I was talking about Thunder Road to a friend (whom I am surprised both likes and knows it), and it made me go back and read what I wrote about it.
It truly is an epic song. Unbelievably amazing from start to finish. Here's what I initially wrote...
Is there a better intro to an album than Born To Run? Seriously. As soon as you start playing Born To Run you are greeted with that lovely harmonica intro. The sound of youth, the sounds of freedom and innocence rings through your speakers, the sound of…. Brilliance.
And then you’re treated to the spectacle that is Thunder Road. Considered by many Bruce fans as his greatest song, and you can’t really argue much why it wouldn’t be (ironic I know it being at number 16), but it is really an amazing song.
I first remember hearing it on the Barcelona DVD (it closes that concert), it grabbed me straight away. Everything about it was great, I really couldn’t fault it. Then over the years it grew more and more on me and I can’t help but wonder how does someone at the age of 24 come up with something like this? Many artists of today would be honoured to have written anything half as good, but to Bruce, it’s just another amazing song in a long list of songs that have lyrics that only a few could match.
The lyrics, the music, the Roy Orbison reference, the live versions where the crowd sing the end of the first verse, the piano to carry it along, the sax solo. Where does Thunder Road fail to deliver? It doesn’t. I feel terrible having it so low, but it’s just personal taste and I just happen to like other songs more. Not taking away anything from Thunder Road, it is the perfect song to open or end an encore.
Thunder Road takes you on a ride that makes you feel anything is possible. It makes you believe that you can reach the unthinkable, do the impossible, reach for the stars and conquer the difficult things in life. It exudes everything that a Bruce fan feels not only hearing this song, but being at his concert. I have tears in my eyes as I write this because it is that ******* good.
“It’s a town full of losers and we’re pulling out here to win”
Seriously, does that not make you feel like anything is possible? Then that sax solo just takes you into other worlds until the song ends and you revel in its sheer beauty and magnificence.
I’d list the classic lines in the song, but I’d have to list every line of the song. It is THAT good.
In whatever form, Thunder Road is perfect.
Thunder Road, ladies and gentlemen, is Bruce Springsteen near his absolute best.
Then after that 5 minutes you wonder if Born To Run can get better after setting the bar so high. Hard to believe. But it happens.