The Agency's Posts

'Hatfields & McCoys' miniseries looks at families' bloody feud: Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton are among the cast of the three-part miniseries on History channel....
Read More>

'Men in Black 3': Third time has charm, but moves pretty slow ✭✭ 1/2: Josh Brolinimpersonating the youngTommy Lee Jonesis worth the price of admission to "Men....
Read More>

Late Night: Jerry Seinfeld's least favorite 'Seinfeld' episode: The most reliably entertaining segment on Bravo's hit-or-miss talk show, "Watch What....
Read More>

'Hemingway & Gellhorn': Love is a battlefield in the HBO movie: Stormy lovers Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn are played by Clive Owen and Nicole Kidman in....
Read More>

'Battleship's' real-life soldier Greg Gadson is action tested: While promoting the movie"Battleship"in Tokyo last month,U.S. ArmyCol. Greg Gadson....
Read More>

Review: Jack White magnetic at the Maya: By the end of Jack White’s concert at the Mayan on Monday, the Detroit-born,....
Read More>

'Smash' finale recap: Let Megan Hilty be your star: Just before the last episode of the first season of “Smash” aired, show runner....
Read More>

Ken Burns' 'The Dust Bowl' highlights PBS fall lineup: PBS has announced a fall lineup that will include a Ken Burns documentary and a British....
Read More>

Is it time to wash out Hollywood's mouth?: A backlash is growing against filmmakers' increasing reliance on foul language. It's OK to....
Read More>

Review: Coldplay goes big at the Hollywood Bowl: At the start of “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall,” the last song Coldplay performed....
Read More>

How to parent like a celebrity: Alicia Silverstone, Gisele Bundchen and January Jones bring star power to extreme mothering. What....
Read More>

Review: 'Dark Shadows' is a lesson in Tim Burton's quirks: In 'Dark Shadows,' Johnny Depp is entertainingly weird as vampire Barnabas Collins, but director....
Read More>
Bruce Springsteen: 'We take care of our own'
Posted on: 01/20/12
Share/Save/Bookmark
 

Bruce Springsteen released his new single, "We Take Care of Our Own," Thursday morning, and what's most striking about it on first listen is how much it sounds like ... The Boss. It's the first song from his forthcoming 11-track album, his 17th, "Wrecking Ball," which will be released on March 6. 

Never one to stray too far from his core mission of crafting solidly structured rock songs built on a blueprint passed down from American generation to generation, "We Take Care of Our Own" -- except for one modern wash of guitar, a few echoed drum pops, and one (big) glaring absence -- sounds like a track that could have been on any his classic albums from 1975 to 1984, from "Born to Run" through "Born in the U.S.A." (excluding his acoustic "Nebraska"). These records are undeniably rock 'n' roll and constructed with the help of his E Street Band. 

His first recording since the death of saxophonist Clarence Clemons, the new song is notable for what's not there -- the horn player's sonic bursts and furious tenor declarations. Absent too is an indication of whether the music is constructed by the E Street Band or whether, like his most recent studio album, "Working on a Dream," it is a solo record. The backing band suggests the former, as does the glockenspiel a la "She's the One," the hum of the organ and the piano melody, coupled with a Phil Spector-esque string section drifting above.

And then there are the lyrics, which offer an affirmation of national glory without ever uttering the word "America," suggest the economic struggles without calling them "economic struggles." Sings Springsteen in his husk of a voice: "I've been knocking on that door that holds the throne," and it's not clear whether the Boss is talking about death, desperation or desire -- or whether he's written a pointed response to Jay-Z and Kanye West's "Watch the Throne" (probably not, but it's fun to think about). "I've been looking for a map that leads me home/The road of good intentions has gone dry as a bone."

As the song unfolds, Springsteen clarifies his point: This is a song about the country and hardship, but also about community and pride: "We take care of our own/Wherever this flag is flown/We take care of our own."

Granted, the title phrase borders on jingoism, and in the wrong hands can be both used to justify actions noble and contemptible, from coming together as a family to help kin, to protecting territory from outsiders a la "Deliverance." "There ain't no help the cavalry stayed at home," he sings, "There ain't no one hearing the bugle blowing" (a veiled reference to Clemons?).

Is it classic Springsteen? Comments are open for your response. But mostly it depends on which Bruce you like: the one who sets out to be the Voice of the People and speak for the 99% a la Woody Guthrie, or the one who goes small and captures the voice of a single character a la "The Ghost of Tom Joad" and "State Trooper." The new song is much more the former than the latter; Springsteen obviously knows what time it is, and it's time to step up and say something big. 

 
COMMENTS
Be the first to post a comment!


Post A Comment:




  • It's 2020! Start booking roles in commercials, fashion, films, theater and more with The Agency Online!

  • NEW WORKSHOP with Barbara Barna & Sean De Simone!

    Hi Everyone and Happy Summer! Sean at Sean De Simone casting and Barbara Barna are teaming up for a super informative and fun Hosting for Home Shopping workshop. A great opportunity for established or experienced TV Hosts and Experts interested in learning how to get noticed and how to get in....
  • MASTERCLASS W. Robin Carus & David John Madore

    A Special Offer for the Agency Community, from one of our favorite NYC Casting Directors! EMAIL FacetheMusicWithUs@gmail.com Or Eventbrite To Sign Up! Class Size is Limited.
  • Don't Fall Into The Comparison Trap

    Hi Everyone! As the second installment in an ongoing series of features by the Agency's amazing community, here's some sage advice from our own Regina Rockensies; a humble (& awesome)veteran we've had the pleasure of working with for a long time. Have an excellent week! : ) - The Agency....
  • One Model's Agreement

    Hi Everyone! As the first piece in an ongoing series of original articles by the Agency community, here's a short reflection on some of the values of professional acting & modeling that we can all keep in mind for our next casting. Good luck on your castings &shoots this week! : ) -....




 
home       castings&news       privacy policy       terms and conditions      contact us      browser tips
Official PayPal Seal