What Springsteen Can Teach CEOs

Springsteen

What keeps his music fresh? It's his honesty. If you listen to "Girls in Their Summer Clothes"-a simple rock ballad, basically three major chords-his ache shines through. He paints with words in his regional Jersey way, and everybody has experienced the same Angsts and ecstasties. He believes in the beauty of a simple melody, shares the flow with his band, continues to be enthralled by his audience, and has humility at the Chgurch of the illusive God of Song.

Diane Semmlng of NJ @ Jun 29, 2009 21:48:02 PM

commercial success

Born to Run & Darkness on the Edge of Town got him a lot of press, and positive press, and radio play after '75. I think the argument that he wasn't well known till Born in the USA is a little off the mark, but I agree with the notion that Springsteen's success is tied primarily to his dedication to his talent and his art and his bandmates as *he* sees it rather than as anyone, critics or politicians, choose to view it. He's our greatest artist, not just in the area of popular music, because he's never run away from his belief in himself or his belief in the basic goodness of the people of this country. Does he tell us when he thinks we're off track? You bet he does, but he views that as his responsibility not merely as an artist, but as (and this sounds a bit hokey) our friend and a member of the community called America.

Brett Rogers of AR @ Jun 29, 2009 16:49:39 PM

Springsteen 2.0

I would agree with most of the points here, except for the Innovate category. He's lost a lot of fans like me because really, after Born in the USA, he hasn't produced much of what I would call "Bruce Springsteen" signature rock music. Tunnel of Love was more light pop, then came the post-Nebraska folk albums and concerts. (I think he wanted to be the next Bob Dylan for a while there). Yes, he's very talented but I don't think anyone could revive folk at this point. Everything since has been subdued, protest/blues/despair music which isn't what built his fan base. You'll see some younger fans at his concerts, but I think they want to hear what is on their Ipods, which I'm pretty sure is mostly songs from Born in the USA and previous albums. Born in the USA got him on the charts like never before, but he was on the cover of Time and Newsweek long before that. The protest songs are usually ok, but Human Skin was misguided because the issue wasn't really about whether the police were justified in opening fire on an identified armed and dangerous criminal who was threatening them, but instead the excessive number of shots fired, which was hazardous to civilians. We all can't afford bodyguards and Bruce never put his life on the line as a musician the way police in big cities do every day. Anyway as far as the concerts go, you can't expect him to play 3-4 hours like he used to, although it would be nice to see ticket prices reduced in this bad economy like Phish is doing. I wish he would get rid of the corny Preacher parody routine. He uses it like old time preachers to get the crowd stoked, but his songs have plenty of Biblical/religious imagery that rejects what anyone has heard in a church.

His band is great, true professionals. Clarence Clemons is the most amazing sax player of all time, he literally carries every song that gives him a chance to shine. I'd like to see concerts where all the songs are chosen from Born in the USA and previous albums. And Bruce, if you want to know who is writing and singing new and original "Bruce Springsteen" signature rock songs, then listen to some CD's by Jennifer Knapp, especially "Lay it Down". Then go find her and get her to record albums again.

Wilton Parmenter of PA @ May 27, 2009 17:30:23 PM

THE BOSS

IAM FROM SPRINGSTEENS HOME TOWN, MY GRANDMOTHER AND HIS MOM WERE GOOD FRIENDS. HE ALSO ATTENDED HIGH SCHOOL WITH MY YOUNGER SISTERS. AND HE WAS REALLY INTO HIS MUSIC. THE STONE PONY WAS IN ASBURY PARK, NOT IN OUR HOME TOWN. MY SON WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE ONE OF HIS CONCERTS IN TALLAHASSEE, FL A FEW YEARS AGO. AND CAME BACK HOME ON A CLOUD. HE WAS SO IMPRESSED AND THE SHOW WAS A LEAST 3 HOURS LONG. GLAD TO SEE A KID FROM THE OLD HOME TOWN DOING WELL FOR SO LONG. I DON'T AGREE WITH ALL OF HIS POLITICAL VIEWS BUT WHO IS PERFECT.

KATHRYN WOMACK of FL @ May 18, 2009 11:40:47 AM

Perseverance

Springsteen's success is due to his broad range of talents as a charismatic singer, guitar player, poet/songwriter/storyteller, live performer and musical director. He's confident enough in his own talent to surround himself with other bandmates that are equally as talented.

Even with all of his incredible skills Springsteen and the E Street Band were not well received by the critics or the public nor were they commercially successful for many years. People forget Springsteen was relatively unknown until his Born in the USA tour in the 1980s. Prior to Born in the USA the critics wanted Springsteen to be something other than himself. Springsteen wanted to play, perform and write like Springsteen even if it meant he wouldn't be a huge commercial success. He believed in his lyrics, songs, bandmates and incredible live performances and he persevered. Springsteen's success is due to his belief in himself and his perseverance and his refusal to accept failure or to change who he is to satisfy a bunch of know nothing music critics.

Bill of CT @ Feb 11, 2009 01:11:32 AM

Spingtseen

I'm bankrout and it still runs, I seen it.

dj Johnsom of VA @ Feb 09, 2009 14:47:29 PM

The Boss

It makes me proud to be from the same state as the Boss. I think these top CEOs should get down on their knees and beg to hire Springsteen to come up with a plan that will actually help.

Michelle of NJ @ Feb 09, 2009 08:30:37 AM

Awesome

CEO's should also take a leaf from the Boss's book...........

Good article - thanks!

MotherHenDragonInJungleland of CT @ Dec 21, 2008 09:18:10 AM