[Music] Are you a Bruce Springsteen fan?

[chickens]

Good luck with finding a chorus that isn't repetitive

I’m rarely a fan of the single line repeated chorus, but if I think about that song, all that comes to mind is that one line repeated over and over again, punctuated by the 80s “American Rock” snare sound.

A really repetitive chorus can be forgiven if it’s only used sparingly, but here (from my possibly faulty memory at least) it’s front and centre throughout. To misquote Orwell (or Morrissey for that matter) some choruses are more repetitive than others.

 

[Live by the sea]

Bruce is good but Billy Joel is better , Joel is a much better songwriter .

 

[Pembury Seagull]

On my way home from Springsteen’s Hyde Park concert. Really enjoyed it - so have to class myself as a fan

 

[Jock McSeagull]

I have been to see Springsteen more than 10 times live and he always puts on a massive show. I started to listen to him when Born in the USA came out but found his earlier stuff so much more rewarding. I have listened to him ever since and like every body else, i haven’t liked every release he has given us. BUT, that is the beauty of his music, it’s not samey, it’s not just orchestrated drivel. Western Stars, for me was a brilliant album. Up there with Born in the USA but it was a different time, different place. The music has changed since Clarence Clemons passed away and Springsteen has got older but by god, what a performer!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Born in the USA, whilst bringing Springsteen world fame, was arguably his weakest album

Aside from the obvious it contains Downbound Train and No Surrender. It’s no way his weakest album.

 

[wellquickwoody]

Yes. But not as much as I used to be.

I started listening to him when I was 11.

Darkness On The Edge Of Town was my intro to him and remains my favourite album of his .

Other kids at school and my brothers would rip it out of me for liking him.

Now everyone claims to have always liked him. It’s kind of put me off a bit.

I’m capricious like that.

Funnily enough I very much disliked him back in the 80s and 90s, because I had a very closed mind. Anything that bigged up the USA, or at least in my mind appeared to, was right off of my agenda. Now I realise that much of it was quite critical.

I am never going to be a super fan, but I am appreciative of a grafter that bangs out good old fashioned rock n roll and plays great long gigs, bit like the Foos perhaps? I really don’t think that anyone should be overly critical of Floyd. Technically accomplished with a back catalogue that changed popular music, but again I am never gonna be a super fan.

Sometimes we all should realise that whilst something apparently trendy and popular may not be our cup of tea that does not make it rubbish or irrelevant.

 

[Justice]

Bruce is good but Billy Joel is better , Joel is a much better songwriter .

Subjective, given a choice I would rather hear Born in the USA than Uptown girl.

 

[Seagull58]

Funnily enough I very much disliked him back in the 80s and 90s, because I had a very closed mind. Anything that bigged up the USA, or at least in my mind appeared to, was right off of my agenda. Now I realise that much of it was quite critical.

I am never going to be a super fan, but I am appreciative of a grafter that bangs out good old fashioned rock n roll and plays great long gigs, bit like the Foos perhaps? I really don’t think that anyone should be overly critical of Floyd. Technically accomplished with a back catalogue that changed popular music, but again I am never gonna be a super fan.

Sometimes we all should realise that whilst something apparently trendy and popular may not be our cup of tea that does not make it rubbish or irrelevant.

Except for Morrisey.

 

[wellquickwoody]

Except for Morrisey.

Funnily enough I have had the same transition about The Smiths too.

 

[Mike Small]

Saw him yesterday at Hyde Park. The second time I've seen him there. Simply incredible. Bruce and the E Street band are in their 70's and play with more energy, passion, friendship, fun and respect to their audience than any other artist. I took my wife. She likes a few of his songs (ones that I can get on the speaker every now and then) but she had a simply brilliant time. So much so, without any prompting of me, she's been listening him all day.

They genuinely put on a show like no other. He is a story teller like now other. A performer like no other and I feel bloody blessed to have seen him live twice and can live with a dreadful Southern Train journey back at 2am. I get he might not be everyone's bag but the fact that some people say he's a 'bit meh' is ridiculous. Even if you didn't know all his songs watching him is amazing. Oh and I can't think of a better songwriter that includes so many different instruments and artists all truly valued by the Boss. Bloody hell, I could go on. So yeah he's better than Pink Floyd.

 

[Acker79]

Too tired to read through this thread, apologies if already posted...

I noted this on the paramount thread, but seems equally relevant here; there are a couple of springsteen concerts on paramount+ now.

 

[Nobby]

Saw him yesterday at Hyde Park. The second time I've seen him there. Simply incredible. Bruce and the E Street band are in their 70's and play with more energy, passion, friendship, fun and respect to their audience than any other artist. I took my wife. She likes a few of his songs (ones that I can get on the speaker every now and then) but she had a simply brilliant time. So much so, without any prompting of me, she's been listening him all day.

They genuinely put on a show like no other. He is a story teller like now other. A performer like no other and I feel bloody blessed to have seen him live twice and can live with a dreadful Southern Train journey back at 2am. I get he might not be everyone's bag but the fact that some people say he's a 'bit meh' is ridiculous. Even if you didn't know all his songs watching him is amazing. Oh and I can't think of a better songwriter that includes so many different instruments and artists all truly valued by the Boss. Bloody hell, I could go on. So yeah he's better than Pink Floyd.

This.

For me it’s the live gigs that make him

His albums are good and average and brilliant.
I don’t listen to them much at all

But we have tried to get to as many of his live gigs as possible over the years

Because he is the best live artist out there.

I’ve been to so many gigs over the last 50 years by so many varied artists - all music genres on all sorts of places.

And honestly, there is nothing like a Springsteen concert. I can’t really explain why - unless you have been to one, they’re difficult to explain.

They’re just so inclusive I think - it’s like being at a huge party - a celebration like the best wedding reception you’ve ever been to - but then at other moments, it’s like you’re at your best friends wake - tears rolling down peoples faces.
And sometimes it seems like a religious experience (whatever they are)

Anyway, probably won’t get to another one now, but if you want to see what they’re like - recommend the Barcelona 2002 gig on YT

And here’s a vid showing a bit of what’s it’s like being in the crowd.

Bloke’s a genius.

 

[Icy Gull]

This.

For me it’s the live gigs that make him

His albums are good and average and brilliant.
I don’t listen to them much at all

But we have tried to get to as many of his live gigs as possible over the years

Because he is the best live artist out there.

I’ve been to so many gigs over the last 50 years by so many varied artists - all music genres on all sorts of places.

And honestly, there is nothing like a Springsteen concert. I can’t really explain why - unless you have been to one, they’re difficult to explain.

They’re just so inclusive I think - it’s like being at a huge party - a celebration like the best wedding reception you’ve ever been to - but then at other moments, it’s like you’re at your best friends wake - tears rolling down peoples faces.
And sometimes it seems like a religious experience (whatever they are)

Anyway, probably won’t get to another one now, but if you want to see what they’re like - recommend the Barcelona 2002 gig on YT

And here’s a vid showing a bit of what’s it’s like being in the crowd.

Bloke’s a genius.

I do get that but CMS used to run around more than any other Albion player I’ve ever seen but I never rated him

Same with Springsteen, I don’t care how much energy he’s got, how well he tells a story and how well his band play and involve the crowd. I just don’t like his shouty voice, soft voice or (most of) his songs

How boring would life be if we all agreed about everything though

 

[Nobby]

I do get that but CMS used to run around more than any other Albion player I’ve ever seen but I never rated him

Same with Springsteen, I don’t care how much energy he’s got, how well he tells a story and how well his band play and involve the crowd. I just don’t like his shouty voice, soft voice or (most of) his songs

How boring would life be if we all agreed about everything though

Yep absolutely fine Icy
Like I say you have to have been there really

And there’s a major difference with CMS

Springsteen has a talent and skill

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

This.

For me it’s the live gigs that make him

His albums are good and average and brilliant.
I don’t listen to them much at all

But we have tried to get to as many of his live gigs as possible over the years

Because he is the best live artist out there.

I’ve been to so many gigs over the last 50 years by so many varied artists - all music genres on all sorts of places.

And honestly, there is nothing like a Springsteen concert. I can’t really explain why - unless you have been to one, they’re difficult to explain.

They’re just so inclusive I think - it’s like being at a huge party - a celebration like the best wedding reception you’ve ever been to - but then at other moments, it’s like you’re at your best friends wake - tears rolling down peoples faces.
And sometimes it seems like a religious experience (whatever they are)

Anyway, probably won’t get to another one now, but if you want to see what they’re like - recommend the Barcelona 2002 gig on YT

And here’s a vid showing a bit of what’s it’s like being in the crowd.

Bloke’s a genius.

That’s a Suicide cover, quite an unexpected cover in my mind but great none the less.

 

[Norman Potting]

Fortunate to have seen him live in the early noughties, he and the band were awesome.

Glad to note that some have listened to the lyrics of "Born in the USA".

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

And there’s a major difference with CMS

Springsteen has a talent and skill

....and no weird conspiracy theories.

 

[Robinjakarta]

This.

For me it’s the live gigs that make him

His albums are good and average and brilliant.
I don’t listen to them much at all

But we have tried to get to as many of his live gigs as possible over the years

Because he is the best live artist out there.

I’ve been to so many gigs over the last 50 years by so many varied artists - all music genres on all sorts of places.

And honestly, there is nothing like a Springsteen concert. I can’t really explain why - unless you have been to one, they’re difficult to explain.

They’re just so inclusive I think - it’s like being at a huge party - a celebration like the best wedding reception you’ve ever been to - but then at other moments, it’s like you’re at your best friends wake - tears rolling down peoples faces.
And sometimes it seems like a religious experience (whatever they are)

Anyway, probably won’t get to another one now, but if you want to see what they’re like - recommend the Barcelona 2002 gig on YT

And here’s a vid showing a bit of what’s it’s like being in the crowd.

Bloke’s a genius.

Couldn't have put it better. I've never, ever known of anyone disappointed with a Springsteen gig. I've known of many who don't rate him who've never seen him live, though.

 

[Dr Q]

Totally.

I was at Hyde Park on Thursday, another awesome gig. Seen him 15x now

 

[lawros left foot]

I like them both, seen them both live, got all the albums of both ( I think)
I also really like the Temptations, Sam and Dave, Bob Marley, the Levellers, the Waterboys, the Stones, Elbow, Kate Bush,Paul Simon, James Taylor, and various others. I just enjoy good music.

I don’t think I completely dislike any kind of music, although the wailing women, Maria Carey, Whitney Houston, etc leave me cold.