"I'm driving a big lazy car rushin' up the highway in the dark
I got one hand steady on the wheel and one hand's tremblin' over my heart
It's pounding baby like it's gonna bust right on through
And it ain't gonna stop till I'm alone again with you"
This is the first verse of "Valentine's Day," a song from "Tunnel Of Love," arguably one of Bruce Springsteen's finest moments, and a song that rarely, if ever, gets the kudos I believe it deserves.
I can remember the evening I experienced "Tunnel Of Love" for the first time. It's not a great story. I just listened to it in my apartment, alone. That's it. I bought it. I threw it on. I loved it. But, it wasn't until the very last track, "Valentine's Day," that I felt physically helpless. "Valentine's Day" still has that power to crush me. It helps that through no fault of its own, it's not heard that often.
I'm gushing again. Fuck it. I'm seeing Bruce this weekend. Saturday night he will be playing "The Wild, The Innocent, & The E-Street Shuffle" in its entirety (along wth "Outlaw Pete" & "Bobby Jean") and on Sunday, he will be playing "The River" in its entirety (and probably "Outlaw Pete" & "Bobby Jean") This is monumental and I won't apologize for being excited.
"Is it the sound of the leaves
left blown by the wayside
That's got me out here on this spooky old highway tonight
Is it the cry of the river
With the moonlight shining through
That ain't what scares me baby
What scares me is losing you"
I've got to be honest, I am especially excited that MSG won't be getting "Born In The U.S.A" in its entirety. The album certainly has its moments. As my friend said, "I'd sit through anything to see 'Downbound Train' in person." True dat. But the album is just not one of my favorites. I sing along to "Glory Days."(I've tried not to and failed, everytime.) I smile until my face cracks when I see that lucky person get pulled up on stage for "Dancing In The Dark." But... I'd give up "Downbound Train" for "Valentine's Day." That's just me.
Anyway...here's your "WEEKEND MIX,"...for me, as much as it is for you.
"TUNNEL OF LOVE" performed in its entirety (sans "Outllaw Pete" & "Bobby Jean") acoustically, from 2005's "Devils & Dust" tour. Now this did NOT happen all in one night, but it sure sounds like it did.
"They say if you die in your dreams you really die in your bed
But honey last night I dreamed my eyes rolled straight back in my head
And God's light came shinin' on through
I woke up in the darkness scared and breathin' and born anew
It wasn't the cold river bottom I felt rushing over me
It wasn't the bitterness of a dream that didn't come true
It wasn't the wind in the grey fields I felt rushing through my arms
No no baby it was you
So hold me close honey say you're forever mine
And tell me you'll be my lonely valentine"
AIN'T GOT YOU (8/3, GRAND RAPIDS)
TOUGHER THAN THE REST (4/21, ASBURY PARK)
ALL THAT HEAVEN WILL ALLOW (7/20, BRIDGEPORT)
SPARE PARTS (6/27, HAMBURG)
CAUTIOUS MAN (5/7, DENVER)
WALK LIKE A MAN (6/25, STOCKHOLM)
TUNNEL OF LOVE (8/3, GRAND RAPIDS)
TWO FACES (4/28, DALLAS)
BRILLIANT DISGUISE (6/6, ROME)
ONE STEP UP (7/31, COLUMBUS)
WHEN YOU'RE ALONE (7/18, BUFFALO)
VALENTINE'S DAY (7/31, COLUMBUS)
ZIP FILE
11 comments:
Springsteen doing the second album tonight?
Four words: Incident on 57th Street.
Of course, it'll have to go some to be better than this version...
http://www.divshare.com/download/8886265-03a
:-)
Thanks for the mix Sal. Glad you are gushing and excited. Always works for me.
Thanks, Sal... this is definitely a treat. I'll be there at some point over the weekend. I'm more excited for Sunday, than Saturday, but I agree that both nights are monumental. I'll look for you
Sal:
Check out Lucky 7's version of "Valentine's Day" on the "Light of Day" Springsteen tribute album, it's pretty amazing.
ROTP(lumber)
Tunnel of Love is my favorite Springsteen composition. For years, it seemed that he and I were running (in my mind) sort of parallel lives. Both grew up on the Shore, went to the same places, talked to one another in that nod and how ya doin kind of way. Both of us married a girl from the Portland, Oregon area, I was working for his label, and when Tunnel came out, was healing from the psychic scars of divorcing the Oregon wife-just like him. At this juncture, we parted ways...
but I still play TOL and still remember that for a brief period in my life, Bruce Springsteen was feeling what I was feeling, looking back on a life that got us to that point in our lives....only he was able to express it.
Sal - this looks fantastic. Thanks so much! I share your feelings about Born In The USA as an album. I have seen Downbound Train, and it's quite a moment if/when you get it at a Bruce show.
Tunnel Of Love was and still is my favorite Springsteen song.
Have fun at the shows!
Jose Relleno
I am going both nights this weekend as well and it should be simply amazing. I love both albums, but the River holds a special place in my heart. I was lucky enought to be at the Nassau Show that NYE in 1980 (broke up with a girlfriend over that one but it was worth it).
I was at both Giants Stadium BITUSA shows and it was worth it to hear Downbound Train alive again. I never want to hear Bobbie Jean again but that is probably not a possibility. Bruce loves that damn song for some reason. BITUSA is only about my 8th or 9th favorite Bruce album. Enjoy the shows.
Fooey................
Tunnel of Love remains my favorite album by anyone. I think it's nearly flawless in effectively conveying heartbreak, loneliness, doubt, etc. I didn't even relate to Springsteen's music originally - as I came of age when Born in the USA was so overdone. I actually had TOL on cassette a few years before I connected with it and then listened relentlessly on CD and am still moved by the words and music of Bruce Springsteen. "Walk Like A Man" is another powerful gem alongside VD and the famous ones..."and I'll keep on walkin'"
zjc
I'd give up Downbound Train for Valentine's Day, too. I did see a solo piano Valentine's Day, and I got chills and think I left my body for 4 minutes. I first heard Tunnel Of Love in the record store I worked at in Ithaca. The owner threw on the title track first, and I can still remember hearing those 80's sounding drums in the intro and for a moment thinking "oh.....no....". Immediately grew to love the album , and it's still one of my main favorites.
You really don't like Bobby Jean ?
Post a Comment