Undeservedly obscure, “Trouble River” is a fun Human Touch-era soul rocker with deceptively dark lyrics and a long, terrific guitar solo from Bruce–this one needs more attention.
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Roll of the Dice (596)
Trace the throughline from an obscure 1909 Broadway musical to Bruce’s lullaby for his newborn son.
“Talk to Me” took a strange and winding path from the studio to vinyl to the E Street stage, but it’s guaranteed to make us laugh anytime Bruce pulls it out. But let’s not think too hard about the lyrics.
Recycled melange or original organ donor? Either way, “American Beauty” ranks among the best songs of Bruce’s Magic period.
It won Bruce a Grammy he didn’t even know he was nominated for. It’s full of hidden callbacks to “Thunder Road” and echoes of “Born to Run.” It’s my favorite 21st-century Springsteen song, and it mystifies Bono with its relative obscurity. Listen to “Girls in Their Summer Clothes” like you’ve never heard it before inside.
Bruce has written songs about some colorful characters, but none so much as the true ones in “Sell It and They Will Come,” an ode to The Stimulator, Flowbee, America’s Personal Trainer, and the Psychic Friends Network.
“Countin’ on a Miracle” is a heartbreaking tale of love and loss, one of the most powerful songs on The Rising–but even more powerful still in its alternate post-concert arrangement. Listen to both inside, along with insights and great performances.
Take a listen to “Mr. Jones,” the earliest known recording of Bruce Springsteen performing an original composition live on stage.
A castoff from the Ghost of Tom Joad recording sessions, “Tiger Rose” made its way to an official release and stage performance via the late, great Sonny Burgess. Watch Bruce and Sonny perform it together inside.
“We’ve Got to Do It Now” is a Steel Mill-era anti-war song with co-lead vocals by Bruce and Robbin Thompson.