Roy Orbison Sings for the Lonely (That's me and I want you only)
01.06.2008
I have a very special place in my heart for Bruce Springsteen. I grew up with Bruce Springsteen records that my dad played on a volume that shook the china. At age five I knew (Pavlov's bell) that Saturday mornings when my dad was down in his homemade gym lifting weights to Springsteen correlated with fun nights involving my parent's going out with their friends and me being able to play with their friend's kids. The chance of my parents fighting was reduced with the sounds of Bruce Springsteen and thus, Springsteen was not only rockin but comforting and safe. With that said, I continue to find Springsteen safe and if I am in need of bravery or strength, it is he who I pump on the stereo for adreneline.
I will also argue that Bruce Springsteen is under-rated as a lyricist. I think most people are familiar with his "Born in the USA" and other popular tunes that (although they still rock) are not as thought provoking as Dylan or Leonard Cohen. Some songs are more sexy ( I'm Going Down being on my top three sexiest songs ever ) but as I slide into the car next to Elizabeth this afternoon I am deeply moved by our favorite song. Some Bruce songs are just incredibly poignant. Case in point: Thunder Road .
Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen
The screen down door slams
Mary's dress sways
like a vision she dances across the porch
as the radio plays
roy orbison signing for the lonely
Hey thats me and I want you only....
Well now I'm no hero
That's understood
All the redemption I can offer girl
is beneath this dirty hood
with a chance to make it good somehow
Hey, what else can we do now
but roll down the window
and let the wind blow back your hair
well the night's busting open
these two lanes will take us anywhere.
My other quick observation, 75% of Bruce Springsteen's lyrics involve driving. The heat of a moment while reaching over to the passenger seat. The fleeing of a moment by hitting the accelerator. The possibility of a two line highway. Mmmmmm. He knows exactly the momentum that I live on. Oh Bruce, you rock my world. Plus I'm totally in love with you. Let's tour together.
A little phone conversation that I enjoyed this afternoon before Elizabeth picked me up for our quest to find a "space aged sports bra" (her words, not mine).
Ebeth: Hi Jenny. Just calling to tell you I am running a little late.
Me: (sitting in front of my massive stack of CDs in my little yellow room) That's okay. I'm listening Hillary Duff so you can certainly be a little late.
Ebeth: (laughing) Seriously?
Me: I'm playing it quietly so Ben wont judge me in the other room. (Lying through my teeth) I'm downloading it for my patients. It's energetic. It's good to exercise to.
Ebeth: Sure, Jenny. I'll be there in 20.