First off, this is one of my all time favorite songs, and in my opinion, one of the best songs Springsteen ever wrote, but I have a bit of a different take than everybody else.
I believe this song is to an extent about the love of his life and the trappings of bachelorhood, but more than that it is about mortality and realizing your own mortality.
Look at the imagery in the words: dark highway, trembling heart, "blown leaves by the wayside", spooky old highway, moonlight, cold river bottoms, darkness, grey fields, etc. They are contrasted with "the light" in a friends voice and "God's light". The line about dieing in your dream is the most apparent, but its all in there. Chapter 2 of the Bruce Springsteen book of songwriting should be titled "Catholic imagery" and St. Valentine was martyred. (Chapter 1 should be titled "Cars and Roads as Metaphors")
In realizing his own mortality, and his own fragility, he also sees what is truly important and what matters to us. In this case, its family, music (the "great jukebox"), faith and love.
Ultimately, when he "dies in his dream" he doesn't feel the darkness, bitterness, coldness or anything else he's "supposed to"...he feels his woman in his arms, his salvation.
Thanks brother. I agree with you 100%. You did a great interpretation of this song, couldn't have said it better myself. I'm 25 and I struggle sometimes with the highs and lows of being in a relationship with a woman whos older(28) and with family/commitment. Am I ready for it? No.
Thanks brother. I agree with you 100%. You did a great interpretation of this song, couldn't have said it better myself. I'm 25 and I struggle sometimes with the highs and lows of being in a relationship with a woman whos older(28) and with family/commitment. Am I ready for it? No.
But do I see my good friend with a little baby andt think to myself "god, I'd love to be a Father." You bet.
But do I see my good friend with a little baby andt think to myself "god, I'd love to be a Father." You bet.
As you say; family, music, faith and love are what's important. I agree 1000%. Thanks so much for yout interpreation; it made things easier...
As you say; family, music, faith and love are what's important. I agree 1000%. Thanks so much for yout interpreation; it made things easier for the words I had a hard time to say outloud. Rock n Roll n bless, man!
First off, this is one of my all time favorite songs, and in my opinion, one of the best songs Springsteen ever wrote, but I have a bit of a different take than everybody else.
I believe this song is to an extent about the love of his life and the trappings of bachelorhood, but more than that it is about mortality and realizing your own mortality.
Look at the imagery in the words: dark highway, trembling heart, "blown leaves by the wayside", spooky old highway, moonlight, cold river bottoms, darkness, grey fields, etc. They are contrasted with "the light" in a friends voice and "God's light". The line about dieing in your dream is the most apparent, but its all in there. Chapter 2 of the Bruce Springsteen book of songwriting should be titled "Catholic imagery" and St. Valentine was martyred. (Chapter 1 should be titled "Cars and Roads as Metaphors")
In realizing his own mortality, and his own fragility, he also sees what is truly important and what matters to us. In this case, its family, music (the "great jukebox"), faith and love.
Ultimately, when he "dies in his dream" he doesn't feel the darkness, bitterness, coldness or anything else he's "supposed to"...he feels his woman in his arms, his salvation.
Damn this is a good song.
Thanks brother. I agree with you 100%. You did a great interpretation of this song, couldn't have said it better myself. I'm 25 and I struggle sometimes with the highs and lows of being in a relationship with a woman whos older(28) and with family/commitment. Am I ready for it? No.
Thanks brother. I agree with you 100%. You did a great interpretation of this song, couldn't have said it better myself. I'm 25 and I struggle sometimes with the highs and lows of being in a relationship with a woman whos older(28) and with family/commitment. Am I ready for it? No.
But do I see my good friend with a little baby andt think to myself "god, I'd love to be a Father." You bet.
But do I see my good friend with a little baby andt think to myself "god, I'd love to be a Father." You bet.
As you say; family, music, faith and love are what's important. I agree 1000%. Thanks so much for yout interpreation; it made things easier...
As you say; family, music, faith and love are what's important. I agree 1000%. Thanks so much for yout interpreation; it made things easier for the words I had a hard time to say outloud. Rock n Roll n bless, man!