First things first: I was never a fan of Bruce Springsteen… Until recently. It took me some 30 years — totally aging myself (gracefully) right now — since his
Born in the U.S.A. first took the country by storm and I first saw his
“Dancing in the Dark” video on MTV that just seemed to play over and over again to my dismay, before I finally got
him, The Boss. Through my teen years into my twenties and on, I was
too wrapped up in New Wave, then Industrial, anything and everything 4AD then Indie Rock and so forth, to get into the American rock that Springsteen produced.
It wasn’t until I lived in Montreal and found his songs on so many of my friends’ playlists there (
Springsteen along with Montreal-based Arcade Fire, who are very much influenced by Springsteen’s music) that slowly but surely he got under my skin. I was missing out. (And he’s quite the hunk, too, isn’t he?) And beyond his music, there’s much to appreciate and learn from. So here’s my list in honor of this great musician and inspiring individual:
SCHOOLED BY SPRINGSTEEN
3 Things You Can Learn About Life from The Boss
1.
“Wear pants that fit.” Seriously, I don’t know of any other male public figure’s butt that was as popular then or now than his. Can you? But what I mean by this lesson is don’t put yourself in situations that make you uncomfortable or don’t try to do things that compromise who you are. Springsteen, from what I’ve read, has always remained true to who he is, and what he believes in. I dig that.
2.
You can rock at any age. Now let me take this a step further. Whether you’re a teenager or in your sixties, whether a musician or mother, I think Springsteen would say that you can rock at whatever you do. P.S. I’m officially obsessed with “Girls in Their Summer Clothes,” and I appreciate that his video features girls and women of all ages on the beach without being sleazy about it.
3.
Be persistent. It wasn’t until The Boss’s third album that his popularity soared. Don’t give up on your dreams or what you believe in.
What did Bruce Springsteen teach you about life?
I learned about the train that goes to the land of hope and dreams. The train carries everyone, both saints and sinners. Everyone can get aboard the train – you don’t need no ticket.
Part of the lesson is that “faith will be rewarded.” But beyond that optimism is the need to struggle to make our dreams occur. You just have to not surrender, keep your high hopes, and do what needs to be done. Like the firefighter in The Rising, you have to prove your worth, all night, every night. The Promised Land is out there.