I’m not a huge Bruce Springsteen fan, but I love his slow, depressing songs. (No surprise there, I’m sure.) He really manages to capture bleakness well.
One of his songs I love is one that Patty Griffin covered called “Stolen Car.” I’d often skip it when I’d listen to her album, because it’s so slow. You have to take a breather when you listen to it, and really give it time to grow. Because it’s the last line that’ll get you.
I met a little girl and I settled down
In a little house out on the edge of town
We got married, and swore we’d never part
Then little by little we drifted from each other’s heart
At first I thought it was just restlessness
That would fade as time went by and our love grew deep
In the end it was something more I guess
That tore us apart and made us weep
I’m driving a stolen car
Down on Eldridge Avenue
Each night I wait to get caught
But I never do
She asked if I remembered the letters I wrote
When our love was young and bold
She said last night she read those letters
And they made her feel one hundred years old
I’m driving a stolen car
On a pitch black night
And I’m telling myself it’s gonna be alright
I drive by night and I travel in fear
That in this darkness I will disappear
So what do you think of Bruce Springsteen? Yay or nay? Examples of other songs I like by him are “Hometown,” “I’m on Fire,” and probably my absolute fave, “Downbound Train:”
And I feel like I’m a rider on a downbound train.
If you’re not in the mood for bleakness, then what’s a song that always makes you feel good? Mine would have to be “Happy Sad” by Pizzicato Five.
This is a slightly different mix of the song than I have, it’s missing one line in English. Possibly my favorite lyric, ever:
Oh my heart can make brand new kind of sweet soul music.
March 31st, 2009 at 8:06 am
Big, big Springsteen fan. I’d argue that his first seven albums is the best 7-album run in music (maybe the Beatles beat it, but…). Darkness on the Edge of Town, Born to Run, and Nebraska are three of my all-time favorite albums.
I generally don’t much care for his stuff after 1984. But I think “The Wrestler” is easily his best song since then and it’s a shame it wasn’t nominated for the Oscar. If you like his slow, depressing songs, I suggest you check it out.
March 31st, 2009 at 8:57 am
I’ve heard it and really like it. I also love the Born to Run album, which I still have on vinyl from my teen years. I don’t know why or how on earth I ended up with it as a teenager, it was so not my kind of thing, but I loved it then and still do.
March 31st, 2009 at 9:07 am
Not a huge fan. I love “I’m on Fire”.
I love that girls dress.
I have lots of feel good songs; pretty much anything by the Ocean Blue could lift me out of the darkest mood.
March 31st, 2009 at 11:32 am
I have two Springsteen songs on my iPod: “Hungry Heart” and “It’s Hard To Be a Saint in the City.” Which is kind of random. I don’t think enough about Bruce Springsteen to know exactly what I think of him.
April 1st, 2009 at 5:43 am
I’m a long time fan that has always loved those bleak songs. The strongest emotions come out of the things we struggle with. I never really found those songs depressing but connected with that hope and strength in the face of adversity. Think of those great defiant closing lines in ‘Darkness on the Edge of Town’.
I also think those first 7 albums were an incredible run that may well be unmatched. I haven’t enjoyed the albums since that time quite as much, but still quite a lot. Bruce has continued to write a lot of great songs. He has actually been on a pretty strong run since ‘The Rising’, although I’m still struggling a bit with ‘Working On A Dream’.
He absolutely should have received an Oscar nomination for ‘The Wrestler’ and probably should have won.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:46 am
bruce is the absolute best ! I have seen him 7 times in concert. I dont like “dancing in the dark”, but other than that song, I’m pretty biased about him. I gave up trying to convert people to my way of thinking about how great he is. I know he is, that is enough.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I love Patty Griffin. Hadn’t heard her sing this song before. I’m with you about Springsteen! My favorite song by him is “Tougher than the Rest” I like Everything But The Girl’s version of it.
I’m going to download this song.
April 1st, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Suz, I *love* that you know EBTG’s cover of Springsteen!
Tracy, I’m jealous. I’d love to see him live. One of the few performers who’s probably worth what he charges, but that doesn’t mean I can afford it.