Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band performing their NYC anthem/ballad Jungleland in Madison Square Garden is each of them and their fans at their very best! Thank you for The River!
This is my favorite Bruce Springsteen song. There's something haunting about his singing, the lyrics, the melancholy music. The harmonica really adds to the vibe.
Bruce has confirmed that this was written as a tribute to his sister and brother-in-law. One of these days, you should hear the album Nebraska. He recorded it on a cassette tape at home, brought it to the studio, and had it all polished up. He then decided it was better on cassette. And it is magnificent. I wouldn't ever meditate to this song. It's got a deep meaning that would have come through more with the studio version.
Yep, go check out the lyrics. "Then I got Mary pregnant and, man, that was all she wrote, and for my nineteenth birthday I got a union card and a wedding coat. We went down to the courthouse and the judge put it all to rest: no wedding day smiles, no walk down the aisle, no flowers, no wedding dress." That's rings so true, it makes my teeth hurt. I grew up lower middle-class, and those lyrics, like many, many of Bruce's lyrics, that's how life feels. Combining his pen with his raw voice and incredible band, Bruce's first eight albums are the closest many of us felt to what we living through. It's not all bleak, a lot of it is actually funny: check out Sherry Darling to see that side of him. Like I said the other day on your Turn The Lights Back On reaction... Billy Joel, Paul Simon, and Bruce, my triumvirate of American singer-songwriters.
You’re right about these songs resonating with us. I also grew up in a lower middle class household in Pennsylvania and I could relate to so many of Bruce’s songs. He’s such a treasure.
Thank you for this wonderful reaction video to a phenomenal singer/songwriter and band. I listened to Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band all the way from Albuquerque to Tulsa and then Tulsa to Albuquerque.. never forget it. I would have loved to see them in concert.
They are fantastic in concert. Bruce is a machine, so impassioned, and very athletic I might add. One of my top concerts of all time. Actually, it ranks second (barely) out of concerts like The Who, U2, Genesis, Elton John, Pretenders, Page and Plant, and so on. He sang and played with energy that electrified the place for nearly 4 hours. My companion wasn't a big Springsteen fan, but was a huge one when we left. See him if you ever get half a chance!
Congratulations on picking the definitive live version of the song (IMO). Those gospelly vocals in the verse, the falsetto outro and the harmonica solo that breaks your heart. Beautifully filmed, too.
Personally, I didn't go to that '85 L.A. concert. But I've heard parts of it on the Live '75-'85 boxset collection Bruce put out. And I gotta say the story & song of "The River" Bruce & the boys did on that night in L.A. is definitely the best live rendition they've ever done, no bout a doubt it. Springsteen has always been a great story teller in concert but the story he told everybody that night was a tear jerker even if you weren't at the show to hear it live, IMO anyway. Just saying.. +Peace & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friend+ 🤘😜🤘
Perhaps Bruce's best lyrics - certainly in the top tier and his vocals full of passion too. All of the "The River" is great/worthy of a full album listen. In terms of individual songs, "Hungry Heart" was the big hit and I think his first top 10 song. "Cadillac Ranch" or "Out in the Streets" are others that to my ear really capture the live/garage band sound.
The entire Born To Run album is one of those records where EVERY song is excellent. You reacted to the title track but I encourage you to react to Thunder Road and Jungleland as well. I would describe his songwriting as cinematic and my suggested songs fit that description perfectly. Bruce was under pressure by his record company to deliver a commercially successful record after his first 2 albums didn’t sell very well. All he did was deliver one of the all time great albums and the rest is history
I’ve met (or been in the company of) Bruce two times. Once on the asbury park board walk getting ice cream and once at a hurricane sandy benefit concert at the stone poney where he did in impromptu show………
By the way, Bruce is one of the absolutely and genuinely *nicest* people on the planet, too. Whichever song you listened to a week ago *needed* to be seen live. This one not as much. He has an enormous catalog, and very well worth a deep dive over time.
Get the live audio version from his album "Live 1975-1985", WITH the introductory rap. I think it'll make you feel more like crying than meditating. So powerful.
The studio version is a good comparative listen. It is (of course) a younger Bruce voice. I liked the addition of the slide guitar on this version. Thanks to Salvo G and your patron for this choice.
Apparently based on his sister's life. As good as this is, the studio version is even better. The allegory of the river is so potent, especially in the final chorus. My favorite Springsteen song.
In this case, Salvo, the album version is better than this live version. It's quieter, sadder, it hurts the heart with lost promise. That whole double album is something intensely beautiful.
I would suggest you check out the 1980 Tempe Az version of this song also. Just for yourself. I find myself thinking the older man still feels the younger ones pain
The Clarks did a fantastic cover of this for a Springsteen tribute album. It’s one of my favorite covers of all time. This is my second favorite Springsteen song after “Jungleland.”
Springsteen´s studio albums are great for the most part, but the live shows are something very special. The live experience in a stadium isn´t the most satisfying when it comes to the music quality because of the scope and frequent problems with acoustics in concrete arenas, it´s more about the atmosphere. But many of the live recordings are just magical in every way.
This album epitomized Springsteen's "Four Corners" album approach. The first song on each side captures the fire, passion and hope of youth. As the songs on the side progress, the songs become darker and more desperate. The last song on each side illustrate how the hardships of life just grind people down. They lose all memory of the hopes and dreams of they had when young. So, this song is the last one on a double album. This is as dark and hopeless as it gets.
You nailed it when you mentioned how hard it is to understand the lyrics. Around this time maybe even earlier he's decided he doesn't need to pronounce the lyrics anymore. For me the earlier the better with Springsteen. Check out the Hammersmith Odeon recordings particularly "Thunder Road"... best opening line in rock and crystal clear lyrics. ua-cam.com/video/6O3MO2y30fU/v-deo.htmlsi=LEeOhSh7FqWpQmAJ
Oh wow, you stopped right in the middle of the most poignant line of the song (the first time): Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is it something worse. Some songs need the music video to gain the full context or experience, while some it's the live, and some it's the studio. The last one needed the live version, but this one needed the studio. I wish there was a way for people to let you know ahead which song should be heard which way lol! Bruce's lyrics are really important here as they relay the full meaning and feel of the message of the song. It's a bit lost in this version.
Bruce is a legendary entertainer, no doubt about it. But, to experience his stuff for the first time, I dont understand why you would choose a performance where he is already a senior citizen. I feel like I've heard 5 better versions.
@SalvoG , oh!! My apologies! I heard you say that, but didn't realize that meant they selected the version for you. I'm a huge fan of studio versions unless I'm there live to take it all in.
@@akdec0092 The 1980 Tempe live version of The River is fantastic. And for a bit of context, Reagan had just been elected the day prior so it drove a lot of emotions that night. The whole concert is amazing.
This is Bruce's best song but this version is my least favorite. The power of Springsteen comes from the lyrics and emotion and in this version you can barely hear what he is saying.
☮️Thank you for the music! PLEASE consider the following tracks. You won’t be disappointed…. Juxtaposed With You by The Super Furry Animals Totally Wired by The Fall Reverend Black Grape by Black Grape One to another by the Charlatans Love is the Law by The Seahorses God, part two by U2 Perfect day by Lou, Reed O Superman by Lori Anderson The story of my life, by Marty Robbins Teach me tiger by April Stevens Frontier Psychiatrists by the Avalanches Ain’t no pleasing you buy Chas and Dave Exodus by Bob Marley Comment te dire adieu by Françoise Hardy I wish you were fun by Sparks Lucy in the sky with diamonds remix by the Beatles I see you baby by Groove Armada (Si Si) Je Suis un rockstar by Bill Wyman The crunch by The Rah Band Big Spender, by Shirley Bassey Michael Angelo by Emmylou Harris Dancing fool by Frank Zappa Love missile F1 11 by Sigue Sigue sputnik Shoes, by Tiga leaving on a Jet plane by Peter, Paul and Mary Yes By McAlmont and Butler The sea of love by The Honey Drippers (Robert Plant) Without her by Harry Nilsson Moon River by Andy Williams Circles by Paul Desmond Girl Don’t Come by Sandy Shaw Tabletop Joe, by Tom Waits Jokerman, by Bob Dylan Space woman by Hermans rockets Chicken payback by the Bees A change is gonna come by Otis Redding Put a little love in your heart by Jackie DeShannon The impossible dream by Andy Williams Ali baba by John Holt Mr ghost goes to town by John Buzin Trio I Lust You by Neon Neon Boombastic by Shaggy Start eyes (I can’t catch it) featuring David Lynch by danger mouse, Sparklehorse Shattered by The Rolling Stones Downbound Train by Chuck Berry
"Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is it something worse?" Is his best lyric. And one of the best lyrics of all time.
Is a dream * a lie * if it don't come true is the line. When you leave out 'a lie' it doesn't make much sense.
Agreed
One of the greatest lines in any song ever.
My favorite lyric of his is 'god have mercy on the man who doubts what he's sure of'@@regaustin953
I have that line tattooed on my right forearm. It's my favourite lyric line he's written imo.
Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band performing their NYC anthem/ballad Jungleland in Madison Square Garden is each of them and their fans at their very best! Thank you for The River!
Yep. There's a very good reason why he's called 'The Boss' and there it is, right there. 🙋♂
This is my favorite Bruce Springsteen song. There's something haunting about his singing, the lyrics, the melancholy music. The harmonica really adds to the vibe.
The Boss always puts his heart and soul into his music 💜👵🏼✌🏼🌻
The lyrics are considered one of the best lyrical content written by an American artist! It hits so home on so many levels!!
Bruce has confirmed that this was written as a tribute to his sister and brother-in-law.
One of these days, you should hear the album Nebraska. He recorded it on a cassette tape at home, brought it to the studio, and had it all polished up. He then decided it was better on cassette. And it is magnificent.
I wouldn't ever meditate to this song. It's got a deep meaning that would have come through more with the studio version.
Springsteen is the master of soul. Just love him. ❤
Yep, go check out the lyrics. "Then I got Mary pregnant and, man, that was all she wrote, and for my nineteenth birthday I got a union card and a wedding coat. We went down to the courthouse and the judge put it all to rest: no wedding day smiles, no walk down the aisle, no flowers, no wedding dress." That's rings so true, it makes my teeth hurt. I grew up lower middle-class, and those lyrics, like many, many of Bruce's lyrics, that's how life feels. Combining his pen with his raw voice and incredible band, Bruce's first eight albums are the closest many of us felt to what we living through. It's not all bleak, a lot of it is actually funny: check out Sherry Darling to see that side of him. Like I said the other day on your Turn The Lights Back On reaction... Billy Joel, Paul Simon, and Bruce, my triumvirate of American singer-songwriters.
This one is about his sister and brother-in-law too.
You’re right about these songs resonating with us. I also grew up in a lower middle class household in Pennsylvania and I could relate to so many of Bruce’s songs. He’s such a treasure.
Amen... I pretty much lived this song in my own way and it hits home every time I hear it.
Thank you for this wonderful reaction video to a phenomenal singer/songwriter and band. I listened to Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band all the way from Albuquerque to Tulsa and then Tulsa to Albuquerque.. never forget it. I would have loved to see them in concert.
They are fantastic in concert. Bruce is a machine, so impassioned, and very athletic I might add. One of my top concerts of all time. Actually, it ranks second (barely) out of concerts like The Who, U2, Genesis, Elton John, Pretenders, Page and Plant, and so on. He sang and played with energy that electrified the place for nearly 4 hours. My companion wasn't a big Springsteen fan, but was a huge one when we left. See him if you ever get half a chance!
Congratulations on picking the definitive live version of the song (IMO). Those gospelly vocals in the verse, the falsetto outro and the harmonica solo that breaks your heart. Beautifully filmed, too.
One of my alltime favourite songs! Have seen the Boss live twice.
I saw Bruce in concert in 1985 at LA Colosseum , by far the best concert I ever saw.. Lost my voice for 4 days after.. epic performance
I saw him in 1985 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Personally, I didn't go to that '85 L.A. concert. But I've heard parts of it on the Live '75-'85 boxset collection Bruce put out. And I gotta say the story & song of "The River" Bruce & the boys did on that night in L.A. is definitely the best live rendition they've ever done, no bout a doubt it. Springsteen has always been a great story teller in concert but the story he told everybody that night was a tear jerker even if you weren't at the show to hear it live, IMO anyway. Just saying.. +Peace & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friend+ 🤘😜🤘
Perhaps Bruce's best lyrics - certainly in the top tier and his vocals full of passion too. All of the "The River" is great/worthy of a full album listen. In terms of individual songs, "Hungry Heart" was the big hit and I think his first top 10 song. "Cadillac Ranch" or "Out in the Streets" are others that to my ear really capture the live/garage band sound.
The entire Born To Run album is one of those records where EVERY song is excellent. You reacted to the title track but I encourage you to react to Thunder Road and Jungleland as well. I would describe his songwriting as cinematic and my suggested songs fit that description perfectly. Bruce was under pressure by his record company to deliver a commercially successful record after his first 2 albums didn’t sell very well. All he did was deliver one of the all time great albums and the rest is history
I think Bruce's first album might be my favourite, closely followed by his 2nd! :)
Oh this is my fav song from my fav idol ever!!! Thank you for this gift Salvo!!!! ❤
This song has been in my Top 5 Forever since it came out when I was 23.
Never heard this one from him. Not bad. Passion and emotion. That is what a lot of artists had back then. And the talent.
THE BOSS 💚
Such a great song…
I’ve met (or been in the company of) Bruce two times. Once on the asbury park board walk getting ice cream and once at a hurricane sandy benefit concert at the stone poney where he did in impromptu show………
His concert live in Dublin (with the Sessions Band) is truly amazing. My favourite might be Erie Canal. ✌️
Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true or is it something worse? Gets me everytime.
This was great. The studio album is so haunting as well!
By the way, Bruce is one of the absolutely and genuinely *nicest* people on the planet, too.
Whichever song you listened to a week ago *needed* to be seen live. This one not as much.
He has an enormous catalog, and very well worth a deep dive over time.
This is one of my favorite Springsteen songs. Thanks for reacting to it. But I’d suggest listening to the album version. It’s very powerful.
The guy is a genius, one of the best live acts ever and the E Street band?? No words to describe.
I love the river....my 4th favorite Springsteen album....1. Darkness on the edge of town...2.Nebraska....3.Ghost of Tom Joad...4.The River
Get the live audio version from his album "Live 1975-1985", WITH the introductory rap. I think it'll make you feel more like crying than meditating. So powerful.
Yes, that very is very emotive. The story itself is heartbreaking. Just think we could have lost Bruce to the draft.
The studio version is a good comparative listen. It is (of course) a younger Bruce voice. I liked the addition of the slide guitar on this version. Thanks to Salvo G and your patron for this choice.
Apparently based on his sister's life. As good as this is, the studio version is even better. The allegory of the river is so potent, especially in the final chorus. My favorite Springsteen song.
In this case, Salvo, the album version is better than this live version. It's quieter, sadder, it hurts the heart with lost promise. That whole double album is something intensely beautiful.
Going to see them live in May.
"no wedding day smiles, no walk down the aisle, no flowers, no wedding dress."...kills me
I would suggest you check out the 1980 Tempe Az version of this song also. Just for yourself. I find myself thinking the older man still feels the younger ones pain
I remember seeing Alice Cooper playing in 89, I was right in the front row & he had steam rising from him. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before
The Clarks did a fantastic cover of this for a Springsteen tribute album. It’s one of my favorite covers of all time. This is my second favorite Springsteen song after “Jungleland.”
My favorite songs from The River album are Point Blank and Drive All Night.
Drive All Night is epic.
BRUUUUUUUCCEEEE- any one who gets to see him live his very lucky-
This album was a gift from my friend Betsy @ work...I still have it!
Springsteen´s studio albums are great for the most part, but the live shows are something very special. The live experience in a stadium isn´t the most satisfying when it comes to the music quality because of the scope and frequent problems with acoustics in concrete arenas, it´s more about the atmosphere. But many of the live recordings are just magical in every way.
I have a couple of brothers who are both buried with this Album.
This album epitomized Springsteen's "Four Corners" album approach.
The first song on each side captures the fire, passion and hope of youth.
As the songs on the side progress, the songs become darker and more desperate.
The last song on each side illustrate how the hardships of life just grind people down.
They lose all memory of the hopes and dreams of they had when young.
So, this song is the last one on a double album.
This is as dark and hopeless as it gets.
Glastonbury is about the best festival on the planet.
You nailed it when you mentioned how hard it is to understand the lyrics. Around this time maybe even earlier he's decided he doesn't need to pronounce the lyrics anymore. For me the earlier the better with Springsteen. Check out the Hammersmith Odeon recordings particularly "Thunder Road"... best opening line in rock and crystal clear lyrics. ua-cam.com/video/6O3MO2y30fU/v-deo.htmlsi=LEeOhSh7FqWpQmAJ
There's a video going around, three live songs of Springsteen am& The E Street Band: Better Days, Man's Job, and Leap Of Faith. Check it out.
Still waiting for you to react to USA for Africa 'We are the World'. He was also part of that group.
Oh wow, you stopped right in the middle of the most poignant line of the song (the first time): Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is it something worse.
Some songs need the music video to gain the full context or experience, while some it's the live, and some it's the studio. The last one needed the live version, but this one needed the studio. I wish there was a way for people to let you know ahead which song should be heard which way lol! Bruce's lyrics are really important here as they relay the full meaning and feel of the message of the song. It's a bit lost in this version.
it's wild to me that people in these reaction videos don't actually look up the lyrics. at least afterwards. like what a waste lmao.
@@IMModusOperandi Sometimes the lyrics make a great deal of difference to the song, especially with artists like Bruce.
My favorite version is the Live 1975-85 version with an amazing intro story: ua-cam.com/video/gg3DleXrT-o/v-deo.htmlsi=_Pa-ZrQvc_xketWM
This version is really subpar (and I love Bruce live). You should listen to the studio version, it's substantially better.
ua-cam.com/video/zmt9bTwUuts/v-deo.html
I believe this is more than one video on your channel where most of the video is not there. You might want to try to correct that.
Bruce is a legendary entertainer, no doubt about it.
But, to experience his stuff for the first time, I dont understand why you would choose a performance where he is already a senior citizen. I feel like I've heard 5 better versions.
I’ll definitely be checking out more of Bruce very soon, this was a patreon request. Send me your favorite Bruce live performance
@SalvoG , oh!! My apologies! I heard you say that, but didn't realize that meant they selected the version for you.
I'm a huge fan of studio versions unless I'm there live to take it all in.
@@SalvoG Probably the best live version of this song is the Tempe 1980 one.
@@akdec0092Tempe 1980 also has a fantastic version of Tenth Avenue Freezeout.
@@akdec0092 The 1980 Tempe live version of The River is fantastic. And for a bit of context, Reagan had just been elected the day prior so it drove a lot of emotions that night. The whole concert is amazing.
Bad version of the song if you don’t already know what the words are.
This is Bruce's best song but this version is my least favorite. The power of Springsteen comes from the lyrics and emotion and in this version you can barely hear what he is saying.
the Boss' politics suck but he is a first rate performer
Great song, really crappy video, maybe a couple of minutes, rest dark. Bummer.
☮️Thank you for the music!
PLEASE consider the following tracks. You won’t be disappointed….
Juxtaposed With You by The Super Furry Animals
Totally Wired by The Fall
Reverend Black Grape by Black Grape
One to another by the Charlatans
Love is the Law by The Seahorses
God, part two by U2
Perfect day by Lou, Reed
O Superman by Lori Anderson
The story of my life, by Marty Robbins
Teach me tiger by April Stevens
Frontier Psychiatrists by the Avalanches
Ain’t no pleasing you buy Chas and Dave
Exodus by Bob Marley
Comment te dire adieu
by Françoise Hardy
I wish you were fun by Sparks
Lucy in the sky with diamonds remix by the Beatles
I see you baby by Groove Armada
(Si Si) Je Suis un rockstar by Bill Wyman
The crunch by The Rah Band
Big Spender, by Shirley Bassey
Michael Angelo by Emmylou Harris
Dancing fool by Frank Zappa
Love missile F1 11 by Sigue Sigue sputnik
Shoes, by Tiga
leaving on a Jet plane by Peter, Paul and Mary
Yes By McAlmont and Butler
The sea of love by The Honey Drippers (Robert Plant)
Without her by Harry Nilsson
Moon River by Andy Williams
Circles by Paul Desmond
Girl Don’t Come by Sandy Shaw
Tabletop Joe, by Tom Waits
Jokerman, by Bob Dylan
Space woman by Hermans rockets
Chicken payback by the Bees
A change is gonna come by Otis Redding
Put a little love in your heart by Jackie DeShannon
The impossible dream by Andy Williams
Ali baba by John Holt
Mr ghost goes to town by John Buzin Trio
I Lust You by Neon Neon
Boombastic by Shaggy
Start eyes (I can’t catch it) featuring David Lynch by danger mouse, Sparklehorse
Shattered by The Rolling Stones
Downbound Train by Chuck Berry