Bruce Springsteen has been making headlines for his recent song, 'Streets of Minneapolis'. However, did you know it is not the only controversial song he wrote?
Bruce Springsteen is a well-known American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Often called 'the Boss', Bruce has released over 21 studio albums over the past six decades, most of which feature the E Street Band. He is considered a pioneer of heartland rock, combining rock with poetic, conscious lyrics that reflect on working-class American life. However, that has often landed him in some deep-rooted, intense situations.
The much-lauded singer has done it again with his song, Streets of Minneapolis. The singer released the song as an anti-ICE commentary following the cruel shootings in Minneapolis, which resulted in the demise of Renee Nicole Good. However, did you know that this is not the only time that the singer has landed himself in a controversy? So, as the netizens decide on Bruce Springsteen's latest release, let us take a quick look at his past scandals.
Bruce Springsteen's streak of producing songs that have landed him in the limelight is not something new. Even before Streets of Minneapolis, the singer wrote several songs that drew intense criticism worldwide for their political nature. One such song was his 2001 release, American Skin (41 Shots). The singer-songwriter wrote the song following the brutal killing of an unarmed 23-year-old Guinean student named Amadou Diallo in the early morning of February 4, 1999.
The song, with a length of 7:54, was a commentary on the shooting that took the life of the young adult. For the unversed, Amadou Diallo was shot at by four NYPD officers who were a part of the City's Street Crime Unit. They were subsequently acquitted on all charges. According to reports, the officers mistook Amadou for a suspected rapist. However, when the man reached into his pocket to get his ID, the police officer opened fire, thinking he was reaching for a firearm. The recoil from the gun made the officer fall back, which made his colleagues believe that the man had shot him, resulting in an open fire by them as well, leading to the man being shot 19 times out of the 41 shots fired by the NYPD officers.
The song has been written from different points of view, with the first one being that of the police officer. In the second paragraph, Bruce presents another perspective of a mother and son, with the mother telling her son to keep his "hands in sight". The song drew sharp criticism from police unions. The Presidents of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association and the City's Police Commissioner called for a boycott of Springsteen's shows. However, it was widely praised, and Bruce's shows at Madison Square Garden went on to sell out.
Another Bruce song that made headlines was Born in the U.S.A. released in 1984. While many believed that it was a patriotic anthem, it was later discovered that the song was actually a harsh commentary on the treatment of Vietnam Veterans. While the song was immensely popular for its novelty, fans initially thought it was just a patriotic song. However, the song was misinterpreted, leading to its misappropriation by politicians. A lyrical video was later released, detailing the song's bitter, anti-war critique.
Another song in Bruce Springsteen's discography that made waves was Roulette, released in 1984. The song commented on the effects of the Three Mile Island meltdown on March 28, 1979, which was the worst accident in U.S. power plant history. Bruce wrote Roulette after playing the No Nukes concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City in September 1979. It follows the story of someone forced to leave their life and home following a nuclear power emergency.
Bruce's We Take Care of Our Own was another song that made headlines for its political nature. The singer-songwriter released the song during the 2012 election cycle, sparking intense debate over its commentary on the American social safety net. The song also referenced Hurricane Katrina, talking about finding merciful hearts or works to set his hands and soul free. The song was played throughout Barack Obama's presidential campaign and after his victory speech.
Bruce Springsteen has been embroiled in several controversies throughout his career. In 2021, Bruce first got into trouble after being caught driving recklessly under the influence in New Jersey National Park. The singer was charged with a DWI at the time. However, the changes were reportedly later dismissed. Bruce once again came at odds with the world, but this time against his own fans. According to reports, the singer faced intense backlash for overpricing his 2023 tour tickets. Later, in an interview with Rolling Stones, the singer shared his side of the story and stated:
"What I do is a very simple thing. I tell my guys, 'Go out and see what everybody else is doing. Let's charge a little less.' That's generally the directions. They go out and set it up. For the past 49 years or however long we've been playing, we've pretty much been out there under market value. I've enjoyed that. It's been great for the fans. This time, I told them, 'Hey, we're 73 years old. The guys are there. I want to do what everybody else is doing, my peers.' So that's what happened."
What are your thoughts on Bruce Springsteen's controversies over the years? Let us know.
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