Free accommodation if ya wanna take in the last show of the oz leg aswell mate. You'll already be half way here!
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AFLW 2024 - Round 10 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Bruce Springsteen
- Thread starter Cruyff14
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #3,877
Oh dear oh dear. It's so tempting with that offer! How far are you from the stadium?
DrVanNostrand
Premiership Player
The BEC is hardly a "stadium". Small arena with about a capacity of about 13k for concerts. On the last tour, I found the sound to be just as good as Rod Laver, and I was towards the back for the first show at Brisbane. It's pretty dilapidated these days too, nothing much goes on now that we have no NBL team. The decor is very 80s. It's a bitch of a location too, no buses go there, but there's a train station about 1km away. Parking is pretty easy though.
Come to Brissy you tight arse.
DrVanNostrand
Premiership Player
Who else thought the 60 Minutes story was shit? I was hoping it would be all about the Wrecking Ball tour, the last Aussie tour, and looking forward to the 2014 tour. All we got was a BITUSA puff piece aimed at your average bogan who doesn't turn off the radio when DITD comes on.
I was, however, liking Bruce's Magic-era look.
I was, however, liking Bruce's Magic-era look.
- Thread starter
- #3,880
lol you know what I meant.
Easy for you to say, I am going to Europe in 12 days and it's costing me 10k. Do you want to pay for my ticket
Easy for you to say, I am going to Europe in 12 days and it's costing me 10k. Do you want to pay for my ticket
DrVanNostrand
Premiership Player
lol you know what I meant.
Easy for you to say, I am going to Europe in 12 days and it's costing me 10k. Do you want to pay for my ticket
Oh come on, I'll be bumming around NZ for two months leading up to the tour. Although I won't be spending 12k
I've budgeted for 3-4k, haha. Then straight after the tour, an abbreviated (thanks, Bruce for cutting into my travel funds) US tour, then Canada for almost a year. But this is Bruce, get your head in the game. Just read you're going to Hunter Valley, though, that's a good effort. Newcastle is an absolute dump.
Why is the pre-sale starting in the afternoon FFS? I'lll be at work when the Brisbane pre-sale starts. I'll just squeeze in the Auckland pre-sale. Although if last time is anything to go by, I'll be a better chance of pit tickets next Monday anyway.
- Thread starter
- #3,882
The whole trip will cost me between 10k-11k. Over 6k for conversion and with airfares etc have already spent close to 4k. Like I said, if you want to pay for my ticket, feel freeOh come on, I'll be bumming around NZ for two months leading up to the tour. Although I won't be spending 12k
But this is Bruce, get your head in the game. Just read you're going to Hunter Valley, though, that's a good effort. Newcastle is an absolute dump.
Why is the pre-sale starting in the afternoon FFS? I'lll be at work when the Brisbane pre-sale starts. I'll just squeeze in the Auckland pre-sale. Although if last time is anything to go by, I'll be a better chance of pit tickets next Monday anyway.
Well I have free accomm in Newcastle and transportation to HV, so I'm not really complaining.
DrVanNostrand
Premiership Player
Nothing, pretty slack.
I wonder if we'll see a repeat of this...
It's not horrible by any means, but it's just such a bizarre choice of song. Maybe this time Bruce will ask for Barnesy's mic to be even lower in the mix.
- Thread starter
- #3,885
Jimmy Barnes is only playing in Auckland Thank God.
I'm on Southside of town, the venue is north, but still only takes about 40 mins.
- Thread starter
- #3,888
How did you go for roll calls?
I was 68 from memory. Got there about 1pm. Still got front row
Will have to be earlier this time around I reckon. Cat is out of the bag now.
Will have to be earlier this time around I reckon. Cat is out of the bag now.
- Thread starter
- #3,890
Hmmm. I'll let you know. This tour is going to cost a fair bit.I was 68 from memory. Got there about 1pm. Still got front row
Will have to be earlier this time around I reckon. Cat is out of the bag now.
Appreciate the offer though
- Thread starter
- #3,891
10) Ties That Bind
Album: The River (1980)
Previous rank: 10 (SAME)
Ties opens The River with crashing snare drums and an energetic guitar riff. It sets the scene for what is to come for the next three and a half minutes.
It’s another real foot tapper, you can’t help yourself. The chorus is catchy as Hell with the bai-ai-ai-ai-ai-ai-ind bit and Bruce has done a great job at creating a catchy hook. The sax solo sits as an anchor for the song just before the key change in the final verse, and of course Max shows no mercy once again behind his drum kit.
All in all, Ties is a really underrated song in my opinion. It needs more plays, and it would open a show perfectly, just like it does with The River. The energy the song exerts is bound to get everybody going for the rest of the show.
Is there a catchier chorus he has written? Hard to pinpoint it really.
By far my favourite song off The River.
Just look at the passion in this clip below, it brings tears to my eyes.
paddy18, enjoy mate. I know how much you love it.
Album: The River (1980)
Previous rank: 10 (SAME)
Ties opens The River with crashing snare drums and an energetic guitar riff. It sets the scene for what is to come for the next three and a half minutes.
It’s another real foot tapper, you can’t help yourself. The chorus is catchy as Hell with the bai-ai-ai-ai-ai-ai-ind bit and Bruce has done a great job at creating a catchy hook. The sax solo sits as an anchor for the song just before the key change in the final verse, and of course Max shows no mercy once again behind his drum kit.
All in all, Ties is a really underrated song in my opinion. It needs more plays, and it would open a show perfectly, just like it does with The River. The energy the song exerts is bound to get everybody going for the rest of the show.
Is there a catchier chorus he has written? Hard to pinpoint it really.
By far my favourite song off The River.
Just look at the passion in this clip below, it brings tears to my eyes.
paddy18, enjoy mate. I know how much you love it.
- Thread starter
- #3,892
9) Badlands
Album: Darkness On The Edge of Town
Previous entry: 19 (UP 9)
Two album openers following each other. This time, it’s Badlands, the song that opens Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Is there a song that sends a crowd more into a frenzy than Badlands? Everybody goes absolutely mental whenever the intro is heard. And for the next six minutes everybody looks like they’re possessed by the devil.
I experienced not only a defining moment of all the Bruce gigs I attended, but of my life when I first heard Badlands at the first show. I remember I was standing next to two teenage girls and their fathers who I had not met previously to going into the pit. But that didn’t matter; it was like we had known each other all our lives and we just knew exactly how the other felt. It was amazing to experience. Arms around these grown men who were probably twice my age, shouting woah oh oh oh as loud as they could and jumping up and down with a complete stranger. Now THAT is what Bruce Springsteen can do. It wouldn’t happen at any other show. It was an amazing experience and would definitely be in my highlights from the last tour. Just something words can’t really do justice unless you have been at the front of the pit.
It’s in your face from the word go. Max bashing away with his bass drum and on his snare, Roy serving up his usual great work on the piano. Then Bruce comes in…
And it’s 6 minutes of music that will leave you full of energy, only wanting more. This is another one of those songs you pump your fist to like you’re a teenager at a club, and then shout the lyrics at the top of your lungs without a care in the world. This is what Badlands is. It’s a stadium rocker, it’s an anthem to Bruce fans, it’s a staple on setlists, it’s a show opener, it’s a first set closer, it can be in the middle of the set, it can be in the encore, it can be anywhere and you’re let loose like no tomorrow.
That guitar solo is kick ass, you can hear Bruce is really torturing the guitar, but in a good way. Clarence’s solo drives the song forward even more, the pounding of Max’s drum forces you to tap your foot. The woah-oh-oh-oh bit. If this song doesn’t get you pumped up, nothing ever will.
****ing nuts
Album: Darkness On The Edge of Town
Previous entry: 19 (UP 9)
Two album openers following each other. This time, it’s Badlands, the song that opens Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Is there a song that sends a crowd more into a frenzy than Badlands? Everybody goes absolutely mental whenever the intro is heard. And for the next six minutes everybody looks like they’re possessed by the devil.
I experienced not only a defining moment of all the Bruce gigs I attended, but of my life when I first heard Badlands at the first show. I remember I was standing next to two teenage girls and their fathers who I had not met previously to going into the pit. But that didn’t matter; it was like we had known each other all our lives and we just knew exactly how the other felt. It was amazing to experience. Arms around these grown men who were probably twice my age, shouting woah oh oh oh as loud as they could and jumping up and down with a complete stranger. Now THAT is what Bruce Springsteen can do. It wouldn’t happen at any other show. It was an amazing experience and would definitely be in my highlights from the last tour. Just something words can’t really do justice unless you have been at the front of the pit.
It’s in your face from the word go. Max bashing away with his bass drum and on his snare, Roy serving up his usual great work on the piano. Then Bruce comes in…
And it’s 6 minutes of music that will leave you full of energy, only wanting more. This is another one of those songs you pump your fist to like you’re a teenager at a club, and then shout the lyrics at the top of your lungs without a care in the world. This is what Badlands is. It’s a stadium rocker, it’s an anthem to Bruce fans, it’s a staple on setlists, it’s a show opener, it’s a first set closer, it can be in the middle of the set, it can be in the encore, it can be anywhere and you’re let loose like no tomorrow.
That guitar solo is kick ass, you can hear Bruce is really torturing the guitar, but in a good way. Clarence’s solo drives the song forward even more, the pounding of Max’s drum forces you to tap your foot. The woah-oh-oh-oh bit. If this song doesn’t get you pumped up, nothing ever will.
****ing nuts
- Thread starter
- #3,893
8) Something In The Night
Album: Darkness On The Edge Of Town (1978)
Previous rank: 8 (SAME)
Yet another entry from Darkness. And another song where you can feel the pain in Bruce’s voice throughout the entire track.
I have loved this for a very long time, and I have always been very envious of those who have been at a concert on the rare occasion he plays it live. Those moans throughout the intro, with Max’s work on the drums beginning to rumble louder and louder is something really special. Then the band makes itself known following Max’s climax. The music in it is not overly complicated, much like the lyrics, so they work well off each other.
By far the best bit the combination of Bruce’s guitar work and Max doing his thing on the drums at the end of the final verse. The bass drum to replicate a heartbeat and to back Bruce’s vocal, Bruce letting off that little rip on that Telecaster and Max bashing that tom followed by the floor tom.
Those moans to close the song out are amazing too. Such a painfully sad song, but it leaves you marveling in its greatness.
I remember when I heard that opening piano riff at Melbourne 1, it brought to tears to my eyes. I never thought I would hear it, and when it started, I was like wow. I just couldn’t believe it, it isn’t played often and I managed to hear twice in five shows. Just an amazing song. It was the first time I had tears at a concert but it certainly wasn’t the last…………..
Just ****ing epic
Album: Darkness On The Edge Of Town (1978)
Previous rank: 8 (SAME)
Yet another entry from Darkness. And another song where you can feel the pain in Bruce’s voice throughout the entire track.
I have loved this for a very long time, and I have always been very envious of those who have been at a concert on the rare occasion he plays it live. Those moans throughout the intro, with Max’s work on the drums beginning to rumble louder and louder is something really special. Then the band makes itself known following Max’s climax. The music in it is not overly complicated, much like the lyrics, so they work well off each other.
By far the best bit the combination of Bruce’s guitar work and Max doing his thing on the drums at the end of the final verse. The bass drum to replicate a heartbeat and to back Bruce’s vocal, Bruce letting off that little rip on that Telecaster and Max bashing that tom followed by the floor tom.
Those moans to close the song out are amazing too. Such a painfully sad song, but it leaves you marveling in its greatness.
I remember when I heard that opening piano riff at Melbourne 1, it brought to tears to my eyes. I never thought I would hear it, and when it started, I was like wow. I just couldn’t believe it, it isn’t played often and I managed to hear twice in five shows. Just an amazing song. It was the first time I had tears at a concert but it certainly wasn’t the last…………..
Just ****ing epic
- Thread starter
- #3,894
7) Does This Bus Stop At 82nd Street
Album: Greetings from Asbury Park (1972)
Previous rank: 4 (Down 3)
Entry number 7 probably comes as a surprise to a lot of people, and it serves as the fifth entry from the Greetings From Asbury Park album. Again, like most of the songs on Greetings, the rhyming is heavy and the lyrics are bizarre. From wizard imps, to sweat side pimps, to Broadway Mary, to the lucky young matador, this is a true gem of a track.
The original version of this song becomes absolutely bizarre towards the end of it, especially when you compare it to how it is done live. It almost comes to a sudden halt to let Bruce finish off singing and that’s the end of it. Completely different to the live versions where they keep jamming and play an outro that goes for a minute or so. Very strange indeed.
It’s a song that goes well on a summers day when you just don’t give a damn. I love riding my bike to this as fast as I can!
Album: Greetings from Asbury Park (1972)
Previous rank: 4 (Down 3)
Entry number 7 probably comes as a surprise to a lot of people, and it serves as the fifth entry from the Greetings From Asbury Park album. Again, like most of the songs on Greetings, the rhyming is heavy and the lyrics are bizarre. From wizard imps, to sweat side pimps, to Broadway Mary, to the lucky young matador, this is a true gem of a track.
The original version of this song becomes absolutely bizarre towards the end of it, especially when you compare it to how it is done live. It almost comes to a sudden halt to let Bruce finish off singing and that’s the end of it. Completely different to the live versions where they keep jamming and play an outro that goes for a minute or so. Very strange indeed.
It’s a song that goes well on a summers day when you just don’t give a damn. I love riding my bike to this as fast as I can!
- Thread starter
- #3,895
6) I’m Goin Down
Album: Born In The USA (1984)
Previous rank: 11 ( UP 5)
Probably surprising for a lot of you that this is so high, but that’s the beauty of Bruce. His catalogue is so large, no two people are ever going to agree on certain things, and I think that’s great. People love songs like Point Blank, Held Up Without A Gun, Reason To Believe, and things from The Seeger Sessions, where I do not care for them at all. It’s just great how broad his appeal is.
The first time I heard this, I loved it immediately. Since that guitar opening, it grabbed me straight away and it still hasn’t let me go. This is the third song I have listened to every morning for the past three years or so.
Like Dancing In The Dark, the upbeat music hides it somewhat depressing lyrics. It’s not to say the lyrics are great by any means, just your simple pop/rock 80s love song, but it is really, really catchy.
You can see how much fun Bruce has on stage with it, good one for the crowd to belt out the chorus too as well.
Understand that I do not think this is a masterpiece of writing by Bruce. Thunder Road is a better song, Racing In The Street is better, New York City Serenade is far superior, I just happen to like this more.
Album: Born In The USA (1984)
Previous rank: 11 ( UP 5)
Probably surprising for a lot of you that this is so high, but that’s the beauty of Bruce. His catalogue is so large, no two people are ever going to agree on certain things, and I think that’s great. People love songs like Point Blank, Held Up Without A Gun, Reason To Believe, and things from The Seeger Sessions, where I do not care for them at all. It’s just great how broad his appeal is.
The first time I heard this, I loved it immediately. Since that guitar opening, it grabbed me straight away and it still hasn’t let me go. This is the third song I have listened to every morning for the past three years or so.
Like Dancing In The Dark, the upbeat music hides it somewhat depressing lyrics. It’s not to say the lyrics are great by any means, just your simple pop/rock 80s love song, but it is really, really catchy.
You can see how much fun Bruce has on stage with it, good one for the crowd to belt out the chorus too as well.
Understand that I do not think this is a masterpiece of writing by Bruce. Thunder Road is a better song, Racing In The Street is better, New York City Serenade is far superior, I just happen to like this more.
- Thread starter
- #3,896
5) Incident On 57th Street
Album: The Wild, The Innocent & The E-Street Shuffle (1973)
Previous rank: 6 (UP 1)
I’m starting to sound like a bit of a broken record, but how a song like Incident came off Bruce’s second album, before he made it big, and when he was only 24 is astonishing.
From the opening chords on Roy’s piano, to Bruce’s bending on his Telecaster straight after, followed by those amazing lyrics, Incident is so good it’s almost hard to believe. And we can’t forget that outro either. Wow. Then for another 7-10 minutes we hear the story of Spanish Johnny.
I have had a version from the Reunion Tour in Philly I thought was the best version I heard for a very long time. Upon first listen on the Barcelona DVD, I was never really a fan, but it grew on me after a while, but I just appreciated the full band one so much more. I heard various versions through the Magic tour and it still didn’t match up to the Reunion Tour, because it sounded like it was being played too fast, then, on the WOAD tour, the Philly version was surpassed. The band sounded even tighter, Bruce’s vocals were better and everything was running like clock work. Then a few years back I heard the version at Main Point and I was absolutely gob smacked at how something so intimate was produced. The violin in the intro was a superb addition; you could hear the emotion pouring out of it, just incredible. Bruce sounded so vulnerable with just the piano; it truly is an incredible rendition of an amazing song.
I feel privileged to have witnessed this live. Everybody was just captivated for the entire time. Nobody was shouting out the lyrics, nobody was yelling out BRUUUUUUUCE. Everybody respected the song and it was virtually silent the whole time he played. It was magical. I remember standing there and just thinking wow, I am actually seeing this, holy shit this is amazing.
And talk about great lyrics…
Well like a cool Romeo he made his moves, oh she looked so fine
Like a late Juliet she knew he'd never be true but then she really didn't mind
Upstairs a band was playin', the singer was singin' something about goin' home
She whispered, "Spanish Johnny, you can leave me tonight but just don't leave me alone"
Definitely one of my favourite Springsteen verses/lyrics, and one of my favourite of all time.
I honestly cannot translate to words how brilliant this is to see live. If you’ve seen it, you know what I am talking about.
And if you haven’t heard the Main Point version, listen to it NOW
Then there is this. It is the ONLY acoustic guitar version I have heard of this song. Just when you thought he didn’t have another surprise left in the bag he ripped this out in Pittsburgh.
And of course, the masterpiece those who were at Hanging Rock were lucky to witness.
Album: The Wild, The Innocent & The E-Street Shuffle (1973)
Previous rank: 6 (UP 1)
I’m starting to sound like a bit of a broken record, but how a song like Incident came off Bruce’s second album, before he made it big, and when he was only 24 is astonishing.
From the opening chords on Roy’s piano, to Bruce’s bending on his Telecaster straight after, followed by those amazing lyrics, Incident is so good it’s almost hard to believe. And we can’t forget that outro either. Wow. Then for another 7-10 minutes we hear the story of Spanish Johnny.
I have had a version from the Reunion Tour in Philly I thought was the best version I heard for a very long time. Upon first listen on the Barcelona DVD, I was never really a fan, but it grew on me after a while, but I just appreciated the full band one so much more. I heard various versions through the Magic tour and it still didn’t match up to the Reunion Tour, because it sounded like it was being played too fast, then, on the WOAD tour, the Philly version was surpassed. The band sounded even tighter, Bruce’s vocals were better and everything was running like clock work. Then a few years back I heard the version at Main Point and I was absolutely gob smacked at how something so intimate was produced. The violin in the intro was a superb addition; you could hear the emotion pouring out of it, just incredible. Bruce sounded so vulnerable with just the piano; it truly is an incredible rendition of an amazing song.
I feel privileged to have witnessed this live. Everybody was just captivated for the entire time. Nobody was shouting out the lyrics, nobody was yelling out BRUUUUUUUCE. Everybody respected the song and it was virtually silent the whole time he played. It was magical. I remember standing there and just thinking wow, I am actually seeing this, holy shit this is amazing.
And talk about great lyrics…
Well like a cool Romeo he made his moves, oh she looked so fine
Like a late Juliet she knew he'd never be true but then she really didn't mind
Upstairs a band was playin', the singer was singin' something about goin' home
She whispered, "Spanish Johnny, you can leave me tonight but just don't leave me alone"
Definitely one of my favourite Springsteen verses/lyrics, and one of my favourite of all time.
I honestly cannot translate to words how brilliant this is to see live. If you’ve seen it, you know what I am talking about.
And if you haven’t heard the Main Point version, listen to it NOW
Then there is this. It is the ONLY acoustic guitar version I have heard of this song. Just when you thought he didn’t have another surprise left in the bag he ripped this out in Pittsburgh.
And of course, the masterpiece those who were at Hanging Rock were lucky to witness.
- Thread starter
- #3,897
4) Lost In The Flood
Album: Greetings from Asbury Park (1972)
Previous rank: 9 (UP 5)
One of the many Springsteen epics. And it certainly doesn’t fail in delivering a knockout punch. Coming from Bruce’s 1972 debut album, Greetings From Asbury Park makes it even more remarkable.
Only 23 when this was written, probably younger actually come to think of it. The song is haunting, depressing, powerful and raw with Springsteen near his best. It’s hard to believe it is off his first album. Something so great, so epic, was written by a person in their early 20s. It’s almost beyond comprehension, then you realize it’s Springsteen, and it’s not so surprising after all.
This is definitely up there in terms of lyrics and music with Incident and Jungleland. The piano to lead us through the first quarter of the song, then the drums come crashing in, the tempo rises and everybody is jamming and Bruce takes it up a notch with his vocal work. You can imagine the fire he’s got in his veins as he is pounding through this second half of the song.
Flood provides many great images due to the lyrics. In particular “Hey man, did you see that, his body hit the street with such a beautiful thud.” It’s almost too good to be true that a lyric such as that has been penned. That whole last verse sounds almost like a gangland battle, kind of similar to Jungleland in parts.
Witnessing it live is absolutely insane. You can feel the intensity, especially if you’re right up near the stage. It is just ridiculous how good this song actually is. Once the band comes in, the whole song goes up a whole other level.
The “you hear 5 quick shots” line is epic. Max does a drum roll to signify the shots. I love little things like that, probably not noticeable to many people, but it’s just a great subtle addition.
Another tour highlight for me, without a doubt. Amongst the three best songs I have seen performed live – by anyone.
Album: Greetings from Asbury Park (1972)
Previous rank: 9 (UP 5)
One of the many Springsteen epics. And it certainly doesn’t fail in delivering a knockout punch. Coming from Bruce’s 1972 debut album, Greetings From Asbury Park makes it even more remarkable.
Only 23 when this was written, probably younger actually come to think of it. The song is haunting, depressing, powerful and raw with Springsteen near his best. It’s hard to believe it is off his first album. Something so great, so epic, was written by a person in their early 20s. It’s almost beyond comprehension, then you realize it’s Springsteen, and it’s not so surprising after all.
This is definitely up there in terms of lyrics and music with Incident and Jungleland. The piano to lead us through the first quarter of the song, then the drums come crashing in, the tempo rises and everybody is jamming and Bruce takes it up a notch with his vocal work. You can imagine the fire he’s got in his veins as he is pounding through this second half of the song.
Flood provides many great images due to the lyrics. In particular “Hey man, did you see that, his body hit the street with such a beautiful thud.” It’s almost too good to be true that a lyric such as that has been penned. That whole last verse sounds almost like a gangland battle, kind of similar to Jungleland in parts.
Witnessing it live is absolutely insane. You can feel the intensity, especially if you’re right up near the stage. It is just ridiculous how good this song actually is. Once the band comes in, the whole song goes up a whole other level.
The “you hear 5 quick shots” line is epic. Max does a drum roll to signify the shots. I love little things like that, probably not noticeable to many people, but it’s just a great subtle addition.
Another tour highlight for me, without a doubt. Amongst the three best songs I have seen performed live – by anyone.
- Thread starter
- #3,898
3) Growin’ Up
Album: Greetings from Asbury Park (1972)
Previous rank: 3 (SAME)
This completes the songs from Greetings, so anybody hanging out for Mary Queen of Arkansas, sorry, it’s not in the next two spots.
Another surprise in the top 10, and I’m sure for many of you, so high up.
Growin' Up is a joy to behold.
My first recollection of Growin’ Up goes back a few years. The first version of it I heard was the 1972 recording at Max’s in Kansas City. I liked it for a song that used only an acoustic guitar. Then I managed to find the version from the 1975-85 disc and finally got a copy of a version from The Reunion Tour which is my favourite. It’s a joyous song that keeps that feel throughout the track. When I listen to it, I feel like a kid again, and a little nostalgic.
This is the second song I listen to every morning after I wake up. Without fail.
The story in the middle is brilliant. It’s a must watch. It brings tears to my eyes every time.
The song really isn’t anything special at all. It doesn’t have anything to blow you away, but what Bruce does very well is simple, and sometimes, as we all know, less is more at times. For me, this is one of those cases. It’s a song that can cheer me up instantly at the worst of times.
And for those in Sydney, here's a flashback
I WAS THE COSMIC KID!
Album: Greetings from Asbury Park (1972)
Previous rank: 3 (SAME)
This completes the songs from Greetings, so anybody hanging out for Mary Queen of Arkansas, sorry, it’s not in the next two spots.
Another surprise in the top 10, and I’m sure for many of you, so high up.
Growin' Up is a joy to behold.
My first recollection of Growin’ Up goes back a few years. The first version of it I heard was the 1972 recording at Max’s in Kansas City. I liked it for a song that used only an acoustic guitar. Then I managed to find the version from the 1975-85 disc and finally got a copy of a version from The Reunion Tour which is my favourite. It’s a joyous song that keeps that feel throughout the track. When I listen to it, I feel like a kid again, and a little nostalgic.
This is the second song I listen to every morning after I wake up. Without fail.
The story in the middle is brilliant. It’s a must watch. It brings tears to my eyes every time.
The song really isn’t anything special at all. It doesn’t have anything to blow you away, but what Bruce does very well is simple, and sometimes, as we all know, less is more at times. For me, this is one of those cases. It’s a song that can cheer me up instantly at the worst of times.
And for those in Sydney, here's a flashback
I WAS THE COSMIC KID!
- Thread starter
- #3,899
2) Rosalita
Album: The Wild, The Innocent & The E-Street Shuffle (1973)
Previous rank: 5 (UP3)
Still to this day, I have not seen anyone have more fun with any other song than Bruce
Springsteen does with Rosalita.
This song just spells out F-U-N. It is impossible to listen to this song and not feel a rush of huge happiness shooting through your veins with a smile from ear to ear plastered on your face. It is the ultimate feel good Springsteen song.
He just feeds off the crowd so effortlessly when he plays it live. The crowd are more than willing to complete lines, and can you hardly blame them? It just flows so easily when Bruce throws it over. You can see how much fun he has when he plays it. Bruce turns into a kid on stage and he doesn’t give a damn, and nor should he. It is the ultimate crowd pleaser, and the ultimate show closer. To be honest, Rosie could be played anywhere in a show and it would fit in perfectly. That’s how good it is.
I went berserk when I heard this at Melbourne2. Was happy as a pig in shit. The euphoria that took over me was uncontrollable and for the entire period of the song, nothing was going to drag me away from the sheer ecstasy I was feeling, nothing. It was a rush that unbelievably awesome. And especially when he comes out onto the centre platform. Just crazy
Oh, and that opening guitar riff, amazing.
Thirty years later, and you would still think he’s playing it in 1978.
And I can be seen in this clip at around the 2.30 mark, grey shirt to the slightly right of the screen. Got my arm around a bloke jumping up and down with my hand in the air. How I wish I could relive it. I can be seen "drumming" at 6.08.
Album: The Wild, The Innocent & The E-Street Shuffle (1973)
Previous rank: 5 (UP3)
Still to this day, I have not seen anyone have more fun with any other song than Bruce
Springsteen does with Rosalita.
This song just spells out F-U-N. It is impossible to listen to this song and not feel a rush of huge happiness shooting through your veins with a smile from ear to ear plastered on your face. It is the ultimate feel good Springsteen song.
He just feeds off the crowd so effortlessly when he plays it live. The crowd are more than willing to complete lines, and can you hardly blame them? It just flows so easily when Bruce throws it over. You can see how much fun he has when he plays it. Bruce turns into a kid on stage and he doesn’t give a damn, and nor should he. It is the ultimate crowd pleaser, and the ultimate show closer. To be honest, Rosie could be played anywhere in a show and it would fit in perfectly. That’s how good it is.
I went berserk when I heard this at Melbourne2. Was happy as a pig in shit. The euphoria that took over me was uncontrollable and for the entire period of the song, nothing was going to drag me away from the sheer ecstasy I was feeling, nothing. It was a rush that unbelievably awesome. And especially when he comes out onto the centre platform. Just crazy
Oh, and that opening guitar riff, amazing.
Thirty years later, and you would still think he’s playing it in 1978.
And I can be seen in this clip at around the 2.30 mark, grey shirt to the slightly right of the screen. Got my arm around a bloke jumping up and down with my hand in the air. How I wish I could relive it. I can be seen "drumming" at 6.08.
- Thread starter
- #3,900
1)Backstreets/Jungleland
Album: Born To Run
Previous rank (2/1)
Call it cheating if you like, but it’s pretty hard to separate your favourite song of all time, with the greatest song you know you’ll ever hear. Admittedly, it wasn’t until I hit number 5 that I realized I had an extra song. This was the only viable way to fix it, and I think it’s fair.
I will critique the songs separately.
Backstreets –
Backstreets is a song I hold very close to me. I would probably want it played at my funeral, it is probably the song I have listened to most in my life too. I think everyone can get it why Backstreets is here. I would be very surprised if it isn’t in someone’s top 10. It is a piece of musical mastery. And again, written at only 24? Incredible, that, you can churn out this, Jungleland, Incident, NYC Serenade and Flood all before your 25th birthday. It’s actually ridiculous how someone, so young, can write songs of that standard at such an age. The mind boggles.
All those years ago when I bought Live In New York City on DVD, I neglected disc two for quite some time. I would play disc one and not even give disc two a chance in Hell of being played. Then I was bored one afternoon and I thought why not give it a go. First cab off the rank on disc two was Backstreets, I had no idea what to expect, and especially the impact it would have on me.
From those opening piano chords where Roy is ruling the roost without taking too much of the spotlight, followed by the organs, then the rumbling of Max’s floor tom, followed by that commanding drum beat that is displayed throughout the song, then Bruce giving that real twang from his Telecaster, I knew it was going to be amazing, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. It has stood the test of time in my love for Springsteen.
It is the first song I listen to every morning when I wake up, I’ve been doing that for probably four years now and I am still not sick of it. I don’t think I ever will be either. I listen to it during the day too, the song is flawless. Everything about it is brilliant. The drums, the piano, Bruce’s guitar, the organs. The breakdown after the third verse when it’s done live. All of it. The lyrics are some of the best I have heard. The solo is my favourite piece of music. The passion he shows when he sings this is almost unparalleled. The second best song off Born To Run. And if Max ever controlled a song, THIS was it. I often air drum to Backstreets, and for most of the song too, I have watched that many clips of it, I know what’s coming next. The beat drives this song, that’s why I love it so much I think.
It is my favourite song of all time. Musical brilliance near its epitome. Absolutely faultless song. I don’t think I have seen him command a stage more and evoke so much emotion as what he does during Backstreets.
And the bridge, how good is the bridge!
At night sometimes it seemed you could hear the whole damn city crying
Blame it on the lies that killed us
Blame it on the truth that ran us down
You can blame it all on me Terry
It don't matter to me now
When the breakdown hit at midnight
There was nothing left to say but I hated him and I hated you when you went away
Wow.
Jungleland -
Man there's an opera out on the Turnpike, there's a ballet being fought out in the alley
Where do I start? Whatever I say it isn’t going to do the song any justice whatsoever.
Firstly let me start by saying it is by far the greatest song I have ever heard and the greatest song I will ever hear in my life. Nothing can, or ever will surpass it. It is perfection. If God wrote a song, it wouldn’t be as good as Jungleland. It is impossible, in my mind for a better song to be composed than this work of art. Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, impossible. From start to finish, it leaves me breathless, and even though I know what’s coming next and I have listened to it more times than I have had cooked dinners, it still blows me away that this song actually exists, and was written by someone when they were only 24. When you look at Born To Run, as an album it’s quite amazing the amount of quality that oozes out of it. You’ve got Backstreets, Thunder Road, Born To Run, and of course Jungleland, which are true epics. Amazing.
The first time I heard Jungleland I would have been 18 or 19. I remember either downloading it or ripping it from the Live in NYC CD, but never actually listened to it. So I thought I’d give it a crack. It was instant love. Nothing was going to stop me from holding it in such high esteem. From the start, much like Backstreets, I knew it was phenomenal. I would listen to it before I go to sleep and be in tears by the end of it because of how good it was. Clarence’s solo is something that is almost too good to be believed. But when you realize it’s a Springsteen song, it starts to make sense.
This is where Roy shines the most. While Backstreets and Racing are pivotal parts in showcasing the Professor’s talents, Jungleland is where you really hear what he is capable of. From that delicate intro, to thundering through the verses, to providing the backing during Clarence’s solo, then the backing for the outro, to the energetic playing to close the song out while Bruce is wailing, it’s just wonderful. Even though there is a lot going on, the piano is a foundation which carries Jungleland superbly. Credit to Bruce for writing it and as much credit to Roy for stepping up to the plate and delivering masterfully.
The swirling organ during the intro adds charm and mystery, and a bit of optimism. An underrated intrsument and probably doesn’t get enough spotlight, it sits back, and does its job fine enough though.
The tempo builds as the first verse goes on and then all of a sudden by the end of the second verse you’re shouting DOOOOOOOWN IIIIIIIIIN JUUUUUNGLEEEEELAAAAAAAAAAAND at the top of your lungs, like you’re front row centre. By this point we have been introduced to possibly the best characters in a song ever - The Magic Rat and The Barefoot Girl. I mean, how awesome are those names? Anybody could write about Steve, Brian, Joe and so on, but those names are something else. They kind of give of this aura of secrecy and make you want more.
Jungleland is in full swing now. Drums are pounding, guitars are being played with fury, Roy is unrelenting on the piano, Bruce is giving it all vocally. It’s all come together. You can see the passion almost bursting out of Bruce’s veins. Hell, I’d be the same if I wrote something this good too. You can hear it in his voice too, it’s awe-inspiring to watch.
While I think Bob Dylan is the greatest lyricist ever, I think Bruce is very underrated to your John Doe. I mean, look at the lyrics of Jungleland, they are by far the best thing he has ever written, and that is really saying something when you look at the quality of his catalogue. Songs like Lost In The Flood, Incident, Backstreets, NYC Serenade, Racing In The Street are definitely no pushovers, but when Jungleland is incomparable to them, it really is saying something about the quality of the lyrics. You could pick out any line and be blown away.
The rangers had a homecoming in Harlem late last night
And the Magic Rat drove his sleek machine over the Jersey state line
Barefoot girl sitting on the hood of a Dodge
Drinking warm beer in the soft summer rain
The Rat pulls into town rolls up his pants
Together they take a stab at romance and disappear down Flamingo Lane
Well the Maximum Lawman run down Flamingo chasing the Rat and the barefoot girl
And the kids round here look just like shadows always quiet, holding hands
From the churches to the jails tonight all is silence in the world
As we take our stand down in Jungleland
The midnight gang's assembled and picked a rendezvous for the night
They'll meet 'neath that giant Exxon sign that brings this fair city light
Man there's an opera out on the Turnpike
There's a ballet being fought out in the alley
Until the local cops, Cherry Tops, rips this holy night
The street's alive as secret debts are paid
Contacts made, they vanished unseen
Kids flash guitars just like switch-blades hustling for the record machine
The hungry and the hunted explode into rock'n'roll bands
That face off against each other out in the street down in Jungleland
In the parking lot the visionaries dress in the latest rage
Inside the backstreet girls are dancing to the records that the D.J. plays
Lonely-hearted lovers struggle in dark corners
Desperate as the night moves on, just a look and a whisper, and they're gone
Beneath the city two hearts beat
Soul engines running through a night so tender in a bedroom locked
In whispers of soft refusal and then surrender in the tunnels uptown
The Rat's own dream guns him down as shots echo down them hallways in the night
No one watches when the ambulance pulls away
Or as the girl shuts out the bedroom light
Outside the street's on fire in a real death waltz
Between flesh and what's fantasy and the poets down here
Don't write nothing at all, they just stand back and let it all be
And in the quick of the night they reach for their moment
And try to make an honest stand but they wind up wounded, not even dead
Tonight in Jungleland
You cannot pick a bad line. From the Barefoot Girl sitting on the hood of a Dodge, to the Maximum Lawman running down Flamingo Lane, to meeting ‘neath that Giant Exxon sign, to flashing guitars like switchblades. Or how about the backstreet girls dancing to the record that the DJ plays? The poet’s down here don’t write nothing at all is amazing too. The lyrics are faultless. I can’t pick a favourite line, there are that many, it’s just too hard. Sounding like a broken record, but writing this at 24 is almost inconceivable.
Then comes along the defining moment of Clarence Clemons career, and many Bruce fans’ favourite moment. That epic sax solo. Not much needs to be said, I have run out of superlatives to use, everyone knows how good it is. The passion, the emotion, the length, all of it. Max provides a solid foundation too throughout the solo, the crashing of his symbols is awesome.
After Clarence’s moment of glory, we are treated to some very depressing piano chords. They fit with what is coming up though. You can hear the pain in Bruce’s voice. It sounds like he himself has lost someone close to him, the anguish is heartbreaking, and the piano only adds to it. Then there are those final wails. You thought the ones in Something In The Night were filled with pain, these are the epitome of pain.
Then, the epic masterpiece that is Jungleland, is finished.
When Bruce played this at Melbourne3, he initially grabbed the sign and spoke for a little before it, obviously everyone knew it was coming, but as soon as he pointed to Roy and Roy begun playing, I started blubbering like a little girl until the band came in. I just couldn’t believe, the song I have loved for 7 years, the greatest song I have heard in my entire life, was being played right before me. It was surreal. Those 10 minutes were the greatest 10 minutes of my life. It was just an absolute out of this world experience that I cannot do enough justice to with my words. Those who have experienced live know what I am talking about, and while they may not enjoy it as much as me, I am sure they can understand and appreciate my love for the song.
I’ve written too much already, and interpreting this song is difficult. So I’ll leave you to form your own assumptions of it. Whatever you come to though, it sure as hell will be incredible.
Love how he is too busy windmilling and misses his cue to start the third verse. Wouldn't even know if you'd never heard the song before.
Surprised you can't hear me crying here
Album: Born To Run
Previous rank (2/1)
Call it cheating if you like, but it’s pretty hard to separate your favourite song of all time, with the greatest song you know you’ll ever hear. Admittedly, it wasn’t until I hit number 5 that I realized I had an extra song. This was the only viable way to fix it, and I think it’s fair.
I will critique the songs separately.
Backstreets –
Backstreets is a song I hold very close to me. I would probably want it played at my funeral, it is probably the song I have listened to most in my life too. I think everyone can get it why Backstreets is here. I would be very surprised if it isn’t in someone’s top 10. It is a piece of musical mastery. And again, written at only 24? Incredible, that, you can churn out this, Jungleland, Incident, NYC Serenade and Flood all before your 25th birthday. It’s actually ridiculous how someone, so young, can write songs of that standard at such an age. The mind boggles.
All those years ago when I bought Live In New York City on DVD, I neglected disc two for quite some time. I would play disc one and not even give disc two a chance in Hell of being played. Then I was bored one afternoon and I thought why not give it a go. First cab off the rank on disc two was Backstreets, I had no idea what to expect, and especially the impact it would have on me.
From those opening piano chords where Roy is ruling the roost without taking too much of the spotlight, followed by the organs, then the rumbling of Max’s floor tom, followed by that commanding drum beat that is displayed throughout the song, then Bruce giving that real twang from his Telecaster, I knew it was going to be amazing, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. It has stood the test of time in my love for Springsteen.
It is the first song I listen to every morning when I wake up, I’ve been doing that for probably four years now and I am still not sick of it. I don’t think I ever will be either. I listen to it during the day too, the song is flawless. Everything about it is brilliant. The drums, the piano, Bruce’s guitar, the organs. The breakdown after the third verse when it’s done live. All of it. The lyrics are some of the best I have heard. The solo is my favourite piece of music. The passion he shows when he sings this is almost unparalleled. The second best song off Born To Run. And if Max ever controlled a song, THIS was it. I often air drum to Backstreets, and for most of the song too, I have watched that many clips of it, I know what’s coming next. The beat drives this song, that’s why I love it so much I think.
It is my favourite song of all time. Musical brilliance near its epitome. Absolutely faultless song. I don’t think I have seen him command a stage more and evoke so much emotion as what he does during Backstreets.
And the bridge, how good is the bridge!
At night sometimes it seemed you could hear the whole damn city crying
Blame it on the lies that killed us
Blame it on the truth that ran us down
You can blame it all on me Terry
It don't matter to me now
When the breakdown hit at midnight
There was nothing left to say but I hated him and I hated you when you went away
Wow.
Jungleland -
Man there's an opera out on the Turnpike, there's a ballet being fought out in the alley
Where do I start? Whatever I say it isn’t going to do the song any justice whatsoever.
Firstly let me start by saying it is by far the greatest song I have ever heard and the greatest song I will ever hear in my life. Nothing can, or ever will surpass it. It is perfection. If God wrote a song, it wouldn’t be as good as Jungleland. It is impossible, in my mind for a better song to be composed than this work of art. Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, impossible. From start to finish, it leaves me breathless, and even though I know what’s coming next and I have listened to it more times than I have had cooked dinners, it still blows me away that this song actually exists, and was written by someone when they were only 24. When you look at Born To Run, as an album it’s quite amazing the amount of quality that oozes out of it. You’ve got Backstreets, Thunder Road, Born To Run, and of course Jungleland, which are true epics. Amazing.
The first time I heard Jungleland I would have been 18 or 19. I remember either downloading it or ripping it from the Live in NYC CD, but never actually listened to it. So I thought I’d give it a crack. It was instant love. Nothing was going to stop me from holding it in such high esteem. From the start, much like Backstreets, I knew it was phenomenal. I would listen to it before I go to sleep and be in tears by the end of it because of how good it was. Clarence’s solo is something that is almost too good to be believed. But when you realize it’s a Springsteen song, it starts to make sense.
This is where Roy shines the most. While Backstreets and Racing are pivotal parts in showcasing the Professor’s talents, Jungleland is where you really hear what he is capable of. From that delicate intro, to thundering through the verses, to providing the backing during Clarence’s solo, then the backing for the outro, to the energetic playing to close the song out while Bruce is wailing, it’s just wonderful. Even though there is a lot going on, the piano is a foundation which carries Jungleland superbly. Credit to Bruce for writing it and as much credit to Roy for stepping up to the plate and delivering masterfully.
The swirling organ during the intro adds charm and mystery, and a bit of optimism. An underrated intrsument and probably doesn’t get enough spotlight, it sits back, and does its job fine enough though.
The tempo builds as the first verse goes on and then all of a sudden by the end of the second verse you’re shouting DOOOOOOOWN IIIIIIIIIN JUUUUUNGLEEEEELAAAAAAAAAAAND at the top of your lungs, like you’re front row centre. By this point we have been introduced to possibly the best characters in a song ever - The Magic Rat and The Barefoot Girl. I mean, how awesome are those names? Anybody could write about Steve, Brian, Joe and so on, but those names are something else. They kind of give of this aura of secrecy and make you want more.
Jungleland is in full swing now. Drums are pounding, guitars are being played with fury, Roy is unrelenting on the piano, Bruce is giving it all vocally. It’s all come together. You can see the passion almost bursting out of Bruce’s veins. Hell, I’d be the same if I wrote something this good too. You can hear it in his voice too, it’s awe-inspiring to watch.
While I think Bob Dylan is the greatest lyricist ever, I think Bruce is very underrated to your John Doe. I mean, look at the lyrics of Jungleland, they are by far the best thing he has ever written, and that is really saying something when you look at the quality of his catalogue. Songs like Lost In The Flood, Incident, Backstreets, NYC Serenade, Racing In The Street are definitely no pushovers, but when Jungleland is incomparable to them, it really is saying something about the quality of the lyrics. You could pick out any line and be blown away.
The rangers had a homecoming in Harlem late last night
And the Magic Rat drove his sleek machine over the Jersey state line
Barefoot girl sitting on the hood of a Dodge
Drinking warm beer in the soft summer rain
The Rat pulls into town rolls up his pants
Together they take a stab at romance and disappear down Flamingo Lane
Well the Maximum Lawman run down Flamingo chasing the Rat and the barefoot girl
And the kids round here look just like shadows always quiet, holding hands
From the churches to the jails tonight all is silence in the world
As we take our stand down in Jungleland
The midnight gang's assembled and picked a rendezvous for the night
They'll meet 'neath that giant Exxon sign that brings this fair city light
Man there's an opera out on the Turnpike
There's a ballet being fought out in the alley
Until the local cops, Cherry Tops, rips this holy night
The street's alive as secret debts are paid
Contacts made, they vanished unseen
Kids flash guitars just like switch-blades hustling for the record machine
The hungry and the hunted explode into rock'n'roll bands
That face off against each other out in the street down in Jungleland
In the parking lot the visionaries dress in the latest rage
Inside the backstreet girls are dancing to the records that the D.J. plays
Lonely-hearted lovers struggle in dark corners
Desperate as the night moves on, just a look and a whisper, and they're gone
Beneath the city two hearts beat
Soul engines running through a night so tender in a bedroom locked
In whispers of soft refusal and then surrender in the tunnels uptown
The Rat's own dream guns him down as shots echo down them hallways in the night
No one watches when the ambulance pulls away
Or as the girl shuts out the bedroom light
Outside the street's on fire in a real death waltz
Between flesh and what's fantasy and the poets down here
Don't write nothing at all, they just stand back and let it all be
And in the quick of the night they reach for their moment
And try to make an honest stand but they wind up wounded, not even dead
Tonight in Jungleland
You cannot pick a bad line. From the Barefoot Girl sitting on the hood of a Dodge, to the Maximum Lawman running down Flamingo Lane, to meeting ‘neath that Giant Exxon sign, to flashing guitars like switchblades. Or how about the backstreet girls dancing to the record that the DJ plays? The poet’s down here don’t write nothing at all is amazing too. The lyrics are faultless. I can’t pick a favourite line, there are that many, it’s just too hard. Sounding like a broken record, but writing this at 24 is almost inconceivable.
Then comes along the defining moment of Clarence Clemons career, and many Bruce fans’ favourite moment. That epic sax solo. Not much needs to be said, I have run out of superlatives to use, everyone knows how good it is. The passion, the emotion, the length, all of it. Max provides a solid foundation too throughout the solo, the crashing of his symbols is awesome.
After Clarence’s moment of glory, we are treated to some very depressing piano chords. They fit with what is coming up though. You can hear the pain in Bruce’s voice. It sounds like he himself has lost someone close to him, the anguish is heartbreaking, and the piano only adds to it. Then there are those final wails. You thought the ones in Something In The Night were filled with pain, these are the epitome of pain.
Then, the epic masterpiece that is Jungleland, is finished.
When Bruce played this at Melbourne3, he initially grabbed the sign and spoke for a little before it, obviously everyone knew it was coming, but as soon as he pointed to Roy and Roy begun playing, I started blubbering like a little girl until the band came in. I just couldn’t believe, the song I have loved for 7 years, the greatest song I have heard in my entire life, was being played right before me. It was surreal. Those 10 minutes were the greatest 10 minutes of my life. It was just an absolute out of this world experience that I cannot do enough justice to with my words. Those who have experienced live know what I am talking about, and while they may not enjoy it as much as me, I am sure they can understand and appreciate my love for the song.
I’ve written too much already, and interpreting this song is difficult. So I’ll leave you to form your own assumptions of it. Whatever you come to though, it sure as hell will be incredible.
Love how he is too busy windmilling and misses his cue to start the third verse. Wouldn't even know if you'd never heard the song before.
Surprised you can't hear me crying here
