Why Bruce Matters (to me in Japan)
Posted: November 1st, 2007 | Filed under: Bruce | 29 Comments »
Funny thing, I’m pretty sure I had never heard of Bruce Springsteen before “Born in the USA†came out. In fact, I think the first time I became aware of Springsteen was when he did the “Dancing in the Dark†video, and pulled the oh-so-excellent-looking Courtney Cox on the stage. And then next time I noticed him was was when he did the “Glory Days†video, and I still cannot stand that song. Speedball, indeed.
Hey, there was no Springsteen where I lived. I grew up in a sheltered AM Radio home with Connie Francis and Bobby Vinton records playing — to me, as a kid, the epicenter of music hip was the Leif Garrett record that I got for free at Burger King (“Everybody go surfin’!â€) and the Vickie Sue Robinson appearance on Bandstand. Turn the beat around. Love to hear percussion.
I think it was my ghastly musical upbringing that shaped my philosophy about music, which is this: You just like what you like. I am, as is probably apparent from this blog, an unbearable pop-culture snob about most things. I cannot imagine a scenario where I could be friends with anyone who loves the movie “Patch Adams†or religiously watches “According to Jim†(no offense to Jim Belushi, if you are reading) or holds a monthly poker game that tilts towards deuces, sevens and one-eyed jacks. I really am a jerk, actually.
But that snobbishness ends with music. I think music (as Elvis said during the Sun Sessions) either moves you or it doesn’t. And that comes from someplace beyond choices, something involuntary, the color of your eyes. I might prefer not to like George Michael. I might feel embarrassed that “Voulez Vous†makes me so happy. But this is what I am.
Put in a negative way way: I may personally think that Billy Joel music sucks, but this does not prevent me from being best friends with a guy who can sing every song, word for word, off the Streetlife Serenade album (it also does not make me think any less of the cool and hot Sarah Silverman that she has the gruesome “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant†on her iTunes playlist. Hey, Bottle of Red, Bottle of White, whatever makes you happy Sarah). I may personally rather listen to passing garbage trucks than Jethro Tull, but when a friend of mine went to see them in concert recently (yeah, recently), I did not stop returning her calls.
(I will admit that going to a Jethro Tull concert in 2007 does push my liberal music sensibilities to the edge. Seriously, how old are those guys by now? Jethro Tull recorded “Locomotive Breath†when locomotives were America’s No. 1 transportation option. And that song sucked then too.)
All of this is a way to offer my theory that while you may learn to appreciate music, loving it comes from someplace else. I appreciate Charlie Parker. I love Prince. I appreciate Mozart. I love Madonna. I appreciate the Beatles. I love Feist. I have Wilco and Arcade Fire on my iPod. I listen to Keane and David Gray instead. I suspect old Nirvana is better than old Pearl Jam, but I like Pearl Jam more. I appreciate young Sinatra and skinny Elvis, but I love cuckoo old Frank Sinatra and cape-wearing In the Ghetto Elvis. These aren’t choices I would necessarily make, if they were choices.
And I love Bruce Springsteen. I know a lot has been written about Springsteen, good and bad, about his politics and his growth and depth as a musician and his place in American music and a whole lot of other things that frankly are way beyond me. But what I’m trying to get across here is that none of that means much to me. I appreciate that Springsteen. But I love the Springsteen whose music has made me feel stuff at different times in my life, stuff that, technically, is nowhere to be found in any of of the songs.
I didn’t hear “Born to Run†— the album — until I was in college. And, like countless other kids, I listened to it over and over and over again, even though none of the songs really spoke to me, not literally. I don’t know anything about cars or the backstreets of the big city, and I haven’t really been around too many people like Eddie or the Magic Rat or the barefoot girl sitting on the hood of a Dodge (drinking warm beer in the soft summer rain). I still have absolutely no idea what Tenth Avenue Freeze Out is supposed to be about. I guess Bad Scooter was searching for his groove.
But it doesn’t matter, not to me. There was something electric in the music, something I NEEDED to hear at that moment in my life, something I still love to hear, something about wanting to bust out and make a name for yourself and just be heard, man. I was like most of my friends, I had this nameless ambition to do something, be something, but also this overriding suspicion that I was going to live a half life with a dead-end, John Cusack, “I don’t want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought or processed, or repair anything …†kind of job. Bruce shouted down that fear. We’re gonna get to the place where we really wanna go and then we’ll walk in the sun.
Other Bruce albums and songs through the years have had that sort of impact on me — from my college days to my Dad days — they helped me wallow in self pity some days and kicked me out of bed on others and made me believe on other days. Again, I don’t think that it was the words and music. It was something more than that, something that Nick Hornby described once as “God walking into the song.†I just listened to those Bruce songs so much that they triggered something in me. They brought me closer to what lies underneath.
Even now, I don’t consider myself a Springsteen fanatic. My wife thinks I am one, but I know those people. They are my friends. They listen to imports. They travel around the country to see him. They can tell you which version of “Badlands†is better — the one he recorded in Philly or the one he did in Boston — and they know Springsteen songs I’ve never heard of, and they know everything about Springsteen himself. I don’t really know much about that. I don’t even remember the lyrics to some of his songs I’ve heard 150 times. I just know how his music makes me feel.
The other night, in a hotel room in Nagoya, I woke up at 5 a.m. with my back shooting sparks of pain. I have never really had any back pain before, certainly nothing like this, and I’m not going to lie to you — it scared the living hell out of me. I’m here in Japan, alone, I don’t know anybody, I don’t speak the language, I had no earthly idea what to do. I thought maybe I threw out my back. I thought maybe I was having kidney stones (I have since talked to people who have had kidney stones — they assured me that I would have known without any doubt, so that, oddly enough, made me feel better). I thought a lot of bad things actually. The pain would not subside no matter where I went, no matter how I sat or walked or laid down. It was pretty bad.
And then, finally, the pain eased. I still don’t know where it came from or where it went — I’m not looking for theories either, I’m just glad it’s gone — and I stretched out on the bed (because here the beds are harder than the floors — that could have something to do with it) and I put on my iPod and closed my eyes. I listened to my new favorite Springsteen song, “Girls in Their Summer Clothes.â€
A kid’s rubber ball smacks
Off the gutter ‘neath the lamp light
Big bank clock chimes
Off got the sleepy front porch lights
Downtown the stores alight as the evening’s underway
Things’ been a little tight
But I know they’re gonna turn my way
And in an instant, I was back in America, back where everything feels familiar, where the street lights shine down on Blessing Avenue, and, I don’t know, everything felt all right again.
I don’t know if “Girls in Their Summer Clothes†is a “good†song as far as that goes. Critics may hate it. Springsteen fans may think it’s the worst song on the album. Music snobs may read this and realize that they could never been my friend because this is the song I listened to in a dark and lonely Japanese hotel room when I could barely move — I mean, I really don’t know, hell, it may be the musical equivalent of “According to Jim.†It doesn’t really matter though. I don’t think you choose what music saves you. I think you just listen and feel lucky that you found it.
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I’m not a great Springsteen fan, but Tunnel of Love is an absolutely fantastic album. It speaks to me in the ways that few albums do. To put out an album so intimate and low-key after the bombastic Born in the USA took guts and I think it’s better than any other album he’s produced.
It (along with Joshua Tree) came out my senior year of high school, which might have something to do with my feelings for them.
When I listen to Cautious Man, Two Faces or Brilliant Disguise, I feel like I’m home.
I am certainly not as eloquent as you, but I think I have roughly the same experience with and feeling towards music. I don’t know what’s good or bad, I’ve read critial reviews of albums and only understood every fifth word or so. In fact, the music section of my unfinished myspace page says the following:
I try not to get too involved in music as I don’t want to be one of those long-haired guys who doesn’t shower yet still manages to be overly pretentious about music. The radio suits me fine. This is not intended to imply that I have long hair or irregular showering habits.
I thought you might appreciate it. Or not, whatever, it’s late and I’m tired.
I have never been a big fan of Bruce Springsteen. I’m not sure if it was the overblown arrangements of his songs, or for the odd dichotomy that he was a guy who supposedly represented the common/working man, yet was known as The Boss. My favorite Springsteen song was the Frankie Goes to Hollywood cover of “Born to Run”. Seriously. Check it out if you want to hear an impassioned version of it with a KILLER bass solo, I kid you not.
Joe,
From Kansas City (still have my house there), currently living in Japan with my wife and one-year-old son for a year. We teach English, and mainly came to fully experience a new and totally different culture. We certainly found it. Anyway, noticed this in the Asahi newspaper (not the beer) and thought I would pass it along. Just remember, translating from one language to another is always troublesome, and there always is something lost in translation.
The Kansas City Star has a reporter covering the series as interest in Japanese baseball has spiked in the U.S. Midwest since the signing of Hillman.(IHT/Asahi: October 31,2007)
What’s with the dig at Patch Adams? I think your theory should apply to movies as well as music. Who cares about cinematography and Oscar nominations? Why can’t we judge movies using the personal standard you apply to music? I say, if you watch a movie and enjoy it, it is a good movie, regardless of what JoPo says.
Did Sidd Finch throw a “speedball”? Actually, didn’t John Belushi die from overdosing on a speedball? Maybe that’s what “The Boss” was trying to sing about.
Here’s the word on “speedball” according to wikipedia. Eric Show died from it, too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speedball_%28drug%29
I recall seeing a Green Day concert in Barcelona once. They were there by chance…just so happened to be the one night we were there. And you are correct..that piece of home can not be replicated. I felt like I was back in the US, at some dirty club in Oakland. It put me at ease in a place where I really didn’t feel comfortable.
Music is indeed universal, and without a doubt the quickest way to get home when you find yourself on the other side of the planet.
Good column
“Voulez Vous”? Fellow closet ABBA fan, Joe?
I was a huge fan back in Jr. High – had a crush on the blonde gal. Can’t stand disco music but there’s just something comforting and familiar about their music that always brings a smile.
I agree with you, James. ‘Tunnel of Love’ is the only Bruce album I own and the only one of his I really like.
Oh, man. First Wahoo and now this.
You’ve got guts, my friend.
Outstanding post, Joe (even though Glory Days is probably my favorite Springsteen song).
Oddly enuff, my musical upbringing was very similar. My dad was the news director at WUBE in Cincy, which was the Country station. So out of loyalty I suppose, thats what got played in my house. Bad 70’s Kenny Rogers Country.
So I tuned out til I got older and in my 20’s (1989 or so) I started listening to Rock. My Favorite Band ? Jethro Tull.
Locomotive Breath Rocks!
If you like David Gray, you’re all right with me.
Have no fear, Joe, “Girls In Their Summer Clothes” is a great song.
Its funny because Springsteen says he doesn’t even know what Tenth Avenue Freeze Out means!
My aunt recently became Bruce Springsteen’s personal assistant. Basically, she comes over to his house in the morning, and he makes her some coffee or whatever, and she sets up his life for him. Apparently he really is that salf-of-the-earth guy that he portrays himself as. Except, ya know, with a multimillion dollar mansion. It’s, um, kind’ve amazing, actually.
Funny, you say you aren’t a music snob, and then you list these favorites that I associate with people who are music snobs or at least indie music wannabes:
Feist
Wilco
Arcade Fire
Keane
David Gray
Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible sucked. Not saying you can’t like them, I just don’t hear what you hear apparently. Those are of almost no interest to me, except for Arcade Fire’s earlier stuff.
Anyways, movies vs. music you should have the same sort of opinions on. Patch Adams is the movie equivalent of let’s say hair bands from the 80’s. Lots of people like it, and when someone says they do you snicker behind their back for it. There is lots of music that people shouldn’t listen to, like Kenny G, anything on the so called “soft rock” stations, and Mix 93. It’s ok to be snobbish about this stuff. It still has entertainment value though I guess, even if I don’t consider it to be art. So I guess I’m sort of a snob, but I won’t crucify you for it to your face at least.
And I absolutely hate wilds in poker too. The point of poker is not to get 5 of a kind. It is to outplay your opponents with what you have. Most people never understand that. And my absolute favorite is when playing with these people they tend to fold out of turn and in general make mistakes like folding when all they have to do is check to see the flop. Makes more money for me I guess. Wilds = evil I am a poker snob.
Thanks, Joe, first of all for reviving the blog. I missed you while you were gone… although I have to confess I haven’t even read TSOB, much less bought it.
Anyway, thanks for striking a blow for the right to be uncool musically. I emerged from the ‘easy listening’ pod my parents had built around me in my mid-teens, and late 70s. As a consequence, I landed on Barry Manilow, Styx, and… Billy Joel. Which makes me just a little schizophrenic, and excluded forever from the company of those who insist on Critical Acclaim.
Let’s face it, every once in awhile, everyone’s got a hankerin’ for a great big ol’ wheel of cheese
.
I agree with you on a lot of things, Joe, but not Jethro Tull. Locomotive Breath is rockin’.
Joe-
Download “Thundercrack” from Bruce’s Track’s album of iTunes. You’ll thank me. The Boss’s B-sides are better than most artists’ hits.
Glory Days is a song I didn’t like when it first came out. But now when I find myself getting together with old friends, I find I think of the payoff lyric, “time slips away, leaves you with nothin’, mister, but borin’ stories of Glory Days.” Don’t know why, I just love that line.
It’s funny because Glory Days is the song we chose as “our song” or whatever as seniors in high school. It’s not my favorite or least favorite Springsteen song. As for the new album, I think it’s really good. Much better than The Rising. And “Girls In Their Summer Clothes” is my new favorite song as well.
I like Neon Bible! It’s no Funeral, maybe, but what is?
Also, Joe’s musical taste doesn’t sound much different than most. Some stuff that most people agree is good, some stuff that a lot of people agree is good, some stuff that a few people agree is good and most people haven’t heard of, and some stuff that everyone has heard of and most say they hate, with some of them secretly liking it (hello ABBA).
Joe -
I’m a huge Bruce fan from New Jersey and thought your comments were spot on.
I too, was attracted to Bruce by the Dancing In The Dark video and most importantly to Courteney Cox.
I truly believe that our love affair for Springsteen would have been short lived had this video been released instead of the one with the future Friends star…
So if you need proof that Courtney Cox made Bruce Springsteen a gazillionaire, click on this link…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM6TuZ6lSWI
Don’t know where this video has been hiding for 23 years. But can you imagine if this came out in 1984? I shudder to think what might have happened. And if you don’t believe it’s real, wait until Clarence’s sax solo…
Joe – I’ve been reading you for years, and I’ve always felt a connection to what you write. We both are 40, and had similar upbringings, and apparently like similar movies, music, sports and tv shows.
But this is just creepy. I just told my wife 3 days ago: “I’ve never really been a fan of Bruce, but I really enjoy his music.”
Great post, and it’s great to have you blogging again.
Joe,
I’m with you in the no-man’s-land between indifference and FANDOM! so I wanted to respond to this post at uncouth length. Hope you don’t mind. I’ll start with the easy stuff:
“Girls in Their Summer Clothes” is a great song that would’ve better had he recorded it decades earlier. (Of course, the reference to “Shaniqua” would only have started to make sense back then, but bear with me.) The song’s only problem is its slightly drugged quality: too much instrumentation, not enough reliance on Springsteen’s ability to wail. It’d have been something else to hear Darkness on the Edge of Town-era Springsteen sing that.
Which brings me, I think, to the bug/feature quality of the album. Every song sounds like it should’ve been recorded for a particular, different Springsteen. “I Work for Your Love” should’ve been on Human Touch, “Gypsy Biker” on one of those aimless early albums.
Scratch that. I won’t bore you with the long post I’d intended. I’ll just say that this was a damn moving post—possibly your best, and that’s saying a lot.
[...] phone (not tallied on Monday’s list of supplies purchased for trip) and from his recent blog on the music and influence of Bruce Springsteen. If you haven’t read it, let me summarize: [...]
Joe, from your writing, I can’t tell if you’re 18 and just learning about music or if you’re 80 and have heard it all. You seem to be naive and cranky… bravo!
Like Rain Man, I’m responding to a question from a half hour ago…
I’ve tried in vain to find this article I read in the Times a few years ago, I think on a Sunday in the Arts & Leisure section. The gist was that music fans get all hung up about what is cool and what is good and what is dreadful. But musicians? Not so much.
Miles Davis, who has been scientifically proven to be the coolest musician of the 20th century, dug the music of the Bing Crosby, who smoked a pipe, wore sweater vests, and was named Bing. Ray Charles inducted Billy Joel into the R&R HoF. Robbie Robertson of the Band produced Neil Diamond songs and worships his songwriting skill. And so on.
So don’t sweat it, Joe. You may be cooler than you thought. In fact, writing blog posts like this, knowing the music snobs are sharpening their knives, is significantly cooler than, say, claiming you prefer Arcade Fire’s earlier stuff to Neon Bible.