Another great example of Bruce's ability to write film noir in the context of a 3 minute song; most novelists and script writers would sell their soul for Springsteen's innate storytelling skills,
Love how the first stanza uses four instances of the word "slip." It's a smart way to show the character's rational decision making process slowly "slipping" away. But he doesn't overdo it. For example, when she gives him her number he doesn't slip it in his pocket, he "puts" it there. As usual, Bruce knows when enough is enough.
I take the song at face value. The girl is real, so is the bank robbery. After getting away he sleeps without dreaming, wakes up and they head for Mexico.
But like another reader suggested, a roadblock forces him into the ditch. She's messed up; not dead, but in shock. He's in bad shape too; drifting in and and out of consciousness. That explains his feeling at the end that he starts running and ends up flying. Maybe he really did run? Just as likely he was lying in the road only dreaming that he was on his feet.
I like how this song follows Straight Time on the album. In Straight Time the guy has "a cold mind to go tripping across that thin line." In Hwy 29 he actually does it. They have fun for a while, but ultimately his choices catch up with him.
Another great example of Bruce's ability to write film noir in the context of a 3 minute song; most novelists and script writers would sell their soul for Springsteen's innate storytelling skills,
Love how the first stanza uses four instances of the word "slip." It's a smart way to show the character's rational decision making process slowly "slipping" away. But he doesn't overdo it. For example, when she gives him her number he doesn't slip it in his pocket, he "puts" it there. As usual, Bruce knows when enough is enough.
I take the song at face value. The girl is real, so is the bank robbery. After getting away he sleeps without dreaming, wakes up and they head for Mexico.
But like another reader suggested, a roadblock forces him into the ditch. She's messed up; not dead, but in shock. He's in bad shape too; drifting in and and out of consciousness. That explains his feeling at the end that he starts running and ends up flying. Maybe he really did run? Just as likely he was lying in the road only dreaming that he was on his feet.
I like how this song follows Straight Time on the album. In Straight Time the guy has "a cold mind to go tripping across that thin line." In Hwy 29 he actually does it. They have fun for a while, but ultimately his choices catch up with him.
@Kedzie No idea why all those slashes are embedded in my post. Perhaps the site thought that I was quoting lines of lyric?
@Kedzie No idea why all those slashes are embedded in my post. Perhaps the site thought that I was quoting lines of lyric?