No No.. this is not a review on Jhankaar Beats or RD Burman or even Dilbert for that matter ;-) This is about that legend Bruce Springstein and more specifically the album GREATEST HITS.
Brief career highlights of THE BOSS:
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Born in Freehold, New Jersey, on Sep 23, 1949 Bruce grew up in a ’’normal middle class family’’ and first played the guitar in High School. Inspired by Elvis, the Beatles and Bob Dylan, he decided very early for a career as a rock musician. Starting off initially as a lead guitarist at semi professional bands such as ’’The Castiles’’ and ’’Steel Mill’’, he soon wanted to realize his own thing, his own songs and his own dreams. So he took a few friends and called them the ’’E Street Band’’. The first few albums didn’t sell great, but they received critical acclaim. And then Bruce’s legendary ’’Born In The U.S.A.’’ album sold more than 12 million times within the U.S.A - remained for two and a half years at the U.K. and U.S. charts providing many top hits. The rock genius and his band developed a very own substyle. Their style contains modern rock, jazz, excellent lyrical contents and a very beautiful variety of different instruments. 30 Years after his debut , he still continues to rule in the hearts of his fans.
Review of GREATEST HITS (all songs rated on a scale of 10)
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- Born to Run (7.5)
Starting off with some lovely strumming on the guitar, this song really charges one up on first hear.. Lyrics get emotional with lines like
’’I wanna die with you Wendy on the streets tonight
In an everlasting kiss’’
For real rock, chk out the jamming on the guitar after these lines. A clear cut winner this one !
- Thunder Road (8)
Just listen to those sweet piano notes at the start. This songs has it all - a sweet flow to it, nice vocal accompaniments and simple yet teasing notes... And wot an end it comes to
’’It’s a town full of losers
And I’m pulling out of here to win.’’
Simply fabulous music !
- Badlands - (7.5)
This song is different - its cool, classic sing-along types ! Characterised by easy guitar notes sung in a deep voice - the result is a poignant, meaningful number which is foot tapping and hummable long after its over!
’’Poor man wanna be rich,
rich man wanna be king
And a king ain’t satisfied
till he rules everything’’
- The River - (7.5)
A beautiful ballad, a hearty slow moving track wonderfully sung with heartwarming, simple https://lyrics.
- Hungry Heart - (6.5)
One of the few disappointing lows in this entire collection, this number is a typical rock number. The rhythm is ordinary, the lyrics lack depth but still good vocals save the day.
- Atlantic city - (8)
Coming in after ’’Hungry Heart’’, this number has a totally different feel to it. Its got a very rollicking touch and the lyrics are simply amazing - probably a reflection of the period when it was composed ! This song typifies the kinda music I love THE BOSS for !
7.Dancing in the Dark - (7.5)
The first thing that strikes u when u listen to this number is its beat - u just want to grab a guitar and start rockin’..This songs vibes energy and fun ! And just listen to this
’’You can’t start a fire sitting ’round crying over a broken heart
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
You can’t start a fire worrying about your little world falling apart
This gun’s for hire’’
Just go for it !
8.Born in the USA - (8.5)
OK..So much has been said n written abt this song that I can’t really do justice to it... Classic rock - hard hitting, powerful lyrics - fiery rendition - strong acoustical arrangement..This songs got it all!
9.My hometown - (8)
Beautiful, slow number with sensitively penned lyrics , this song is a commentary on the troubled times in America in the 60s. One of my personal favorites in the collection.
- Glory Days - (8)
Clean old-fashioned rock - lyrics that are easy to relate, good arrangement - classic Bruce !!
’’My old man worked 20 years on the line and they let him go
Now everywhere he goes out looking for work they just tell him that he’s too old
I was 9 nine years old and he was working at the Metuchen Ford plant assembly line
Now he just sits on a stool down at the Legion hall but I can tell what’s on his mind Glory days yeah goin back
Glory days aw he ain’t never had
Glory days, glory days’’
- Brilliant Disguise - (8)
What makes this song special is its simplicity - uncomplicated lyrical content, laidback singing - nice hear on a long drive in solitude !
- Human Touch - (8.5)
’’I ain’t lookin’ for praise or pity
I ain’t comin’ ’round searchin’ for a crutch
I just want someone to talk to
And a little of that Human Touch
Just a little of that Human Touch’’
Can lyrics get sweeter than these ? This song is a worthy follow-up to HUMAN TOUCH !
- Better Days - (7)
After two wonderful melodies, here’s what I would call ’’rough rock’’ - hard metallic sounds, gravel like voice - not one of my favorites in this album. But one things gotta be said - this song will sure make starters sit up n notice THE BOSS !
- Streets of Philadelphia - (9)
Another of my favorites probably becoz it was part of PHILADELPHIA’s OST ! Chk out the way the song starts ! Slow soothing composition enriched by some lovely mellifluous chorus in the background ! A classic by any standards !
- Secret Garden - (7.5)
Very slow number with some very pleasant accompaniments..Feel good sentimental track - Hey, isnt this part of JERRY MAGUIRE’s OST ?
- Murder incorporated - (7)
This one is for Hard rock fans - would be great to hear live on giant speakers and the works !
- Blood Brothers - (7.5)
Soft number - listen to it on a good walkman and observe the small sweet sounds in the backdrop - great composition !
- This Hard Land - (7.5)
Classic Bruce song to sign off the collection - variety of different instruments (just watch out for the bagpipe), simple yet heart-warming lyrics !
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Ahem ! 18 of THE BOSS’s greatest songs ! Hope u like them and listen to them again and again and... Comments pls !
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’’People deserve...the truth. They deserve honesty. The best music, you can seek some shelter in it momentarily, but it’s essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.’’ Bruce Springsteen