This post will be a dedication to a man I love unconditionally.
Ive had a pretty rough night. I phoned Julianne just to hear a friendly voice. I love her so much. She always cheers me up. What I love about her the most is that she doesnt talk about herself. She doesnt force it in your face that her life is good. If you want to feel shitty around Julianne, then you can feel shitty and she'll let you. I love her for that. Shes one of the best people Ive ever known for the simple reason she allows me to forget.
She also likes Bruce Springsteen and I think its my fault.
It all started when I was 15 and I raided my Dads CD collection. I was a spotty, lonely, scared and unsure bored teenager and looking for some stuff to listen to and Bruce Springsteens Greatest Hits was sitting there, so I thought 'hmm why not?' so I put it in the machine and I listened. My life was changed. I said on Twitter (hiya www.twitter.com/steffols) the other day that when Jon Landau first heard Bruce he said it was like hearing music for the first time. Jon Landau went on to become Bruces manager and producer of Born to Run and many other fantastic Bruce albums. He was right. Listening to Bruce will wake you up. Bruce is an emotive guy. Hes gonna make you cry whether you like it or not. Listen to The River. Just once, listen to The River and it will change your life. It will change the way you think. Listen to Glory Days and it will catapult you back to High School - it doesnt matter when you left. Listen to Born to Run or Thunder Road and feel glorious because you have just listened to two of the most glorious songs ever written. Songs about being alive and in love. Songs about driving and laughing. Songs about being young and enjoying it.
This is how Bruce made a lonely 15 year old feel. He made her feel happy. He made her nostalgic of days she hadnt even experienced yet. The first time I heard Thunder Road I cried. The first time I heard Born to Run I danced about my room like an idiot. The first time I heard The River I vowed it was my favourite song ever and it hasnt changed in seven years. When I heard Streets of Philadelphia, I knew I had never heard a more emotional, raw and personal song
'aint no angel gonna greet me, its just you and I my friend, and my clothes dont fit me no more, Ive walked a thousand miles just to slip this skin' (this song was written for the film Philadelphia, but the words mean so much to me. No, I dont have AIDS.)
When I first heard all of these songs, I felt like this man knew me. Id never met him, I never will meet him but he knew me. He knew my feelings. He knew my life. He sang songs, not about me or my situation, but the words felt like he was in my head. Like I was waiting on him coming for me. I was waiting to become a Springsteen fanatic.
I owe my Dad something in life. He let me steal his greatest hits, and he bought me The Essential Springsteen so I would give it back. Ill forever be grateful because it introduced me to a world of Springsteen I hadnt known before. Songs like Rosalita and Blinded By The Light, like Brilliant Disguise and Tunnel of Love (dont laugh, I like them).
What Im trying to say is that Bruce Springsteen is my favourite artist, and will remain my favourite artist until I die. Except Joni Mitchell, I dont know another songwriter who makes me feel the way he makes me feel. He makes me happy and joyous and he makes me cry.
I went to see him on the 14th July 2009 and I can honestly say Ive never felt happier, despite my view. I was in the same place as my hero. He was singing to me. I danced all night, in love with the moment I seen him on stage singing The River, in a single spotlight, with a guitar and a harmonica. I cried, I wailed like a baby and Im not embarrassed to admit it. You can have your trendy bands who its cool to like. Ill keep Springsteen thank you. Now, Im away to listen to Out In The Street, and be happy because its two weeks till payday and when it is, I can sing this song and know exactly how he felt when he played it live.
