Springsteen Waxes Poetic; Billy Joel Crashes Mercedes into Writer's Block

Over the last few years, I’ve probably related as much to the stubby Dixie Chick as Bruce Springsteen. But, I’ve always respected him as an artist with something to say, like Morpheus from “The Matrix”. After Bruce’s Op-Ed in the New York Times, it’s easy to see why his music endures while Billy Joel crashes his car into every inanimate object on Long Island.

Not to pick on Billy. He’s written a lot of great songs and probably expected to stay at least as popular as, say, Weezie from The Jeffersons. At some point, he admitted that he wrote about small issues, but found himself at a loss once “movin’ out” of mama’s house seemed a lot less relevant in light of 9/11, ethnic cleansing and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

American music always seems to go one of two ways – towards totally disposable pop like Menudo and Britney Spears or more enduring artists like Springsteen and Chef from South Park. We’ll always crave escapism and simplicity. That’s why it’ll be especially hard to repack and refund the Macarena, ‘Bust a Move’ or Ashley Simpson without a restocking fee.



Quote from Springsteen's Article at:
The New York Times > Opinion > Op-Ed Contributor: Chords for Change

Like many others, in the aftermath of 9/11, I felt the country's unity. I don't remember anything quite like it. I supported the decision to enter Afghanistan and I hoped that the seriousness of the times would bring forth strength, humility and wisdom in our leaders. Instead, we dived headlong into an unnecessary war in Iraq, offering up the lives of our young men and women under circumstances that are now discredited. We ran record deficits, while simultaneously cutting and squeezing services like afterschool programs. We granted tax cuts to the richest 1 percent (corporate bigwigs, well-to-do guitar players), increasing the division of wealth that threatens to destroy our social contract with one another and render mute the promise of "one nation indivisible."

It is through the truthful exercising of the best of human qualities - respect for others, honesty about ourselves, faith in our ideals - that we come to life in God's eyes. It is how our soul, as a nation and as individuals, is revealed. Our American government has strayed too far from American values. It is time to move forward. The country we carry in our hearts is waiting.