One of Springsteen’s catchiest tunes, it relied more on an ebullient chorus and catchy refrain than the preponderance of lyrics and unwieldy construction that characterized those earliest efforts. “Spirit in the Night”Īnother song that originated after Davis’ demand for a song that could be construed as radio ready, it also brought Manfred Mann similar success in Bruce’s stead. It still stands among the greatest rockers in his repertoire. It allowed Bruce to reaffirm his pure, unadulterated love of classic rock ‘n roll, sans any deeper meaning other than simply a desire to woo the girl. Taken from The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle, “Rosalita” became a live showstopper, not to mention an obvious showcase for Clarence Clemons’ blazing sax solo. He also turned down an offer from the Chrysler Corporation to use it in a car commercial, a deal that would have been worth several million dollars. And helping you make those dreams come true is what this job of mine is all about.” For his part, Springsteen disassociated himself with the Republican contender, denying permission for its use. To quote The Gipper, “America’s future rests in a thousand dreams inside your hearts it rests in the message of hope in songs so many young Americans admire: New Jersey’s own Bruce Springsteen. Told through the eyes of a returning Vietnam vet, it attracted the attention of candidate Ronald Reagan, who attempted to use it as his presidential campaign song. “Born in the U.S.A.”ĭestined to become one of those songs that unintentionally brought Bruce wider recognition, it was more about defeat and despondency than the victorious notion that many mistook it for. The lyrics supposedly relate the story of the E Street Band’s initial formation, but the exact meaning of the phrase “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” still remain a mystery. With its brassy refrain and sashaying rhythm, this became one of the most enduring songs from Springsteen’s first major hit album Born To Run. The vivid imagery and sense of foreboding still make this one of Springsteen’s most powerful testimonials. In this case however, the river is a metaphor for the narrator’s humble origins and the dark despair that accompanies his overwhelming personal malaise. The title track from one of Springsteen’s darkest and most moribund albums, the song conjures up the notion of the religious faithful going down to the river to cleanse their sins. To put it bluntly, there is a clear reason why no one questions Springsteen’s title as “The Boss.”- Kurt Suchman 11. Only a group assembled by the likes of the Boss has the ability to keep up with such a kinetic performer, but the E Street Band plays right alongside the icon, even during their 10-minute rendition of “Jungleland” closing out the show. But with Springsteen, the personality is as important as the music is.
It is respectable to see a band leave everything out on the stage during their performance, but it is so often at the cost of their music coming in second. In the world of rock ‘n’ roll, there are musicians and then there are performers. Here then are the 20 best Springsteen songs-the ones that emanated light even in the midst of darkness and despair. If nothing else, Springsteen is a dreamer and an idealist, the eternal optimist even in the most troubling times. In an attempt to span his entire trajectory, we’ve included songs from every phase of his career, and practically every style-from the more commercial chart toppers to those that served as anthems for every helpless and heartbroken individual straining to see some sort of light at the end of the highway or some kind of beacon that promised hope for a future clouded by dashed hopes and a low estimation of what they might someday achieve. And no matter what the final choices are, it’s inevitable that there will be those who bemoan the fact that their favorites weren’t included. But it’s also a challenge for that very reason, given the vast catalogue The Boss spawned over the past 40 years. It’s simple because there’s so much from which to choose. Compiling a list of classic Bruce Springsteen songs is both easy and a challenge.
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