Bruce Springsteen

[DrVanNostrand]

Where would Backstreets have been? Streets of Fire is so ******* underrated.

I love the opening riff of Downbound Train. The heartbreak and imagery throughout the song is very powerful

Missing, Soul Driver and One Step Up.

Okay, let's say it's between Mary's Place and Badlands at 23.

I never thought of Streets of Fire as underrated. I rarely read any Bruce fansites so I don't have much of a clue what the non-concert-staple fan favourites are. But if it's not widely appriciated as a career highlight, then that's a real shame. I did notice that it was slightly glossed over on the Darkness boxset bonus material, though.

You're spot on about the opening riff to Downbound Train. First time I listened to it properly, I heard that riff and just knew the track would be amazing. I mean, come on, "and now I work down at the carwash where all it ever does is rain"...top that.

It took me forever to discover Missing, along with everything else on disc 3 of The Essential. Some great movie-only tracks on there I'd never heard of previously. The other two are personal favourites that get lots of plays, although their pages on LastFM suggest not many share by thoughts.

I didn't know most of the stuff on Tracks before I discovered this thread and wouldn't know a lot of the stuff on The River...but that's by choice.

 

[Cruyff14]

Okay, let's say it's between Mary's Place and Badlands at 23.

I never thought of Streets of Fire as underrated. I rarely read any Bruce fansites so I don't have much of a clue what the non-concert-staple fan favourites are. But if it's not widely appriciated as a career highlight, then that's a real shame. I did notice that it was slightly glossed over on the Darkness boxset bonus material, though.

You're spot on about the opening riff to Downbound Train. First time I listened to it properly, I heard that riff and just knew the track would be amazing. I mean, come on, "and now I work down at the carwash where all it ever does is rain"...top that.

It took me forever to discover Missing, along with everything else on disc 3 of The Essential. Some great movie-only tracks on there I'd never heard of previously. The other two are personal favourites that get lots of plays, although their pages on LastFM suggest not many share by thoughts.

I didn't know most of the stuff on Tracks before I discovered this thread and wouldn't know a lot of the stuff on The River...but that's by choice.

OH WOAH. DISAPPOINTED DOC!

Well it doesn't get many plays, so that's how I made my judgment on it. Ripping song though, so intense and powerful.

Yeah amazing, I love lines "I ran through the woods, until I thought my chest would explode, but there in the clearing, beyond the highway, in the moonlight, our wedding house shone, I rushed through the yard, I burst through the front door, my head pounding hard, up the stairs I climbed, the room was dark, our bed was empty, I heard that long whistle wind, and I dropped to my knees, hung my head and cried."

Link me up brodre!

PS PM your address.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

Link me up brodre!

You mean this?

 

[Cruyff14]

You mean this?

Hmmm not sure if I really like this.

 

[UpForGrabs]

Where would Backstreets have been? Streets of Fire is so ******* underrated.

I love the opening riff of Downbound Train. The heartbreak and imagery throughout the song is very powerful

Missing, Soul Driver and One Step Up.

Not missing anything with Soul Driver. Duet from Human Touch with Sam Moore. Should never have been released (the same of which can be said about that whole album).

One Step Up is from Tunnel of Love, and IMHO is one of the weaker spots on the album. But since I know a few people who think it's great, I'll leave it alone.

 

[Cruyff14]

Not missing anything with Soul Driver. Duet from Human Touch with Sam Moore. Should never have been released (the same of which can be said about that whole album).

One Step Up is from Tunnel of Love, and IMHO is one of the weaker spots on the album. But since I know a few people who think it's great, I'll leave it alone.

I should probably give them a whirl.

I like the actual song Human Touch, think it's great.

I always randomly think about your encounter with Backstreets in Central Park playing over the speakers. It would have been surreal.

 

[UpForGrabs]

Still can't believe they switched it off. Bastards.

 

[blackshadow]

AND it clearly said FOR SHARING ONLY. So NO COPYRIGHT ISSUES!!!

Someone said it on the Internet so it must be true...

 

[DrVanNostrand]

Not missing anything with Soul Driver. Duet from Human Touch with Sam Moore. Should never have been released (the same of which can be said about that whole album).

One Step Up is from Tunnel of Love, and IMHO is one of the weaker spots on the album. But since I know a few people who think it's great, I'll leave it alone.

I can understand how someone could hate on Soul Driver, could be interpreted as mindless 90s non-E Street pop rock. But the hooks and melodies are cool. Don't know how anyone could not like One Step Up though beautiful track.

Interesting you mention that Human Touch shouldn't have been released. Neither should have Lucky Town. In fact, even combined it would still be a pretty dodgy record. Something like this: Human Touch, Soul Driver, 57 Channels, Lucky Town, If I Should Fall Behind, Gloria's Eyes, I Wish I Were Blind, Roll of the Dice, Souls of the Departed, My Beautiful Reward. Yeah, not great.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Someone said it on the Internet so it must be true...

That was a cut and paste from the info section uder the You Tube video screen posted by the subscriber. It wasn't my comment.

 

[UpForGrabs]

I can understand how someone could hate on Soul Driver, could be interpreted as mindless 90s non-E Street pop rock. But the hooks and melodies are cool. Don't know how anyone could not like One Step Up though beautiful track.

Interesting you mention that Human Touch shouldn't have been released. Neither should have Lucky Town. In fact, even combined it would still be a pretty dodgy record. Something like this: Human Touch, Soul Driver, 57 Channels, Lucky Town, If I Should Fall Behind, Gloria's Eyes, I Wish I Were Blind, Roll of the Dice, Souls of the Departed, My Beautiful Reward. Yeah, not great.

I'm actually a Lucky Town defender.

I think it's better than either of Magic or Working on a Dream.

I'd go this for a 'Lucky Touch' album (in no real order):

Lucky Town, Better Days, If I Should Fall Behind, I Wish I Were Blind, Living Proof, Local Hero (as filler), Human Touch, My Beautiful Reward, Roll of the Dice and Real World.

Although I'd ditch the awful Human Touch version of Real World and replace it with this live version (first time played live):

 

[Cruyff14]

Still can't believe they switched it off. Bastards.

Haha, I would be raging too, but it's still cool to say your third? favourite Bruce song played in Central Park when YOU were there!

I can understand how someone could hate on Soul Driver, could be interpreted as mindless 90s non-E Street pop rock. But the hooks and melodies are cool. Don't know how anyone could not like One Step Up though beautiful track.

Interesting you mention that Human Touch shouldn't have been released. Neither should have Lucky Town. In fact, even combined it would still be a pretty dodgy record. Something like this: Human Touch, Soul Driver, 57 Channels, Lucky Town, If I Should Fall Behind, Gloria's Eyes, I Wish I Were Blind, Roll of the Dice, Souls of the Departed, My Beautiful Reward. Yeah, not great.

If I Should Fall Behind is beautiful. I heard it for the first time this year and it brought tears to my eyes. It's amazing.

Magnificent song



Roll of the Dice is fun, I love it.

 

[Cruyff14]

I'm actually a Lucky Town defender.

I think it's better than either of Magic or Working on a Dream.

I'd go this for a 'Lucky Touch' album (in no real order):

Lucky Town, Better Days, If I Should Fall Behind, I Wish I Were Blind, Living Proof, Local Hero (as filler), Human Touch, My Beautiful Reward, Roll of the Dice and Real World.

Although I'd ditch the awful Human Touch version of Real World and replace it with this live version (first time played live):

YES! I HAVE THAT VERSION RIPPED ON MY PC. Beautiful rendition.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

I'm actually a Lucky Town defender.

I think it's better than... Magic...

Woah. I respectfully disagree. Magic is ace, it's a shame about the loud-as-**** production though.

What a can't believe is how something thought it was a good idea for Human Touch to be a 13 song album.

 

[UpForGrabs]

Haha, I would be raging too, but it's still cool to say your third? favourite Bruce song played in Central Park when YOU were there!

Close. Fourth. Although, to be fair. None of my top five were anything less than perfect.

For everyone else... I did a top 101 Boss songs countdown on another board. Started a couple of years ago, finished sometime last year. Here's my list. Any arguments to placings or songs missing will be listened to and summarily dismissed

101 I Wanna Marry You
100 Bring On the Night
99 The Fuse
98 Be True
97 Loose Ends
96 None But the Brave
95 You're Missing
94 Two Faces
93 Land of Hope and Dreams
92 You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)
91 Held Up Without a Gun
90 Rendezvous
89 Tunnel of Love
88 My Hometown
87 Real World
86 Ramrod
85 Two Hearts
84 Factory
83 Merry Christmas Baby
82 Janey Don't You Lose Heart
81 I'm On Fire
80 Ain't Got You
79 Does This Bus Stop at 82nd St.?
78 Lost in the Flood
77 I'm a Rocker
76 O Mary Don't You Weep
75 Don't Look Back
74 Darkness on the Edge of Town
73 Night
72 Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
71 The E Street Shuffle
70 Mansion on the Hill
69 Where the Bands Are
68 Happy
67 How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?
66 State Trooper
65 The Hitter
64 Youngstown
63 Growin' Up
62 Independence Day
61 Candy's Room
60 For You
59 Fire
58 Roulette
57 Stolen Car
56 Blinded By the Light
55 My Love Will Not Let You Down
54 Frankie
53 Downbound Train
52 Back In Your Arms
51 Reason to Believe
50 Take 'Em As They Come
49 Protection
48 Cadillac Ranch
47 Sherry Darling
46 Wild Billy's Circus Story
45 Johnny Bye-Bye
44 Follow That Dream
43 This Hard Land
42 Losin' Kind
41 Restless Nights
40 The Ties That Bind
39 The Promised Land
38 Something in the Night
37 Paradise
36 Point Blank
35 Kitty's Back
34 Badlands
33 My City of Ruins
32 All That Heaven Will Allow
31 It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City
30 Seaside Bar Song
29 I Wanna Be With You
28 Brilliant Disguise
27 Living Proof
26 Meeting Across the River
25 Prove It All Night
24 Drive all Night
23 Thundercrack
22 Because the Night
21 Johnny 99
20 If I Should Fall Behind
19 Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
18 Atlantic City
17 Tougher Than the Rest
16 The Price You Pay
15 She's the One
14 Jungleland
13 The River
12 Spirit in the Night
11 Wreck on the Highway
10 Fade Away
09 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)
08 Valentine's Day
07 Born to Run
06 New York City Serenade
05 Incident on 57th Street
04 Backstreets
03 Highway Patrolman
02 Racing in the Street
01 Thunder Road

 

[UpForGrabs]

Woah. I respectfully disagree. Magic is ace, it's a shame about the loud-as-**** production though.

What a can't believe is how something thought it was a good idea for Human Touch to be a 13 song album.

While I don't agree with the decision to bring it out, I can understand it. Bruce needed to show that he could survive without the E-Street band. He wanted to tour with 'The other band' and leave the past behind him. By releasing simultaneous albums he was doing something which only Guns n Roses had done to that point, and it put him back into the spotlight. Hindsight has show it to be the wrong move, but at the time it wasn't viewed harshly.

Anthony DeCurtis' original reviews in Rolling Stone (U.S version) gave Human Touch ****1/2 and Lucky Town ****.

Hindsight has shown that to be the wrong decision too

As for Magic... can't agree. Sorry. Terrible production with ordinary songs to match. But at least it's better than Working on a Dream.

 

[Cruyff14]

UpForGrabs I loved your descriptions. So much better than mine. But after all, you were my inspiration behind this

And Magic is ****ing fantastic.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

I'm actually a Lucky Town defender.

I think it's better than either of Magic or Working on a Dream.

I'd go this for a 'Lucky Touch' album (in no real order):

Lucky Town, Better Days, If I Should Fall Behind, I Wish I Were Blind, Living Proof, Local Hero (as filler), Human Touch, My Beautiful Reward, Roll of the Dice and Real World.

UpForGrabs I actually drafted up to a respone to your post linking your Teardrops on the City thread on another music forum in post 11 of this thread, saying it was remiss of me a few months ago not to say thanks for your 101 top Bruce hits. But my computer crashed as I decided to add a couple of my favourite obscure songs and I overloaded it have about 30 You Tube song videos open.

As I drafted up, your century is better than any Warren Ralph century even the year when the WAFL pinched those goals off him that he kicked when a state game was on and have never retrospectively give back to him.

I took note you had a few songs from Lucky Town in your list and went and re read your post about If I Should Fall Behind. I ignored Lucky Town for a longtime but started playing it in 2007, maybe because a young lady won my heart. I thrashed it somewhat between late 2007 and 2010.

Bruce said people didn't like that album and Human Touch because he wrote happy songs so it didn't sell. But as you made comment in your Teardrops thread Bruce is never 100% happy and many of those happy songs aren't 100% happy.

If I Should Fall Behind, Better Days, My Beautiful Reward, Living Proof and Book of Dreams are very good songs. The first three would make my top 100 if I was ever good enough to put one together. Any true Bruce fan would have to convince their partner If I Should Fall Behind to be their bridal waltz/dance song. I love the Live in NY City version but reckon the MTV Unplugged version would be the right tempo to dance to and a better version of the one on Lucky Town.

Lucky Town is probably the only Bruce album I can have going on the background when I invite friends around for a drink or dinner and not want to crank up because you don't need to play the songs up loud to get that Wall of Sound value or there aren't any depressing or gritty songs that some would think are a downer. Next post I will link a couple of those type of songs.

Do you have a link to Grant McLennan’s solo rendition? Spent almost an hour looking for it but couldn't find it on You Tube, Spotify or elsewhere on the net. I'm not a Go-Between fan boy like you, but I respect their stuff.

 

[Cruyff14]

How ****ing cool is the version of E-Street Shuffle from Hammersmith? ****ing so smooooooooooth

 

[DrVanNostrand]

Close. Fourth. Although, to be fair. None of my top five were anything less than perfect.

For everyone else... I did a top 101 Boss songs countdown on another board. Started a couple of years ago, finished sometime last year. Here's my list. Any arguments to placings or songs missing will be listened to and summarily dismissed

101 I Wanna Marry You
....
01 Thunder Road

So. Much. The. River.

Similar top 15 to me. But plenty of killer stuff left off, and about 10 I've never heard of haha.

 

[UpForGrabs]

UpForGrabs I actually drafted up to a respone to your post linking your Teardrops on the City thread on another music forum in post 11 of this thread, saying it was remiss of me a few months ago not to say thanks for your 101 top Bruce hits. But my computer crashed as I decided to add a couple of my favourite obscure songs and I overloaded it have about 30 You Tube song videos open.

As I drafted up, your century is better than any Warren Ralph century even the year when the WAFL pinched those goals off him that he kicked when a state game was on and have never retrospectively give back to him.

Cheers for the kind words

However, I've got say... as great as the great (and maligned) Warren Ralph is/was - he unfortunately wasn't robbed of a tonne that year. He kicked 87 goals in the league team for Claremont in 1980, but because of a stupid rule, goals kicked while the state team were in SA weren't counted (he kicked 5). So he ended up sharing the award with Simon Beasley, even though Beasley kicked five less. Still... not bad for a debut season of footy! Especially since he was dropped for a few weeks at the start of the season and played reserves (where he kicked a couple of bags).

But as you made comment in your Teardrops thread Bruce is never 100% happy and many of those happy songs aren't 100% happy.

You know, I'd forgotten about that!

But the sentiment of the song has stuck with me since I first heard it. The sentiment that no matter how happy you are, there's something that may derail your journey, but if it does, there's nothing better than having that special someone there to get you through. If that happens, be lucky that you've got someone to help you through. It's always stayed with me and I don't think it will ever depart the grey matter between my ears.

Bruce knows this more than most. Even when singing his 'love' songs, he never seems more than 80% happy. As though he's permanently mindful that outside forces could cause what he's got to come undone. And I don't think that's because the guy's a downer, it's just that I think he agrees with me that perfection in life isn't something that you'd ever want to attain because how can you ever enjoy what's good in life if you've never had to experience all the shit things that life throws your way?

Looking back on it now... yep I reckon I was dead on, haha.

Do you have a link to Grant McLennan’s solo rendition? Spent almost an hour looking for it but couldn't find it on You Tube, Spotify or elsewhere on the net. I'm not a Go-Between fan boy like you, but I respect their stuff.

Let me see if I can remember to send you a copy when I get home from work.

 

[UpForGrabs]

So. Much. The. River.

Similar top 15 to me. But plenty of killer stuff left off, and about 10 I've never heard of haha.

There's plenty form The River only because there's plenty to choose from

Which ones haven't you heard of?

 

[DrVanNostrand]

And Magic is ******* fantastic.

This. So much anger. And to the untrained ear it's not painfully obvious most of the songs are anti-Bush. I have learned to live with the production. Stick to producing AC/DC albums, Mr O'Brien.

The last four to round out the album are perfect.

"I've got a shiny saw blade
All I need's a volunteer
I'll cut you in half
While you're smiling ear to ear"

 

[DrVanNostrand]

There's plenty form The River only because there's plenty to choose from

Which ones haven't you heard of?

Let's see....
Bring on the Night (I thought this was a Police song haha), Merry Christmas Baby, Happy, Roulette, Back in Your Arms, Protection, Follow That Dream, This Hard Land, Losin' Kind, Restless Nights.

On second read through, some I didn't know appear to be from The Seeger Sessions. Never bothered with it myself.

 

[Cruyff14]

Let's see....
Bring on the Night (I thought this was a Police song haha), Merry Christmas Baby, Happy, Roulette, Back in Your Arms, Protection, Follow That Dream, This Hard Land, Losin' Kind, Restless Nights.

On second read through, some I didn't know appear to be from The Seeger Sessions. Never bothered with it myself.

HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY? Bring on the Night bops along, Roulette is okay, Back in Your Arms is a love song, I know This Hard Land but not well, don't know the rest. Not a fan of Seeger Sessions either, too folky.