War and Love: Two Faces of the Same Coin in Bruce Springsteen's Songs - Assignment Example

Leong, Weng Fong (Donavan) Page Eng- 111 – 91 Stoker 6– 4- 2007 War and Love: “Two faces of the same coin” Singer Bruce Springsteen is an icon and a classic Rock and Roll Star, who has produced a considerable body of original work, which has created a great impact on American and popular music by displaying a strong social conscience. For more than quarter of the century, Bruce Springsteen has examined the promise and the price paid for an “American Dream”. Many people in the United States had the idea that through hard work, perseverance, courage and determination, they could achieve prosperity which they referred to as the “American Dream”. One of Bruce Springsteen’s successful albums “Born in the USA, was created in the 1980’s and sold 20 million copies. One of the themes used in Springsteen’s album “Born in the USA was on issues of high unemployment and welfare cuts, which caused Americans to face a huge financial crisis. “Got in a little hometown jam So they put a rifle in my hand Sent me off to a foreign land To go and kill the yellow man.” These people held this song close to their hearts because they were able to identify with it, since it spoke of the things that were happening to them. Hence they considered the song to be a token of National pride. The album was put together in 1984 and though it proved to be a runaway success, proved to create a controversy in the field of politics because the opposite party used the song during the election campaign.(BBC.co.uk) Bruce Springsteen’s music has had a great impact on the genre of Rock and Roll. “The Rising” which was his 2002 release, however moved his music from the life of the working class rendering a more human touch to it. The themes used in the album were based on the 9/11 September 11th attacks and the songs resonated with firemen, policemen and families who were all suffering victims of such heinous terrorism. The themes were based on rage, redemption, patriotism and hope. Springsteen pays homage to the people who lost their lives in this blasphemous act of terrorism through his songs in “The Rising”. “I see you Mary in the garden In the garden of a thousand sighs There’s holy pictures of our children Dancin’ in the sky filled with light”. The lyrics in “The Rising”, is a requiem and a prayer for peace and unity in the face of high stakes which sparks not only a focus, but “a challenge to throw away identity associations and accept collective responsibility”. (Loder) The album is in the typical Rock style which has blatant and outspoken lyrics with an extremely energetic rendition. “Born in the USA” speaks of a Vietnamese veteran who is unable to get a break from his work to spend some time with his family, though he is living in “the land of great opportunity”. This song was penned just at a time when America was facing a deep crunch by way of unemployment and welfare cuts. This song had helped to boost the flagging spirits of many people who had experienced this pressure. (BBC.co.uk) “You end up like a dog that has been beat too much Till you spend half your life just covering up Born in the USA I was born in the USA” The above lines in Springsteen’s song, tends to awaken the man who has all along led a life of struggle and pain. He compares his life to that of a dog. Through these lines he wants him to realize that there is a better life beyond what he is presently living. The songs of Springsteen touch humanity in a new light which renders them in a totally different dimension. The album “The Rising” is a touch of compassion and a great urge to embrace people as sisters and brothers calling on them to rise up and take charge of their lives. Come on up for the Rising Come on up lay your hands in mine Come on up for the Rising Come on up for the Rising tonight”. The style used in “The Rising” is rhythm and blues (R&B) and is scattered strongly with mystical motifs that are quite apparent in the songs “Mary’s Place” and “Let’s be friends”. Springsteen has the uncanny ability to paint a song as it were, creating a vivid picture in people’s minds which makes them instantaneously identify themselves with the subject matter, especially in the case of “The Rising” where the subject matter relates to ones own loved ones. (Loder) “Born in the USA” spoke about the effects of the Vietnam War on the Americans. It was a call to all the oppressed in America to stand up for their rights and never lose heart in the face of unemployment and welfare cuts. The United States was traumatized by the September 11th attacks and some healing came from Springsteen in the form of “The Rising” with its bold thematic representation and in-depth penetrating focus. “The Rising” was Springsteen’s last recording, but it can be counted as a record because it serves as a training manual for all those who are involved in the fields of crisis intervention. Critics from all over the world, gives the devil its due because his songs catered to the very people they were addressed to. I absolutely loved doing this assignment because it was not the regular kind of essay on reading and research. It was more interesting because it was about listening and giving views on a musical subject. From this assignment I’ve learned about the many eventful incidents that took place in America and which caused many drastic changes to take place and this has left a lasting impression on me. Since I haven’t heard these songs before, it was an opportunity for me to not only hear them but also conduct a research on them. Read More