Favorite Springsteen Song

My favorite Bruce song is Spirits in the Night....by Manfred Mann's Earth Band.

Next four:
--Prove It All Night
--Glory Days
--Jungleland
--Out in the Streets

 

"Downbound Train" is my favorite. And yet, I don't recall ever seeing him perform this live in any of the 10 shows I've been to.

I also love the story behind "Youngstown" and the full-band live, crank-it-up version has always been a personal highlight.

 

Always loved "Bobby Jean". It may not have been one of his biggest hits, but the sound and lyrics are top-notch.

And Born to Run is one song I always crank up the volume when I'm driving my car.

 

I guess they must be too mainstream for true BS fans, but I'd go with Born to Run, Glory Days and Born in the USA. Thunder Road would be next.

I like the first three because of their instrumentals.

 

I'm not making a list, but, if I were, "One Step Up" would be on it.

 

Atlantic City.

In close second is Racin' In The Street. (At least today). I love the live versions where Roy Bittan works some magic on the piano.

 

No love for "57 Channels"? 8)

 

Dah-um...so many faves. But these are the top 4 in my book.

Thunder Road: Not only his most romantic song, but the brilliance of the song is in its lack of verse/chorus, verse/chorus.
Candy's Room: Builds to an explosive crescendo.
Night: Hard-driving straight through.
Lonesome Day: I can't help but sing this song every time I hear it.

 

It's odd. Bruce's albums have always seemed to mirror where I am in my life. "Thunder Road" came out as I was in a bleak outpost of journalism. "It's a town full of losers, I'm pulling out of here to win."
"Darkness" was when I felt alienated and lost. "Born in the USA" was when I was hopeful despite long odds. I love "Brilliant Disguise" simply for the line, "God have mercy on a man. Who doubts what he's sure of." That really touched me about the ambiguity of life. "Better Days" came out in the year I got married. "Long Time Coming" related to me on how it was time to get my life together. Then I got laid off.

Right now, I love "This Hard Land," possibly because I'm looking for work after an accomplished career with little luck. "Hey there, mister, can you tell me what happened to the seeds I've sown. Can you tell me why they've never grown." I also ID with "Your Own Worst Enemy" because, in many ways, I am as I try to redefine myself.

 

Ever heard Townes Van Zandt do "Racing?" Good job.

 

1. Thunder Road
2. No Surrender
3. Atlantic City
4. The Rising
5. Reason to Believe

 

Tough question. I'll start with Jungleland and Thunder Road, mostly because they meant so much at the time, but there's so much good stuff. This morning "On Fire," never a huge favorite, came on the radio and I was loving the imagery:

At night I wake up with the sheets soaking wet
and a freight train running through the
middle of my head


I want to write a line like that before I die.