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Bruce Springsteen's Tunnel Of Love LP
7/1/07
Saturday, July 7, 2007
9:44:00 AM EDT
Feeling Happy
Hearing Tunnel Of Love
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9:44:00 AM EDT
Feeling Happy
Hearing Tunnel Of Love
Bruce Springsteen's Tunnel Of Love LP
In 1984, Bruce Springsteen released the album, 'Born In The
USA', and became a Rockstar over night. He already had a taste of stardom with,'Born To Run', one of my favorites,
but this was different. Now he was right up there with Michael Jackson and Van Halen! Hell, some thought of him as famous as The Babe. More than an artist, he was a Name:
"Springsteen"! He headlined shows the world over and echoing from the stands, "Bruuuuce" became a concert staple all throughout the 80's. Yes, Bruce Springsteen was the
American boy gone good, with a guitar on his back. It wasn't until five years later that he released his follow up LP, 'Tunnel
Of Love' and it was considered a commercial failure.
From the first notes of Tunnel Of Love, I [you] could tell this
album was completely different from the American Rockstar
image he portrayed in Born In The USA. The blue jeans were
gone, and so was the red bandana hanging out of the back pocket! The anthems are put away, probably for a less
commercial approach, like he was looking for. Right away,
you can hear it has a different feel and sound. With the slight Doo-wop sound, and finger snapping, in the first cut, 'Ain't
Got You', you already know this is more Buddy Holly, than
Ziggy Stardust. If your expecting a heavy rock-area album,
better take the needle right off the record, and look else
where, because this ain't it.
The strength of Tunnel Of Love lies in the middle. Beginning
with 'Walk Like a Man', it suddenly becomes an introspective,
and sometimes bitter, album. Bruce revisits well covered
ground here, his father! It's rare when an artist shares such
matter of fact truths. Every young man wants to be like his
father, at one time or another, starting with retracing their
large footprints in the sand at the Jersey shore, sometimes
a life long chase. But there us a deeper issue here. Springsteen talks of the happiness of a newly wed couple,
just after the church bells toll. Would they ever be this happy
again, he seems to ask. These are prophetic words for the rest of the album.
The big radio hit is the title track, Tunnel Of Love. Critics
didn't like it, said it was heavily synthesized 80's ear candy,
and is often left out of Bruce's catalog of songs as a whole.
I disagree, and find it is one of his best songs-ever! Maybe
it's a little over produced, but over looking this song is a
mistake. He had just went through a well publicized divorce,
and his lyrics seem to say ambiguity, responsibility, or lack
of, and a failure that might have been avoidable.
USA', and became a Rockstar over night. He already had a taste of stardom with,'Born To Run', one of my favorites,
but this was different. Now he was right up there with Michael Jackson and Van Halen! Hell, some thought of him as famous as The Babe. More than an artist, he was a Name:
"Springsteen"! He headlined shows the world over and echoing from the stands, "Bruuuuce" became a concert staple all throughout the 80's. Yes, Bruce Springsteen was the
American boy gone good, with a guitar on his back. It wasn't until five years later that he released his follow up LP, 'Tunnel
Of Love' and it was considered a commercial failure.
From the first notes of Tunnel Of Love, I [you] could tell this
album was completely different from the American Rockstar
image he portrayed in Born In The USA. The blue jeans were
gone, and so was the red bandana hanging out of the back pocket! The anthems are put away, probably for a less
commercial approach, like he was looking for. Right away,
you can hear it has a different feel and sound. With the slight Doo-wop sound, and finger snapping, in the first cut, 'Ain't
Got You', you already know this is more Buddy Holly, than
Ziggy Stardust. If your expecting a heavy rock-area album,
better take the needle right off the record, and look else
where, because this ain't it.
The strength of Tunnel Of Love lies in the middle. Beginning
with 'Walk Like a Man', it suddenly becomes an introspective,
and sometimes bitter, album. Bruce revisits well covered
ground here, his father! It's rare when an artist shares such
matter of fact truths. Every young man wants to be like his
father, at one time or another, starting with retracing their
large footprints in the sand at the Jersey shore, sometimes
a life long chase. But there us a deeper issue here. Springsteen talks of the happiness of a newly wed couple,
just after the church bells toll. Would they ever be this happy
again, he seems to ask. These are prophetic words for the rest of the album.
The big radio hit is the title track, Tunnel Of Love. Critics
didn't like it, said it was heavily synthesized 80's ear candy,
and is often left out of Bruce's catalog of songs as a whole.
I disagree, and find it is one of his best songs-ever! Maybe
it's a little over produced, but over looking this song is a
mistake. He had just went through a well publicized divorce,
and his lyrics seem to say ambiguity, responsibility, or lack
of, and a failure that might have been avoidable.
"A man meets a women and they fall in love, but the house is hunted
and the ride gets rough, and you've got to learn to live with what
you can't rise above, if you want to ride down in through this Tunnel
of Love."
and the ride gets rough, and you've got to learn to live with what
you can't rise above, if you want to ride down in through this Tunnel
of Love."
This song is not as angry as some of the other tracks, and it seems to be saying fault, anger and sadness doesn't matter;
and all that's left to do is bare down, rebuild and start over.
And he might be saying that's the whole story there.
If Tunnel Of Love is the story, than the next track, 'Two
Faces,' is the confession. There is no one to blame but himself,
and if truth be told, even Bruce Springsteen doesn't quite
understand his own feelings.
and all that's left to do is bare down, rebuild and start over.
And he might be saying that's the whole story there.
If Tunnel Of Love is the story, than the next track, 'Two
Faces,' is the confession. There is no one to blame but himself,
and if truth be told, even Bruce Springsteen doesn't quite
understand his own feelings.
" I met a girl and we ran away, I swore I'd make her happy every day.
And how I made her cry, Two Faces have I."
It is the telling of an artist, with Springsteen's stature, no less, writing such an intimate song, and confessing his
most secret fears, failures and regrets.
Which brings me to the third and best tune on the LP, a
semi hit, 'Brilliant Disguise'. {and here comes the real anger}
With it's relatable situation, of trying to get inside your
lovers head, and not being able to understand this women,
all the while wondering what she see's in him.
"I hold you in my arms, as the band plays; what are those words whispered
baby, just as you turn away? I saw you last night, out on the edge of town,
I wanna read your mind to know just what I've in this new thing I've found.
So tell me what I see, when i look in your eyes, is that you baby, or just
a Brilliant Disguise?"
And how I made her cry, Two Faces have I."
It is the telling of an artist, with Springsteen's stature, no less, writing such an intimate song, and confessing his
most secret fears, failures and regrets.
Which brings me to the third and best tune on the LP, a
semi hit, 'Brilliant Disguise'. {and here comes the real anger}
With it's relatable situation, of trying to get inside your
lovers head, and not being able to understand this women,
all the while wondering what she see's in him.
"I hold you in my arms, as the band plays; what are those words whispered
baby, just as you turn away? I saw you last night, out on the edge of town,
I wanna read your mind to know just what I've in this new thing I've found.
So tell me what I see, when i look in your eyes, is that you baby, or just
a Brilliant Disguise?"
With Love, there is always a certain amount of vulnerably,
versus protection, and Bruce wonders out loud whether
she's worth 'walking the line' for, or is this just a part of her
disguise, asking himself, " What is a women like you doing
with a man like me"? Actually, I think the truth is not if he can trust her, but if he can trust himself?
"Now look at me baby, struggling to do everything right, and then it all
falls apart when out goes the lights; I'm just a lonely pilgrim;
I walk this world in wealth, I wanna know if it's you I don't trust,
'cause I damn sure don't trust myself."
versus protection, and Bruce wonders out loud whether
she's worth 'walking the line' for, or is this just a part of her
disguise, asking himself, " What is a women like you doing
with a man like me"? Actually, I think the truth is not if he can trust her, but if he can trust himself?
"Now look at me baby, struggling to do everything right, and then it all
falls apart when out goes the lights; I'm just a lonely pilgrim;
I walk this world in wealth, I wanna know if it's you I don't trust,
'cause I damn sure don't trust myself."
The last three tracks on this side of the album {I'm only
speaking on the B side of Brilliant Disguise, mostly because
it's my favorite side, and I would have to do at least three
more entry's to do it justice! LOL I will list the titles of all
12 tracks below} stand on their own against anything he
hasever recorded. The beautifully but simple chorus of
'When Your Alone,' because it's the truth! " When your alone,
you're alone, when you're alone, you ain't nothing but alone." repeat 3 X
There's a little more to it-but that's the gist. It doesn't
come off righteous or preachy, it's just a lonely song from
a lonely man. I'm sure many of us can and do, relate.
'One Step Up', another good tune, deals with everyday
struggles people have, and the uncertainty of the future.
speaking on the B side of Brilliant Disguise, mostly because
it's my favorite side, and I would have to do at least three
more entry's to do it justice! LOL I will list the titles of all
12 tracks below} stand on their own against anything he
hasever recorded. The beautifully but simple chorus of
'When Your Alone,' because it's the truth! " When your alone,
you're alone, when you're alone, you ain't nothing but alone." repeat 3 X
There's a little more to it-but that's the gist. It doesn't
come off righteous or preachy, it's just a lonely song from
a lonely man. I'm sure many of us can and do, relate.
'One Step Up', another good tune, deals with everyday
struggles people have, and the uncertainty of the future.
"Woke up this morning the house was cold, checked the furnace she wasn't
burnin'; went out and hopped in my old Ford, hit the engine but she ain't turnin'; We've given each other some hard lessons lately, but we ain't
learnin'. We're the same sad story , and that's a fact; One step Up, and
Two Steps back'.
And last but not least, the haunting 'Valentines Day.'
About a man {Bruce? maybe his now wife and love, Patti
Scialfa?} who is very much in love, who has been away
for too long, and will drive for days if necessary. Realizing
the fact he could have lost her-but she waits-in the dark,
while he sings:
" 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 burst right on through.
And it ain't gonna stop till I'm alone again with you. They say he travels
fastest who travels alone; but tonight I miss my girl, mister tonight I miss
my home. 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 shinning through? That ain't what scares
me baby.....What scares me is losin' you!
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 rushin'
over me, It wasn't the bitterness of a dream that didn't come true;
It wasn't the wind in the gray fields I felt rushing through my arms;
No Baby...it was You.
So hold me close honey say you're forever mine, And tell me you'll be my
lonely Valentine!"
Wow. I don't know if your moved by these lyrics as much
as I am, but I get a chill every time I hear/read through them.
You should see him play this live, he has so much emotion,
and doesn't hold back on stage at all! {I tried so hard placing
this video right here on my entry, because it was 'shot' right
burnin'; went out and hopped in my old Ford, hit the engine but she ain't turnin'; We've given each other some hard lessons lately, but we ain't
learnin'. We're the same sad story , and that's a fact; One step Up, and
Two Steps back'.
And last but not least, the haunting 'Valentines Day.'
About a man {Bruce? maybe his now wife and love, Patti
Scialfa?} who is very much in love, who has been away
for too long, and will drive for days if necessary. Realizing
the fact he could have lost her-but she waits-in the dark,
while he sings:
" 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 burst right on through.
And it ain't gonna stop till I'm alone again with you. They say he travels
fastest who travels alone; but tonight I miss my girl, mister tonight I miss
my home. 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 shinning through? That ain't what scares
me baby.....What scares me is losin' you!
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 rushin'
over me, It wasn't the bitterness of a dream that didn't come true;
It wasn't the wind in the gray fields I felt rushing through my arms;
No Baby...it was You.
So hold me close honey say you're forever mine, And tell me you'll be my
lonely Valentine!"
Wow. I don't know if your moved by these lyrics as much
as I am, but I get a chill every time I hear/read through them.
You should see him play this live, he has so much emotion,
and doesn't hold back on stage at all! {I tried so hard placing
this video right here on my entry, because it was 'shot' right
in Asbury Park, on the boardwalk, very late at night, with
all kinds of great Carney people, i.e. sword swallowers, knife
throwers, magicians, snake charmers, the infamous Madam
Marie's tent, that Springsteen speaks of in his debut album,
the brilliantly written, eclectic 'Greetings From Asbury Park
New Jersey', and an assortment of all kinds of vacationing
folk {what does Mortimer call us tourist???} amongst the many
different amusement park rides, wheels of fortunes up and down
the seedy strip, and the famous Tunnel Of Love! All the while
Bruce is singing and playing his Stratacaster in an abandon,
warehouse type building, that once held the Ferris Wheel and
the very cool bumper cars, among other attractions. It shows
the place as an old broken down dump, with led paint peelings
falling from the walls and ceilings, while Bruce and Patti 'duet'
the tune to each other. Very moving...dark, spooky and cool.
In closing, the genius of Springsteen, just like other musical
genius', from Dylan to Brian Wilson to Kurt Cobain, is subtle
but real. They aren't writing for the audience, or the approval
of others, and it shows. With The Boss, he sometimes waxes &
wanes poetic lines to the point of gibberish, and other times
he's cut & dry. This LP isn't different. It isn't a "Last Power Drive," {you know what Springsteen song that line is from?}
or it doesn't try to be a masterpiece, it was a way for an artist
to get a lot of crap & confusion off his chest, and an artist who
was willing to share it with the world, especially his fans.
This is heartbreak at it's best and worst, and more importantly,
his most honest to date. It's not the very first Springsteen Lp
I would recommend, but any fan of his, would and does, appreciate
Tunnel Of Love!
"Cuddle up Angel, cuddle up my little Dove, we'll ride down baby, into this
Tunnel Of Love!"
Link for the Video:
Written by dizarra Blog about this entry |
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This entry has 23 comments: (Add your own)
-
BRAVO!!!! Yes, I get chills when I read those lyrics. You have done an excellent job here of reviewing and reflecting on the life, love and musical talents of the boss man from Jersey with vulnerabilities showing. Simply awesome!.....Off the subject and onto another--trazadone did not make me gain weight, but I was so groggy, had nightmares and awful dry and yucky mouth--I dumped it after a month. Best of luck sleeping~ Hugs, Deb ;-)
http://jouranls.aol.com/sassydee50/SassysWORD -
-
Thanks for commenting in my journal dear heart. As for having been around before, doesn't matter the fact that does is now we've been properly introduced in this newfound friendship of ours. As for your writing, I think you do a wonderful job, bringing your readers into what your trying to say. I love the fact you write out the lyrics from time to time within your writing. I have only been deaf for a little over two years, so I fondly remember the voice that goes with those lyrics. I will definitely be back for another visit. (Hugs) Indigo
http://journals.aol.com/rdautumnsage/ravens-lament/ -
I am "too old" to have been the big 80's Springsteen fan, but over the years I hve listened top his songs in my car and wondered why I resonatred so much to some of his music, when I couldn't even understand all the words. I think I understand better now, both Springsteen, and my response to hiom. Thank you for the bit of enlightenment-I can use all I can get. Margo
7/18/07 12:37 AM
-Paul