Post here if you just don't "get" Bruce Springsteen

[Taverner]

Look, I know he is an AWESOME Liberal

And I know many people love his work

And his band is very talented, as is he

And he struck a chord with America - all of this is undeniable

But I just don't like his music

I was amazed that I finally heard a Springsteen song I liked, which was "Surprise Suprise." Until this song, I did not like ANY of his songs.

Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost RESPECT for Bruce Springsteen.

Both as a musician, a performer and as a "celebrity."

But I just don't dig his music, ya dig?

Except for that one, "Surprise Surprise"

That's a great feel good/irony song

[taterguy]

1. Have you heard his Woody Guthrie cover "I Ain't Got No Home"

I'm not a big fan but I think that explains a lot of his appeal, even though it's one of his more obscure songs.

He just does a very convincing job of conveying the impression that he gives a damn, which in our culture is a very rare commodity.

[Taverner]

2. I will check it out

I mean, he's a good enough musician that I should make a point to "get" him

God knows that band can play

Too bad I just don't like the songs they play

[MrSlayer]

3. I never got him.

But not a lot of people "get" the music I listen to either. I just don't feel his material.

[Cant trust em]

5. What are you into? Nt

[MrSlayer]

12. Metal.

Specifically Thrash.

[Cant trust em]

13. Well that explains that.

Not like someone who likes metal can't like other stuff, but it's probably a good indicator.

[MrSlayer]

29. I do like other stuff.

But no music makes me feel the way really good, hard, fast Metal does. It just connects with my soul.

[Cant trust em]

31. Yeah. That's how I feel about mid 60's rock.

Metal is something I've never been able to get into.

[Taverner]

16. I did my Slayer days

In the end, though, it ended up being white noise

I think my ears were permanently damaged from all of that 80's Thrash

[Cant trust em]

4. based on your sig pic, I'm not too surprised by that.

That being said, I like Springsteen a lot and I probably like "Born to Run" as much as any song by any of the three artists pictured.

[Taverner]

6. As an ex-musician, let me say Born to Run has some amazing bandwork on it

What stands out to me, is the song itself "Born to Run" - that rising octave change at the end - I don't think any other Rock song has that, to that degree...

However, it just doesn't do it for me. To each his own - I feel the same way about Rush (the band, not the fatass)

[Cant trust em]

7. I get nothing out of Rush.

I haven't heard a lot of their stuff, but it strikes me as being a little corny.

[Taverner]

8. Me too

Neil Peart writes all their lyrics, and he's a recovering Ayn Rand-ian.

Again, I know they can play, but everything they play I don't like.

[Cant trust em]

9. Musicianship only gets you so far.

If I was looking for virtuosity I wouldn't be able to be a Ramones fan.

[Taverner]

15. I am just starting to appreciate them now

For years, I hated them

Same 3 fucking chords, EVERY SONG

But, after going through a Berlin Bowie phase, I began to realize what they were - simple rock. The original idea.

Makes sense now.

[Cant trust em]

18. As a fan of 60's pop, I really like them.

I'm not ga ga over them, but they're a fun band.

[Taverner]

19. They're no VU, Floyd or Bowie

But they make their point well

[Cant trust em]

20. I agree.

Sounds like we have pretty similar taste. I'm not a huge Floyd fan though.

[Taverner]

21. Floyd got me out of Metal for Metal's sake

What can I say?

:shrug:

[Cant trust em]

22. They don't seem to have the visceral quality that I like

Or maybe I just don't smoke enough pot.

[Taverner]

23. Have you heard "One of these days" yet?

Admittedly, very much of their music is nuance.

The Wall and Final Cut bang you on the head with a mallet but the other stuff is amazing

Try Sheep and Dogs as well

[Cant trust em]

27. I need someone to burn me a CD.

I think that Dark Side is probably ready for another listen.

[no name no slogan]

10. I can tolerate him, but I don't understand the superfandom

He's always struck me as a second-rate Bob Dylan, except with better arrangements and a much better voice.

I like some of his stuff, but oddly enough I like it better when covered by Manfred Mann's Earth Band (Blinded by the Light, For You, Spirit in the Night, etc.).

[MrScorpio]

11. Agreed and I put Meatloaf in the same boat nt

[AlCzervik]

14. what if he were a vagina, would you get him then?

[Taverner]

17. Yes - yes I would!

Case in point: P.J. Harvey - the Bruce Springsteen of 'da goils.

[RetroLounge]

36. hee

:applause:

RL

[AlCzervik]

37. heyo.

Whazzzzup Brimley?


:toast: :loveya:

[Name removed]

38. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mix]

24. check out Nebraska n/t

[ScreamingMeemie]

25. There's something we're supposed to get?

I don't get it.

[rockymountaindem]

26. Fools! Fools! You're all fools!

Bruce Springsteen = The Man.

I suggest you go pray for your soul.

[ScreamingMeemie]

28. Not all of us.

I don't get that we have to "get" things. :hi:

[rockymountaindem]

33. I'm adding a lot of people from this thread to my list

It's the list with the heading "Farking Idiots" :(

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

43. If you don't "get" Springsteen...you're DTM

Just kidding, but I fucking love him.

[redwitch]

46. First time I heard "Rosalita" I was hooked.

And how can anyone not LOVE "Thunder Road"? The man's a poet AND he's good to dance to!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

51. Embarassing, but true

There exists home video of me singing "Born in the USA" along to the music video when I'm three-years-old.

[redwitch]

71. That must be very adorable.

I think you should put that video up so we can all say awwww. :-)

[ScreamingMeemie]

63. No argument here.

:) I just never thought of it in terms of "getting" him. He's just awesome.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

67. I knew there was a reason I love you

Seriously, come out to NJ and we'll see Springsteen together.

I mean that.

[ScreamingMeemie]

69. That would be totally awesome.

[Midlodemocrat]

30. Love him.

[Quantess]

32. I share your opinion. (N/T)

[Blue-Jay]

34. There's not much to "get" about Springsteen.

[Lex]

35. It's not surprising that we all don't like the same music, is it?

Breaking news?

[Mojambo]

39. I get him, I just don't like his music. Nothing wrong with that.

People like different shit.

[mitchum]

40. "I have seen the future of rock and roll"...and it's a long look back

[Reverend_Smitty]

41. You could get arrested here in Jersey for saying things like that...lol

For me my connection with his music is entirely emotional, just hearing the first chord of Thunder Road or Rosalita brings me back home wherever I am. His music to me is driving down to the shore with the windows down singing at the top of your lungs. No other artist can really bring me to that "happy place" like Bruce, but then again I grew up listening to his stuff (both parents are uber-fans).

I'm sure everybody has music, a song, a band, etc that hits you right in the right spot every time you listen. I can't force anybody to like him but that's what does it for me.

Oh and he's friggen awesome in concert!

[latebloomer]

48. You got that right!

It's illegal not to worship Bruuce here!!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

62. You've totally summed it up

And I got tickets for Giants stadium.

w00t!

[Reverend_Smitty]

70. I saw him about a month ago at the Spectrum...

I wanted to get Giants Stadium tickets but I was down in AC for the day and away from my computer :(

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

73. I think more dates are going on sale the 8th

[abq e streeter]

78. Saw Bruce and the band in Denver on April 10th---

and they were, especially considering their ages, unbelievably great. ( Saw my first Springsteen concert in '75 btw). You are in for a major treat! I wish they came closer to Albuquerque ( only NM show he's ever done was solo, once, in about '95) ; I haven't had to travel less than 900 miles round trip ( Denver... and Phoenix is about 1000 miles; did that in 2002) to see him since I lived in Chicago in'78 , but they're always worth it. Have a GREAT time. And personally, with the exception of republicans ( who in my opinion, have forfeited the privilege of appreciating Springsteen) I 'm baffled as to how anyone who loves rock and/or roll, can fail to "get" Springsteen. But, to each their own I guess...

[Throd]

42. Nothing makes me change the radio faster than BS

Can't stand him at all.

[MadBadger]

66. I know, I never got what people saw in Barbara Streisand

I mean I KNOW she's a great liberal, but seriously

[abq e streeter]

44. Disappointing to not see more people who say they don't "get " Springsteen

that way there'd be just a little less competition for tickets to see easily the best live rocknroll band in the history of this or any other known universe.

[no name no slogan]

55. What, Hawkwind is doing a US tour?

You DID say the best live rocknroll band in the history of this or any other known universe....

[abq e streeter]

56. My bad; should've said just this universe

[no name no slogan]

58. No worries. They've got your back

[tigereye]

76. ha!

:rofl:

[Kat45]

45. I didn't "get" him until I saw him in concert, his performance.

When he was first around, I hated his music. (I tend to like heavier music.) Then I'd occasionally hear a song of his that I'd like. Then I started liking a few more and even purchased an album. But I still didn't "get" why he was considered such a big fucking deal. People told me, you have to see him live. So I did. I was probably the person least into his music in the whole arena. He totally blew me away, and I've never looked back. I've seen him in concert about four times, including earlier this year.

He is absolutely the best performer I've ever seen and I've seen a lot of concerts. (I used to write for a small rock magazine.) I'll add that the second best performer I've ever seen was Lux Interior of The Cramps. (How's that for a contrast?)

[undeterred]

50. Best live concert I've ever seen was Springsteen in 85

at Soldiers Field in Chicago. Warm summer night, 70K people standing on their seats singing along with Bruce for 4 hours. Amazing.

[abq e streeter]

53. as a dedicated Bruce fan here, gotta say Lux was amazing...gone much too soon

the Cramps were an absolute blast to see live. Fortunate to have seen them a couple of times ....just saw my 7th Springsteen concert in April; them boys, and girls, have still got it..

[Kat45]

64. Cool! Someone else appreciates both performers.

I saw the Cramps three times. Those shows were a blast!

[abq e streeter]

79. I'm sure (?) we're not the only ones

I would hope there are plenty of music afficionados who know great rocknroll when they hear it, and great performers when they see one, no matter what style/genre they come in.

[LostinVA]

47. I don't want a nasty divorce, so I better not answer this

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

61. One word:

Divorce.

[undeterred]

49. I don't know how anyone can not "get" Bruce Springsteen.

He's universal.

[LostInAnomie]

52. I've always been kind of "meh..." about him.

Plus, as a rule of thumb for me, any band that has a saxophone in it sucks.

[JVS]

54. He's no Herb Alpert.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

57. I didn't get that 8-minute P.O.S. opening track "Outlaw Pete" on his new album

My favorite track of Springsteen's is the live version of "Murder Incorporated" that was used in the video. If his music sounded more like that and less like a poor man's Bob Dylan, I'd be rockin' with the Boss.

I thought it was pretty funny when Bob cut "Tweeter and The Monkey Man" with the Traveling Wilburys as a "response" to years of Bruce...

[Deep13]

59. I "get" him. I just don't like his stuff.

He's really talented and creative and everything, but it's just not my thing.

[MilesColtrane]

60. Better lyricist than singer.

Better entertainer than musician.

For some people, that's enough.

[Swede]

65. Everyone has different taste.

That's what the world is all about. Some of my favorite artists have songs I cannot listen to.

[Zavulon]

68. Like his politics, fucking HATE his music.

He is, in my view (repeat to all of you would-be flamers: IN MY VIEW) the most overrated musician ever. He can't sing worth a shit, he has never done a single song I like.

I will NEVER understand the appeal.

I'm often told "You'd change you mind if you ever saw him live." I have. Mind not changed.

I swear, I'd rather sit through a Miley Cyrus show than a Springsteen show. I've done both (the former thanks to my girlfriend's 11 year-old niece), and I found the Cyrus show to be far less painful.

[vi5]

72. It took me almost 25 years to "get him" as you put it...

Growing up a metal and classic rock and punk and hardcore kid there was nothing about his music I connected to. Even as far as "classic rock" went, I prefered basic stuff with power chords and straightforward lyrics (Zeppelin, Stones, The Who, etc.). His stuff was just way too obtuse and wordy for me.

And I didn't understand how a band with 3 guitarists could make the music from Born In The USA which barely sounded like it had guitars.

A few years back though, something clicked. I don't know why, I don't know how, and I don't know what. But it did. And now I love him.

And seeing him live last year clinched it.

By the way I'm from NJ and I think I hated him for years because of that. I despise the concept of provinciality whether it is in sports or music or whatever.

[Jetboy]

74. Bruce and Co doing Quarter to Three with that sax blarin' and

everybody dancing around in a circle! Hell I'd sit through 3 hours of Mary Queen of Arkansas to catch that.

[Patiod]

75. It's a Northeast/Rustbelt thing

None of my West Coast friends "get" Springsteen either.

But if you grew up in the Northeast, he's speaking to you.

As people pointed out upthread, there's also the live show thing -- I can't count how many people I've gone to a Springsteen concert with who go in not liking him, and come out amazed. It's so intense that it's difficult to listen to a recording of him for a few days -they sound so pale compared to the energy of a live show.

I was converted eary - saw the "Born To Run" tour

Everyone has different tastes, though.

[no name no slogan]

77. ...and if you say John Mellon Cougarcamp is a midwestern thing...

I will do my damndest to have Skittles kick your ass!