Saturday, January 31, 2009

Super Bruce


Back in October at a fundraiser in NYC, Barack Obama was quoted as saying, "The reason I'm running for president is because I can't be Bruce Springsteen." Yes, Mr. Springsteen was in attendance that night and went on to play "The Rising" at campaign events in several battleground states as well as Obama's inaugural concert. Bruuuuuce. 

As I said in a previous post, I really don't care who wins the Super Bowl, because I'm rooting for the Boss. I must admit, the Jersey in me would have loved to have seen the Giants and Springsteen together in the same stadium. The very first time I saw Springsteen perform was at the Meadowlands in Jersey, home of the Giants. At least, that's what it was called back in the early '80s. I'm sure that some corporation is paying big bucks to have its name on the stadium, but it's lost on me as I am still referring to it as the Meadowlands. I saw Bruce Springsteen many times after that at the Meadowlands and in Charlotte...including the night of my 33rd birthday where I was sitting near the center of the first row. Swear. That man can rock a stadium and I am sure he will not disappoint tomorrow night in Tampa. 

So while the Las Vegas odds makers are busy grading your favorite team's chances, I'm betting on what Bruce will play tomorrow evening in his 12 minute extravaganza. Rumor has it that he will play 3 songs, but mum's the word on what he and the E Street Band have in store for us. On the Today Show, Bob Costas suggested that the Boss will cause a riot if he doesn't play "Born to Run". I second that emotion. I'm not sure what he will play, but I'm pretty sure what he won't play: The Rising and Born in the USA. 

So what should the Boss' play for his 12 minute concert? And why?

Here is my list:
  1. Born to Run: because it's New Jersey's state anthem and a crowd pleaser
  2. Badlands: because it always rocks the house
  3. No Surrender: because it's my kids favorite and I told them they could stay up to see the 1/2 time show
  4. Out in the Street: oh oh oh oh! Enough said.
  5. Promised Land: because I believe....
  6. Thunder Road: because it was pretty much required that every student in my high school know every word of this ballad. And while this Jersey Girl can barely remember her name, she can still sing every stinkin' word to Thunder Road. And I'd love to sing along tomorrow night...
What do you think? What would you like to hear?

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMg, now this is a blog I can comment on. BRUUUUCE! He has to play Born to Run, no doubt. You have smart kids, I also love No Surrender!!! I would just love to here Rosalita, but that's not happening. I am going to go with:

Born to Run
The Rising
Blinded by the Light, maybe????
Waiting on a Sunny Day since its in Tampa

I don't know the possibilities are endless.

I just saw him for the 15th time in Giants Stadium this summer.

MY greatest memory ever is the night it poured and he opened with Mary's Place....let it rain, let it rain, let it rain. So great!

When he goes on tour grab an extra ticket to the Charlotte show and I will come down.

and as far as I know the Meadowlands is still the Meadowlands.

Anonymous said...

It's going to be something from his lame new album. You KNOW how much I love me some Bruce but it's going to be something to promote his new album.

L. said...

Really? Do you think? I don't think Bruce is all about promoting that new album - I think he's about partying like a rock star. I will be disappointed, because I don't know any of the new stuff and I want to sing at the top of my lungs.

Just thought of another great one...Candy's Room. He sang that when he was in Charlotte last year and it was fantastic.

the IC said...

Huge questions, serious questions.

Great article in Jan 28 New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/arts/music/01pare.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1233491211-5xaRITVEc8ZeB+B05BJ/vQ

I don't think he'll do Thunder Road due to its length. I've heard he'll do four tunes - here are my picks, not in order. I have a hunch about the first three, the last is the wild card:

Born to Run
The Rising
Living On a Dream
Hungry Heart

Bruuuuuuce!

the IC said...

Correction ... I drop Hungry Heart and add Glory Days (tip of the hat to Michael Ryan), so:

Born to Run
The Rising
Living On a Dream
Glory Days

I believe I've now nailed the set list. Bruuuuuuce!

Anonymous said...

He will most likely do one song from the new album. You can count on it.

Anonymous said...

Although I will most likely be asleep before half time (lots of my love for Bruce went out the door when he became such a staunch democrat), all the song you suggested are appropo...however, he is promoting a new album, so I'm sure he's gonna stick a new song in there. Glory Days might be a good one as well. And you are right...I can't remember my phone number, but I do know every word of Thunder Road and for some reason need to scream them whenever I've had a bit too much of "the Recipe" (as The Baldwin sisters used to say!)
Enjoy the game.

L. said...

When Bruce became a staunch democrat? Bruce was always a staunch democrat, my friend. Even back in the olden days when we were in high school. Sure, our hometown in New Jersey leaned toward the right, but that wasn't the case down on E Street.

Did you think his lyrics about struggles of working-class Americans, particularly those in the factory towns of the Northeast reflected his raging right wing republican views?

His concerts have always been full of great songs and great stories about the working man. He hasn't changed, his views haven't changed (only his bank account).

But his 12 minutes at the Super Bowl is too short for him to get all political on us. During his 2 hour concerts he can curse the Vietnam War and extol the glory and hope of Obama, but not tonight. So fear not, when we see his trademark passionate fist pumping in the air, it will be keeping the beat to Born to Run, not Born in the USA.

Anonymous said...

Here's my prediction for the setlist:
Glory Days
Working on a Dream
Born to Run

Anonymous said...

Hey, just got it, Super Bowl ==> Super Bruce, you're good.

Here's my vote:
Dancing in the Dark
Born to Run
My Lucky Day
Thunder Road

Wildcard prediction is Glory Days

Anonymous said...

I think the stadium is called the Izod, which seems so strange. How many incremental alligator tees do they sell as a result? You all are crazy if you think he's not going to play something from his new album. I read an article in the Bergen Record the other day. He unabashedly admitted to finally accepting an invitation to perform so he could promote his new album. Et tu Bruc-eh?

Anonymous said...

When was Bruce not a democrat? Heck, he's practically a card carrying communist. Go to sleep and let the rest of us enjoy him.

Anonymous said...

He won't do The Rising again. Too soon after D.C. It will be something healing. Then something from his new album.

the IC said...

Correction to my earlier predictions, in no particular order: Born to Run, Working On a Dream, Glory Days, Girls In Summer Clothes.

Anonymous said...

The Baldwin sisters? Is that a nod to the Waltons?

L. said...

Yes, the Baldwin sisters of Walton Mountain fame. Miss Emily and Miss Mamie. And the Recipe reference is a nod to their daddy's moonshine.

the IC said...

I do believe, humbly, that I won!

Anonymous said...

Did he really need the choir in the robes??? So NOT him!

L. said...

Mariner Mike...I didn't see 10th Avenue Freeze Out in your song set???

L. said...

I loved the robes! And I loved the new song. And, yes, I love him.

the IC said...

Affirmative - did not have 10th Ave. Had other three.

Anonymous said...

I didn't expect 10th Avenue Freeze Out and I didn't especially like it.

L. said...

Here's the deal...Bruce has been experiencing a rebirth lately. Not only through his association with Obama, but also by winning the Golden Globe for the Wrestler.

10th Avenue Freeze out is the great E Street Band creations song...so it's only fitting that he tell the story of how he and the band were born before he takes his show on the road for the next world tour.

It was a perfect choice and a phenomenal song.