What's the best --or your fave--Bruce Springsteen song?

[dback]

I've moved on from Simon and Garfunkel, and am listening to Bruuuuuuuuuuuce's Greatest Hits CD. (Really, it's only 18 tracks, so it's hardly comprehensive--you could easily pick some 30 tracks to represent the "essential" Boss.)

So, what to pick? The rocker of "Rosalita" and "Born to Run?" The Western poet of "The Ghost of Tom Joad" and "The River?" The political man of the people ("Born in the USA" "Promised Land")? The rueful romantic with the wounded heart ("Secret Garden" "Tunnel of Love")? The balladeer who loves cars as much as women ("Pink Cadillac" "Cadillac Ranch" "Racing In The Streets")? The social-issues journalist ("Streets of Philadelphia" "This Hard Land" "Murder Incorporated")? The optimist of "Better Days" or the pessimist of "Nebraska?"

My vote: "Hungry Heart." Joyful music, right on the edge between rock and pop thanks to those glorious clanging bells and keyboards like something out of a 60's girl group song. Heartbroken yet still somehow hopeful lyrics. And his voice was as clear and pristine as it's ever been. And I just love the jaunty swagger of the music contrasting with the bruised tenderness of the message: "Everybody wants a place to rest/Everybody wants to have a home/Don't make no difference what nobody says/Ain't nobody like to be alone."

How 'bout you?

[bobthedrummer]

1. "Because The Night" cowritten with Patti Smith n/t

[City Lights]

2. Jungleland, followed by Racing in the Streets. eom

[LSparkle]

3. "Promised Land"

I'm paraphrasing but ... Blow away / the dreams that break your heart / blow away / the dreams that tear you apart / blow away / the dreams that leave you nothing but lost and broken-hearted ... Makes me cry almost every time.

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuce!

[saltpoint]

4. My vote goes to "I'm On Fire."

But it's from a long list of possibilities.

Bruce is terrific. And a great Democrat, too.

[Dogmudgeon]

5. Tunnel of Love

The River is also up there. American Skin. Atlantic City.

I like 'em high an' lonesome. Bruce's Asbury Park phase was way too happy for me.

Same for John Mellencamp. Hurt So Good was almost a novelty song. Jack and Diane and Blood on the Scarecrow and Minutes to Memories were closer to reality.

--p!

[Options Remain]

6. land of hope and dreams

n/t

[Bossy Monkey]

7. Seeds, Independence Day or Atlantic City

Aren't I a fun guy?

[Wickerman]

8. 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)

[ceile]

9. "Tunnel of Love"

I never was a big Boss fan until I heard that song. Makes me melt every time!

[newfaceinhell]

10. The River

[skygazer]

11. Youngstown

Here in north east Ohio
Back in eighteen-o-three
James and Danny Heaton
Found the ore that was linin' yellow creek
They built a blast furnace
Here along the shore
And they made the cannon balls
That helped the union win the war

Here in Youngstown
Here in Youngstown
My sweet Jenny, I'm sinkin' down
Here darlin' in Youngstown

Well my daddy worked the furnaces
Kept 'em hotter than hell
I come home from 'Nam worked my way to scarfer
A job that'd suit the devil as well
Taconite, coke and limestone
Fed my children and made my pay
Then smokestacks reachin' like the arms of god
Into a beautiful sky of soot and clay

Here in Youngstown
Here in Youngstown
My sweet Jenny, I'm sinkin' down
Here darlin' in Youngstown

Well my daddy come on the 0hio works
When he come home from world war two
Now the yards just scrap and rubble
He said, "Them big boys did what Hitler couldn't do"
These mills they built the tanks and bombs
That won this country's wars
We sent our sons to Korea and Vietnam
Now we're wondering what they were dyin' for

Here in Youngstown
Here in Youngstown
My sweet Jenny, I'm sinkin' down
Here darlin' in Youngstown

From the Monongahela valley
To the Mesabi iron range
To the coal mines of Appalacchia
The story's always the same
Seven-hundred tons of metal a day
Now sir you tell me the world’s changed
Once I made you rich enough
Rich enough to forget my name

In Youngstown
In Youngstown
My sweet Jenny, I'm sinkin' down
Here darlin' in Youngstown

When I die I don't want no part of heaven
I would not do heavens work well
I pray the devil comes and takes me
To stand in the fiery furnaces of hell

[gollygee]

12. Thunder Road

[NeoTraitors]

13. Blinded by the Light

That song just makes me want to sing, dance, and rock out!