It was more to point out that we have a Neil Young thread.
Anyway, I used to hate Springsteen. He sounded boring (I thought then) and wrote songs about boring things. Not but 5 years ago I'd have said he sucked. But the truth is, Springsteen seems to do two things, I've learned from my experiences:
1. Speak to Americans
2. Speak to American's who've been kicked in the mouth by life a few times.
I don't know why my Global brothers don't get him. But it seems to me that by and large, the Euro's I speak to don't seem to get why he's popular. Its like Radiohead with me, and I try to keep in mind that he doesn't sound the same to everyone. Having said that, when I was a young, angry person, I didn't get the appeal either.
Glory Days? Hungry Heart? What is this ****? It sounded like a combo of Zappa and Christmas music.
As cliche it is, Springsteen seems to me to be beyond music. His live act is brutal - probably the best live show I've ever seen. But he's an author. He can make standard lyrics - through affectation alone - devastating. But because he's a musician, he doesn't do it as an author would. He just has an ability beyond description (for me, in this moment anyway). I still believe the lyrics below are nothing until he sings them:
"You know that tilt-a-whirl down on the east side, I got on it last night and my shirt got caught, but Joey kept me spinning, didn't think I'd ever get off."
You need to get the live version.
I don't think Neil Young is bad by any stretch. But he's a different beast. Young, to me, deals better in the ethereal, the vague atmosphere that appeals to more people because there is so much room for interpretation. If you've never raced cars in the street that you built from scratch then maybe Springsteen's "Racing in the Street" doesn't immediately appeal to you (though I haven't, and it does to me). But After the Gold Rush and I'm the Ocean have a scope that's beyond a person. It can talk to everyone at once in an immediately apparent fashion.
I think Springsteen does the same thing, but ostensibly he's for townies and rednecks. I once thought that, but then it soaked in. I can't say enough good things.
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