Agreed: Darkness is his very best record. I remember leaving town for a week and bought it again while I was gone because I couldn’t wait another week to hear it again.
I totally get that...and there's something a Gen Z person will never be able to understand, having all music available at their fingertips at all times anywhere...
I think the title track might be my favorite Springsteen song of all. Hard to say, but it's up there.
Greg, there’s little currently in Life right now that is perfect but you’ve done that with today’s Sunday Pages. Springsteen’s Badlands captures the mood so well. I’ve no patience for spineless Schumer & DNC politics as usual or anyone saying “wait till the midterms”. Apropos that Badlands follows Jimmy Buffett’s Bubbles Up on my history/sanity playlist. Yes, We WILL Prevail.
Lord, hadn't heard THAT for a while--thanks for resurrecting it. Prescient lyrics, though I think it rather bad mouths the actual Badlands, which are magnificent. (Not its political overlords, the sheer grandeur of it).
I will say that I take great hope from the details of Friday's Court decision on AEA. I always thought the court members wouldn't be able to avoid at least hearing the voice of the Resistance, particularly when he started dissing the judicial branch. And their snipe at trump's alleged inability to do anything about Kilmar suggests that they do hear and even, lord help us, act on what they hear. Every little listen helps
PS finished the new book. Loved it. Kept wishing there was a comments button, though.
Thanks, Susan. I'm glad you liked the new book! It's funny, how we have become accustomed to comment sections and open dialogues, and how books, as a rule, can't offer that. Talk about analog!
I'm pretty sure Bruce likes the actual Badlands, and just likes the sound of the word.
And I hope you're right about the Court. Roberts is such a retrograde, hateful turd. I can't even trust him. But shaming him does seem to work sometimes.
My most favourite singer from NJ introduced to me on a visit from only child living in London one Summer day. We took her to Asbury Park to find his house and visited the Stone Pony to look at his guitar. Listened to his music all the way home to Princeton, NJ where we lived then for a couple of years. Ever since I never miss anything he has to say and delighted that he is on the side of the sane Americans and didn’t disappoint. Praying now for his safety after the felon’s threat. Thank you for this wonderful article which I’ve just forwarded to her. Look up The Palm D’or at the Cannes Festival where Sean Pean and Bono are celebrating courageous Ukrainian soldiers.
Yes, it's out now! It's the first time one of my books was narrated by someone other than me, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it, selfishly. I hope you do, too!
This is at least the fourth time I’ve come across the words that Springsteen said and the Truth Social response, and I read them again. Every word. (It sounds like something Trump would think, but if he can’t talk in complete sentences can he write them?) I listened to Badlands again, on YouTube Music, where you can read the lyrics synchronized with the music. Yes, it’s a perfect theme song for the resistance. Ten years ago if someone had suggested Springsteen as president, a typical response might have been, Fun thought, but is he qualified for the job? Nowadays, anyone who can speak in complete sentences and loves the country would be a step up in terms of qualification.
Right? Things have changed so much. The thing is, the primary job of the president is to make sure as many people don't die on his or her watch as possible. And to achieve that, you have to love humanity. Bruce absolutely does that. He oozes empathy, which Trump wouldn't know if he tripped over it.
Hope comes in many forms, resistance also. While I was reading Mrs Old Man sent this to me:
"Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder broke out an acoustic rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "My City of Ruins" at their show last night to support Springsteen in his fight against Donald Trump. This is awesome. America is waking up."
The message is getting louder, "Come on, rise up", WE SHALL PREVAIL!
Once again, thank you Greg. The way he has it so tied up - both Houses, the Presidency and the Supreme Court - and the unlimited viscious sycophants there are to carry out his cruel insanity leaves me often in despair. But I hope. I don't see the way out but I hope. I can't predict the future. I fear but I can't predict. As the Zen Master responds, "We'll see."
Today I came across The Stockdale Paradox, named for the officer held in solitary confinement in Vietnam. From the author's website:
"The Stockdale Paradox is a concept, along with its companion concept Confront the Brutal Facts, developed in the book Good to Great. Productive change begins when you confront the brutal facts. Every good-to-great company embraced what we came to call the "Stockdale Paradox": you must maintain unwavering faith that you can and will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties, and at the same time, have the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be."
I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear this right now. I grew up hard, dug my way out and never wanted to go back. Actually feared going back but I see now that may not be the worst thing that could happen to me- even at 69 years old. Giving in and not fighting would be the worst thing!
We must face the facts that this is really happening and we must deal with it. Time to toughen up again.
As always.... Profound! Thank you! 🙏
Thanks, Gywn!
Thank you Greg, We all needed this. Love
Thanks, Sara!
Agreed: Darkness is his very best record. I remember leaving town for a week and bought it again while I was gone because I couldn’t wait another week to hear it again.
I totally get that...and there's something a Gen Z person will never be able to understand, having all music available at their fingertips at all times anywhere...
I think the title track might be my favorite Springsteen song of all. Hard to say, but it's up there.
PS: "No" is great!
Thank you!! That’s very kind.
Ha so true!
Excellent! Now on my FB wall as well. 🙏🏻
Thank you!
Greg, there’s little currently in Life right now that is perfect but you’ve done that with today’s Sunday Pages. Springsteen’s Badlands captures the mood so well. I’ve no patience for spineless Schumer & DNC politics as usual or anyone saying “wait till the midterms”. Apropos that Badlands follows Jimmy Buffett’s Bubbles Up on my history/sanity playlist. Yes, We WILL Prevail.
Thanks, Dawna. If there's one thing about Bruce, it's that he knows how to capture the mood.
Wonderful lyrical analysis from one Jersey guy to another! The only "Boss" needs to come on your podcast! #Jerseyguysrule
Thanks! I don't see that happening, but on the other hand, stranger things have happened...
Thank you, Greg. Thank you again for giving us hope. And thank you for this ear worm! 🎶
Thanks, Lexine!
https://youtu.be/Sxa9wNl2OjE?si=V42JY3qv0eqGjCmL
Yes!
Wonderful! Posted to LinkedIn
Thanks, Beverly!
Lord, hadn't heard THAT for a while--thanks for resurrecting it. Prescient lyrics, though I think it rather bad mouths the actual Badlands, which are magnificent. (Not its political overlords, the sheer grandeur of it).
I will say that I take great hope from the details of Friday's Court decision on AEA. I always thought the court members wouldn't be able to avoid at least hearing the voice of the Resistance, particularly when he started dissing the judicial branch. And their snipe at trump's alleged inability to do anything about Kilmar suggests that they do hear and even, lord help us, act on what they hear. Every little listen helps
PS finished the new book. Loved it. Kept wishing there was a comments button, though.
Thanks, Susan. I'm glad you liked the new book! It's funny, how we have become accustomed to comment sections and open dialogues, and how books, as a rule, can't offer that. Talk about analog!
I'm pretty sure Bruce likes the actual Badlands, and just likes the sound of the word.
And I hope you're right about the Court. Roberts is such a retrograde, hateful turd. I can't even trust him. But shaming him does seem to work sometimes.
My most favourite singer from NJ introduced to me on a visit from only child living in London one Summer day. We took her to Asbury Park to find his house and visited the Stone Pony to look at his guitar. Listened to his music all the way home to Princeton, NJ where we lived then for a couple of years. Ever since I never miss anything he has to say and delighted that he is on the side of the sane Americans and didn’t disappoint. Praying now for his safety after the felon’s threat. Thank you for this wonderful article which I’ve just forwarded to her. Look up The Palm D’or at the Cannes Festival where Sean Pean and Bono are celebrating courageous Ukrainian soldiers.
There's nothing quite like blasting Springsteen while driving IN New Jersey. It's really made just for that.
Bruce is tight with Barack. I'm sure he'll be fine. Plenty of MAGA love him, too.
Finally I found your book, The Age of Unreality on Audible!!!!
Yes, it's out now! It's the first time one of my books was narrated by someone other than me, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it, selfishly. I hope you do, too!
This is at least the fourth time I’ve come across the words that Springsteen said and the Truth Social response, and I read them again. Every word. (It sounds like something Trump would think, but if he can’t talk in complete sentences can he write them?) I listened to Badlands again, on YouTube Music, where you can read the lyrics synchronized with the music. Yes, it’s a perfect theme song for the resistance. Ten years ago if someone had suggested Springsteen as president, a typical response might have been, Fun thought, but is he qualified for the job? Nowadays, anyone who can speak in complete sentences and loves the country would be a step up in terms of qualification.
Right? Things have changed so much. The thing is, the primary job of the president is to make sure as many people don't die on his or her watch as possible. And to achieve that, you have to love humanity. Bruce absolutely does that. He oozes empathy, which Trump wouldn't know if he tripped over it.
As always, outstanding!
Hope comes in many forms, resistance also. While I was reading Mrs Old Man sent this to me:
"Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder broke out an acoustic rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "My City of Ruins" at their show last night to support Springsteen in his fight against Donald Trump. This is awesome. America is waking up."
The message is getting louder, "Come on, rise up", WE SHALL PREVAIL!
Thanks, Old Man!
A newer track, although of course still old now, but a fantastic song. Vive Eddie Vedder!
This feels like key (GOOD) people revving their engines. It’s go time. The Boss, here (well, UK). Bono and Sean Penn for Ukraine in Cannes. LFG.
Yes, it does, and let it grow!
Once again, thank you Greg. The way he has it so tied up - both Houses, the Presidency and the Supreme Court - and the unlimited viscious sycophants there are to carry out his cruel insanity leaves me often in despair. But I hope. I don't see the way out but I hope. I can't predict the future. I fear but I can't predict. As the Zen Master responds, "We'll see."
Today I came across The Stockdale Paradox, named for the officer held in solitary confinement in Vietnam. From the author's website:
"The Stockdale Paradox is a concept, along with its companion concept Confront the Brutal Facts, developed in the book Good to Great. Productive change begins when you confront the brutal facts. Every good-to-great company embraced what we came to call the "Stockdale Paradox": you must maintain unwavering faith that you can and will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties, and at the same time, have the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be."
We can, and we will.
I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear this right now. I grew up hard, dug my way out and never wanted to go back. Actually feared going back but I see now that may not be the worst thing that could happen to me- even at 69 years old. Giving in and not fighting would be the worst thing!
We must face the facts that this is really happening and we must deal with it. Time to toughen up again.