| Bruce Springsteen – Gypsy Biker Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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This is THE masterpiece off of "Magic," in my opinion--both musically and lyrically. It gave me that rare combination of goosebumps and tears the first time I heard it on October 2. The people (note the "we") telling this story are undoubtedly some of gypsy biker's closest friends. He joined the military and found himself in Iraq and died there. It's definitely a political song, but I think the social commentary is much more pronounced ("To the dead, well it don't matter much 'bout who's wrong or right"). It is about the human toll. The little tragedies taking place across this country. Although this song is certainly going to remain a part of the main set of the shows that flow from "Magic," it would be interesting to hear it follow "Born to Run." That song is almost certainly about a "gypsy biker" of sorts who wanted to get away from what he knew. Interestingly, "Magic" (the album) almost seems like the converse of "Born to Run." Both have this unmistakable sense of urgency, but the '75 masterpiece was all about leaving whereas the '07 newcomer is about returning from whence we came. Only to find that from whence we came no longer remains. |
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| Bruce Springsteen – Livin' in the Future Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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A fun song musically with a sinister side. Like any great Springsteen song, it has layers of meaning that allow it to connect with people in all different states of being. It can be about a relationship that is in the state of falling apart, but the protagonist is somewhat willfully blind. My favorite line from this perspective is "I opened up my heart to you; It got all damaged and undone..." How many of us had to deal with that and then have found ourselves "limp[ing] through town?" And yet we persist. Conversely, it can be about the state of this union. The idea that the things we long feared have come to pass. I disagree with that notion mostly, but I do enjoy the song and am willing to admit that the United States is struggling. In both instances, the fall (of the relationship or the country) is upon us and yet we gleefully continue without attempting to address the problems. Better to ignore, we say to ourselves. Great song from what may well be a masterpiece of an album. Time will tell. |
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| Bruce Springsteen – Mary Queen of Arkansas Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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As a general proposition, I would state that the line, "I don't understand how you can hold me so tight and love me so damn loose..." is the pivotal line in the song. As with anything, my interpretation is colored by my experience. I would say that this line tells us that the woman to whom the protagonist is referring can be amazingly tender at times and then unbelievably cold--even mean. She's got a love that comes and goes. She lifts him up and then breaks his heart ("you almost got me believin'"). And he knows it ("your white skin is deceivin'"). Nevertheless, the protagonist wants to "start all over again clean" because his is a steady (true) love. It's tragic, really, and I suppose it happens all the time. Non-reciprocal love. Those who fall victim to it don't know how to quit even when they aren't getting anything back. Reminds me of "Reason to Believe," "Dancing in the Dark," and even "Living in the Future" (if interpreted as a love song, instead of a social commentary on the state of the union). Great song. |
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| Bruce Springsteen – Darkness on the Edge of Town Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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To me this is THE song about a man's quest to understand himself. It's a man in the process of becoming that which he wishes. He's on "that hill" struggling through all those barriers that might otherwise prevent him from reaching his destiny. He has cut loose those things that once dragged him down and now he's going for it with everything he's got. For me, there is a definite sense of self-reliance in this song. It's a man searching for something (the undefinable, the unknowable). No religion will help. He must find it through perseverance. He must pay the cost. For those things that can only be found, he must struggle through the darkness on the edge of town. |
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