Does anyone else hate Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band? (1 Viewer)

[massraider]

That list has Born to Run at #15. Considering that it's indisputably his most famous song,

Dude, I don't even think this is his most famous song with the word 'Born' in the title.

 

[bigbottom]

Anyway, the original claim was that "most have never heard" Thunder Road and Badlands. I would be very surprised if there are any people out there who consider themselves Springsteen fans who have never heard those songs. And a good chunk of non-fans have also heard of them. Maybe you're right that there are some generational dynamics at play (I'm GenX).

Maybe this is where the disconnect is happening, I'm talking the general public not Springsteen fans. Meaning a lot of the folks who have responded to this thread that they don't' care one way or the other or just flat out don't care for him. You can continue to rail to the heavens that everyone knows those songs but they simple don't. Springsteen has his fair share of hits but he has a whole other body of work that unless you've listened to at least 3 albums front to back (Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ, Darkness on the Edge of Town, Born to Run), you wouldn't even be aware of. That was point.

But carry on

I am not a Bruce fan, but I can name and sing right now parts of probably 8-10 of his songs, and saw him live in concert about a year or so ago.

Sitting here at this moment, I have no recollection of Thunder Road or Badlands, what the melody or lyrics are, or what they are about. If you asked me to name 10 Springsteen songs, I wouldn’t have come up with either of those.

Now, if I pulled them up on Spotify, my guess is that I’d recognize them, but sitting here now, I’m shuked. And that is not the case for a bunch of other hits he’s had. So I tend to agree with your take.

P.S. My primary disagreement is with the assertion that Thunder Road is his second most famous song, and Badlands in his top five most famous.

 

[Joe Schmo]

Anyway, the original claim was that "most have never heard" Thunder Road and Badlands. I would be very surprised if there are any people out there who consider themselves Springsteen fans who have never heard those songs. And a good chunk of non-fans have also heard of them. Maybe you're right that there are some generational dynamics at play (I'm GenX).

Maybe this is where the disconnect is happening, I'm talking the general public not Springsteen fans. Meaning a lot of the folks who have responded to this thread that they don't' care one way or the other or just flat out don't care for him. You can continue to rail to the heavens that everyone knows those songs but they simple don't. Springsteen has his fair share of hits but he has a whole other body of work that unless you've listened to at least 3 albums front to back (Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ, Darkness on the Edge of Town, Born to Run), you wouldn't even be aware of. That was point.

But carry on

I am not a Bruce fan, but I can name and sing right now parts of probably 8-10 of his songs, and saw him live in concert about a year or so ago.

Sitting here at this moment, I have no recollection of Thunder Road or Badlands, what the melody or lyrics are, or what they are about. If you asked me to name 10 Springsteen songs, I wouldn’t have come up with either of those.

Now, if I pulled them up on Spotify, my guess is that I’d recognize them, but sitting here now, I’m shuked. And that is not the case for a bunch of other hits he’s had. So I tend to agree with your take.

I guess I am different as I still listen to classic rock radio and Thunder Road is played A LOT when they play Bruce. Badlands not so much so I agree I wouldn't think it is a top 10 most remembered song by those that are casual listeners.

PS- I now see your PS and yep, agree.

 

[Joe Schmo]

According to this site Thunder Road and Badlands are neck and neck in the teens for Springsteen's most played songs on radio.

1	Dancing In the Dark
2	Born in the U.S.A.
3	Streets of Philadelphia
4	Hungry Heart
5	Glory Days
6	I'm On Fire
7	Born to Run
8	Human Touch
9	The River
10	Brilliant Disguise
11	My Hometown
12	Cover Me
13	Secret Garden
14	Tougher Than the Rest
15	Badlands
16	Thunder Road

 

[bigbottom]

Now, if I pulled them up on Spotify, my guess is that I’d recognize them, but sitting here now, I’m shuked.

Well, I was wrong. Pulled up both Thunder Road and Badlands on Spotify and didn’t really recognize them, even though I’m sure he played them at the concert I went to.

 

[beer 30]

Now, if I pulled them up on Spotify, my guess is that I’d recognize them, but sitting here now, I’m shuked.

Well, I was wrong. Pulled up both Thunder Road and Badlands on Spotify and didn’t really recognize them, even though I’m sure he played them at the concert I went to.

My faith in humanity has been restored

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Now, if I pulled them up on Spotify, my guess is that I’d recognize them, but sitting here now, I’m shuked.

Well, I was wrong. Pulled up both Thunder Road and Badlands on Spotify and didn’t really recognize them, even though I’m sure he played them at the concert I went to.

My faith in humanity has been restored

It's a conspiracy, I tell ya! You're all plotting against me!

 

[Manster]

East coast thing I guess. Not my cup o tea

 

[supermike80]

In college my girlfriend was a big time Bruce fan. Dragged me to a concert. I was fairly excited to see him. Left very very unimpressed.

 

[rockaction]

Anyway, the original claim was that "most have never heard" Thunder Road and Badlands.

Nope, ignatius. I'm the most casual of non-fans and I could name you at least five Springsteen songs before "Thunder Road" or "Badlands," both of which I am completely unfamiliar with.

 

[UncleZen]

Voted not a fan. The only Bruce Springsteen tune that I like is one that Joan Jett covered in her movie, "Light of Day." I honestly couldn't imagine him singing it.

 

[Eephus]

Voted not a fan. The only Bruce Springsteen tune that I like is one that Joan Jett covered in her movie, "Light of Day." I honestly couldn't imagine him singing it.

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ETA: never noticed until now that the song uses the same chord changes as "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"

 

[UncleZen]

Voted not a fan. The only Bruce Springsteen tune that I like is one that Joan Jett covered in her movie, "Light of Day." I honestly couldn't imagine him singing it.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

ETA: never noticed until now that the song uses the same chord changes as "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"

Yup, Joan Jett's version is for sure better, even without Silvio Dante.
Joan and MJF

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Well, I was wrong. Pulled up both Thunder Road and Badlands on Spotify and didn’t really recognize them, even though I’m sure he played them at the concert I went to.

All-time setlist: https://www.setlist.fm/stats/bruce-springsteen-2bd6dcce.html

 

[TennesseeJed]

Interesting - I pulled up my iTunes play counts - which includes some live stuff:

1. Born to Run
2. The River
3. Thunder Road
4. Badlands
5. 10th Avenue Freeze out
6. Rosalita
7. Born in the USA
8. Johnny 99
9. My Hometown
10. Glory Days


I don't listen to Springsteen as often these days, but when I do, I am definitely pulling up older stuff.

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Well, I was wrong. Pulled up both Thunder Road and Badlands on Spotify and didn’t really recognize them, even though I’m sure he played them at the concert I went to.

All-time setlist: https://www.setlist.fm/stats/bruce-springsteen-2bd6dcce.html

Interesting - I pulled up my iTunes play counts - which includes some live stuff:

1. Born to Run
2. The River
3. Thunder Road
4. Badlands
5. 10th Avenue Freeze out
6. Rosalita
7. Born in the USA
8. Johnny 99
9. My Hometown
10. Glory Days


I don't listen to Springsteen as often these days, but when I do, I am definitely pulling up older stuff.

VINDICATION!!!!!!!!

(For the record, I don't really care at this point. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe my perception has been warped by my Jersey upbringing, or the fact that I'm GenX. I was mostly reacting to the idea that either of those songs were some sort of underground cult hits known only by the diehards.)

 

[beer 30]

Voted not a fan. The only Bruce Springsteen tune that I like is one that Joan Jett covered in her movie, "Light of Day." I honestly couldn't imagine him singing it.

Great song, not a terrible movie

I don't listen to Springsteen as often these days, but when I do, I am definitely pulling up older stuff.

That's because that's where the good **** is!

 

[Moonlight]

Big fan I am. Love the energy he puts in his work. The album he put out after the 911 terrorist attacks was soulful and mourning and helped me heal and recover.

However, his version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town is so repetitively irritating and grating that it could replace water boarding as the preferred method of extracting information from a prisoner.

 

[song]

not a fan. saw him Feb. 1975 back when he was pretty good prior to Born To Run.

co-headlined with Ritchie Havens in a 3,700 seat venue.

Havens was better. performed longer with more passion.

 

[-fish-]

Was never really a fan, then got tickets to see him in Seattle. They showed up 2 1/2 hours late, the first couple songs sucked and we left. Definitely fall on the "hate" side now.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

He recently joined John Mellencamp onstage for "Pink Houses".

Bruce has had health problems the past year. I hope he is on the upswing.

John Mellencamp with Bruce Springsteen - Live | Pink Houses - NJ PAC, Newark NJ - 3/10/24

John Mellencamp Live and In Person Tour 2024 @ New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark NJSupport the artist at https://www.mellencamp.com

www.youtube.com

 

[fatness]

From another board, someone's impression of Bruce Springsteen:

Well Lipstick Suzy told Cue Ball Annie that Spanish Tony and Weak Kneed Willy were lookin' for a fight Then Pancake Jimmy told Stutter Box Bobby that Big Boob Jenny was outta sight So hop on the back of my bike and we'll go for a ride And kick the Moon 'til it bleeds daylight AND I SWEAR IT'LL BE ALRIGHT HUH-WUNNN TOO THEE FAWWWWWWWWWWW

 

[E Street Brat]

Thought @E Street Brat would have chimed in but he hasnt logged in here since last July.

Alive and well. Thank you very much.
I took Joe's advice and went looking for something that suited me better.
But got talked into playing FF again for the first time in 8/10 years maybe. So here I am. searching the FFA instead of the SP like I should be doing.
Old/Bad habits are hard to break.



Honestly. I haven't been much of a Springsteen fan in the last 20 years.
His last good album was Magic in 07 and Brenden O'Brian made it almost impossible to listen to with the amount of compression.
Nothing but garbage and old stuff that I already have on bootlegs since then.

I'm even done with with his live shows. I'm not paying that much money to see the same ole warhorse songs he's been playing for the last 30 years.
Even the 1 or 2 rarities he still tosses in just isn't worth the price and cant make up for hearing Badlands for the 5000th time.

 

[djmich]

Had a conversation with a friend who is a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. He was genuinely surprised that not only was I not a fan but I legitimately loathe the band and their music. Bruce's singing style has always sounded like he's constipated and trying to push out a big log. Also, the band's on stage presence has always bugged the hell out of me, like they're up there on stage trying to be seen while they play the songs. I'm not sure that makes a lot of sense but I don't know how else to describe it. Their rendition of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town is easily my least favorite Christmas song of all-time. I feel like I SHOULD like them as they are right in the pocket of era/type of music but I don't. Does anyone else feel the same? Can any hardcore fans steer me to some songs that may change my feelings?

Notes:

- My band covers Brilliant Disguise and I don't hate that song
- The only music I hate more is Van Morrison
- Try reading this post in Bruce's constipated voice
- I know, who cares
- Happy leap year day

Yes, can't stand Springsteen. Don't listen to Dave Matthews any longer but liked him back in the day.

 

[fatness]

He's just released a new 7-album set of previously-unreleased songs.

Bruce Springsteen's 'Tracks II: The Lost Albums': 20 Must-Hear Songs

Read our listening guide to Bruce Springsteen's epic 'Tracks II: The Lost Albums' box set.

www.rollingstone.com

archive link if you hit a paywall: https://archive.ph/gHJhA

 

[Judge Smails]

Not a diehard fan, but I did see him on St. Patrick's Day the night he closed down the LA Sports Arena before it was demolished. 3 1/2 hour epic show. Respect the performer

 

[Harry Frogfish]

It's amusing, the former fans that have decided he sucks now due to his stance on things. This goes for a lot of bands. Fans flip on a band that held formative years of their life, as if their college/NFL team betrayed them. Adults mind you and this isn't sports. There is some sort of demarcation that decides a place in their heart now?

Okay, I guess.

 

[The Longtime Lurker]

Was never a fan. Always thought it sounded like old people rock. About a month back PBS replayed a 1979 concert and i thought it was really good and started listening to a little more of their stuff. I'm really getting into it, but i still stand by it being old people rock, if the shoe fits.

 

[Gatorade]

Never liked the music. Sounds more like irritating noise then actual music. He tries to relate to the working man, but had never been a working man.

 

[Capella]

It's amusing, the former fans that have decided he sucks now due to his stance on things. This goes for a lot of bands. Fans flip on a band that held formative years of their life, as if their college/NFL team betrayed them. Adults mind you and this isn't sports. There is some sort of demarcation that decides a place in their heart now?

Okay, I guess.

This is hilarious to me because he’s been the same guy for 50 years. He hasn’t changed in that regard at all. But his fans have and they’re mad at him. Insane.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

This thread went exactly as I would have expected.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

From another board, someone's impression of Bruce Springsteen:

Well Lipstick Suzy told Cue Ball Annie that Spanish Tony and Weak Kneed Willy were lookin' for a fight Then Pancake Jimmy told Stutter Box Bobby that Big Boob Jenny was outta sight So hop on the back of my bike and we'll go for a ride And kick the Moon 'til it bleeds daylight AND I SWEAR IT'LL BE ALRIGHT HUH-WUNNN TOO THEE FAWWWWWWWWWWW

Springsteen character or Studs & Duds character would be a great game show category.

 

[Deepster]

I put Bruce Springsteen in with U2 in the category of "Everyone claims to like them, but no one ever says "You know, I really feel like listening to some U2". Or you never hear Bruce Springsteen pop up on someone's speaker in public, or in the car next to you in traffic, etc. I don't know. I don't own anything by either and I think I have 6,000+ songs downloaded.

 

[Willie Neslon]

Since I started the thread, a live version of Jungleland got into my YouTube music rotation and I must admit I enjoy it. Still not a fan but I like that one.

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Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[Capella]

I put Bruce Springsteen in with U2 in the category of "Everyone claims to like them, but no one ever says "You know, I really feel like listening to some U2". Or you never hear Bruce Springsteen pop up on someone's speaker in public, or in the car next to you in traffic, etc. I don't know. I don't own anything by either and I think I have 6,000+ songs downloaded.

I listen to him every day.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

you never hear Bruce Springsteen pop up on someone's speaker in public, or in the car next to you in traffic, etc. I don't know.

This is not my experience at all - I do live in Asbury Park, NJ though.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I put Bruce Springsteen in with U2 in the category of "Everyone claims to like them, but no one ever says "You know, I really feel like listening to some U2". Or you never hear Bruce Springsteen pop up on someone's speaker in public, or in the car next to you in traffic, etc. I don't know. I don't own anything by either and I think I have 6,000+ songs downloaded.

Also as someone compiling a consensus Top 350 albums of all time on this site, I can assure you many people here listen to Springsteen and U2 (or just claim to according to you ).

 

[SWC]

man if you have too much hate in you it is not a good thing and that takes you off the path of the brohan the that to the bank brohan

 

[MAC_32]

I put Bruce Springsteen in with U2 in the category of "Everyone claims to like them, but no one ever says "You know, I really feel like listening to some U2". Or you never hear Bruce Springsteen pop up on someone's speaker in public, or in the car next to you in traffic, etc. I don't know. I don't own anything by either and I think I have 6,000+ songs downloaded.

I listen to him every day.

So do our (school age) kids.

 

[-fish-]

I put Bruce Springsteen in with U2 in the category of "Everyone claims to like them, but no one ever says "You know, I really feel like listening to some U2". Or you never hear Bruce Springsteen pop up on someone's speaker in public, or in the car next to you in traffic, etc. I don't know. I don't own anything by either and I think I have 6,000+ songs downloaded.

I listen to him every day.

On purpose?

 

[Marauder]

Big fan of his early stuff. I still have a lot of those songs in my regular playlist. Born to Run is one of the best albums of all time IMO. Haven't much cared for any of his later stuff starting with Born in the USA. I do sometimes listen the E Street Radio on XM in the car, especially when they play entire concerts (which I think they do twice a day).

 

[Judge Smails]

I put Bruce Springsteen in with U2 in the category of "Everyone claims to like them, but no one ever says "You know, I really feel like listening to some U2". Or you never hear Bruce Springsteen pop up on someone's speaker in public, or in the car next to you in traffic, etc. I don't know. I don't own anything by either and I think I have 6,000+ songs downloaded.

I listen to him every day.

You and Mad Dog

 

[beer 30]

Big fan of his early stuff. I still have a lot of those songs in my regular playlist. Born to Run is one of the best albums of all time IMO. Haven't much cared for any of his later stuff starting with Born in the USA. I do sometimes listen the E Street Radio on XM in the car, especially when they play entire concerts (which I think they do twice a day).

This is where I am. I tapped out at Born in the USA. Darkness on the Edge of Town and Born To Run were what I grew up on.

 

[RandyDB]

Big fan of his early stuff. I still have a lot of those songs in my regular playlist. Born to Run is one of the best albums of all time IMO. Haven't much cared for any of his later stuff starting with Born in the USA. I do sometimes listen the E Street Radio on XM in the car, especially when they play entire concerts (which I think they do twice a day).

This is where I am. I tapped out at Born in the USA. Darkness on the Edge of Town and Born To Run were what I grew up on.

Me too. US Navy, stationed in Philadelphia 75 - 77. You couldn't go to a party or any gathering where someone didn't throw a "Born to Run" 8 track into a boom box. And by "Born in the USA", I was Bruced out

 

[massraider]

Was never a fan. Always thought it sounded like old people rock. About a month back PBS replayed a 1979 concert and i thought it was really good and started listening to a little more of their stuff. I'm really getting into it, but i still stand by it being old people rock, if the shoe fits.

Who's on your list of best young people rock?

 

[The Longtime Lurker]

Was never a fan. Always thought it sounded like old people rock. About a month back PBS replayed a 1979 concert and i thought it was really good and started listening to a little more of their stuff. I'm really getting into it, but i still stand by it being old people rock, if the shoe fits.

Who's on your list of best young people rock?

RATM, Tool, Soundgarden, ect. . Like i said, if the shoe fits. My idea of young people rock is also old people rock. Maybe Glory Days is why. I was about 7 when it came out and it sounded like something old people would sing about. I was mostly kidding since I've found an appreciation for them in middle age.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Was never a fan. Always thought it sounded like old people rock. About a month back PBS replayed a 1979 concert and i thought it was really good and started listening to a little more of their stuff. I'm really getting into it, but i still stand by it being old people rock, if the shoe fits.

Who's on your list of best young people rock?

RATM, Tool, Soundgarden, ect. . Like i said, if the shoe fits. My idea of young people rock is also old people rock. Maybe Glory Days is why. I was about 7 when it came out and it sounded like something old people would sing about. I was mostly kidding since I've found an appreciation for them in middle age.

I'm pretty sure the top selling rock album for like a decade running is still Rumours. My kid uses "rock music" as shorthand for old person music. He thinks it's all lame.

 

[HellToupee]

Springsteen is in my top 5 artists I really don’t like but have to admit I like a couple of songs-Nebraska & Atlantic City

 

[Mookie]

I'm a big fan.