In Springsteen’s telling, we do not know the speaker’s scars, save that he’s a “lonely pilgrim,” but it doesn’t matter. We don’t need a villain either. … Continue reading Springsteen’s brilliant “Brilliant Disguise” and the inescapable nature of doubt
Surrounded by tens of thousands of fans, many of whom know the lyrics by heart, the promised land is then and there. As Springsteen belts out the lyrics - even as he approaches the fifteen hundredth time – the moment we are seeking is right now. “The Promised Land” has never been one of Bruce… Continue reading Springsteen in Albany and “The Promised Land”
Barely half as many couples are getting divorced and more couples are getting married than in recent years. Some experts attribute the trend to being intentional about your mate and choosing companionship rather than romance. Perhaps Springsteen put it best in “Tougher Than the Rest,” or even Shakespeare hundreds of years earlier in Romeo and… Continue reading Springsteen’s “Tougher Than the Rest” and the dramatic decline in divorce rates
The song exists entirely in the moment, purely for the unrestrained joy of what music can do for you in a single moment. It’s a party in seven minutes, but most classics aren’t built this way. Thankfully, there is no shortage of classic songs in the rock and roll world. The rare tracks that rise… Continue reading Springsteen’s “Rosalita” is the ultimate party song and the rare classic that cannot be overplayed
A 73 year old rocker and his equally old band are still playing close-to three hour shows, doubling the length and intensity of acts half their age. We’re in uncharted territory and few things illustrate it better than a live performance of “Jungleland” at Madison Square Garden. Last Saturday, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street… Continue reading Bruce Springsteen has no equal or even an apt comparison
After seven years, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band begin their world tour tonight in Tampa. It’s been a short eternity for die-hard fans, prompting a little reminiscing about prior concerts, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and the magic inherent in the live performance of rock and roll. Bruce Springsteen and the… Continue reading Bruce Springsteen is back and a little reminiscing across over thirty concerts is in order
The Boss’ new album will be composed of entirely culturally appropriated songs, a collection of “soul music” covers, but that is inherently a good thing. Harold Bloom’s seminal The Anxiety of Influence reveals why all art, if not all ideas entirely, can be seen as the product of cultural appropriation. Bruce Springsteen is just the… Continue reading Bruce Springsteen and the artistic necessity of cultural appropriation
Rich lyrics with interpretations ranging from a heterosexual high school couple sneaking away from their parents to drink beer, to heroin addicts trapped on the outskirts of town, to gay lovers hiding their affair, combine with a melodic, rocking composition to create an unforgettable song. It’s part Shakespearean Sonnet, all rock and roll, a true… Continue reading Backstreets: Is this somewhat forgotten classic actually Bruce Springsteen’s best song?
It’s rare when a single work of art, much less a single song running less than five minutes, encapsulates the full genius of an artist in one fell swoop. “Thunder Road” is precisely such a work; everything that makes Bruce Springsteen truly great is present and all you need to do is listen. There is… Continue reading Springsteen’s Thunder Road: Still brilliant and seminal whether or not Mary’s dress “sways” or “waves”
Sometimes, less is more and the penultimate track from Born to Run is certainly one of those times. In just twenty eight lines lacking a chorus or any musical bombast, Springsteen spins a tale of a down on his luck wannabe gangster embarking on an unknown caper, told as a conversation between an unnamed narrator… Continue reading Meeting Across the River: Bruce Springsteen’s lyrical genius in one understated song
Confessions of a Conservative Atheist 