The iconic "Born In The U.S.A." album with Bruce Springsteen's backside wearing a white tee, blue jeans, with a red hat tucked in his back pocket has been the quintessential image of Bruce since it's debut on June 4, 1984. But Bruce was making albums years before this one made its massive commercial success. I loved to listen to Bruce before this album came out and here are a few of my favorite songs and what they mean to me.
1. "Growin' Up"
"Greeting from Asbury Park, N.J., released on January 5, 1973, has two of my all-time favorite songs. The first is "Growin' Up." The piano riff is unique, and this song includes verses of Bruce taking his life in his hands and making it in his own way:
"I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, 'Sit down,' I stood up."
It inspires me to keep going through some of the toughest periods in my life. He never gives in and neither will I. While our country is looking for a strong voice to encourage us to never stop fighting, Bruce has been telling us for decades.
However, if you have ever heard a live recording of this song, which, by the way, there are several versions, you will find yourself laughing along with his banter and wanting him to tell you more about who he was and is. Everyone can identify with his journey in one form or another.
2. "For You"
The second song on this album is "For You." It's about a woman who has attempted suicide and he is trying his hardest to save her, as he pleads with her to save herself. These lines get me every time I hear him sing it:
"But that medal you wore on your chest always got in the way
Like a little girl with a trophy so soft to buy her way
We were both hitchhikers but you had your ear tuned to the roar
Of some metal-tempered engine on an alien, distant shore
So you left to find a better reason than the one we were living for."
This song has many levels of love, devastation, caring, memories, and heartbreak. If you have ever had a loved one who wants to, tries to, or does give up and commits suicide, this song should be on your playlist. I can't help but sing along with Bruce every time I hear it.
3. "Out in the Street"
"The River" album released on October 17, 1980, has another of my favorite song, "Out in the Street." This song is about blue-collar-workers and how they are hard working men that like to the freedoms of being carefree out on the town. It is a great song to dance too. His lyrics are poetic, and the chorus says it all:
"When the whistle blows
Girl, I'm down the street
I'm home, I'm out of my work clothes
When I'm out in the street
I walk the way I want to walk
When I'm out in the street
I talk the way I want to talk."
The blue-collar man is the epitome of America's working class. He puts his heart and soul into his job and never lets it get him down. He is at most times unappreciated, underpaid, but never undereducated. He works hard and loves even harder and Bruce's songs represent that class of gentlemen from his heritage and I can hear the pride in every syllable.
4. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)"
"The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle," was released on September 11, 1973, and "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)." I love the guitar and saxophone in this song. It is one of Bruce's longer songs, but most of the songs on this album are long and full of his artistic way of storytelling. It is a tale of forbidden love between a young guitarist and a girl named Rosalita. It is a very popular song played on most classic rock stations. This song makes me sing and dance around my apartment every time I hear it, and when I am driving down the highway with the convertible top down I sing along with Bruce and the E Street Band:
"Rosalita, jump a little higher
Senorita, come sit by my fire
I just want to be your lover, ain't no liar
Rosalita, you're my stone desire."
The way Bruce weaves this epic tale is fun and rhythmic. There is no other way to describe this song.
Bruce has this magical way of showing his stories through his music. Like the opening lines to "Thunder Road." It is very hard not to see Mary coming out on the porch to get in the car with him. Bruce's ballads are a whole other class of music that should not be combined with any other songs, and I will tell you about them another time. To love classic rock and roll is to love Bruce Springsteen.
But don't take my word for it. There is a great big selection of Springsteen songs out there. Most never get airtime and some can only be found on YouTube. Listen to the "B" side of some of his popular songs. Go back to his early days and you will see his songs withstand time and generations.
Oh, and one more thing, I do have to do a shout out to Bruce's version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." My opinion, there is no better version.
