Bruce Springsteen
- Thread starter Cruyff14
- Start date
- Tagged users None
- Thread starter
- #8,777
I very much doubt it happens. Incredibly short turnaround between ticket sales and the actual show.
- Thread starter
- #8,778
74) Blinded By The Light (Greetings From Asbury Park)
I need to make a disclaimer. This song sits higher than what it probably should due to the Manfred Mann cover. I will fight anyone to the death that doesn’t agree that Manfred Mann’s Earth Band cover is better than the original. The paradox is however I couldn’t fight you to the death without the original.
Blinded bombards you with a whirlwind of lyrics that barely allows you to catch your breath, even after the song is over.
Blinded has a lot going on, probably too much at points. What I will say though, is that it is a fun song. And definitely one of the more light-hearted tracks he has written. It’s definitely one way to announce yourself on your debut album!
The song also created some of the greatest names of characters in Springsteen songs. From Go-Kart Mozart, to Little Early-Pearly, hazard from Harvard,
Blinded does have one of my all time favourite lines in it – from any song – “mama always told me not to look into the sun, but mama, that’s where the fun is!”
Pretty proud of myself for knowing all the words to both versions too!
And thank goodness for rhyming dictionaries!
For me, this is the best version that Bruce is done;
The full band is an absolute blast too;
73) Drive All Night (The River)
There are several epics in the Springsteen cannon, and it is almost impossible to rank them. And, Drive All Night is one of those course.
Drive All Night is one of the all time great love songs, without any shadow of a doubt.
This guy is willing to quite literally, drive all night, for this girl. I think in today’s day and age, the message doesn’t quite have the same meaning. You can pick up the phone, send a text message, video chat, or whatever. The romanticism of the 70s and 80s is gone, and the pursuit of love is on an entirely different road. But, at the time of writing this, Springsteen was clearly leading the convoy, because he’s lost that girl.
The soothing piano and the rimshots are perfect companions throughout, and the sax halfway through catapults the emotion into the next stratosphere. The last verse raises the emotion, the conviction, the lengths he’s willing to go to, and if the sax solo halfway through shoots the song into the stratosphere, the one to bring the song home catapults it light years ahead.
The song was done in one take, with Bruce playing piano and Max just following with his ears as he did not know what was to follow.. Incredibly when you think about the song overall, the quality, the length, the composition. Exceptional. The vocal is perfect, full of want, desire, conviction and willingness, and hearing him raise it as the track goes on is wonderful.
Absolutely majestic song.
72) American Skin (41 Shots) (High Hopes)
You can almost grab the tension with your own two hands in American Skin. With each passing second, you can feel the tension increase and the intensity becomes even more palpable. Things slowly build, only for everything to be cut back down, though the feeling remains the same.
Come the solo though, the songs bursts at its seams and an explosion of the aforementioned tension and intensity blow up before us.
If I were picking songs based on tension, this would be right near the top.
An outstanding track which really highlights that life can be taken as quickly as it is given, even if you’re doing nothing wrong.
The breakdown where it is just Bruce on vocal shouting “you get killed just for living…” undoubtedly adds an incredibly powerful layer to a song already full of anger.
Unparalleled intensity.
71) No Surrender (Born In The USA)
If you’re looking for rock and roll to take you on a ride in under five minutes, No Surrender is your jam.
The track explodes out of the gates with delight and it doesn’t let up. A song about friendship and rock and roll. Two of the greatest things you can find in life.
70) Wrecking Ball (Wrecking Ball)
Wrecking Ball is exactly as the object in its title is in real life – powerful and unforgiving.
All the cogs in the E-Street Band work together perfectly to form the track from the album of the same name from 2012.
Wrecking Ball is triumphant in its quest for feelings of liberation, resilience and hope.
The song might have been written about a football stadium, but the meaning of the below lines can be seamless drawn with comparisons of real life;
And your game has been decided, and you're burning the clock down
And all our little victories and glories, have turned into parking lots
When your best hopes and desires, are scattered through the wind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taWJZ01BTD
I need to make a disclaimer. This song sits higher than what it probably should due to the Manfred Mann cover. I will fight anyone to the death that doesn’t agree that Manfred Mann’s Earth Band cover is better than the original. The paradox is however I couldn’t fight you to the death without the original.
Blinded bombards you with a whirlwind of lyrics that barely allows you to catch your breath, even after the song is over.
Blinded has a lot going on, probably too much at points. What I will say though, is that it is a fun song. And definitely one of the more light-hearted tracks he has written. It’s definitely one way to announce yourself on your debut album!
The song also created some of the greatest names of characters in Springsteen songs. From Go-Kart Mozart, to Little Early-Pearly, hazard from Harvard,
Blinded does have one of my all time favourite lines in it – from any song – “mama always told me not to look into the sun, but mama, that’s where the fun is!”
Pretty proud of myself for knowing all the words to both versions too!
And thank goodness for rhyming dictionaries!
For me, this is the best version that Bruce is done;
The full band is an absolute blast too;
73) Drive All Night (The River)
There are several epics in the Springsteen cannon, and it is almost impossible to rank them. And, Drive All Night is one of those course.
Drive All Night is one of the all time great love songs, without any shadow of a doubt.
This guy is willing to quite literally, drive all night, for this girl. I think in today’s day and age, the message doesn’t quite have the same meaning. You can pick up the phone, send a text message, video chat, or whatever. The romanticism of the 70s and 80s is gone, and the pursuit of love is on an entirely different road. But, at the time of writing this, Springsteen was clearly leading the convoy, because he’s lost that girl.
The soothing piano and the rimshots are perfect companions throughout, and the sax halfway through catapults the emotion into the next stratosphere. The last verse raises the emotion, the conviction, the lengths he’s willing to go to, and if the sax solo halfway through shoots the song into the stratosphere, the one to bring the song home catapults it light years ahead.
The song was done in one take, with Bruce playing piano and Max just following with his ears as he did not know what was to follow.. Incredibly when you think about the song overall, the quality, the length, the composition. Exceptional. The vocal is perfect, full of want, desire, conviction and willingness, and hearing him raise it as the track goes on is wonderful.
Absolutely majestic song.
72) American Skin (41 Shots) (High Hopes)
You can almost grab the tension with your own two hands in American Skin. With each passing second, you can feel the tension increase and the intensity becomes even more palpable. Things slowly build, only for everything to be cut back down, though the feeling remains the same.
Come the solo though, the songs bursts at its seams and an explosion of the aforementioned tension and intensity blow up before us.
If I were picking songs based on tension, this would be right near the top.
An outstanding track which really highlights that life can be taken as quickly as it is given, even if you’re doing nothing wrong.
The breakdown where it is just Bruce on vocal shouting “you get killed just for living…” undoubtedly adds an incredibly powerful layer to a song already full of anger.
Unparalleled intensity.
71) No Surrender (Born In The USA)
If you’re looking for rock and roll to take you on a ride in under five minutes, No Surrender is your jam.
The track explodes out of the gates with delight and it doesn’t let up. A song about friendship and rock and roll. Two of the greatest things you can find in life.
70) Wrecking Ball (Wrecking Ball)
Wrecking Ball is exactly as the object in its title is in real life – powerful and unforgiving.
All the cogs in the E-Street Band work together perfectly to form the track from the album of the same name from 2012.
Wrecking Ball is triumphant in its quest for feelings of liberation, resilience and hope.
The song might have been written about a football stadium, but the meaning of the below lines can be seamless drawn with comparisons of real life;
And your game has been decided, and you're burning the clock down
And all our little victories and glories, have turned into parking lots
When your best hopes and desires, are scattered through the wind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taWJZ01BTD
- Jan 7, 2018
- 7,897
- 7,191
- AFL Club
- Western Bulldogs
Did some music lists during covid to keep myself occupied.
Had a look at them recently and I would have made plenty of changes to them.
I think in countdowns usually the top 10 is set in stone but after that the songs fall in and out of favour the lower the ranking goes.
- Thread starter
- #8,780
69) Into The Fire (The Rising)
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you some place higher
Into The Fire’s imagery is incredibly powerful, and perhaps up there with some of the best he has created. It’s stark, unembellished and sits front and centre, impossible to avoid.
Much like The Rising, it tells us the story of a fireman, rescuing the injured from the Twin Towers. Its first verse is heartbreaking, and a lot of the song follows that same lead. The firefighter in this song is painted in this extraordinary image of a hero, and rightly so. "I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher", the latter part of that line is exceptional and highlights that even after 30 years in the business, Bruce had not lost his lyrical deftness.
Into The Fire speaks of incredible loss, hardship, death and selflessness. And that selflessness is reflected in that third verse “You lay your hand on me, and then walked into the darkness of your smoky grave.” I mean, read that line back, that is incredibly stark and raw. Not to mention the sheer power of the imagery created with that line.
Another song where yet again Patti’s vocals are outstanding and an entirely new element to an already great song.
Its composition and arrangement really masks the devastation the song carries with it. If it was completely stripped back it’d take on a whole new stance.
68) So Young And In Love (Tracks)
Everybody's reelin' when the band hit's the ceilin'
So Young And In Love is relentless in its pursuit of making the listener feel happy. From its vibrant opening with a drum roll, straight into sax with the band in support, it is impossible not to get swept away in the joy that bursts effortlessly from this track.
It also gets bonus points for sharing a line with Night.
The sax is the star which shines brightest here though.
Ecstasy. Pure, unrivalled ecstasy.
67) Lucky Town (Lucky Town)
When it comes to luck you make your own
One of a handful of good things to come from the disbanding of The E-Street Band is this song. It has plenty of attitude about it, and the growl it’s sung with is a nice addition.
The guitar in the intro sounds tight and it kicks hard enough without hurting. He’s employed this country twang when playing, and you can really hear it in the solo, and it sounds so damn good.
There is plenty of self depreciation in Lucky Town – especially in the bridge.
That closing solo is a thing of beauty!
66) Murder Incorporated (Greatest Hits)
So the comfort that you keep's a gold-plated snub-nose thirty-two
Murder Incorporated sits right near the very top of Bruce’s angriest songs. There are only two others which come close.
This track destroys all in its path with the amount of omnipotence it carries with it. It leaves no one standing, right from the off. It hits you with a hurricane of force and blows you away with its power.
That killer guitar intro, with the organs and the heavy pounding on the snare sets up a song that is a real knockout. The bridge is one of my favourites too.
Evidently, it appears to be a song about a guy on the run from the mob, constantly checking over his shoulder, and thinking everyone and everything is against him.
The backing vocals on this track are really underrated I believe. It’s easy to miss them with everything else going on, but I feel they add a great element. And if you’re not a fan of the three different steaming guitar solos that take the song out, see a doctor.
One of the angriest tracks in his collection, and there are probably only a handful of songs where he has more conviction in the vocal.
Everything about Murder Inc is insanely high octane. Those solos at the end really turn up the heat way past 11, and with Max bashing away behind, it’s so easy just to not give a shit about anything else than the mighty E-Street Band at full force.
If you need to open a can of kickass, this is IT!
65) You’re Missing (The Rising)
I got dust on my shoes, nothin’ but teardrops
This has to be one of the most poignant and heartfelt songs Bruce has written. The piano rips out your heartstrings, and the vocal definitely hits you right in the heart, too. The violin which also is prominent throughout also amplifies the feeling of loss.
You’re Missing doesn’t try to hide anything, or shy away from the fact about that a widow is missing their significant other.
The lyrics are powerful and you can almost feel a sense of mourning growing over you as the song continues. The breakdown in that last verse is a killer and the emotion of the song finally erupts in that final sequence.
The organ on the studio release is exceptional and is some of Phantom Dan’s best work. It is spectacular in the heights it reaches.
Below however, we’re treated to a harmonica outro which is stunning in its own right and I find it adds an entirely new element to the song.
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you some place higher
Into The Fire’s imagery is incredibly powerful, and perhaps up there with some of the best he has created. It’s stark, unembellished and sits front and centre, impossible to avoid.
Much like The Rising, it tells us the story of a fireman, rescuing the injured from the Twin Towers. Its first verse is heartbreaking, and a lot of the song follows that same lead. The firefighter in this song is painted in this extraordinary image of a hero, and rightly so. "I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher", the latter part of that line is exceptional and highlights that even after 30 years in the business, Bruce had not lost his lyrical deftness.
Into The Fire speaks of incredible loss, hardship, death and selflessness. And that selflessness is reflected in that third verse “You lay your hand on me, and then walked into the darkness of your smoky grave.” I mean, read that line back, that is incredibly stark and raw. Not to mention the sheer power of the imagery created with that line.
Another song where yet again Patti’s vocals are outstanding and an entirely new element to an already great song.
Its composition and arrangement really masks the devastation the song carries with it. If it was completely stripped back it’d take on a whole new stance.
68) So Young And In Love (Tracks)
Everybody's reelin' when the band hit's the ceilin'
So Young And In Love is relentless in its pursuit of making the listener feel happy. From its vibrant opening with a drum roll, straight into sax with the band in support, it is impossible not to get swept away in the joy that bursts effortlessly from this track.
It also gets bonus points for sharing a line with Night.
The sax is the star which shines brightest here though.
Ecstasy. Pure, unrivalled ecstasy.
67) Lucky Town (Lucky Town)
When it comes to luck you make your own
One of a handful of good things to come from the disbanding of The E-Street Band is this song. It has plenty of attitude about it, and the growl it’s sung with is a nice addition.
The guitar in the intro sounds tight and it kicks hard enough without hurting. He’s employed this country twang when playing, and you can really hear it in the solo, and it sounds so damn good.
There is plenty of self depreciation in Lucky Town – especially in the bridge.
That closing solo is a thing of beauty!
66) Murder Incorporated (Greatest Hits)
So the comfort that you keep's a gold-plated snub-nose thirty-two
Murder Incorporated sits right near the very top of Bruce’s angriest songs. There are only two others which come close.
This track destroys all in its path with the amount of omnipotence it carries with it. It leaves no one standing, right from the off. It hits you with a hurricane of force and blows you away with its power.
That killer guitar intro, with the organs and the heavy pounding on the snare sets up a song that is a real knockout. The bridge is one of my favourites too.
Evidently, it appears to be a song about a guy on the run from the mob, constantly checking over his shoulder, and thinking everyone and everything is against him.
The backing vocals on this track are really underrated I believe. It’s easy to miss them with everything else going on, but I feel they add a great element. And if you’re not a fan of the three different steaming guitar solos that take the song out, see a doctor.
One of the angriest tracks in his collection, and there are probably only a handful of songs where he has more conviction in the vocal.
Everything about Murder Inc is insanely high octane. Those solos at the end really turn up the heat way past 11, and with Max bashing away behind, it’s so easy just to not give a shit about anything else than the mighty E-Street Band at full force.
If you need to open a can of kickass, this is IT!
65) You’re Missing (The Rising)
I got dust on my shoes, nothin’ but teardrops
This has to be one of the most poignant and heartfelt songs Bruce has written. The piano rips out your heartstrings, and the vocal definitely hits you right in the heart, too. The violin which also is prominent throughout also amplifies the feeling of loss.
You’re Missing doesn’t try to hide anything, or shy away from the fact about that a widow is missing their significant other.
The lyrics are powerful and you can almost feel a sense of mourning growing over you as the song continues. The breakdown in that last verse is a killer and the emotion of the song finally erupts in that final sequence.
The organ on the studio release is exceptional and is some of Phantom Dan’s best work. It is spectacular in the heights it reaches.
Below however, we’re treated to a harmonica outro which is stunning in its own right and I find it adds an entirely new element to the song.
- Thread starter
- #8,781
Hmmm, my top 10 has changed a bit in the last couple of years - seems pretty solid for now and would take something pretty special to change things up.
Top 3-5 are concrete.
- Jan 7, 2018
- 7,897
- 7,191
- AFL Club
- Western Bulldogs
close enough.
- Jan 7, 2018
- 7,897
- 7,191
- AFL Club
- Western Bulldogs
'You're Missing' way too good coming in at 65.
- Thread starter
- #8,784
The thing is it's just favourites. It's better than other tracks that will come, I just like others more.
- Thread starter
- #8,785
64) Don’t Look Back (Tracks)
Angel writes her name in lipstick on my dash
There is something about Don’t Look Back that reels me in every time I listen to it and I love it just as much each time.
Thematically, it’d fit right in on Born To Run, with our guy ready to launch off into the sunset with his girl Angel, and not worrying about what they’re leaving behind.
There is nothing jaw dropping about Don’t Look Back. The lyrics aren’t special, there is no standout solo, but not every song needs that, and Don’t Look Back proves that.
It’s a simple rock song, and sometimes that’s all you need. It’s straight forward, and there is no mucking around. It takes you straight from A to B with no fuss.
What I will say is, this song is all Max. His commandeering of his drum kit to navigate the song is great.
63) Sundown (Western Stars)
Sundown ain’t the kind of place you wanna be on your own
Sundown is so refreshingly calming. It effortlessly takes you away with its relaxing, lush strings and soothing vocal. You can close your eyes and feel yourself being whisked away to a world where things don’t matter – even if it us just for just a few short minutes.
The song deals with loneliness and it seems the narrator is spurred on by the fact the person he’s lost will come back.
The trumpet that sits in the mix is a neat little addition too. The backing vocals here deserve a good wrap too.
The big note at the end where you hear him go high is great.
62) The E-Street Shuffle (The Wild, The Innocent And The E-Street Shuffle)
All the little girls’ souls grow weak when the man child gives them a double shot
The E-Street Shuffle is an explosion of chaotic fun right from the very beginning. There’s an eruption of brass, and before you know it, it’s all happening. Come the chorus, there is a hell of a lot going on, and it is definitely not to the song’s detriment.
There are so many great lines E-Street Shuffle that I reckon I could pick out seven and still think there are far more than that.
The E-Street Shuffle also holds host to hands down, one of the greatest character names in the Springsteen songbook; Power Thirteen. Blink and you’ll miss it.
And one of the great catch cries was also spurned here – “everybody form a line!”
The live arrangement is something else, especially with all the horns, the duel between Anthony and Max the real highlight, before everything completely dropping off for a bar or two, and then an explosion of noise comes crashing down and you’re swept up in the ecstasy of it all over again.
Here’s the current arrangement;
I would love to see the band tackle arrangement from the Hammersmith Odeon show. The delivery of that opening line is something else, there is such an enthusiastic innocence to it. The song has been stripped of its bombardment of sound and is transformed partially into a ballad, before Steve gets to let loose. Slowed right down, the song has a whole new face. It’s magical.
61) Bobby Jean (Born In The USA)
We liked the same music, we liked the same bands
From its opening sequence, you can hear the melancholy right away.
Bobby Jean’s lyrics have that feeling of regret, loss and wanting to be able to do more. But it appears it’s too late, though, it won’t stop our protagonist wishing whoever this may be good luck as he says goodbye.
You can hear the longing and regret in the voice, it’s sad.
The sax taking the song out really has that feeling of longing and regret about it and makes you feel for the character.
All Bruce has ever said was that it was a “youthful song about friendship”, and that’s probably all we’ll ever get. And rightfully so.
60) Roulette (Tracks)
The night speaks in searchlights
Roulette wouldn’t have worked on The River, but again, imagine how great The River could have been.
Roulette is ferocious in its musical pursuit and does not allow you to ever catch your breath. It explodes to life immediately and takes you on a rocking ride for its timespan as this hits you with an adrenaline shot straight to the heart.
The drumming is outstandingly intense and Bruce sings like he can’t spit the words out venomously fast enough.
This song stands next Adam as his angriest song in my opinion. It is relentless and leaves absolutely no one standing in its wake.
Angel writes her name in lipstick on my dash
There is something about Don’t Look Back that reels me in every time I listen to it and I love it just as much each time.
Thematically, it’d fit right in on Born To Run, with our guy ready to launch off into the sunset with his girl Angel, and not worrying about what they’re leaving behind.
There is nothing jaw dropping about Don’t Look Back. The lyrics aren’t special, there is no standout solo, but not every song needs that, and Don’t Look Back proves that.
It’s a simple rock song, and sometimes that’s all you need. It’s straight forward, and there is no mucking around. It takes you straight from A to B with no fuss.
What I will say is, this song is all Max. His commandeering of his drum kit to navigate the song is great.
63) Sundown (Western Stars)
Sundown ain’t the kind of place you wanna be on your own
Sundown is so refreshingly calming. It effortlessly takes you away with its relaxing, lush strings and soothing vocal. You can close your eyes and feel yourself being whisked away to a world where things don’t matter – even if it us just for just a few short minutes.
The song deals with loneliness and it seems the narrator is spurred on by the fact the person he’s lost will come back.
The trumpet that sits in the mix is a neat little addition too. The backing vocals here deserve a good wrap too.
The big note at the end where you hear him go high is great.
62) The E-Street Shuffle (The Wild, The Innocent And The E-Street Shuffle)
All the little girls’ souls grow weak when the man child gives them a double shot
The E-Street Shuffle is an explosion of chaotic fun right from the very beginning. There’s an eruption of brass, and before you know it, it’s all happening. Come the chorus, there is a hell of a lot going on, and it is definitely not to the song’s detriment.
There are so many great lines E-Street Shuffle that I reckon I could pick out seven and still think there are far more than that.
The E-Street Shuffle also holds host to hands down, one of the greatest character names in the Springsteen songbook; Power Thirteen. Blink and you’ll miss it.
And one of the great catch cries was also spurned here – “everybody form a line!”
The live arrangement is something else, especially with all the horns, the duel between Anthony and Max the real highlight, before everything completely dropping off for a bar or two, and then an explosion of noise comes crashing down and you’re swept up in the ecstasy of it all over again.
Here’s the current arrangement;
I would love to see the band tackle arrangement from the Hammersmith Odeon show. The delivery of that opening line is something else, there is such an enthusiastic innocence to it. The song has been stripped of its bombardment of sound and is transformed partially into a ballad, before Steve gets to let loose. Slowed right down, the song has a whole new face. It’s magical.
61) Bobby Jean (Born In The USA)
We liked the same music, we liked the same bands
From its opening sequence, you can hear the melancholy right away.
Bobby Jean’s lyrics have that feeling of regret, loss and wanting to be able to do more. But it appears it’s too late, though, it won’t stop our protagonist wishing whoever this may be good luck as he says goodbye.
You can hear the longing and regret in the voice, it’s sad.
The sax taking the song out really has that feeling of longing and regret about it and makes you feel for the character.
All Bruce has ever said was that it was a “youthful song about friendship”, and that’s probably all we’ll ever get. And rightfully so.
60) Roulette (Tracks)
The night speaks in searchlights
Roulette wouldn’t have worked on The River, but again, imagine how great The River could have been.
Roulette is ferocious in its musical pursuit and does not allow you to ever catch your breath. It explodes to life immediately and takes you on a rocking ride for its timespan as this hits you with an adrenaline shot straight to the heart.
The drumming is outstandingly intense and Bruce sings like he can’t spit the words out venomously fast enough.
This song stands next Adam as his angriest song in my opinion. It is relentless and leaves absolutely no one standing in its wake.
- Thread starter
- #8,786
Planet14 Gasometer pjcrows
59) Living Proof (Lucky Town)
Searchin’ for a little bit of God’s mercy I found living proof
As a parent, it is hard not to connect and like Living Proof. Its lyrics are so evocative and the belief in the delivery of the vocal is outstanding
Livin’ Proof is profoundly deep and dives in to the journey of the birth of his son, Evan.
It’s raw, and we’re privy to a slight glimpse into Bruce’s soul.
The lyrics are powerful, and the imagery is strong – particularly from the very beginning. And the delivery bursts with conviction and determination.
It’s easy to picture that vivid image of mother, father and newborn sitting in this “dusky room”, but we are told boldly that the birth of his son has made him see the light in a world that may have been dark for many years prior.
I love the whole final verse. Life can be fragile, but if you’ve found happiness and salvation with those you love, it doesn’t matter, because you’re in it together, and you’ve found that Livin’ Proof.
That organ backing the guitar on the outro is a real delight too.
58) Maria’s Bed (Devil’s & Dust)
I keep my heart in my work and my trouble’s in my head
Maria’s Bed warming tenderness pulls you in and lets you stay in close.
Maria’s Bed is our character’s safe place it appears, or a place that seems to offer solace when things aren’t going so well.
The studio cut has a large country feel to it, particularly with its instrumentation and the twang it’s sung with.
The live versions are slightly different; the twang is gone and it’s just acoustic guitar and harmonica.
In either format, the song is a success.
57) Trapped (Live 1975-1985)
Good will conquer evil and the truth will set you free
While he may not have written it, Bruce Springsteen has ironically freed this song from the unknowns.
Trapped tells the story of a man stuck in a relationship he can’t – or won’t – leave at this point in time.
Trapped reaches its summit at each chorus when everyone is involved. It is an excellent example of how great the E-Street Band is when everyone is on. I love that with each chorus the drums build and set as a lead of when the others are to follow. The sax – as always – is great and really has that yearning for an escape. It unleashes the shackles and you can feel the freedom leaping out at you.
You can hear the wanting to escape in the vocal, but our guy knows he’s gonna get out of this, and when he does, he’ll be the winner.
56) Devil’s Arcade (Magic)
You said heroes are needed so heroes get made
Devil’s Arcade is another one of those tracks that can haunt you.
The organ at the beginning is a phenomenal start and slowly sets the mood. It stirs and swirls around you uncomfortably before the violin takes off some of the edge.
The composition of this track is tight and you can feel the increasing tension with each passing moment.
The guitar solo is fiery and driven with the intensity it deserves.
Devil’s Arcade reaches its peak toward the end of the vocal where the line “the beat of your heart” is repeated, over and over, with crashing drums backing it.
As the song draws to a close, the drums are mimicking a heartbeat, when all of a sudden they fall silent, in a stunning end.
Just a stunning, hauntingly intense track.
55) My Love Will Not Let You Down
I got a time bomb tickin’ deep inside of me wanna tell you what I wanna say
My Love Will Not Let You Down comes charging at you, as fast as it can, like a bull in a china shop. It’s fist pumping, heart thumping, adrenaline inducing rock and roll.
It is relentless, unforgiving, powerful and will leave nothing standing in its path.
The guitars here are strong, the drumming pushes things along at an urgent pace, and the piano lends its support to the cause.
Three electric guitars, with multiple solos, pounding drums with a drum solo, a ripping vocal performance full of conviction, what’s not to love?
59) Living Proof (Lucky Town)
Searchin’ for a little bit of God’s mercy I found living proof
As a parent, it is hard not to connect and like Living Proof. Its lyrics are so evocative and the belief in the delivery of the vocal is outstanding
Livin’ Proof is profoundly deep and dives in to the journey of the birth of his son, Evan.
It’s raw, and we’re privy to a slight glimpse into Bruce’s soul.
The lyrics are powerful, and the imagery is strong – particularly from the very beginning. And the delivery bursts with conviction and determination.
It’s easy to picture that vivid image of mother, father and newborn sitting in this “dusky room”, but we are told boldly that the birth of his son has made him see the light in a world that may have been dark for many years prior.
I love the whole final verse. Life can be fragile, but if you’ve found happiness and salvation with those you love, it doesn’t matter, because you’re in it together, and you’ve found that Livin’ Proof.
That organ backing the guitar on the outro is a real delight too.
58) Maria’s Bed (Devil’s & Dust)
I keep my heart in my work and my trouble’s in my head
Maria’s Bed warming tenderness pulls you in and lets you stay in close.
Maria’s Bed is our character’s safe place it appears, or a place that seems to offer solace when things aren’t going so well.
The studio cut has a large country feel to it, particularly with its instrumentation and the twang it’s sung with.
The live versions are slightly different; the twang is gone and it’s just acoustic guitar and harmonica.
In either format, the song is a success.
57) Trapped (Live 1975-1985)
Good will conquer evil and the truth will set you free
While he may not have written it, Bruce Springsteen has ironically freed this song from the unknowns.
Trapped tells the story of a man stuck in a relationship he can’t – or won’t – leave at this point in time.
Trapped reaches its summit at each chorus when everyone is involved. It is an excellent example of how great the E-Street Band is when everyone is on. I love that with each chorus the drums build and set as a lead of when the others are to follow. The sax – as always – is great and really has that yearning for an escape. It unleashes the shackles and you can feel the freedom leaping out at you.
You can hear the wanting to escape in the vocal, but our guy knows he’s gonna get out of this, and when he does, he’ll be the winner.
56) Devil’s Arcade (Magic)
You said heroes are needed so heroes get made
Devil’s Arcade is another one of those tracks that can haunt you.
The organ at the beginning is a phenomenal start and slowly sets the mood. It stirs and swirls around you uncomfortably before the violin takes off some of the edge.
The composition of this track is tight and you can feel the increasing tension with each passing moment.
The guitar solo is fiery and driven with the intensity it deserves.
Devil’s Arcade reaches its peak toward the end of the vocal where the line “the beat of your heart” is repeated, over and over, with crashing drums backing it.
As the song draws to a close, the drums are mimicking a heartbeat, when all of a sudden they fall silent, in a stunning end.
Just a stunning, hauntingly intense track.
55) My Love Will Not Let You Down
I got a time bomb tickin’ deep inside of me wanna tell you what I wanna say
My Love Will Not Let You Down comes charging at you, as fast as it can, like a bull in a china shop. It’s fist pumping, heart thumping, adrenaline inducing rock and roll.
It is relentless, unforgiving, powerful and will leave nothing standing in its path.
The guitars here are strong, the drumming pushes things along at an urgent pace, and the piano lends its support to the cause.
Three electric guitars, with multiple solos, pounding drums with a drum solo, a ripping vocal performance full of conviction, what’s not to love?
- Jan 7, 2018
- 7,897
- 7,191
- AFL Club
- Western Bulldogs
Love Devils Arcade.
