Springsteen has the perfect storyteller voice. You're invested from the first line. Listening to him is like sitting next to a friend at the bar, sharing beers and stories both happy and sad. The Boss always.
"Is a dream a lie if it don't come true? Or is it something worse?" This is my favorite line in my favorite Springsteen song. This song is a masterpiece on so many levels. Thank you for doing this song.
This is from the River Album Tour. I saw this concert when I was 18 during that tour Feb 4, 1981. Still have the ticket! To this day, I remember it as one of the best shows I have ever seen. At the time, I wasn't really a Springsteen fan. That night I became a fan. Watching this video of that performance brings the experience back to me. I grew up and went to high school in an Ohio River town so this song really hit home because we would 'go down to the river' on the regular every morning before school and hang out on the weekends on the river. That show along with my life experience runs together for me with the song The River.
Bruce allows you and invites you to Invest in him and his songs. I've been invested in Bruce for almost 50 years and he hasn't let me down yet. Beautiful reaction 😊
YOU are a fan of Bruce....love u even more! lol I don't think there is another artist that has a connection with his audience like Bruce does. His live performances are epic (I've seen him over 20 times). As he has aged he is actually becoming a "crooner". Bruce still moves around the arena but spends a great deal of time just standing at the mic and focusing on the message. Thank u for taking a look at this generational artist.
One of the most widely relatable songs ever. If you're working class and you don't know somebody in real life who this song could be about then you have exceptionally lucky friends.
It is weird. I grew up in the northeast and Springsteen was widely popular up there. I moved down to the southeast and most people fail to relate and don't really care for him. When asked why I am a fan, my answer is it feels like he is writing songs about my life.
This song and all its live performances by Bruce can never be overrated. They are genuine, pure, and real life. Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is it something worse? Yes. Well done Vocalyst! I have been a Springsteen fan since the 70's, have attended over 250 shows and am happy to see that his work still touches younger generations.
Slightly my favorite one among his many wonderful songs. He is not just a great storyteller and artist but very genuine and nice person. He is the best. So many layers and complexity in his songs which I love and can’t find in others, Love him so much, greetings from Istanbul.
I'm from Scotland and I've been following Springsteen since the 70s, the story telling in the first 4 albums is out of this world and returned in A Letter to You, it's great watching you react, beautiful song and oh so beautiful lady
Love this commentary! In particular, thanks for singling out Roy Bittan's piano intro and the piano throughout the song. Roy's piano work was always so striking and powerful, particularly in live performances.
One of my favourite songs of all time. Such a wonderfully beautiful, sad and relatable story. There’s that one line, right before the final chorus, that just tears at my heart every time even after all these years of listening to it.
What a joy to watch you break down the awesome Bruce. I completely agree that it's not about the vocal skill, although he has plenty. With Bruce it's all about the storytelling. The man is simply one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
This song is so universal, that you can't help but fall for it. I first read a book of Bruce's lyrics, before even listening to most of his music and many of those lyrics really got me, but The River touched my heart completely.. it's for sure one of the greatest songs ever written.
Bruce Springsteen is my musical hero. I became a fan in 1984 and continue to admire him and his life's work to this day. The river is not only my favourite song by the Boss. The lines „Is a dream a lie, if it don’t come true, or is it something worse, that sends me down to the river, though I know the river is dry“ are some of the best that have ever been used in a song. They touch me again and again every time I hear them.
IDK how many times I've listened to this live version (and another one of his famous ones) and it still makes every hair on my neck stand. He is sooooooo intense! Absolutely true when you say it feels like we are in a scene!
Saw him in LA early eighties when he was touring after the release of this album. They played for 4 hours. Best concert ever. The E street band is really magical.
I was present at the first time Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played "The River" in concert live at a "No Nukes" concert in 1979 at Madison Square Garden. I was stunned by this song. A masterpiece! It was not released on the album until 1980.
Saw him on this tour, was in the 10th row, he played almost 4 hours, played 2 songs solo to give the band a break, they came back and on he went to the end. After the 7th encore, he said there has to be an end, if only not.
To me, this man is everything that America could have been and should have been. He saw where it went the wrong way all the time and packed it into words and music, and while many people listened to the message, not enough really heard it. The prophet in the desert... Thanks, Bethany, wonderful to see how he appeals to you as much as he does to me!
I wrote this comment about Bobby Hatfield's performance from when he sang Unchained Melody live on the Andy Griffin Show. It seems to say something you also said about The Boss and The River. Here it is: "There's a subtle attitude to this performance that helps make it great. He is not trying to sing it to show everyone how great a singer he is. He's trying to sing it so it expresses the beauty of the song, and what he feels. By giving it all to the song, allowing it to stand alone he receives it all from the listeners, every last one."
Like the way you said he has the perfect storytelling voice… have always felt that but not realised, and you articulated it. Can’t believe he said recently he’d never done a warm up before his 3 hr shows
I borrowed this double album from my cousin shortly after it came out. I had to buy him a new copy as I wore it out. My parents and I all found songs we loved on it. This was my favourite one. I used to sing along to it constantly. And yes, the harmonica in it is excellent, it gives me goosebumps.
Ich habe den Boss 1999 in Offenbach auf dem Bieberer Berg Open Air sehen dürfen und es war mit das beste was ich jemals live gesehen habe!!! 👌🏼💪🏽👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Through the 80s & 90s I was never a Springsteen fan but that was a mistake. Big mistake. My eyes opened when I heard the song "Girls In Their Summer Clothes". Now I own a few of his albums and I keep discovering more gems. This is a great song, great performance. Thanks for featuring it. Cheers!
Springsteen is blue collar artist. The E Street Band were established journeymen, and together they all became master craftsmen. He writes about the everyday moments and makes them epic, just like they ARE epic in our everyday lives, because they happen to us. Getting your girlfriend pregnant isn't a statistic about teen pregnancy, it's a mixed blessing, and that mix spans the gamut from the death of dreams to the peaks of parenthood. Obviously this song isn't about a lot of joy, but it's vivid, it's real, and he makes you feel it.
Bruce is not only a great artist but also a great person who cares about others. An audience was invited to a video shoot (Hungry Heart) in a Berlin pub with the German artist Wolfgang Niedecken (BAP). Bruce said we can't just play 1 song for them and leave. So they kept practicing and then played 5-6 songs.
One of my favorites. Also, in live performances from around that time, there's a great slow version of what is usually an up-tempo rocker, a song called "No Surrender". Slowed down, its a great reflection on lifetimes of friendship.
This early incarnation of the E Street band was one of the greatest live bands ever put together and here they do a masterful job of supporting Springsteen and helping to deliver the message in the music. And this isn't story telling this is real life. I believe that Springsteen lived the events in these songs. I don't think anyone could put so much emotion into a song without having lived it IMHO.
I saw him live for the first time last Halloween. Hearing all of those classic songs in person was simply amazing. His performance and energy are second to none. Just the best! For the record, I did not have him opening with Ghostbusters on my bingo card!
I can't stop listening to this song now - this is a movie in itself, heart-wrenching, realistic, poignant and deeply romantic at the same time, no wonder it made you stop for a second, I get that same feeling in my bones everytime I listen: "Now all them things that seemed so important Well mister they vanished right into the air Now I just act like I don't remember Mary acts like she don't care But I remember us riding in my brother's car Her body tan and wet, down at the reservoir At night on them banks I'd lie awake And pull her close just to feel each breath she'd take Now those memories come back to haunt me They haunt me like a curse Is a dream a lie if it don't come true Or is it something worse"
Man I want to party with you, and by party I mean sitting in a dark room sharing a set of headphones and just going back and forth track for track what are their favorite music❤😂
I saw him live in 2023 when I could tell he was not well. He was still fantastic. I saw him again last year at Wembley when he was the best he's been in 20 years. I'm fortunate enough to be seeing him again in June in Liverpool. He's accompanied me since 1975 and he will until it all ends.
Hi Bethany, I don’t know if you read these comments, but I’d love to hear you review Jungleland. This song is a rollercoaster, but Jungleland can make me cry. Springsteen’s wail towards the end of the song seems to carry the very essence of human angst and desperation. I’d love to get your take on it.
I agree completely. For me it's his songwriting and particularly his fearless and pointedly topical lyrics that I most admire. The song "American Skin (41 Shots)" is one I go back to often and for me epitomises his honesty and and story-telling skills. Yes it created some controversy when it appeared but that neither stopped Bruce from performing it nor reduced his standing with his millions of fans.
The song, accoerding to Bruce, was written as a "tribute" to his sister and her husband (his brother-in-law). The authenticity is helped by the closeness of the tale he's telling.
Thank you so much for your videos! I like it so much that you analyze/react to each different music-genre without beeing biased from your favourized music. I would like you to react on „Paleface Swiss - The Orphan“. The music is kind of agreesive, desperate but also powerful. The sound of the singers‘ voice reminds me to Corey Taylor from Slipknot. And also I would like you to assess how many years the singer can relie on his voice before he sounds „worn out“ - Like James Hetfield or Serj Tankian. Both still great musicians but I think that this style to „sing“ (or scream) costs you continuus live performance. Thank you very much! Greetings from germany (sorry if my english is bad. If you find mistakes, please keep them as a gift 😂)
To me he's a storyteller, the emotion is first for the song, not the technical parts of the singing. Fabulous song. And probably in the 50s through the 70s and 80s, this song was real for so many. That album was chock full of great songs.
This is my favorite Springsteen song only by a hair - because “Walk Like a Man” exists, which makes me think of both my late father and my wedding day. I appreciate your comments so much; so much goes into his music to make it what it is. So many people just roll along with it, and that’s Ok, but there is so much to parse through and appreciate. And then there’s that line: “Now those memories come back to haunt me, they haunt me like a ghost / Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true, or is it something worse?” It just rends your soul…
For me as a non US-American, Springsteen's storytelling reveals a lot about how Americans feel and how the deal with strokes of fate - in this song what it means, or can mean to get pregnant as a teenager. But he is much more than just an objective chronicler - as this song also shows, he is as well an annalyst regarding causes and effects in a life and taking sides for the disadvantaged ... therefore often leading to hopelessness, to heartbreaking hopelessness emphasized by the right chords ...
I have a line from this song tattooed on my forearm: "Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is something worse?" I saw him in Birmingham in 2023 and the crowd sang one verse back to him.
I say it every time. No one every does stuff from "Darkness on the Edge of Town", which IMO is his greatest work. The songs are stark and intense and some the vocal work is just epic.
I know this is a super left field pitch but there's a band called "La Dispute" with a song named "King Park" that has such an insane sound I've never found anywhere else and I think its got to be heard!
His music from his first couple albums through The River and Nebraska is very vivid. I find his songs are cinematic in scope. Especially the albums Born To Run, Darkness At The Edge Of town, and The River. If you can't see a film in the lyrics of this song, Jungleland, Thunder Road, Badlands, and so many others, you just aren't listening.
My father had the pleasure of employing Little Stevens at his universitry for 4 years, in that time I met Bruce two times, and he is a fantastic person, he really deserved the medal President Biden gave him, he is a fantastic person, and I am so happy that I got to know him over a few diners :) Sorry ".. president Obama"
Hello just across your reaction. Loved it as I am a HUGE Springsteen fan. He is a master storyteller...please check One step up (official version) beautiful song.
The version of "The River" you reacted to is great, but I think you might enjoy the 2000 version even more. Bruce's voice has matured, and he has perfected his falsetto. Plus, this version includes a soulful saxophone solo by Clarence and an accordion solo by Danny! I saw the band do this song during that tour, and it was incredible.
This is a true story based on his sister and brother-in-law who were languishing economically shortly after their unplanned pregnancy and subsequent marriage. Devastating song…it always felt like a ghost story to me. The good news is his sister and her husband stayed together. Truly hope they have a good life. What an amazing tribute by Bruce. I think it’s a masterpiece.
So there another persian person you may want to listen to if you love Mohsens voice and how he sings, Homayoon Shajarian, "Arayesh Ghaliz" this song will blow your mind on vocals, his voice is absolutely amazing and like most of us westerners I've never heard this style of singing or vocals before, definitely check it out.. promise you will love it..
Great episode love The Boss + you Bethany keep up your passionate and wonderful work music is the universal language! Some suggestions: 1. Cliff Richard - Miss You Nights from I'm Nearly Famous album, 2. Immortality from Celine Dion and the Bee Gees (they wrote it specifically for her and Barry tears up in the great recording session video when he hears her), 3. Gino Vannelli Live in LA 2013 (Gino + a great band and Gino sings better than ever which is amazing), 4. Megan Woods - The Truth 5. Eric Carmen - All by Myself (based on a Rachmaninoff piece) 6. Johnnyswim - Diamonds (husband + wife team Amanda is the late Donna Summer's youngest daughter), 7. Kool and the Gang - Misled, 8. Johnnyswim - Take the World.
Ahhhh The River; beautiful and devastating. One of my favorite songs of all time. I’m so happy to see Bruce on your channel. You being a fan I’m surprised you haven’t done him yet and I’ve wished many times you would. The list of his songs I’d like to see you listen to is huge so I will only recommend one in the interest of space. The piano only version of Thunder Road from 1975 at the Hammersmith Odeon is haunting and gorgeous. I will try to send a link, wish me luck 😬 ua-cam.com/video/6O3MO2y30fU/v-deo.htmlsi=UotPcNaoySsj94w-
Ich finde es extrem traurig, dass diese Generation von genialen Musikern langsam ausstirbt und leider kommt nur sehr wenig gute Musik nach! Ein Hoch auf den "BOSS"!
Springsteen has the perfect storyteller voice. You're invested from the first line. Listening to him is like sitting next to a friend at the bar, sharing beers and stories both happy and sad. The Boss always.
This comment ❤
"Is a dream a lie if it don't come true? Or is it something worse?" This is my favorite line in my favorite Springsteen song. This song is a masterpiece on so many levels. Thank you for doing this song.
Mine too. It hits you hard.
I think that lyric is just about everyone’s favorite. It makes us all cry. I’ve seen so many comments on Bruce videos that mention this line.
100% one of the greatest lines in rock.
One of the greatest lines in any written form of art
Agreed. If that line does not break you down, you have no heart.
The way he says "Now those memories come back to HAUNT ME...!" gets me every time!
Good shout, agree
This is from the River Album Tour. I saw this concert when I was 18 during that tour Feb 4, 1981. Still have the ticket! To this day, I remember it as one of the best shows I have ever seen. At the time, I wasn't really a Springsteen fan. That night I became a fan. Watching this video of that performance brings the experience back to me. I grew up and went to high school in an Ohio River town so this song really hit home because we would 'go down to the river' on the regular every morning before school and hang out on the weekends on the river. That show along with my life experience runs together for me with the song The River.
Bruce allows you and invites you to Invest in him and his songs. I've been invested in Bruce for almost 50 years and he hasn't let me down yet. Beautiful reaction 😊
YOU are a fan of Bruce....love u even more! lol I don't think there is another artist that has a connection with his audience like Bruce does. His live performances are epic (I've seen him over 20 times). As he has aged he is actually becoming a "crooner". Bruce still moves around the arena but spends a great deal of time just standing at the mic and focusing on the message. Thank u for taking a look at this generational artist.
One of the most widely relatable songs ever. If you're working class and you don't know somebody in real life who this song could be about then you have exceptionally lucky friends.
It is weird. I grew up in the northeast and Springsteen was widely popular up there. I moved down to the southeast and most people fail to relate and don't really care for him. When asked why I am a fan, my answer is it feels like he is writing songs about my life.
@@jamiemiller6156 Hell I'm from North West England and I relate to him just fine...
This song still gut me after so many decades.
It’s one of those songs that i have yet found the right person to truly listen with.
I'm same but gave up for searching anymore, hope you find your soul partner soon my friend.
This song and all its live performances by Bruce can never be overrated. They are genuine, pure, and real life. Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is it something worse? Yes. Well done Vocalyst! I have been a Springsteen fan since the 70's, have attended over 250 shows and am happy to see that his work still touches younger generations.
Slightly my favorite one among his many wonderful songs. He is not just a great storyteller and artist but very genuine and nice person. He is the best. So many layers and complexity in his songs which I love and can’t find in others, Love him so much, greetings from Istanbul.
Didn't really appreciate this song when I was younger but I've just turned 70 and can't hear it without tearing up.
I'm from Scotland and I've been following Springsteen since the 70s, the story telling in the first 4 albums is out of this world and returned in A Letter to You, it's great watching you react, beautiful song and oh so beautiful lady
Saw him two years ago, Still rocking 4 hr concerts and his voice hasn't changed.
Love this commentary! In particular, thanks for singling out Roy Bittan's piano intro and the piano throughout the song. Roy's piano work was always so striking and powerful, particularly in live performances.
One of my favourite songs of all time. Such a wonderfully beautiful, sad and relatable story.
There’s that one line, right before the final chorus, that just tears at my heart every time even after all these years of listening to it.
Heartbreaking, sad, and beautiful. A masterpiece.
What a joy to watch you break down the awesome Bruce. I completely agree that it's not about the vocal skill, although he has plenty. With Bruce it's all about the storytelling. The man is simply one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
This song is so universal, that you can't help but fall for it. I first read a book of Bruce's lyrics, before even listening to most of his music and many of those lyrics really got me, but The River touched my heart completely.. it's for sure one of the greatest songs ever written.
Bruce Springsteen is my musical hero. I became a fan in 1984 and continue to admire him and his life's work to this day. The river is not only my favourite song by the Boss. The lines „Is a dream a lie, if it don’t come true, or is it something worse, that sends me down to the river, though I know the river is dry“ are some of the best that have ever been used in a song. They touch me again and again every time I hear them.
The man tells lifetime
Stories everyone, everyday can relate too! One of a kind !! Thank you
So sincere. One of the best songs ever. 🙏
The live recording where he tells the story of when he was drafted and failed the physical. Man, the reaction of his dad still makes me choke up.
45 years ago!! I think of this as one of his 'new' pieces. Amazing...
IDK how many times I've listened to this live version (and another one of his famous ones) and it still makes every hair on my neck stand. He is sooooooo intense! Absolutely true when you say it feels like we are in a scene!
Saw him in LA early eighties when he was touring after the release of this album. They played for 4 hours. Best concert ever. The E street band is really magical.
I always close my eyes when I listen to the wordless coda on the outro, it's so beautiful
Love this channel. Thank you for tackling all these wonderful artists.
Everything Bruce sings just sounds so sincere! Drive all night…..so good 😊
The version of this song from the live album form around this same time period that starts with a story he tells about him and his dad is amazing
I was present at the first time Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played "The River" in concert live at a "No Nukes" concert in 1979 at Madison Square Garden. I was stunned by this song. A masterpiece! It was not released on the album until 1980.
the first song from Bruce that hooked me. I've never let go.
Saw him on this tour, was in the 10th row, he played almost 4 hours, played 2 songs solo to give the band a break, they came back and on he went to the end. After the 7th encore, he said there has to be an end, if only not.
To me, this man is everything that America could have been and should have been. He saw where it went the wrong way all the time and packed it into words and music, and while many people listened to the message, not enough really heard it. The prophet in the desert... Thanks, Bethany, wonderful to see how he appeals to you as much as he does to me!
I wrote this comment about Bobby Hatfield's performance from when he sang Unchained Melody live on the Andy Griffin Show. It seems to say something you also said about The Boss and The River. Here it is:
"There's a subtle attitude to this performance that helps make it great. He is not trying to sing it to show everyone how great a singer he is. He's trying to sing it so it expresses the beauty of the song, and what he feels. By giving it all to the song, allowing it to stand alone he receives it all from the listeners, every last one."
Just love your facial expressions, you are such a beautiful person dont ever change girl 😊❤😊 love and prayers from Southafrica
YES! Springsteen is an incredible artist! For me personally he is on a level with guys like Bob Dylan, as a songwriter and storyteller.
Like the way you said he has the perfect storytelling voice… have always felt that but not realised, and you articulated it. Can’t believe he said recently he’d never done a warm up before his 3 hr shows
So glad you've done this song
Always enjoyed Bruce's and Roy Bittan collaboration on their beautiful piano parts.
What a song. Probably my favorite Springsteen video. Thanks for reacting.
I borrowed this double album from my cousin shortly after it came out. I had to buy him a new copy as I wore it out. My parents and I all found songs we loved on it. This was my favourite one. I used to sing along to it constantly. And yes, the harmonica in it is excellent, it gives me goosebumps.
Also, this is a song he said was inspired by his sister and brother-in-law
You are a great analyser and it’s funny when you are out of words because it can only expressed musically! 😁🤜🏼🤛🏼
Ich habe den Boss 1999 in Offenbach auf dem Bieberer Berg Open Air sehen dürfen und es war mit das beste was ich jemals live gesehen habe!!! 👌🏼💪🏽👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
His Broadway show is amazing. I've watched it several times. It is a must for any Bruce fan, new or old.
Through the 80s & 90s I was never a Springsteen fan but that was a mistake. Big mistake. My eyes opened when I heard the song "Girls In Their Summer Clothes". Now I own a few of his albums and I keep discovering more gems. This is a great song, great performance. Thanks for featuring it. Cheers!
Also, the description "ascend" is exactly what he does better than any.
Springsteen is blue collar artist. The E Street Band were established journeymen, and together they all became master craftsmen. He writes about the everyday moments and makes them epic, just like they ARE epic in our everyday lives, because they happen to us. Getting your girlfriend pregnant isn't a statistic about teen pregnancy, it's a mixed blessing, and that mix spans the gamut from the death of dreams to the peaks of parenthood. Obviously this song isn't about a lot of joy, but it's vivid, it's real, and he makes you feel it.
The more Bruce, the better. Well done!
Bruce is not only a great artist but also a great person who cares about others. An audience was invited to a video shoot (Hungry Heart) in a Berlin pub with the German artist Wolfgang Niedecken (BAP). Bruce said we can't just play 1 song for them and leave. So they kept practicing and then played 5-6 songs.
One of my favorites. Also, in live performances from around that time, there's a great slow version of what is usually an up-tempo rocker, a song called "No Surrender".
Slowed down, its a great reflection on lifetimes of friendship.
This early incarnation of the E Street band was one of the greatest live bands ever put together and here they do a masterful job of supporting Springsteen and helping to deliver the message in the music. And this isn't story telling this is real life. I believe that Springsteen lived the events in these songs. I don't think anyone could put so much emotion into a song without having lived it IMHO.
I saw him live for the first time last Halloween. Hearing all of those classic songs in person was simply amazing. His performance and energy are second to none. Just the best! For the record, I did not have him opening with Ghostbusters on my bingo card!
I was watching on live stream. Ghostbusters was fun!!
I can't stop listening to this song now - this is a movie in itself, heart-wrenching, realistic, poignant and deeply romantic at the same time, no wonder it made you stop for a second, I get that same feeling in my bones everytime I listen:
"Now all them things that seemed so important
Well mister they vanished right into the air
Now I just act like I don't remember
Mary acts like she don't care
But I remember us riding in my brother's car
Her body tan and wet, down at the reservoir
At night on them banks I'd lie awake
And pull her close just to feel each breath she'd take
Now those memories come back to haunt me
They haunt me like a curse
Is a dream a lie if it don't come true
Or is it something worse"
Man I want to party with you, and by party I mean sitting in a dark room sharing a set of headphones and just going back and forth track for track what are their favorite music❤😂
Great reaction, agree 100%. What I don’t understand is how you can stand that curl poking you in the eye so long? 😂
Beth,you rock! Peace 🤘 🍻 💨
One of the greatest songs ever written.
My favorite of all time. I attended 20 of his concerts. And that is just a drop in the bucket. The only artist who can drive a grown man to tears.
Yes he can. But have you heard the Warning? They do it every time as well.
Springsteen is amazing, so is the E Street Band, thanks for covering them, more:)
I saw him live in 2023 when I could tell he was not well. He was still fantastic. I saw him again last year at Wembley when he was the best he's been in 20 years. I'm fortunate enough to be seeing him again in June in Liverpool. He's accompanied me since 1975 and he will until it all ends.
Beautifully put I'll give u wave at anfield I'll be there also. U can't top the boss
I love how "Mary" pops up a number of times in Bruce Springsteen songs. My favorites are this song and "Thunder Road."
Love this great singer!
I subcribe now ,hope for more of this fantastic musician , bye.
Hi Bethany, I don’t know if you read these comments, but I’d love to hear you review Jungleland. This song is a rollercoaster, but Jungleland can make me cry. Springsteen’s wail towards the end of the song seems to carry the very essence of human angst and desperation. I’d love to get your take on it.
Hello I was 15 at this time. Thank you for sharing!
Interesting what you say about the harmonica...I agree! I think it's plaintiff and emotive, equal to the human voice x
I agree completely. For me it's his songwriting and particularly his fearless and pointedly topical lyrics that I most admire. The song "American Skin (41 Shots)" is one I go back to often and for me epitomises his honesty and and story-telling skills. Yes it created some controversy when it appeared but that neither stopped Bruce from performing it nor reduced his standing with his millions of fans.
The song, accoerding to Bruce, was written as a "tribute" to his sister and her husband (his brother-in-law). The authenticity is helped by the closeness of the tale he's telling.
I was in high school in the 1970’s in the Philadelphia area. My English teacher used to say “Bach, Beethoven, and Springsteen.”
Thank you so much for your videos! I like it so much that you analyze/react to each different music-genre without beeing biased from your favourized music.
I would like you to react on „Paleface Swiss - The Orphan“. The music is kind of agreesive, desperate but also powerful. The sound of the singers‘ voice reminds me to Corey Taylor from Slipknot. And also I would like you to assess how many years the singer can relie on his voice before he sounds „worn out“ - Like James Hetfield or Serj Tankian. Both still great musicians but I think that this style to „sing“ (or scream) costs you continuus live performance.
Thank you very much!
Greetings from germany (sorry if my english is bad. If you find mistakes, please keep them as a gift 😂)
To me he's a storyteller, the emotion is first for the song, not the technical parts of the singing. Fabulous song. And probably in the 50s through the 70s and 80s, this song was real for so many. That album was chock full of great songs.
Instant goosebumps with this one.
This is my favorite Springsteen song only by a hair - because “Walk Like a Man” exists, which makes me think of both my late father and my wedding day. I appreciate your comments so much; so much goes into his music to make it what it is. So many people just roll along with it, and that’s Ok, but there is so much to parse through and appreciate. And then there’s that line: “Now those memories come back to haunt me, they haunt me like a ghost / Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true, or is it something worse?” It just rends your soul…
For me as a non US-American, Springsteen's storytelling reveals a lot about how Americans feel and how the deal with strokes of fate - in this song what it means, or can mean to get pregnant as a teenager. But he is much more than just an objective chronicler - as this song also shows, he is as well an annalyst regarding causes and effects in a life and taking sides for the disadvantaged ... therefore often leading to hopelessness, to heartbreaking hopelessness emphasized by the right chords ...
I have a line from this song tattooed on my forearm: "Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is something worse?" I saw him in Birmingham in 2023 and the crowd sang one verse back to him.
Bruce Springsteen is a scream from the soul.
I was there, what a show!
I say it every time. No one every does stuff from "Darkness on the Edge of Town", which IMO is his greatest work. The songs are stark and intense and some the vocal work is just epic.
Love it when you get a little emotional :)
I know this is a super left field pitch but there's a band called "La Dispute" with a song named "King Park" that has such an insane sound I've never found anywhere else and I think its got to be heard!
When The Boss sings, it is the people who sing
His music from his first couple albums through The River and Nebraska is very vivid. I find his songs are cinematic in scope. Especially the albums Born To Run, Darkness At The Edge Of town, and The River. If you can't see a film in the lyrics of this song, Jungleland, Thunder Road, Badlands, and so many others, you just aren't listening.
My father had the pleasure of employing Little Stevens at his universitry for 4 years, in that time I met Bruce two times, and he is a fantastic person, he really deserved the medal President Biden gave him, he is a fantastic person, and I am so happy that I got to know him over a few diners :) Sorry ".. president Obama"
This song always instantly giving me the 'Against the Wind - Bob Seger' vibes.
Hello just across your reaction. Loved it as I am a HUGE Springsteen fan. He is a master storyteller...please check One step up (official version) beautiful song.
The version of "The River" you reacted to is great, but I think you might enjoy the 2000 version even more. Bruce's voice has matured, and he has perfected his falsetto. Plus, this version includes a soulful saxophone solo by Clarence and an accordion solo by Danny! I saw the band do this song during that tour, and it was incredible.
This is a true story based on his sister and brother-in-law who were languishing economically shortly after their unplanned pregnancy and subsequent marriage. Devastating song…it always felt like a ghost story to me.
The good news is his sister and her husband stayed together. Truly hope they have a good life. What an amazing tribute by Bruce. I think it’s a masterpiece.
He’s the best of all time. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I am definitely not a Springsteen fan, but I really do like this song.
Angel Eyes by Steelheart! They’re like a power rock/glam rock type of band. I love that song and his voice is next level.
So there another persian person you may want to listen to if you love Mohsens voice and how he sings, Homayoon Shajarian, "Arayesh Ghaliz" this song will blow your mind on vocals, his voice is absolutely amazing and like most of us westerners I've never heard this style of singing or vocals before, definitely check it out.. promise you will love it..
Greatest Bandleader around!
the band "Sleep Token" will blow you away as much as Falling in Reverse did...
Great episode love The Boss + you Bethany keep up your passionate and wonderful work music is the universal language!
Some suggestions: 1. Cliff Richard - Miss You Nights from I'm Nearly Famous album, 2. Immortality from Celine Dion and the Bee Gees (they wrote it specifically for her and Barry tears up in the great recording session video when he hears her), 3. Gino Vannelli Live in LA 2013 (Gino + a great band and Gino sings better than ever which is amazing), 4. Megan Woods - The Truth 5. Eric Carmen - All by Myself (based on a Rachmaninoff piece) 6. Johnnyswim - Diamonds (husband + wife team Amanda is the late Donna Summer's youngest daughter), 7. Kool and the Gang - Misled, 8. Johnnyswim - Take the World.
Use this one for Immortality: ua-cam.com/video/C5t-5ygKO9w/v-deo.html
Ahhhh The River; beautiful and devastating. One of my favorite songs of all time. I’m so happy to see Bruce on your channel. You being a fan I’m surprised you haven’t done him yet and I’ve wished many times you would. The list of his songs I’d like to see you listen to is huge so I will only recommend one in the interest of space. The piano only version of Thunder Road from 1975 at the Hammersmith Odeon is haunting and gorgeous. I will try to send a link, wish me luck 😬 ua-cam.com/video/6O3MO2y30fU/v-deo.htmlsi=UotPcNaoySsj94w-
I cried.
The Boss
Yes! Please make sure you listen to the version -INCLUDING the intro story - from the album "Bruce Springsteen Live 1975-1985:" You will weep.
Like so many, no doubt, the virtual story of my youth.
I would be really interested to see what you think about Bob Seger’s song “Shame on the moon”. Keep up the great content!
Ich finde es extrem traurig, dass diese Generation von genialen Musikern langsam ausstirbt und leider kommt nur sehr wenig gute Musik nach! Ein Hoch auf den "BOSS"!