topic Re: SHOCKED in Community Chat

SHOCKED

Teacups — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:01:04 GMT

at the hbo concert...unreal.

Re: SHOCKED

Luv2Decorate — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:28:02 GMT

We don't subscribe to HBO, what was shocking? Was it Eminem? I read an article about the swearing. Personally, I really like Eminem, his has great talent, but some of his lyrics can be a little "out there".

Re: SHOCKED

sidsmom — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:46:34 GMT

"Shocked" & "unreal"...,..to finally figure out the Bruce Springsteen song 'Born in the USA' is really a sad, disillusioned song? Almost an anti-American song about the Vietnam vets coming back?

Re: SHOCKED

AngusandBuddhasMom — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:52:47 GMT

Seriously Bruce who I love has always sung the same thing. He is for the down trodden and good for him. With so many Vets unemployed and or with PTSD. This of all days should be in the for front.

Re: SHOCKED

reiki604 — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:58:46 GMT

I respect, admire and enjoy Bruce's music and POV. The first amendment is just as important as the second.

Re: SHOCKED

sidsmom — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:02:08 GMT

But the 'Born in the USA' song is held tightly by all the good-all-boy network...flags flying high, Eagles majestically flying, h*llz YEAH! mentality, when....it's NOT a feel-good song. And wasn't this song part of a presidential campaign? Oops. No one REALLY understands it.

ETA: Bruce can sing whatever he wants.....it's the Public that misunderstood it because it has a catchy chorus line.

Re: SHOCKED

reiki604 — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:10:32 GMT

Born in the USA was used by Ronald Reagan's campaign. Bruce has stated he never understood why and supposed they never actually listened to the lyrics.

Re: SHOCKED

AngusandBuddhasMom — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:17:23 GMT

I guess to me born and raised and still living in NJ this is a lot to do about nothing. I love Bruce no matter what his politics are whether I agree or disagree. That argument went out the window in the 80's it is not news. I guess for those who are not from here it is a big to do and maybe some see this as an opportunity to stir the pot but that too is juvenile. I have been to fifty or more of his concerts and he is Bruce.

Re: SHOCKED

Qwackertoo — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:23:28 GMT

On 11/12/2014 reiki604 said: Born in the USA was used by Ronald Reagan's campaign. Bruce has stated he never understood why and supposed they never actually listened to the lyrics.

In 1984, during his campaign for the presidency, Ronald Reagan used the song briefly as a campaign song. Reagan was quoted as saying, "America's future rests in a thousand dreams inside our hearts. It rests in the message of hope in the songs of a man so many young Americans admire: New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen. And helping you make those dreams come true is what this job of mine is all about." Springsteen, a devout liberal, had the Reagan campaign stop using his song.

Walter Mondale, Reagan's Democratic opponent, quickly seized on the opportunity and said Bruce supported him for president. Springsteen's manager, John Landau, issued a quick denial, and the Mondale camp issued an apology and correction. Either way, it was hardly a campaign-turning event, as Reagan went on to carry a record 49 states in November of 1984.

To this day, "Born in the U.S.A." is construed as a "pro-America" tune. Like it or not, the song is very catchy. Part of the song's confusion probably lies in the unintelligibleness of Bruce's voice and the singing of the song's lyrics. His voice is strong and passionate, but many of the words are garbled and hard to decipher. But whereas the song is hard to understand, the catchy repeated lyric "Born in the U.S.A." is clear as a bell.

Critic Marcus Greil says about "Born in the U.S.A.": "Clearly the key to Bruce's popularity is in a misunderstanding. He is a tribute to the fact that people hear what they want to hear." Bruce, seemingly a genuinely nice guy, is still a bit angry about the song's misunderstood intention to this day. He considers the song one of his best, but it bothers him that it is so widely misunderstood.

Says The Boss: "In my songs, the spiritual part, the hope part, is in the choruses. The blues, your daily realities, are in the details of the verses. The spiritual comes out in the choruses, which I get from Gospel music and the church." He is very clear in his statement about "Born in the U.S.A." Far from being a happy, peppy "rah-rah America" song, the song has a much darker side.

Bruce elaborates: "'Born in the U.S.A' is about a working class man [in the midst of a] spiritual crisis, in which a man is left lost …it's like he has nothing left to tie him to society anymore. He's isolated from the government, isolated from his family, to the point where nothing makes sense."

Re: SHOCKED

Topaz Gem — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:50:06 GMT

Bruce would never write anything openly patriotic. If patriotic, pro-American politicians want to use one of his songs, you know that they must be misunderstanding the lyrics.

If Bruce wanted people to understand the real meaning of "Born in the USA", then he should have written music that conveyed a darker meaning, rather than a fist-pumping melody that would actually make the listener proud to be an American.

Re: SHOCKED

scotttie — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:55:52 GMT

On 11/12/2014 Qwackertoo said:
On 11/12/2014 reiki604 said: Born in the USA was used by Ronald Reagan's campaign. Bruce has stated he never understood why and supposed they never actually listened to the lyrics.

In 1984, during his campaign for the presidency, Ronald Reagan used the song briefly as a campaign song. Reagan was quoted as saying, "America's future rests in a thousand dreams inside our hearts. It rests in the message of hope in the songs of a man so many young Americans admire: New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen. And helping you make those dreams come true is what this job of mine is all about." Springsteen, a devout liberal, had the Reagan campaign stop using his song.

Walter Mondale, Reagan's Democratic opponent, quickly seized on the opportunity and said Bruce supported him for president. Springsteen's manager, John Landau, issued a quick denial, and the Mondale camp issued an apology and correction. Either way, it was hardly a campaign-turning event, as Reagan went on to carry a record 49 states in November of 1984.

To this day, "Born in the U.S.A." is construed as a "pro-America" tune. Like it or not, the song is very catchy. Part of the song's confusion probably lies in the unintelligibleness of Bruce's voice and the singing of the song's lyrics. His voice is strong and passionate, but many of the words are garbled and hard to decipher. But whereas the song is hard to understand, the catchy repeated lyric "Born in the U.S.A." is clear as a bell.

Critic Marcus Greil says about "Born in the U.S.A.": "Clearly the key to Bruce's popularity is in a misunderstanding. He is a tribute to the fact that people hear what they want to hear." Bruce, seemingly a genuinely nice guy, is still a bit angry about the song's misunderstood intention to this day. He considers the song one of his best, but it bothers him that it is so widely misunderstood.

Says The Boss: "In my songs, the spiritual part, the hope part, is in the choruses. The blues, your daily realities, are in the details of the verses. The spiritual comes out in the choruses, which I get from Gospel music and the church." He is very clear in his statement about "Born in the U.S.A." Far from being a happy, peppy "rah-rah America" song, the song has a much darker side.

Bruce elaborates: "'Born in the U.S.A' is about a working class man [in the midst of a] spiritual crisis, in which a man is left lost …it's like he has nothing left to tie him to society anymore. He's isolated from the government, isolated from his family, to the point where nothing makes sense."

Quackertoo, thanks for your information here. You always cut right to it!

I agree, if he wanted the lyrics understood, he shoulda not mumbled and gargled through the song.

Re: SHOCKED

millieshops — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:55:52 GMT

I think the irony of it all is that that the USA is like democracy itself: flawed but still the best there is. Maybe, somewhere that was in Bruce's mind even if subconsciously.

Re: SHOCKED

AngusandBuddhasMom — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:13:50 GMT

He doesn't mumble or garble the words.. he is making a good point. And he is not anti america and donates a lot to help so what exactly have politicians done?

His songs are deep but not for everyone.

Re: SHOCKED

scotttie — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:18:16 GMT

On 11/12/2014 Caravaggio said:
He doesn't mumble or garble the words.. he is making a good point. And he is not anti america and donates a lot to help so what exactly have politicians done?

His songs are deep but not for everyone.

I'm sorry but I own that album. I played that song often (it was a good one to exercise to) and I never understood a word he said except for ""Bawn in the U.S.A....I Was Bawn in the U.S.A.

My brother was a Springsteen fan when nobody ever heard of him.

I'm not trying to tick you off Cara but it does seem to be the consensus that the lyrics are unintelligible

Re: SHOCKED

dooBdoo — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:18:59 GMT

On 11/12/2014 Caravaggio said:
He doesn't mumble or garble the words.. he is making a good point. And he is not anti america and donates a lot to help so what exactly have politicians done?

His songs are deep but not for everyone.

I agree, Caravaggio. I'm a little baffled by the sudden "awakening" to his lyrics, which have always been there, up-front, clear. His charity work, especially for "Stand Up For Heroes," speaks for itself. Anyway, when did it become un-American to voice one's opinion or challenge the system? We can be proud of our nation, support our military, honor our veterans, and also question or criticize the government.

Re: SHOCKED

Qwackertoo — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:25:49 GMT

On 11/12/2014 dooBdoo said:
On 11/12/2014 Caravaggio said:
He doesn't mumble or garble the words.. he is making a good point. And he is not anti america and donates a lot to help so what exactly have politicians done?

His songs are deep but not for everyone.

I agree, Caravaggio. I'm a little baffled by the sudden "awakening" to his lyrics, which have always been there, up-front, clear. His charity work, especially for "Stand Up For Heroes," speaks for itself. Anyway, when did it become un-American to voice one's opinion or challenge the system? We can be proud of our nation, support our military, honor our veterans, and also question or criticize the government.

Oh there's been lots of threads questioning and criticizing our government . . . some state some federal. Some of it acceptable. Some of it is not. Depends on where "some" fall on the issue day to day or week to week . . . as in today's issue it is great . . . tomorrow's could easily be how dare you? . . . I like to call it "cherry picking.

Re: SHOCKED

scotttie — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:31:54 GMT

On 11/12/2014 Qwackertoo said:

Oh there's been lots of threads questioning and criticizing our government . . . some state some federal. Some of it acceptable. Some of it is not. Depends on where ""some"" fall on the issue day to day or week to week . . . as in today's issue it is great . . . tomorrow's could easily be how dare you? . . . I like to call it ""cherry picking.

THIS!

Re: SHOCKED

Lion — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:33:54 GMT

On 11/12/2014 Topaz Gem said:
Bruce would never write anything openly patriotic. If patriotic, pro-American politicians want to use one of his songs, you know that they must be misunderstanding the lyrics.

If Bruce wanted people to understand the real meaning of "Born in the USA", then he should have written music that conveyed a darker meaning, rather than a fist-pumping melody that would actually make the listener proud to be an American.

I don't want to jump to conclusions or make assumptions without asking.

Are you saying Bruce Springsteen is *not* patriotic? He is anti-American?

Re: SHOCKED

dooBdoo — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:35:52 GMT

On 11/12/2014 Qwackertoo said:
On 11/12/2014 dooBdoo said:
On 11/12/2014 Caravaggio said:
He doesn't mumble or garble the words.. he is making a good point. And he is not anti america and donates a lot to help so what exactly have politicians done?

His songs are deep but not for everyone.

I agree, Caravaggio. I'm a little baffled by the sudden "awakening" to his lyrics, which have always been there, up-front, clear. His charity work, especially for "Stand Up For Heroes," speaks for itself. Anyway, when did it become un-American to voice one's opinion or challenge the system? We can be proud of our nation, support our military, honor our veterans, and also question or criticize the government.

Oh there's been lots of threads questioning and criticizing our government . . . some state some federal. Some of it acceptable. Some of it is not. Depends on where "some" fall on the issue day to day or week to week . . . as in today's issue it is great . . . tomorrow's could easily be how dare you? . . . I like to call it "cherry picking.

Hi, Qwackertoo! Good to see you, haven't seen you around lately.

No argument from me. I think a healthy government is one which can be openly questioned. I've always felt that way. It's one of the many advantages we have as Americans.

Re: SHOCKED

Lion — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:40:03 GMT

I am at the music critics here.

Just think, if he'd only had this advice years ago, he could've been a much loved, much admired, one-of-the-great U.S. music icons.

Oh....that's right....he IS.