I hated "Wrecking Ball" when Bruce Springsteen released his lachrymose and stupid ode to Giants Stadium when I reviewed it in 2010 and would be happy to pretend it never existed and move on with my life.
Unfortunately, around the same time the New York Giants made it to the Superbowl, Springsteen announced it as the title track for his new album and forced me to listen to it again. And, of course, it hasn't improved much over the years, but it has a little. The first time round, not unlike his second song off the album,, his irritating repetition of "Bringing on your wrecking ball" seemed both lazy and all too typical. As of course does the "If you got the guts, mister…" The most insipid line he has written, well, that was his last official release.
Springsteen, who puts so mush pride in bone crushing work, is, in fact, lazy. In song after song, here as well as on "We Take Care Of Our Own", he rides a song title hook into its grave. It is simply lazy, rabble rousing bullshit.
As are the lyrics. Lines about "when Giants played the game" are beyond asinine. It isn't even a pun or a metaphor, it is the equivalent of "Good evening, Cleveland". So is the Meadowland reference. Listen to it on this live version. HE WAITS FOR THE APPLAUSE!!
I think I underestimated the playing the first time round, the instrumental break is good with a squeezebox front and center. But it doesn't save this terrible song.
Grade: C-