Springsteen

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

306. Other than the fact it sounds like The Fixx for the first 30 seconds, I kinda like "Soul Driver" from Human Touch. It's ranked #285.

Here's to our destruction.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

307. Bruce reminisces about his big date with Carol, the innocent joys of summer and the rockin' sounds of James Young and the Immortal Ones in "County Fair," which was a Born in the USA leftover. Sounds like a County Fair, doesn't it? Ranked a lofty #62

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

308.

Man at the top says it’s lonely up there
If it is, man, I don’t care

Second day in a row with a Born in the USA leftover, this one a sweet, soulful rumination on ambition that ironically is left off a billion selling album and not released as a single. Nice background vocals. "Man at the Top" is ranked #94

[Frayed Knot]

Bruce posts a note on social media to Freehold, N.J. native Joseph DePugh, 75.

“Just a moment to mark the passing of Freehold native and ballplayer Joe DePugh, He was a good friend when I needed one.
He could throw that speedball by you, make you look like a fool. Glory days, my friend."

They played some ball together as youngsters and apparently actually did run into each other "walking in/walking out" of a bar
(in Neptune, NJ 1973) before going back in for drinks and reminiscences, all of which got turned into the song's origin.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

309. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers!



"I Wanna Be With You" sounds a lot like "Change of Heart" to me even if Bruce did this one before TP did his, while working on Darkness. Apparently it was inspired by the Raspberries who also had a song called "I Wanna Be With You."
Ranked #85

[Gwreck]

Good news/bad news:
Springsteen will soon be releasing a “Lost Albums” box set consisting of 7 discs worth of material he recorded between the mid-80s and 2000s.

Not sure if we have a ruling from the judges yet as to whether Lunchbucket will be obligated to continue this thread for an additional several months as a result.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Oh shit. I'm nearing the 1 year mark on this and was looking forward to getting those 15 minutes a day back.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

310. "When You Need Me" is one of the Bossman's most straight-head love songs, although it may be written from the perspective of the dumped. Recorded and not used for Tunnel of Love and ranked #276

Details coming on the big release. I think my strategy may be to take it in first then return to this thread. Only 30 songs left to go!

[Edgy MD]

"I Wanna Be with You" is certainly the germ of a good song (as Petty would certainly later prove), but it ain't no top-100-er.

This 'un goes I-V-IV-V / VI-V-VI-I, and the "CoH" progression goes I-V-VI-V-IV / I-V-VI-V.

That major sixth by Petty is the inspired burst that takes him down the pathway Springy can't quite find, out of the realm of the solid-but-cliched power popper that BS clearly recognized wasn't up to DotEoT's standards.

It probably would have made a good BitUSA B-side, but clearly the band had no shortage of quality B's at the time.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Lol/\

311. An upbeat gospel song about a grieving 9/11 spouse, "Lonesome Day" was a terrific thematic album-opener from The Rising that I didn't know had an official video. Ranked #149



And here's Bruce talking about his 7 new albums, along with some unidentified guy with glasses talking about "sonic landscapes." 82 new songs coming in June to help us get through the world war and crippling economic times on the way.

[Gwreck]

And here's Bruce talking about his 7 new albums, along with some unidentified guy with glasses talking about "sonic landscapes."

A little surprised they didn’t identify him. That’s Erik Flannigan, a journalist/music industry exec (among other things, he manages The National) — he’s one of the world’s foremost authorities on Bruce’s music.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

And here's Bruce talking about his 7 new albums, along with some unidentified guy with glasses talking about "sonic landscapes."

A little surprised they didn’t identify him. That’s Erik Flannigan, a journalist/music industry exec (among other things, he manages The National) — he’s one of the world’s foremost authorities on Bruce’s music.

Yeah well if Bruce saw the comprehension and penetrating insights we've all experienced in this here countdown I'm pretty sure that could be me up there.

312. One thing I didn't necessarily know was that even original songs only recorded live should actually count but that's the case with "Seeds," which was a BiTUSA tour concert staple that appeared on the Live album. It's about used-up, pissed off oil workers in Texas.

Here is the fiery version from Live 1975-85 but below is an interesting interpretation that sets the angry words to the gentle swing of "Rockaway the Days" which you'll certainly remember as song #237 we listened to back on Day 59.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

313. Carl is a widowed veteran who takes a job with the border patrol. Hijinks ensue.

"The Line" is a very touching, pared-down, 30-year-old story song with fleshed-out characters, conflict and lots of present-day relevance. My only gripe with it is not even trying to rhyme a few couplets, but he's Bruce so I can go pound sand. This Tom Joad song is ranked #259