Springsteen halftime- garbage

[Rick Lee]

I never understood why Springsteen is so popular. He can't play guitar at all, which is probably why his guitar is usually turned all the way down in the mix. I can't stand his singing and the rest of the band is hard to hear, other than the horns. Max Weinberg is probably my least favorite drummer. And why the hell does anyone need two keyboardists, especially when their music is so simple? The most impressive thing to me about the halftime show was how quickly they can build that stage and then tear it back down. That is amazing.

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

That was the national anthem? I couldn't tell, it sounded so much like a typical lounge act.
She changed the song. She changed the melody, missed a few of the words, even took it into a minor key. Not cool.
It's the national anthem. It deserves more respect than it got tonight.

Agree 100%. The damn thing took 20 minutes to sing fer christs sake. She does have a nice voice but I'm also tired of people butchering our national anthem.

[mcuozzo]

I agree about the national anthem. I hate it when it's butchered. It's not really something open to interpretation. Everyone thinks it's too old and should be updated for the hip hop\r&b generation. Go move to a recently formed country and pick your own song. Can't there be some traditions left alone. Are we gonna redo the flag to have a Sean John logo on it???

And so Springsteen isn't the greatest guitarist. Does he have to be the greatest at everything? He's a pretty great song writer. Isn't that enough? It's like saying Eddie Van Halen sucks because he can't sing. Isn't it???

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by mcuozzo

It's like saying Eddie Van Halen sucks because he can't sing. Isn't it???

If Eddie billed himself as a lead singer, then yes, I'd say he sucks. I don't think Bruce is even close to good at singing or playing guitar. I don't like his songs either. In fact, I just don't understand why the guy is so popular. He's probably the only musician of his stature I just can't find anything to like about. I'm sure he's a nice guy though and I'm from NJ too.

[450knotOffice]

You guys are a tough crowd. I'm not even a fan of his, but I got into the moment and enjoyed it for what it was - entertainment. And no, he's not in the best shape of his life, but he's in better shape than some of the posters here whom I've met. You know who I'm talking about. Look in the mirror before you blast someone else's fitness. Classless.

[911Rob]

He's the BOSS; plain and simple.

Heart and Soul of the 80's "American" Rock 'n Roll.

[mcuozzo]

Here's why the guy is so popular:

He sings about the struggles of blue collar people. And while he sings about the toughness of life, the music is somehow uplifting. I bet his music has helped a ton of people (myself included) through some tough times. Did you see him perform "City of Ruins" on the 911 tv concert. For that alone he should be popular.

He's one of the greatest songwriters in the rock and roll era. Period. I'll give you that his new stuff is 'fluffier' but he's got a bunch of classics in the early albums. You gotta really listen to his lyrics to get it though.

He's from a working class background. Struggled through his early years. Millions of people relate to those struggles.

He helps his communities.

He's never had a dwi or drug bust.

And oh yeah he's a great songwriter, plays a decent guitar and can sing. Maybe he can't sing as good as he's used to but would you dog a baseball player in his 50's because he couldn't hit as well as he did in his 20's??? It takes a toll on the pipes I tell 'ya, and they weren't the greatest to start with.

Lastly he's been giving great live performances for 30 yrs. If you go to a concert of his and don't have good time, you should get to a dr. right away. It's like not liking Vegas.

So that's why he's popular. Tell me why - 50 cent, Puf whatever, and a slew of others are so popular? I mean I get why people like Tupac, Jay-z and others are popular but to question Bruce's popularity is tough.

I can accept that you might not like him or his music, but really you're mystified as to how people could like it\him???


Thanks Rob for making me look long winded. You said it all, amen brother!

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by mcuozzo

So that's why he's popular. Tell me why - 50 cent, Puf whatever, and a slew of others are so popular? I mean I get why people like Tupac, Jay-z and others are popular but to question Bruce's popularity is tough.

I could not begin to tell you why those people are popular. It's equally baffling to me.

I don't question how Bruce has a loyal cult following. Lots of old school bands do, folks who've been around forever, you rarely hear on the radio and will never see on any pop magazine covers, yet continue to pack concert halls with loyal fans. What I don't get is how Bruce is such a superstar. I know Bruce's background quite well. His old keyboard player, Dan Federicci's, kid rode the same bus with me to school when Born in the USA made Bruce a superstar. I remember those days quite well and how big they all got. I've been to Asbury Park plenty and know folks who played with Bruce in the old Stone Pony days. Just because he's been around forever (which should mean he's had time to learn how to play guitar well) doesn't make him great. I admire his staying power and don't doubt he's a good guy. I just cannot find anything to like about his music, neither the writing nor the muscianship.

[LakeCleElum]

Sure beat the Timberlake/J. Jackson "tit popping out" crap.........I like the Boss......

[911Rob]

Rick: familiarity breeds contempt?

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

The damn thing took 20 minutes to sing fer christs sake.

It was 2 minutes and 18 seconds. The over/under was 2:00.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

What I don't get is how Bruce is such a superstar.

I just cannot find anything to like about his music, neither the writing nor the muscianship.

Rick, as a longtime fan of Springsteen, I'll say that there are plenty of people who wish he wasn't such a superstar. We remember when he played much smaller venues and you could show up an hour before the tix went on sale and be 20th in line and get 10th row.

Then MTV happened. That "Dancing in the Dark" video directed by Brian DePalma. And all of a sudden, millions of women finally "got" Springsteen and made their boyfriends and husbands get tickets when he toured... and it all went superstar from there.

For most fans who have been with him since the early days, that Born in the USA album is their least favorite. It's got some good songs on it, but it represents the newbie fan... the latecomer who didn't feel the blue-eyed soul thing from the beginning... think Motown meets Young Rascals meets Elvis meets Dylan.

It's all there... if the music and lyrics resonates with you, you get it totally... if it doesn't, well, no big deal, but make sure you've sat down with one or more of the early albums and listened on headphones and read the lyrics before you say he's nothing great.

I don't dig his politics at all, and will probably never ante up the big bucks to go see him live again because he's gotten so big... last two times I saw him it was in Charlotte in the old Hornets arena. Just nothing close to the old days, and now when he launches into a song or a harp solo, the newbie fans scream bloody murder for 5 to 10 seconds and cover up the magic.

Also, if you know anyone who is a big fan, ask them if they have a copy of the 35th anniversary BTR set that includes the DVD of the 1975 Hammersmith Odeon concert. Ask 'em if you can borrow it or watch it with them.

It's pure magic.

[TimT]

I just cannot find anything to like about his music, neither the writing nor the muscianship.

Same for me...though Nils Lofgren put out some really good music when he was doing his own thing....

[chapo]

You boys are funny. you would think you would like a guy that sings car songs. Ramrod, Cadillac Ranch, Born to Run, etc. Not bad I thought. I expected worse. Better than some rap douch grabbing his crotch and pointing to his peeps. And i am actually young enough to be expected to like crap like that

[on2wheels52]

"Maybe his age (mid 50's) is really starting to catch up him"

We asked our s bowl host how old he was (he had he laptop the entire game) how old Bruce was. He said he was born in 1949. Not bad shape for that age.
Jim

[Cornpanzer]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

but make sure you've sat down with one or more of the early albums and listened on headphones and read the lyrics before you say he's nothing great.

Yep, read the lyrics...its the only way you will ever understand half of them
I have never got him either. Possibly good songwriting, but most people would never know because of the gutteral and incomprehensible singing.

"I'm going to Disneyland" Oh, har-de-har-har....

[Carrerax]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Rick, as a longtime fan of Springsteen, I'll say that there are plenty of people who wish he wasn't such a superstar. We remember when he played much smaller venues and you could show up an hour before the tix went on sale and be 20th in line and get 10th row.

Then MTV happened. That "Dancing in the Dark" video directed by Brian DePalma. And all of a sudden, millions of women finally "got" Springsteen and made their boyfriends and husbands get tickets when he toured... and it all went superstar from there.

For most fans who have been with him since the early days, that Born in the USA album is their least favorite. It's got some good songs on it, but it represents the newbie fan... the latecomer who didn't feel the blue-eyed soul thing from the beginning... think Motown meets Young Rascals meets Elvis meets Dylan.

It's all there... if the music and lyrics resonates with you, you get it totally... if it doesn't, well, no big deal, but make sure you've sat down with one or more of the early albums and listened on headphones and read the lyrics before you say he's nothing great.

I don't dig his politics at all, and will probably never ante up the big bucks to go see him live again because he's gotten so big... last two times I saw him it was in Charlotte in the old Hornets arena. Just nothing close to the old days, and now when he launches into a song or a harp solo, the newbie fans scream bloody murder for 5 to 10 seconds and cover up the magic.

Also, if you know anyone who is a big fan, ask them if they have a copy of the 35th anniversary BTR set that includes the DVD of the 1975 Hammersmith Odeon concert. Ask 'em if you can borrow it or watch it with them.

It's pure magic.

Bingo!

[slakjaw]

The best part of the halftime show were the big BOOBS that they kept on showing.

Those were nice

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by mcuozzo

I agree about the national anthem. I hate it when it's butchered. It's not really something open to interpretation. Everyone thinks it's too old and should be updated for the hip hop\r&b generation. Go move to a recently formed country and pick your own song. Can't there be some traditions left alone. Are we gonna redo the flag to have a Sean John logo on it???

Just wait. I heard next year they are planning a reggae/rap version of the anthem. That should be awesome!

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by Gogar

It was 2 minutes and 18 seconds. The over/under was 2:00.

My bad, it just seemed that long. But who's counting
Someone mentioned a cult following for the Boss? Cult following????? Phish has a cult following