11 Insightful Bruce Springsteen Quotes That Explain Why He Is “The Boss”
When it comes to Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics, I could drone on and on, but I decided to do all of us a favor, and only highlight a small handful of some of his insightful lines (with a bit of my own interpretation as well).
By Lauren Suval
There might be a particular glamorization in running away, but maybe, there will come a time when you want to stand still and embrace connection. The character in “Born To Run” has a romantic vision of walking in sunlight (perhaps both literally and figuratively) with a girl who’s special and important to him.
It’s never really too late to ‘make it real’ and leap for a second chance. In “Thunder Road,” he wonders if it’s still feasible; they have the journey ahead of them to figure it out.
Facing our challenges could be more painful than running away (which is what the previous Born To Run album spoke so fluidly about), but it also may be absolutely necessary in order to move on. This is the climatic peak of the song, where he tells us what’s at stake. He’ll be on that hill because that’s where he needs to go to confront himself.
Undertones of despair and hardship are embedded in these lines, but hope isn’t completely lost once resilience can be fostered. “You had to lose your illusion (of adult life), while at the same time holding onto a sense of possibility,” Springsteen noted in the documentary, The Promise: The Making Of Darkness On The Edge Of Town.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psPbzqZE-DE&w=584&h=390%5D
“Bobby Jean” always touched my heart space; sometimes you have to let certain relationships go. Maybe there was a subtle, quiet ending, where you naturally drift apart, or maybe a poignant shift occurred. Regardless, you can still always wish them your very best. “Bobby Jean” is known to be about Springsteen’s band mate and close friend, Steve Van Zandt, who was separating from the E- Street gang at that time.
Sometimes, we experience love that’s so stripped-down and raw, it shakes us at our core. The character in “For You” tragically expresses what it’s like to undeniably love someone; someone who isn’t well. Yet, he wants all of her anyway.
These lines capture an essence of purity – a ‘living in the moment’ snapshot. I’ve noticed that Springsteen often writes about the night. According to the science-fiction writer, Ray Bradbury, it’s those late night/early morning hours when the soul is the most vulnerable.
Are we doing what’s expected of us, or are we being authentic? “You play the loving the woman, I’ll play the faithful man,” the song echoes. It’s evident in “Brilliant Disguise” that this relationship is not what is genuinely desired; there’s a strong yearning for an answer that makes sense.
Even if you are just dancing in the dark, in the unknown, the uncertain space, it’s okay. Even if you just endured a bit of suffering or heartbreak, it’s okay. Life goes on, and you have the power to cultivate that change. “Dancing in The Dark” is one of Springsteen’s inspirational ‘get up and go’ tracks, encouraging us to breathe new life into our veins.