The Playlist: Springsteen

I’m always looking for inspiration for new columns. Despite the vast number of songs out there, it’s sometimes difficult to come up with the proper category to showcase them. Do I focus on genres this week? A particular year or decade? A specific artist?

This week’s topic was handed to me on a silver platter when I recently stopped by Editor Jon Jimison’s office. "You know," he said, "Springsteen has a new album coming out..."

Good enough for me!

Bruce Springsteen’s first new studio recording with the E Street Band in 6 years, ‘Magic,’ is set for release Oct. 2. According to his Web site, BruceSpringsteen.net, it will mark his 26th album since 1973’s ‘Greetings from Asbury Park.’

With that said, here are a few of my favorites from a career that has spanned four decades.

Born to Run
Album: Born to Run (1975)
It would be hard to make any Springsteen list without mentioning the song, and album, that put him on the map. What is now regarded as a rock anthem peaked at a modest No. 23 on Billboard but has since become Springsteen’s signature song. The album itself is regarded as one of the most acclaimed rock albums of all time.



Downbound Train Album: Born in the U.S.A. (1984)
It was never released as a single but the song has long been a favorite of mine, ever since I was 5 years old and my parents would play ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ time and time again until the album’s lyrics were embedded in my brain. The downtrodden tone here is a Springsteen specialty.



Streets of Philadelphia
Greatest Hits (1995)
Name a song that has won both a Grammy for Song of the Year and an Oscar for Best Song from a Motion Picture. If you’re scratching your head, you should be. There have been only six songs to reach that status throughout the history of time – and this is one. The theme of 1993’s Oscar-award winning ‘Philadelphia’ was the most acclaimed song in the world for well over a year, sweeping the Grammys, winning an Oscar, and even taking in an MTV Video Music Award.



I’m On Fire
Album: Born in the U.S.A. (1984)
This was the fourth of seven hit singles to come from Springsteen’s biggest selling album to date (over 15 million copies sold). The song peaked at No. 6 in the U.S. and its video became a staple of early MTV, so much so it won the 1985 MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video.



The River
Album: The River (1980)
Speaking of downtrodden… This gets my vote for the most depressing song ever. The story of two teens forced into an early marriage and dead-end jobs due to pregnancy creates an unrelenting sad that doesn’t go away. It goes without saying this piece is best heard while drinking an alcoholic beverage.



So there’s my list. What’s yours? Shoot me an e-mail at grahamcawthon@shelbystar.com and it might end up featured in a future column.