Last week’s Music Monday got me thinking about this song.
From my meager knowledge, this is about as close as we get to a modern [American] murder ballad; I realize it lacks certain elements that tend to be present in the genre.
There’s another live version of Springsteen doing this on a 12-string. I prefer it, but the recording is a bit harsh and his voice, more monotone. Something feels more authentic about it though. (Actually, I truly prefer the studio version but it’s not on youtube anyway).
As I was trolling around on youtube, thank God that I found this, too. I had no idea Springsteen had it in him to be this sexually bold in a song. The version released on “Born to Run” was suggestive, but not really, right? It’s all teenage pop with no room for the bravado and double entendre.
Sadly, without some remixing, it’s hard to hear the vocals clearly-they’re pretty sketchy.
After that, I’m ’bout ready to let Bruce feel my own crushed velvet seats.
Late breaking post update: I just found out that “Pink Cadillac” was not released on “Born to Run.” Whatever the hell I used to hear as a radio hit must have been the B side of “Dancing in the Dark.”
twinklysparkles 
“nebraska” is such a good record. funny, but i’ve been kinda obsessed with it lately–learning two songs from it on the guitar. “mansion on the hill,” which i’ve got down pretty well, and “johnny 99,” which is so freakin’ hard to sing and play at the same time. the strumming pattern kills me. but i will keep working on it.
ptd
“Johnny 99” is great, pt. I can sing, you know, but not play guitar.
The album, to me, is uneven, but appreciate Springsteen’s pared down sound. Sometimes the words are just too inelegant. I’ve got my favorites and some I just pass over. I just listened to the whole CD (YES I STILL LISTEN TO FUCKING CDS! NO IPOD!) twice in-a-row last week.
Did you see the flick “Indian Runner?” You know the story? Sean Penn directed, based on the song “Highway Patrolman.” I assume you know all this because you are so smart.
It’s a decent movie and you get to see Aragorn, I mean Viggo, naked and acting really crazy (but very very well) in it. AND there’s a real birth in it to boot, so it has extra cred with me. A real birth, no drugs and hospitals and shit. I love that.
i can’t remember if i’ve seen indian runner, or if i knew it was based on boss song. maybe i aint so smart after all….i’m all for the real births, that rocks.
inelegant, huh? i’ll have to think about that. i think it is pretty close to one of his best records, right up there with born to run.
maybe we’ll get to sing some songs one of these days. come on out to the hood and we’ll jam.
ptd
There are just some clunky passages and I can’t even remember which song. It’s okay to take on a character, but the character could still find some elegant rhymes. It is a great album.
No way I can come out to the hood. You should be more mobile than we are and we always have the good excuse of kiddies and isn’t it a cultural wasteland out there anyway?
Dang, I think I’ve badmouthed the Boss. I feel bad about it. Apparently, Gowans did some restoration work on some wooden bar in his house in Jersey. At least that’s my memory.
oh, yeah–no ipods here either. i still have stuff on cassette that i listen to, some comps made by your hubby even. my record player got dropped when we were moving, so the vinyl sits in the closet and cries.
ptd