“The first verse actually happened. The second verse mostly happened, and the third verse, of course, is happening now.” –Bruce Springsteen, Greatest Hits, 1994…
Author:
Ken Rosen (2090)
A bookend of sorts to “Fire,” Bruce steals a trick from the doo wop masters to craft an angry song that’s a ton of fun to sing.
“Bobby Jean” makes for a fascinating comparison with “Backstreets” — two songs about broken friendships, one that heals and one that doesn’t.
Bruce Springsteen’s most galvanizing anthem almost didn’t see the light of day, because it was too… Springsteenian.
It’s one of the great Springsteen mysteries: what exactly makes “I’m on Fire” so freaking popular?
“Downbound Train” is a master class in cinematic songwriting. Let’s look at how the director skillfully crafted his “movie” inside.
The continuing mis-adventures of Wilson and Wayne, chicken delivery men and fugitive ne’er-do-wells.
Lyrically lazy and musically plodding, “Cover Me” is a candidate for Bruce’s weakest song ever.
Even Bruce wasn’t always sure exactly what he was trying to say with “Born in the U.S.A.” Let’s finish tracing the evolution of one of Bruce Springsteen’s most famous songs, from early drafts to remixes and great live performances.