For those of you who read young Steve Crawford’s number crunching and provocative analysis of Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Bruce Springsteen songs (for those of you didn’t, read it here), that no song on my Top 10 is later than 1992 should come as no big shock. But that two of em came off his solo albums? That’s a shocker right.
If I had to write it again, I’d try and fit “Freehold” somewhere , which I own on a boot but have never seen elsewhere.
1. Open All Night – This is the most perfect story song, one part Chuck, two parts bruce, an anthem and a love song to Wanda –who he remembers when she was employed… And the final benediction “hey ho rock and roll deliver me from nowhere…”
2. Man’s Job – I have a taste for straight up no chaser rock and roll and this is simple svelte and completely perfect.
3. From Small Things (Big Things Sometimes Come) – A blue collar tragedy more succinct and smarter than the heavy handed stuff off “The River” or “The Rising”. He gave it to Dave Edmunds.
4. Johnny Bye-Bye – Part three of Berry’s “Johnny” saga finds Johnny back from Hollywood and dead in Memphis and a last lament: “You didn’t have to die”.
5. Brilliant Disguise – In a battle with Elvis Costello’s “Brilliant Mistake” for pure brilliance and everybody won on this portrait of a mistaken wedding.
6. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) – Another self portrait, and sure it is an obvious choice for here but in 2014 Bruce sounds ridiculously young, vibrant, sexy. The rock and roll star who just got a big advance. Everybody form a line.
7. I’m On Fire – the metronome steady beat and dark blue to red mood steady heating up is probably the most truly modern song he has ever written.
8. Out On The Street – If you were at the 2000 tour, at the mid way point he was seguing from “Two Hearts” to “Out On The Street” to “ 10th Avenue Freeze out” . Two years later they were gone replaced by “Mary’s Place”.
9. Human Touch – This is a small song but with a big push, it is an anthem for the small dignities life can bring your way.
10. If I Should Fall away – If I ever marry, I think I’d have this as my wedding song.
