In any event, in coordination with the exhibit, WXPN, the University of Pennsylvania's public radio station, is taking nominations for the top five Springsteen songs of all time. On July 4th, WXPN will play back the top 88 songs as voted (88.5 being its radio frequency). All voters will be automatically entered to win an iPad2 loaded with all of Springsteen’s studio albums.
There are, of course, the obvious choices like "Born to Run" (once described by Jim as the most perfect rock song ever recorded), "Rosalita," "Jungleland and "Thunder Road." I have a few other favorites which are lesser known: "New York City Serenade" (She's afraid them tracks are gonna slow her down), "It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City", "Wild Billy's Circus Story" (oh, God save the human cannonball) and "Point Blank."
So, what are the other ones I've missed? Springsteen favorites, anyone?
8 comments:
Excellent choices Myk (Point Blank is a very underrated song), but I am going to have to go with a few songs on albums I know many in the older crowd are not going agree with.
Since Darkness on the Edge of Town was Springsteen's best album, I would have to go with almost any song on there (Badlands, Adam Raised a Cain, Darkness on the Edge of Town, just to name a few). I might have to go with Racing in the Street, although I actually think the version on the recently released "The Promise" is better than the one on Darkness. Backstreets would probably have to be included. Independence Day on The River has always been a favorite of mine (I never particularly liked the more popular Hungry Heart).
Nebraska should also be heavily represented (Nebraska, Atlantic City, Johnny 99, Highway Patrolman, Reason to Believe). And of course you can't leave out Born in the USA (overplayed in the 80', sure, but now that a bit of time has passed, I think we can include it as one of the best).
Then of course you have to include The Ghost of Tom Joad, but only the version with Tom Morello. And if we want to throw a new one in there, Death to My Hometown off Wrecking Ball is quickly growing on me.
I guess it is good they are playing the top 88.
Ted, We're quibbling over details here, but I just can't agree with you that Darkness on the Edge of Town was Springsteen's best album. In fact, for me, after Born to Run, it was a major disappointment. Although I'm with you on Badlands. Another great song off that album was Candy's Room.
More recently from the Magic album I liked Girls in Their Summer Clothes and Long Walk Home.
The top 88 songs? Bruce singing Buffalo Gals could almost make that.
I'm no expert on Bruce Springsteen. As Ted correctly states, I'm part of the older crowd in love with his first three albums, but mostly his first two. It was David Sancious' contributions to the songs almost as much as Bruce's. David, and his influence, left after the third album. At that point Bruce was more interested in pop and folk while David was more interested in jazz and classical.
I think Bruce has done a lot of great raw, simple songs, but nothing close to the musical complexity when he worked with David Sancious. It was just a great combination of Bruce's raw, honest musical sense and David Sancious subtle musical sophistications.
I guess, typically people will enjoy the songs that they heard when they were young. I'm continually made aware of the power of childhood as mother tells many more stories and has more rose colored memories from her childhood than from any time since. There must be something magical about one's childhood memories.
Perhaps, then, I should vote for "Glory Days"?
A few things about David Sancious. In addition to playing keyboards for Springsteen's first three albums, he also came back for Bruce's 1992 album Human Touch. I confess that I sort of missed this one, so I can't really comment, but it may be worth checking out.
Meanwhile, besides his own stuff, since leaving the E-street band, Sancious has recorded and toured with the following artists: Peter Gabriel, Sting, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Seal, Santana, Natalie Merchant, Yousou Ndour, to name a few. See David Sancious
Actually, here's the real link to David Sancious: David Sancious
Wait. They already got rid of the spy exhibit?
Spies, Traitors and Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America, featuring a robe worn by a Ku Klux Klan member and fragments of the planes that hit the World Trade Center, ended January 8. The exhibit was very hush-hush, clouded with rumors and innuendos, and never officially announced until it ended.
The first 9 songs should be from Nebraska. (The album has 10 songs, but I can't, in good faith, recommend Used Cars.)
Not mentioned here is the We Shall Overcome album, which is Springsteen covering Pete Seeger songs. I'm not saying it should be included in the 88 (no covers!) but it's worth hearing.
For the list, two songs from Asbury: Growin' Up and For You.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dy7RTicVr0
And from The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle: Rosalita.
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