| U2 – Moment Of Surrender Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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From the Rose Bowl DVD: "In the corner, there's our little blue and green planet; some people, trying their hardest to hold on. They don't want to fall off." Still ambiguous, but so perfect. On a general level, the song is simply about the isolation that comes with defeat - most interpretations have the losing battle waged against substance abuse. When you're in that pitiful state, people look past you, through you as you continue to empty yourself out. I've always had the mental picture of a white collar junkie finally on the slide down. Rock bottom is where he's heading, but the addiction calls and the ATM obliges. I believe Bono has described the song as a spiritual awakening at an ATM and I love the last verse. The realization of addiction and the decision to quit are merely the first stations of the long road to crucifixion and rebirth. I like to think this song is for addicts, recovering addicts, and people who have had to endure the pain and worry that comes with loving an addict. |
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| Bruce Springsteen – Wrecking Ball Lyrics | 16 years ago |
| Springsteen having some fun with Jersey references and writing a song about aging, hard times, and resilience at the same time. So much fun live, and moving at the same time. | |
| Bruce Springsteen – Further On (Up the Road) Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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Simply put, this song is about a man who finds himself experiencing the darkness on the edge of town. The song is non-descript: it could be an outlaw, a soldier, or the blue collar (anti-) hero of so many Springsteen songs. But he's there. The first verse overviews the situation, the journey ahead is one where some get paid and others pay in blood. The second verse is the man's bravado; his gallows humor in describing his clothing and his reliance on his song to sing is his own attempt to find strength. The third verse is the reality -- he's alone, lost, searching, and he doesn't know whether he'll come out of this thing. But still, the hope that humanity (the fever in his soul) will save him. "I'll meet you further on up the road" is a promise to make it through. It's a farewell put off (what do you say to the ones you leave behind when you head off into danger?). It's also an acknowledgement of something better no matter what -- "one sunny morning, we'll rise I know" is refusing to acknowledge the finality of mortality. Personally, in the context of 9/11, I've always seen it as a song about a military man confronting the war ahead. However, I believe this song pre-dates 9/11 (possibly from the Tom Joad era?). |
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| Bruce Springsteen – Meeting Across the River Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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Smalltime Jersey mobsters trying to get out of a jam are getting mixed up with characters who are bigger, more professional, tougher, and meaner than themselves. The guys in the song don't even have guns, but they need to present the appearance that they. I believe the relationship backstory is simply part of the character sketch. If you look at the songs on Born To Run as vignettes telling stories of various people in New Jersey on a summer weekend, then it all fits in. I've always seen the two guys in this song passing The Rat from Jungleland in the tunnel as they head toward their rendezvous and Rat to meet the Barefoot Girl. The horns are the segue...the trumpet (it might be a sax on the record, but I saw it on trumpet last week live) to the intro of Jungleland and Clarence's solo. On a personal note, growing up in New Jersey in the 80s...the horns on this song just remind me of everything I thought looking at the NYC skyline -- the mystery, possibilities, sophistication. I've seen a book of short stories all inspired by this song. |
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| Bruce Springsteen – Paradise Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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I believe this song is about death and the ultimate futility of suicide. I think the suicide bomber analogy in the first verse is correct. I believe this person lost his/her child and is not avenging that death through a suicide bombing. The second verse refers to a Pentagon September 11th widow(er) (Viriginia hills in fall) who cannot live without his/her spouse. Both cross to the other side and see their loved ones, reach out to them, and realize that their time is premature and the meeting will be empty if the act of killing oneself continues. Neither follow through with the suicide. The bomber does not squeeze the trigger and the widow(er) does not follow through (final two lines). The sun is a new day and life continuing. |
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