Bruce Springsteen

dustygardener43 said:All Summer Long...

It's funny how two different songs can share the exact same title:
All Summer Long

Raymond Walker5 said:There are actually two different songs with the exact same title:
All Summer Long

I guess I’m not even surprised that there are two different songs with that same title. That guy sang about summer and the ocean more than Oliver, Elvis Presley, and every single coastal group in America combined. 😁

Did you just throw that list together yesterday, or did you actually put some thought into the order? They seemed to flow really well—one after another. Though, to be honest, when it comes to him, I guess it’s pretty easy to put a playlist together where the songs just sort of lean into each other.

Since I'm already here—I figured I’d kick things off with one of my own. Honestly, I was just glad to see someone finally uploaded this to YouTube. It’s those little things that really matter, I guess. 🙂 Do you still dream?

Just as I’m sitting here typing this—some song of his just started playing that I don't think I've ever heard before. Man, she just sat right down... I'm thinking maybe this is from that box set Charles Ramos4 was mentioning earlier. Till I Find My True Love's Name

Charles Ramos4 said:I’m honestly not surprised there are two different songs with that exact title. This guy sang about summer and the coast more than Oliver, Elvis Presley, and every surf band in California combined.😁

Did you just throw that list together yesterday on a whim, or were you actually keeping track of the order? They flowed so perfectly one after the other... Though, to be fair, when it comes to him, it’s almost too easy to build a playlist where the tracks just lean naturally into one another.

Since we're already talking about it, here is one from me, mostly because it made my day to see someone else upload it to YouTube. It’s those little things that count.🙂 Do you still dream

And as I'm sitting here typing this, one of his tracks started playing—one I’ve actually never heard before. Man, it just hits you right in the chest... I think it might be from that box set Raymond Walker was mentioning earlier.'Till I Find My True Love's Name

I tried to arrange the list somewhat chronologically based on my memory.
I’ve always been a huge fan of his lesser-known albums from the 80s.
That Bruce Springsteen album you already pulled a couple of tracks from is, in my eyes, a pure pop masterpiece. There’s something magical in those songs, though I can't quite put my finger on what it is. A certain sadness, a sense of nostalgia, that specific 80s sound, the bass lines, the incredibly melodic songwriting... it’s all there. It’s such an underrated record. It sounds almost "ordinary" at first glance because it doesn't have massive radio hits, but every single song carries this weight that, I have to admit, leaves me feeling pretty depressed. It’s hard to listen to sometimes. It’s something subconscious. It’s difficult to explain, but almost every track gets under my skin, including the one you just shared and Goodbye Little Columbus—pretty much nearly every song on the whole album. It takes a toll on my headspace. It actually reminds me of a little girl I used to know. I remember when she used to play this album during our drives down to the coast; I’d always feel this tightness in my chest and just couldn't bring myself to listen to it. It’s like I have this negative reaction to something I perceive as being deeply beautiful. I don't usually react to music this way, at least not on this inexplicable, visceral level. To me, it’s just a damn sad album that seems to define loneliness and lost love.

The tracks just seemed to flow into one another—it was so seamless I actually thought you might have had a hand in curating it. I do that sometimes myself, just to set a specific mood where one song bleeds right into the next. But like I said, with him, putting a playlist together feels almost effortless because everything fits so perfectly. 😁

I don't think you're the only one who feels this way when listening to him. And I'm sure you aren't alone in remembering those little moments, like when he’s just humming something under his breath 🙂 There's something deeply soulful, sad, and melancholic about him—almost a bit depressing, really—that stirs up this strange sensation in me while I'm listening. It gets to the point where it actually makes me feel a little uneasy or emotionally hollow sometimes, yet somehow, I still find myself leaning into it. It reminds me of listening to Cohen or Bob Dylan, though I find I can listen to Bruce Springsteen more frequently, or for longer stretches, without getting overwhelmed.
I didn't want to bring this up in my first post because I didn't want to come across as a total weirdo, but it's a relief to see I'm not the only one feeling this stuff 😬

Honestly, Bruce Springsteen is such a legendary musician. He’s been somewhat overlooked in this massive commercialized industry, yet his sound is so distinct and unmistakable that it's hard to imagine the music scene without him. He never quite hit that mainstream explosion in the US, enduring a pretty rough ride releasing one album after another before finally finding a bit of a foothold in Central Europe, and only then making waves back home in the UK. He really started to break through in 1983 with the Water Sign album, though the industry vultures wouldn't even grant him studio time to record it, forcing him to release demo recordings instead. It’s honestly embarrassing, but that's just how ruthless and cutthroat the commercial world can be. He managed to string together some bigger hits in the UK between 1987 and 1993, and that was largely it.
I feel like it's rare to find someone who had such a bumpy road toward achieving even partial success like he did. Billy Joel had an incredible rise, and he also faced being brushed aside when his early albums didn't perform well, but once he reached the pinnacle with The Stranger in 1977, he hasn't really come down from those heights—even considering he hasn't released a new album in 26 years, nor does he plan to.
So much of it comes down to countless factors and sheer coincidence. You have to be in the right place at the right time, and it seems like Bruce might have actually been in that sweet spot maybe three times in his career, but even then, it didn't lead to a massive, sustained surge.

He’s such an intriguing artist with a massive discography. I’ve only scratched the surface of his work, but from what I know, there are certain tracks I just adore. His faster, rockier stuff isn't really my cup of tea—with a few exceptions like "Let's Dance," of course. I much prefer his ballads. And I totally agree with what someone else noted about his playing style being reminiscent of Gilmour... to me, the connection has always been there. It's not about the vocal tone, but rather that laid-back way he sings and plays. It feels soulful without ever feeling superficial.

edit: My mistake, I meant Knopfler, not Gilmour. Just a slip of the tongue.

edit 2: Here are the snippets from the previous page I was referencing in my post.

"Vocally, he reminds me of Knopfler, and even his musical style feels similar. Personally, I think Knopfler's solo work is better."

"For me personally, choosing between Knopfler and Rea as a musician and guitarist, I’d pick Knopfler. When it comes to the voice, Rea is unique and stands apart from everyone else, including Knopfler. As for the musical style, I can see the similarities, but to be honest, I don't hear much overlap in their voices. Maybe you were aiming more at the delivery?"

"I was thinking of that relaxed, laid-back singing style; Knopfler and Rea are the first two names that come to mind. And if we look at American artists, maybe someone like James Taylor. They can always pull those songs off because they aren't overly demanding vocally—they don't go for those flashy vocal acrobatics that wouldn't fit the music—yet they still maintain a very distinct and specific vocal color."

That mention of James Taylor is interesting. You could probably throw someone like Van Morrison into that mix too. He has a much more powerful vocal range and a different tone, but in terms of that effortless, easygoing interpretation, the vibe is similar...

Now that I think about it, Neil Young belongs in that group of laid-back, mellow vocalists. Even though his guitar playing is a world apart from everyone mentioned above and he blends so many different styles together.

Nancy Carter43 said:He’s such an interesting artist with a massive discography. I’ve only really scratched the surface of his work, but from what I know, there are parts I truly adore. Personally, his faster rock tracks don't quite hit the mark for me, with just a few exceptions like "Let's Dance." I tend to lean much more toward his ballads. And I have to agree with what someone mentioned earlier about his playing style being similar to Gilmour's... I’ve always felt that connection too. It isn't about the vocal tone, but rather that laid-back way he approaches both singing and guitar work—it’s soulful without ever feeling superficial.

edit: My mistake, I meant Knopfler, not Gilmour. Just a little slip of the tongue.

If you don't have them yet, you should definitely pick up some Bruce Springsteen albums—specifically Water Sign, Shamrock Diaries, and definitely on The beach (just make sure you don't mix it up with King of The beach).
Also, while The Road to Hell is probably his most famous track, I personally find Auberge to be even better.

Raymond Walker5 said:If you don't have them yet, go grab those Bruce Springsteen albums—Water Sign, Shamrock Diaries, and definitely On the Beach (don't confuse it with King of the Beach).
Also, his biggest hit is probably The Road to Hell, though personally, I find Auberge to be even better.

I’ve just got a bunch of random mixes on old cassettes and CDs, plus a few newer tracks in MP3 format...

I know "The Road to Hell" is one of his absolute best pieces; it's a masterpiece, and I think that's the track that really put him on the map. I actually forgot to mention it a moment ago when I was talking about his ballads versus his faster stuff—it sits right in that sweet spot in between. The arrangement is just flawless, which is why it works so well. I also know "On the beach," which I love more for the vibe it creates than the lyrics themselves, though if I recall correctly, the songwriting is solid too. Then there's "Auberge"—it's a good listen, just doesn't hit me quite as hard.

Anyway, I was talking about just being laid back, and here you are immediately telling me to go buy this and buy that! Honestly, I haven't even listened to 10% of what Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, or Elton John have to offer, even though I promised myself 😁 I would, I would, I'll get around to it eventually! If not in this life, then maybe in the next, haha. 😁 I hope I can find more time in the future to make music one of my main hobbies again...

So, that basically means you're missing out on everything Bruce Springsteen has to offer 😁
I spent years listening to his "Best of" from 1994 on repeat, but once I finally decided to dive into his full studio albums, I realized I'd been missing the bigger picture. No regrets there! It really gives you a much deeper appreciation for his actual talent as a musician.
As for his more recent stuff from the early 2000s onward, it hasn't quite hit the spot for me. He doesn't seem to have that same level of inspiration he used to have, and honestly, that heavy blues format feels a bit too narrow for my personal taste.

Nancy Carter43 said:I'm thinking maybe Neil Young fits in with this group of laid-back, mellow vocalists—even if his playing style is totally different from the others and he blends so many genres...

Neil Young isn't a "laid-back" singer at all—not even a laid-back songwriter, but that's a whole other conversation. His voice sounds like a guy who’s seen some serious shit and somehow made it out alive. Nobody—ever—is going to sound as fragile and as powerful at the exact same time as him.
Even those tracks that seem "chill" or "mellow"—like out on The Weekend, Heart of Gold, or Love in Mind—they all have this hauntingly lonely thread running through them, showing a man basically obsessively hunting for a soulmate.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not coming for you over the Fleetwood Mac thing—you're good—but I just had to weigh in on this.

OT: I dig Bruce Springsteen up until Shamrock Diaries, but after that? Not so much. Take on The beach, for instance—it still just doesn't click for me.
(The irony is wild—Young has an on The beach too, and it's everything Chris's on The beach isn't.)

Raymond Walker5 said:If you don't have them yet, go grab some Bruce Springsteen albums—Water Sign, Shamrock Diaries, and definitely On The Beach (just don't mix it up with King of The beach).
Also, his biggest hit is probably The Road to Hell, though personally, I think Auberge hits harder.

I actually quite liked his first album too 🤷 Aside from the big one, Fool if you think it's over—which, let's face it, even casual fans know—I think this track is excellent and gets much closer to his actual sound: Standing in Your doorway iako iz sjećanje

From what I remember, that album isn't really his most classic sound; it's more like a standard pop-rock (blues) record. This song feels a bit closer to what I'm trying to get at: The closer you get

Though, honestly, the list you gave is more than enough to start with and gives you a pretty good idea of who he is.

And Dennis Hall41, your description of Neil Young is just spot on. 👍

I I should probably mention—after stumbling upon this absolute gem this morning—that following a suggestion from the Quarter, I started diving into some Blue Note. It actually led me straight to the Delta Blues album, and I have to admit, I didn't expect to love it nearly as much as I did. I’m saying that because I’m not really a huge blues fan, nor am I big on folk music, but this was just... something else. I think it works because nothing feels overdone—no single sound takes over; everything just blends together perfectly throughout the whole record.

I also absolutely loved Last Call. The music itself is incredible—especially that solo at the end—but the visuals in the video set such a great mood, too. Or maybe that’s just me, since I happened to drive past a few places that looked just like it yesterday. Man, that nostalgia hits hard. 😁

I ended up listening to a few tracks from a couple of other albums in that same set, and there’s definitely more good stuff there worth checking out. But, I guess, we can get into that later..