Bruce Springsteen didn't play BORN IN THE USA last night at his Milwaukee show.
At least not the "old version." No one in the Bush administration will mistake his devastating update, GYPSY BIKER, for a campaign jingle ala Reagan and BORN.
More on a transcendent show later ...
GYPSY BIKER
The speculators made their money
On the blood you shed
Your Mama's pulled the sheets up off your bed
The profiteers on Jane Street
Sold your shoes and clothes
Ain't nobody talking 'cause everybody knows
We pulled your cycle out of the garage
And polished up the chrome
Our Gypsy biker's comin' home
Sister Mary sits with your colors
Brother John is drunk and gone
This whole town's been rousted
Which side are you on
The favored march up over the hill
In some fools parade
Shoutin' victory for the righteous
But there ain't much here but graves
Ain't nobody talkin'
We're just waitin' on the phone
Our Gypsy biker is comin' home
We rode her into the foothills
Bobby brought the gasoline
We stood 'round her in a circle
As she lit up the ravine
The spring high desert wind
Rushed down on us all the way back home
To the dead it don't matter much
'Bout who's wrong or right
You asked me that question I didn't get it right
You slipped into your darkness
Now all that remains
Is my love for you brother
Lying still and unchanged
To them that threw you away
You ain't nothin' but gone
Our Gypsy biker is comin' home
Now I'm out countin' white lines
Countin' white lines and getting stoned
My Gypsy biker is coming home.
Copyright © 2007 Bruce Springsteen (ASCAP)
Now you and Fred Keller have something to talk about. I believe Fred is a Bruce fan also.
Did you and your wife enjoy the concert?
The JS gave it a good review from what I read. Quite a bit of the new album is what they said.
Posted by: Bryan Maersch | March 18, 2008 at 10:26 AM
It was a great, great show, and we had a great time revisiting our misspent youth. I first saw Bruce 24 years ago during the BORN IN THE USA tour, standing waaaay back on the grass at Alpine Valley.
Amazing that a quarter century can go by and an artist can remain so powerful and viable. There were some really powerful moments last night.
Posted by: John Michlig | March 18, 2008 at 10:55 AM
It was a very good show, unfortunately I was stuck in front of a crowd from Barrington, Ill. who thought they were priveleged... I was slightly disappointed in the sound mix. It took about 3 songs before they started to get the mix right but never got it. But that's the techie in me.
The band was really tight.
But where were all the girls up front? Looking for Courtney Cox and all I saw was 40 something bald guys up against the stage! What's up with that?
Springsteen was a bit too political for me and a lot of people around me. I didn't mind the new songs but I think that the political commentary was inappropriate.
Posted by: Steve O | March 18, 2008 at 02:39 PM
The Journal Sentinel review said it well: He doesn't bang you over the head with it ala Neil Young, but the lyrics definitely take a side.
As it happens to be MY side as well, I didn't mind, of course.
I admire his willingness to put it out there regardless of the risk of alienating potential CD-buyers. (Do people still buy CDs?) Probably not such a huge risk when you're in his financial position.
I was in the upper deck, right in front on the rail, stage left. We had great folks behind us who coordinated standing-sitting with us so no one was inconvenienced. One of the advantages of a crowd with a median age of about 38 or higher.
Posted by: John Michlig | March 18, 2008 at 03:04 PM
No wonder I hear Steve O humming Glory Days!
Posted by: Bryan Maersch | March 18, 2008 at 03:37 PM
No Glory Days on the set list:
No Surrender
Radio Nowhere
Lonesome Day
Streets of Fire
Gypsy Biker
Magic
Reason to Believe
It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City
Prove It All Night
She's the One
Livin' in the Future
The Promised Land
Cadillac Ranch
My Hometown
Devil's Arcade
The Rising
Last to Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands
* * *
Loose Ends
Meeting Across the River (with bassist Richard Davis)
Jungleland
Born to Run
Ramrod
American Land
Posted by: John Michlig | March 18, 2008 at 03:55 PM