Rock on, Bruce!
Springsteen Ready for Criticism of Activist Lyrics
By Christian Wiessner
Reuters
Sunday 07 October 2007
By Christian Wiessner
Reuters
Sunday 07 October 2007
In the past six years we've had to add to the American picture rendition illegal wiretapping, voter suppression, no habeas corpus, the neglect of our great city of New Orleans and her people, an attack on the Constitution and the loss of our best young men and women in a tragic war. This is a song about things that shouldn't happen here happening here.
- Bruce Springsteen
- Bruce Springsteen
New York - Bruce Springsteen's new album "Magic" marks his return to the pop sound that propelled him to mega-stardom in the 1980s, but the hook-laden melodies mask lyrics portraying an America of despair and hopelessness.
Springsteen says he is prepared for criticism from those who may take the lyrics on his latest album "Magic" as unpatriotic for speaking out against the Iraq war and President George W. Bush in war time.
Springsteen says he is prepared for criticism from those who may take the lyrics on his latest album "Magic" as unpatriotic for speaking out against the Iraq war and President George W. Bush in war time.
"I believe every citizen has a stake in the course, direction of their country. That's why we vote. It's unpatriotic at any given moment to sit back and let things pass that are damaging to some place that you love so dearly and that has given me so much," Springsteen says in an interview on the CBS news show "60 Minutes" to air on Sunday night.
One of the starkest examples of those lyrics some may take as unpatriotic are in the song "Livin' in the Future."
The song's sound is evocative of earlier Springsteen tunes for lovers dancing on a beach on a sunny summer day. But its lyrics paint a bleak picture of estrangement and loss. While the Iraq war is not mentioned, the symbolism is clear.
The song's sound is evocative of earlier Springsteen tunes for lovers dancing on a beach on a sunny summer day. But its lyrics paint a bleak picture of estrangement and loss. While the Iraq war is not mentioned, the symbolism is clear.
"My ship Liberty sailed away on a bloody red horizon, the groundskeeper opened the gates and let the wild dogs run," Springsteen sings. "My faith's been torn asunder, tell me, is that rolling thunder or just the sinkin' sound of somethin' righteous goin' under?"
Rolling Stone Executive Editor Joe Levy said those lyrics are unlikely to hurt concert ticket or album sales.
Rolling Stone Executive Editor Joe Levy said those lyrics are unlikely to hurt concert ticket or album sales.
"His audience is not going to desert him, nor should (they) be the least bit surprised by how he feels, especially three years after the 'Vote For Change' tour," Levy said.More from Truthout.
1 comment:
The Boss will always be the boss and there is nothing the GOP can do about it. Even the Evangelist buy his tickets while Pastor Hagee says don't. Bruce is like the flag for most of this generation and those who were inspired by his music. I wonder does George have any of the Boss's song on his IPod his daughters gave him.
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