The other day I heard someone on the radio say Bruce Springsteen isn't relevant. He hasn't been relevant for 10 years. First reaction? You're an idiot. Second reaction? I have to pull the stake out of my heart. Bruce Springsteen not relevant?
Important music to me is music I can see. Music that paints a picture. When I listen to Springsteen's "Thunder Road" I can see it. The opening line.."Screen door slams, Mary's dress waves. Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays." I don"t know Mary but I can see her. I can see the door and her dress. I can see her dancing....and I can hear Roy Orbison singing for the lonely. I have 5 different Springsteen versions of this song. I like the slower ones the best. I'm convinced he worte "Thunder Road" as a ballad. There's a story that needs telling.
I have a picture on my wall from an old edition of Rolling Stone magazine. Woody Guthrie is teaching the class. Bob Dylan in the front row taking notes. Springsteen is behind him looking over Dylan's shoulder. Behind Springsteen is John Mellencamp looking over his shoulder. The great American music story tellers. The times are different, the music is different but they all paint pictures. They're all folk singers playing music for the "folk".
I love reading history. If it's written well I can see it. I'm in Rome or Greece or Babylon. I can see the people and the buildings. I can hear their voices. This is what Springsteen does for me with his lyrics. I once heard it said about Albert Einstein, bad scientist, great artist. He could visualize his equations and he painted pictures for us.
I love the history of music. In this case Guthrie inspires Dylan who inspires Springsteen who inspires Mellancamp. It's generational. You can draw a line and see the evolution of their music, where it comes from.
I was talking with a friend about music and how important it is to us. They mentioned they had 3 songs that defined their life. Songs that could tell you what they're all about and what's important to them if you listen closely enough. So I listened. I could hear things I already knew about my friend but these songs peeled off some layers to let me see other aspects of them I'd never realized. The music you love can tell others a lot about who you are. It can define you.
Bruce Springsteen not relevant? Depends on how close you listen. Michael Jackson never was and never will be relevant to me. He doesn't paint pictures for me. Springsteen, Mellencamp, Dylan and Guthrie wrote about the human condition. About hopes and fears. There's a timelessness to their lyrics.
I doubt that Springsteen was ever truly relevant to the person I heard on the radio. Maybe he didn't listen closely enough. As long as Springsteen paints those pictures he'll always be relevant.....to me. I guess relevant is relative.
I don't mean to stereotype but a lot of men don't listen to song lyrics. The fact that you do Rick says a lot about you. I also find Springsteen relevant! I remember when he first came on the scene....WOW he was and still is great!
Debs, not a day goes by that I don't sing a Springsteen song to myself. I have a video of Springsteen concert. They Close with "Thunder Road". I watch it, rewind (do we still rewind) and watch it again and again and again.
Rosalita (Come out Tonight) is for sure in my top 3 songs, just a great song, great lyrics, great characters...My wife named our first Cat Rosie many years ago.
For me it's always been The Band's music. I can see every character and feel every emotion from Acadian Driftwood to Daniel and the Sacred Harp, not to mention The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. These are stories I can feel in music and even sing along to (in some respect).
Les, Absolutely. This is a group that never gets the credit it deserves. Robbie Robertson knew how to write a story and the guys in the bad knew how to play it.
Aaahhh Robbie Robertson, what a great artist. His album Storyville has been played at my house at least 100 times. I also his song "Somewhere Down That Crazy River" from his first album Robbie Robertson.