“Under the Gun” donated its lyrics to “The River” and “Wreck on the Highway” but there’s still a terrific rocker hiding away in the vault somewhere. Let’s trace its evolution to get a sense of what the final song might promise.
Category:
Roll of the Dice (590)
Bruce’s only officially released original instrumental provided a much-deserved song-length spotlight for The Big Man.
This early draft of “Factory” has a surprising and somber depth all its own.
Sister song to “Mary Lou” and cousin to “Two Hearts.” this under-the-radar River-era outtake endures as a fan favorite.
Perhaps the most carefully constructed song on Bruce’s Wrecking Ball album, “Jack of All Trades” is both musically and (sadly) lyrically timeless.
Recorded during the freewheeling second Seeger Session, “Old Dan Tucker” led of Bruce’s 2006 album and became a nightly favorite on tour.
This lonely River-era acoustic outtake never made it past the home demo stage, but with Bruce’s warm melody and vocals it demonstrated a lot of promise.
One time only (that we know of): Bruce’s first band plays one of his earliest original songs, co-written with George Theiss and inspired by The Kinks.
Laced with playfully ribald metaphor and delightfully sly euphemism, “All I’m Thinkin’ About” earns its place among the great masturbation songs.
Recorded during Bruce’s Nebraska period, “Wheels Make the World Go Round” was a promising rocker candidate at the wrong time.