Posted on 08/05/2004 6:05:49 AM PDT by presidio9
"I packed my bags and I'm heading straight into the storm"
Bruce Springsteen, "The Promised Land," 1978
By joining dozens of musicians on the Vote for Change tour through a half-dozen swing states this election season, Bruce Springsteen pushes up the intensity and profile of the dump-Bush whirlwind sweep.
But by making the most direct political statement of his career, he also rolls his personal dice.
It's no secret Springsteen has often tilted to the left side of the political spectrum. He played "No Nukes" in 1979, sang Bob Dylan's "Chimes of Freedom" on the Amnesty tour in 1988 and says things like "Nobody wins unless everybody wins."
But many conservatives like his music, too, which he knows, and he has largely avoided pigeonholing by focusing raw songs like "Johnny 99," "Born in the USA" and "American Skin (41 Shots)" on the human side of his subjects - though "American Skin," about the death of Amadou Diallo, was still labeled anti-cop by some police groups in 2000.
As recently as his 2002-2003 tour, when he broached political matters, he was careful to say he wasn't being "Republican or Democrat," just thinking everybody wants peace and justice.
True enough. But he also understands that even a whiff of partisanship can alienate old fans without necessarily adding new ones. If you don't like "Thunder Road," agreeing with Bruce's politics isn't going to make it sound any better.
Still, he now clearly feels he has to go out on the hill with everything he's got. When the Dixie Chicks were scalded last year for criticizing President Bush and radio stations dropped their music, Springsteen rushed to their defense fast and hard.
The Dixie Chicks are on this new tour, too. But even if they weren't, the participants know they will be ridiculed by conservatives and Republicans as clueless, elitist celebrity leftists who must hate America.
To which Springsteen will reply, in song, that he isn't and he doesn't:
Mister I ain't no boy, no I'm a man And I believe in a promised land.
"I felt like I couldn't have written the music I've written and been on stage singing about the things I've sung about for the last 25 years," Springsteen said yesterday, "and not take part in this particular election.
"This wasn't one that a concerned citizen felt comfortable sitting out."
If you don't like "Thunder Road," agreeing with Bruce's politics isn't going to make it sound any better.
On the other hand.......
If we are intellectually honest...............
If you love "Thunder Road," disagreeing with Bruce's politics isn't going to make any difference.
I love a lot of Springsteen songs, and I've always realized he was a socialist, but every man has his breaking point.
And I disagree that he's washed up. The Rising was a great album.
I'm happier every day that my preferences swung to jazz; more music, less politics
P.J. O'Rourke once said (paraphrasing):
Nobody pays any attention to a circus juggler's opinions on politics, why should we pay any to a guitar player's?
The man bass fishes. Not only that, but he'll bank fish and pond hop. That alone should secure the southern and southwestern vote.
Especially if you display a pic next to one of John Kerry's outings. Though I suppose Tarayza could dress him up as a fly fisherman or something. "I have always fished. I love to get my fishing stick, get on the ground on my belly... that's real fishing."
Went to his concert at Giants stadium last summer . Was sooooo boring that we left halfway through . Got tired of the new crap and his pompous attitude .Still looks like he is taking a crap when he sings !!
Saw Kiss, Brooks and Dunn and Rod Stewart this year .ALL made positive statements about the war in Iraq . The difference between them and the liberal show is that they don't announce to the world their intentions .
I've always thought Springsteen was way overblown, I've never bought a single album or CD of his. In short, he bores me to tears.
I'll also note the MTV generation doesn't vote. The only thing thats going to happen is younger people will get really cheap concert tickets...and then do as they always have, stay home for the election.
My comments from another Springsteen post:
I use to idolize Bruce. I have all of his music but can't listen to them and enjoy them the way I use to. In fact I can't listen to them at all now. I always knew he was a lefty but he mostly kept his mouth shut on politics and let his music do the talking. He has alienated at least 1/2 of his fan base. Now at his concerts a lot of those "Bruuuuuce!!" chants will be Booooo's!!
Bruce, thanks for erasing the memories I have of seeing your amazing concert perfromances and for ruining the enjoyment I got listening to your albums and CD's.
I find it humorous that these pathetic fading "stars" actually believe they influence many people.
Well, his tiny little brain better tell him to move, 'cause he's fixin' to get squashed against the dock!
I felt the same way for years. Through college. Then I actaully listened to him. He's a nutjob, but he's a tremendous talent.
I think he cut the blood flow off to his brain while singing, the way he bulges those neck muscles and veins out. :) It's actually pretty funny to see Mr. Lunchpail Joe Everyman Rock-n-Roll Hero From Asbury Park, New Jersey, turn into just another millionaire hypocrite limo liberal.
I like Springsteen's stuff (well, some of it, anyway). I'll keep listening to what I've got, he's already got my money for several albums, but I'm not spending any more. I do need to replace my copies of his first four albums, maybe I can find those used somewhere.
BTW, I give him credit for being smart enough to get the E Street Band back together. He blew chunks without them backing him up.
}:-)4
Did anyone see Stringbeen on Nightline on Wednesday night.
It was a pathetic regurgitation (sp?) of Democratic talking points such as "Bush is destroying the environment" and "Bush is not funding No Child Left Behind" and of course the dreaded "The deficit is huge, and I don't want my children to be stuck with paying it off"
Of course he could not give ONE example of a damaged environment, or of education funding cuts, or of his claim that "President Bush is universally disrespected by everyone."
Unlike others who say they are simply "disappointed" with Springsteen, I have moved to the point that I despise hearing his music.
It's it's hard to put into words, but somehow these millionaires such as Springsteen, Baldwin, Soros, etc. are much more reprehensible because they are buying the very corporate influence they claim to hate.
I never thought I would live long enough or reach the point where I hated what rock n roll and other music has come to stand for.... because, after all, I still love music.
Bruce is such a total has-been.
I can't stand his music. I never understood why he was so popular. That song "The Rising" is just horrible. I am a huge music fan and respect musicians of true talent like Led Zeppelin, Moody Blues, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc. Springsteen's stuff is simplistic and to me, obnoxious. You can't ever understand the words to his songs and they are crummy to boot.
You can come across his EARLY stuff and rare bootlegs if you browse flea markets on the weekend.
Usually for $1.00 each or less ..Sounds macabe , but if someone dies in their 50's nowadays, their wives usually dump real good vinyl at house and yard sales .
Springsteen was always a poser. His music sucks.
He's a never-was in my book. I like real rock and roll.
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