Good list. I could make a case for "Lost in the Flood," "Spirit in the Night," and "Youngstown" finding their way onto it in place of "Born in the USA," "No Surrender" and "I'm on Fire." Simply because of the characters he creates in Flood and Spirit and the last verse of Youngstown which, as a writer, I've always been jealous of:
Tunnel of love was the first album I got to listen to when growing up on CD and “Tougher Than the rest” was on constant replay 🤘🏻. Going to go back and listen to some of his albums.
Proved it! We picked number 9 as our go to Bruce tune bc every Jersey bar band had to play at least one. We added mandolin for a different take. Great melodic intro. They don't write them that big anymore. Thanks!
I agree with all your choices. After all these years, I still listen to Nebraska album a lot. I think the two perspectives offered in "Highway Patrolman" and "State Trooper", back to back on the record, one from an officer's POV and the other from that of a fugitive, are both driven by their own hard realities. The officer loves a troublesome, violent brother, and eventally looks the other way when he crosses that line. The fugitive knows that if he's stopped by the trooper, tragedy is the only realistic outcome likely for having crossed a line as well, and in effect, is asking the highway cop to also look the other way. Please don't stop me.
This couplet from "State Trooper" hits hard everytime I hear it:
"Maybe you got a kid, maybe you got a pretty wife. The only thing that I got, been bothering me my whole life."
Oh, wait. The fugitive in "State Trooper" is Joe Robert's (the Highway Patrolman) brother, Frank. And Joe is the trooper the fugitive Frankie doesn't want to face in a traffic stop. Can this be true?
One of my all time favorites is “Racing in the Street” from the Darkness album. The middle verse:
“Now some guys, they just give up living, and start dying little by little, piece by piece. Some guys come home from work and wash up, and go racing in the street.”
In my mind, this song ostensibly about street racing has nothing whatsoever to do with it, and everything to do with perseverance and doing what you love.
Those are all great choices. In terms of Bruce Springsteen as a songwriter, specifically, I'd mention "Because The Night" (which was also a hit for Patti Smith and Natalie Merchant).
It's probably not a top-10 Springsteen song, but it's interesting that it's such a versatile song. Looking it up now, here's a nice performance which is pure Bruce -- urgent and sweaty -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Evp0MrJ9lk
Wow, these were all fantastic!! About half of these were new to me. In terms of my favorites, “Streets of Philadelphia” has to be number one but “I’m on Fire” is up there too. The devastating “Late in the Evening” from Tracks II is one of my favorite songs of the year so far.
Brilliant Disguise still gets me, every time.
Adam Raised a Cain
Good list. I could make a case for "Lost in the Flood," "Spirit in the Night," and "Youngstown" finding their way onto it in place of "Born in the USA," "No Surrender" and "I'm on Fire." Simply because of the characters he creates in Flood and Spirit and the last verse of Youngstown which, as a writer, I've always been jealous of:
When I die I don’t want no part of heaven
I would not do heavens work well
I pray the devil comes and takes me
To stand in the fiery furnaces of hell
Such great picks, thanks as always CJ
Tunnel of love was the first album I got to listen to when growing up on CD and “Tougher Than the rest” was on constant replay 🤘🏻. Going to go back and listen to some of his albums.
Amazing 🤩 thanks for sharing Dave!
Proved it! We picked number 9 as our go to Bruce tune bc every Jersey bar band had to play at least one. We added mandolin for a different take. Great melodic intro. They don't write them that big anymore. Thanks!
Couldn’t agree more. Thanks Steve 🙌
I agree with all your choices. After all these years, I still listen to Nebraska album a lot. I think the two perspectives offered in "Highway Patrolman" and "State Trooper", back to back on the record, one from an officer's POV and the other from that of a fugitive, are both driven by their own hard realities. The officer loves a troublesome, violent brother, and eventally looks the other way when he crosses that line. The fugitive knows that if he's stopped by the trooper, tragedy is the only realistic outcome likely for having crossed a line as well, and in effect, is asking the highway cop to also look the other way. Please don't stop me.
This couplet from "State Trooper" hits hard everytime I hear it:
"Maybe you got a kid, maybe you got a pretty wife. The only thing that I got, been bothering me my whole life."
Oh, wait. The fugitive in "State Trooper" is Joe Robert's (the Highway Patrolman) brother, Frank. And Joe is the trooper the fugitive Frankie doesn't want to face in a traffic stop. Can this be true?
The best…
“She sits on the porch of her daddy's house
but all her pretty dreams are torn
She stares off alone into the night
with the eyes of one who hates for just being born”
- Racing In The Streets
Walk Like a Man
I would add Backstreets and One Step Up.
Both good picks!
I’d add Stolen Car and Point Blank. You’re Missing destroys me and leaves me in tears every time too.
You’re Missing is legit.
No Rosalita?????!!!!!??
👀👀
One of my all time favorites is “Racing in the Street” from the Darkness album. The middle verse:
“Now some guys, they just give up living, and start dying little by little, piece by piece. Some guys come home from work and wash up, and go racing in the street.”
In my mind, this song ostensibly about street racing has nothing whatsoever to do with it, and everything to do with perseverance and doing what you love.
An absolutely beautiful passage. Thanks James!
Those are all great choices. In terms of Bruce Springsteen as a songwriter, specifically, I'd mention "Because The Night" (which was also a hit for Patti Smith and Natalie Merchant).
It's probably not a top-10 Springsteen song, but it's interesting that it's such a versatile song. Looking it up now, here's a nice performance which is pure Bruce -- urgent and sweaty -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Evp0MrJ9lk
And here's the famous MTV unplugged cover by 10000 maniacs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AQByCFr0gs
Another great one. Thanks for sharing!
Great list. Two gems are missing. Brilliant Disguise and Ghost of Tom Joad (w/Tom Morello).
Both made the shortlist and got cut for length. Thanks for reading Jim!
Why not "Jungleland"?
Great question. It’s my favorite Springsteen song but I also spoke about it in my “Born to Run” review. Chose not to repeat myself too much.
Wow, these were all fantastic!! About half of these were new to me. In terms of my favorites, “Streets of Philadelphia” has to be number one but “I’m on Fire” is up there too. The devastating “Late in the Evening” from Tracks II is one of my favorite songs of the year so far.
Great picks! Thanks Mark 😊