I can’t stop listening to Bruce Springsteen’s new album, “The Rising.” I’m addicted. But, that’s ok. So, while listening to this masterpiece, I compiled a song-by-song overview of the album:
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“Lonesome Day” – Great opener. Sets the tone for the entire album: 1. That strings will be a dominant part of the mix; and 2. That it will be great. The song reminds me of “My Love Will Not Let You Down,” in terms of the pace and the driving rock feel. Just remember: “It’s alright.”
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“Into the Fire” – I think one of the most moving songs on the album, if not the most. Springsteen sings of a firefighter, called to his duty on the morning of Sept. 11:
“I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher, Up the stairs and into the fire.” The song’s refrain is a sort of a blessing: “May your strength give us strength, may your faith give us faith.” -
“Waitin’ on a Sunny Day” – “Hungry Heart” part II? I’m glad I’m not the only one that thinks that: Kelly-Jane Cotter of The Asbury Park Press writes, “‘Waitin’ on a Sunny Day’ recalls the breeziness of ‘Hungry Heart.’ The lyrics aren’t much (“Hard times, baby, well they come to us all, Sure as the tickin’ of the clock on the wall”) but that’s OK because it’s a toe-tapper with a whistlin’-past-the-graveyard attitude.”
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“Nothing Man” – This song has that Tunnel of Love or Human Touch era feel to it: an airy keyboard with an acoustic guitar. The song is presumably about a hero or someone who was closely impacted by tragedy and has trouble adapting to a new world, where many people don’t see a change. “You want courage/I’ll show you courage you can understand.”
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“Countin’ on a Miracle” – This is one of several songs that starts off with an acoustic guitar intro then throws listeners for a loop. “It’s a fairy tale so tragic/There’s no prince to break the spell/I don’t believe in magic/But, for you I will, for you I will.” The singer in the song sees little hope, hence the wish for a miracle. “Sleeping Beauty awakes from her dream/With her lover’s kiss on her lips/Your kiss was taken from me/Now all I have is this…”
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“Empty Sky” – “I woke up this morning, I could barely breathe,” the singer first mutters. The song is about shock and grief: “I woke up this morning to an empty sky.” He continues: “Blood on the streets, blood flowing down/I hear the blood of my blood crying from the ground.”
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“Worlds Apart” – Springsteen mimicking Sting? This song is very much a departure for Springsteen. I think the song is good, but I don’t know if it works in this format. This is one of several songs that use drum programming, something Springsteen has never consistently used in his career. But, even before the album released, Springsteen himself said the album would be different. Maybe this is one of the songs he had in mind when he made that statement.
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“Let’s Be Friends (Skin to Skin)” – This sounds like Springsteen meets Sugar Ray. Overall a fun song, but not what you’d expect from The Boss. “Good time got a way of slippin’ a-way/Let’s be friends, baby let’s be friends.”
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“Further On (Up the Road)” – This song reminds me on “Ramrod,” only in a minor key. It first appeared during the 1999-2000 E Street Band world tour, but fits this album perfectly. “I got a song to sing, to keep me out of the cold/And I’ll meet you further on up the road.”
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“The Fuse” – “The fuse is burning/Shut out the lights.” The latter line is a throw back to an older song – 1983’s “Shut out the Light” – first released on 1998’s outtake compilation “Tracks.” This song is intriguing, complete with banjo – an instrument not associated with The Boss. All the further proof that he can reinvent his music while remaining a powerful force in the music world.
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“Mary’s Place” – “Let it rain … Meet me at Mary’s place, we’re going to have a party.” This song has the feel of classic Springsteen, 1973’s “Rosalita” comes to mind for me. Clarence Clemons shines on this song. If this song never ended, I wouldn’t mind.
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“You’re Missing” – Springsteen captures the sadness perfectly on this gem. “Everything is everything/But, you’re missing.” It’s hard to imagine being in that situation, but The Boss tells the story perfectly, which is well complimented by the music (props to producer Brendan O’Brien). Springsteen told Time magazine: “When you’re putting yourself into shoes you haven’t worn, you have to be very … just very thoughtful, is the way that I’d put it. Just thoughtful. You call on your craft, and you go searching for it, and hopefully what makes people listen is that over the years you’ve been serious and honest. That’s where your creative authority comes from. That’s how people know you’re not just taking a ride.”
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“The Rising” – This song recalls an earlier Springsteen tune, “Land of Hopes and Dreams.” It’s written in the same vein and has the same feel to it. The message is even similar. “Sky of blackness and sorrow (a dream of life)/Sky of love, sky of tears (a dream of life)/Sky of glory and sadness (a dream of life)/Sky of mercy, sky of fear (a dream of life).”
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“Paradise” – This is probably the darkest song on the album. If you’ve ever wondered what a homicide bomber is thinking, this may be a good walk in one’s shoes. Springsteen has always been a storyteller and here he kicks it up a notch. The narrator looks at paradise from three different points of view. “I search for peace in your eyes/But, they’re as empty as paradise.”
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“My City of Ruins” – Originally written about Asbury Park and a city gone by the wayside. The song’s refrain has the album’s catchphrase: “Come on rise up. Come on rise up.” The song is perfect close to the album. The song could have just as well been about New York City on Sept. 12 as well as Asbury Park in the latter half of the 1990s.