The 10 Unforgivable Sins Of Bruce Springsteen's Performance At The Super Bowl

http://new.music.yahoo.com ^ | Posted Sun Feb 1, 2009 7:13pm | Rob O'Connor in List Of The Day

[Lucky9teen]

You may find this hard to believe, but I am a Bruce Springsteen fan. I may not come across as someone who would enjoy his music, but from "For You," "Backstreets," "Darkness On The Edge of Town," "The Promise" to "The River," "Nebraska," "Tougher Than The Rest," "I Wish I Were Blind" and "Radio Nowhere," I can find plenty to recommend of the man's music. His new album Working On A Dream, the stillborn title track and "Outlaw Pete" aside, is the best thing he's cut in years.

But that half-time show at the Super Bowl--12 excruciating minutes--puts me in an indefensible position to the people who I've been trying to convert for all these years. Now they'll never listen to me.

Since this is LIST OF THE DAY, I will present to you in list form my reasons for why this was an abomination.

10) Bruce addresses the TV camera and tells everyone to drop the guacamole dip and chicken fingers to join him.
9) He opens with "Tenth Avenue Freezeout."

8) There were too many people on the stage.
7) Bruce had to sneak in the title track to his new album.
6) Bruce sneaks in a gospel choir for two minutes.
5) Bruce changes the reference from baseball to football in "Glory Days."
4) Bruce has a referee come out and declare it "Boss Time."
3) Bruce has apparently joined "Up With People."
2) He sticks poor Clarence on COWBELL.
1) Bruce makes me wish there had been a wardrobe malfunction.

[Lucky9teen]

I muted the tv during half time....I just can't stand Bruce Springsteen and can't believe he still has a voice to sing with, the way he sings. His music sucks, imo, and we all know where he stands politically.

[Badeye]

I’ve never bought a Springsteen album/cassette/cd.

He was subjected to 12 minutes of constant derision at our Super Bowl Party, and yep, we all agreed a ‘wardrobe malfunction’ would have been much much better.

‘Boss Time’ my backside.

[theFIRMbss]

"I hope I die before I get old"

[Blue Turtle]

As much as I despise his politics...I thought it was a very good performance. The E Street Band are a force to be reckoned with. 12 minutes is not much time to get the crowd in a frenzy...but he did it.

[Loud Mime]

Bruce put out a bad product and the crowd adores him.

Barak puts out bad government and the crowd adores him.

Some people don’t know what they’re gettin’.

[blam]

Bruce Springsteen has zero talent.

He's a joke!

[massgopguy]

It must kill Lil’ Stevie to have to pretend that Patty Sciaflia can play the guitar.

[Frantzie]

Springsteen sucks and he is a stooge for Obama. Playing along with Joe Stalin parrot Pete Seeger in unforgiveable. Seeger and his ilk fawned over Stalin as Joe killed millions. Springsteen is a lousy song writer, mindless and repetitive lyrics about being phony working class hero down on the Jersey Shore.

I switched to the half time at the Puppy Bowl. The refs made endless calls for Pittsburgh and did nothing about ejecting Harrison for his thuggish actions.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

His fat @ss attempting to skid across the stage on his knees should be added. That was just embarrassing. /facepalm

[Badeye]

Its not difficult to get a super bowl crowd into a ‘frenzy’.

As I indicated, I don’t ‘get’ Springsteen, to me he’s an overblown hypocrite, as his deal with Wal Mart, and how he’s handled union roadies throughout his ‘career’ demonstrate conclusively.

If you like wallowing in navel gazing, Springsteen’s the guy for you.

JMHO.

[Loud Mime]

12 minutes is not much time to get the crowd in a frenzy...but he did it.

Ahhh....you've never been to a live TV show, have you?

"OK folks, we want a few of you that can really give a good show for the TV viewers; be exciting, and you'll be on camera! Who wants to be on camera?"

I work with media. Some people will do anything to get on camera or meet the stars. When you have thousands to pick from, you will have no trouble getting your frenzied crowds.

[wbill]

Springsteen is waaaaaaay overrated. However, I always liked "Born to Run" and Clarence Clemmons.

So, naturally, they did a shortened version of Born to Run, and put Clarence on cowbell for most of the performance.

Of the songs he did, 10th Ave Freezeout and whatever that new song was....wouldn't even crack his Top 10. Idiot performer, selected by idiots = idiocy.

[oldbill]

Somebody actually watches these halftime shows???

[laweeks]

Anybody who hates this country as much as he does doesn’t deserve a second of my time. Plus, his voice stinks . . . always did . . . kinda’ like Michael Bolton . . . can’t figure out how he ever earned a dime in the business.

Still can’t imagine why that kind of nonsensical crap is allowed to invade the Super Bowl. Do we insert a football game into the intermissions of rock concerts? Don’t think so.

Between the completely destroyed National Anthem, the pathetic refereeing, and the deplorable half-time show, I’m glad I watched the Puppy Bowl . . . it made more sense.

[Tallguy]

Bruce Springsteen has zero talent. He's a joke!

I have never been a Springsteen fan despite the fact that he came to the fore of Rock music during my HS & college years. I just didn't like the 'sound'.

That said, it was unique. And I would never say that he 'lacked talent'.

[Fresh Wind]

An above average bar band from down the shore. That’s it.

[TennTuxedo]

The Band sounded tight and Springsteen put on a good theatric show. However, his singing was awful!

Springteens singing had me thinking that William Shatner sang better than Springsteen.

[Le Chien Rouge]

Playing along with Joe Stalin parrot Pete Seeger in unforgiveable......

Agreed....
— am/was a huge Sprigsteen fan..
— refused to watch the super bowl halftime show...
— still holding out hope that Bruce will stop his lefistim
—not holding my breathe

[DBrow]

“get the crowd in a frenzy...but he did it.”

Yeah, the camera and sound work sure gave that impression, and the first three rows of the people allowed on the field sure were enthusiastic.

The band should not have worn black, imo.

Bruce’s singing was blurry and the sound crew took pains to bury his vocals in the layers of backup.

[Cinnamontea]

I can't believe how bad Springsteen was. Sheesh, if you're singing in front of that huge an audience, do them the courtesy of ENUNCIATING and actually singing ALL the words to your songs, not dropping every other phrase. Awful. Like an American Elton John without the voice.