Born in the USA: two fucking chords and one of the 5 best songs of the 80s, or something like that. The simplicity of that song just slays.
But this poll is albums, and I have too many fond attachments to Graceland not to vote for it.
― What's good for Wall Street (call all destroyer), Monday, 20 October 2008 19:53 (fifteen years ago) link
The same concert (one of Neil Young's Bridge Benefit shows) that has this version of "Dancing in the Dark" also has the bleakest, starkest version of "Born in the U.S.A." as well as "Seeds", all acoustic.
― Eazy, Monday, 20 October 2008 19:57 (fifteen years ago) link
yeah born in the usa is sad....how many "feel good" anthems have lyrics like "you end up like a dog that's been beat too much"?
― M@tt He1ges0n, Monday, 20 October 2008 19:58 (fifteen years ago) link
There are way better songs on the "Born In The USA" album than the title track. "My Hometown" and "Dancing In The Dark" are ace in particular.
― Geir Hongro, Monday, 20 October 2008 19:59 (fifteen years ago) link
Well I like the title track more because it has fewer chords.
― What's good for Wall Street (call all destroyer), Monday, 20 October 2008 20:00 (fifteen years ago) link
― Eazy, Monday, October 20, 2008 3:57 PM (4 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
wowo!
― 888 (ice crӕm), Monday, 20 October 2008 20:02 (fifteen years ago) link
More is more. More chords is better than few chords.
― Geir Hongro, Monday, 20 October 2008 20:05 (fifteen years ago) link
"Heart of the Sunrise" vs. "Amazing Grace" thunderdome.
― Eazy, Monday, 20 October 2008 20:06 (fifteen years ago) link
"My Hometown" would have been nothing without the bridge though. That bridge does the entire song with its sudden change into minor.
― Geir Hongro, Monday, 20 October 2008 20:06 (fifteen years ago) link
yall shd seek out the insane-o version of bitusa from the bruce live in nyc disc where he plays a slide guitar for like 10 minutes and it sounds like a sitar
― max, Monday, 20 October 2008 20:08 (fifteen years ago) link
More is more.
Thank you for this.
― What's good for Wall Street (call all destroyer), Monday, 20 October 2008 20:08 (fifteen years ago) link
brothers in arms
― SANJAY BLOGDAI SANJAY (John Justen), Monday, 20 October 2008 20:34 (fifteen years ago) link
Graceland can cram it with walnuts, especially because of Simon's rampant ripoffery:http://www.jambase.com/Articles/Story.aspx?StoryID=9391&pagenum=3
Brothers In Arms is automatically disqualified for that dopey-ass "sports bloopers" "Walk of Life" video that MTV decided must be played 73,000 times a day.
So, Born In The USA it is.
― Sara Sara Sara, Monday, 20 October 2008 20:43 (fifteen years ago) link
i was just talkg to someone abt the lol sports bloopers video
― 888 (ice crӕm), Monday, 20 October 2008 20:55 (fifteen years ago) link
such a profoundly strange concept
dudes i feel u that paul simon is an asshole or whatever but that doesnt make graceland suck
― max, Monday, 20 October 2008 20:58 (fifteen years ago) link
But it isn't SUPPOSED to be easy!!!!But the fact of the matter is, it is easier. My point is: it's more a testament to a songwriter's melodic virtuosity when they are able to compose interesting, surprising melodies over uninteresting, predictable chords.
― Naive Teen Idol, Monday, 20 October 2008 21:26 (fifteen years ago) link
But I thought more was more.
― What's good for Wall Street (call all destroyer), Monday, 20 October 2008 21:39 (fifteen years ago) link
Graceland way way waaaaay out front of this pack for me, which I attribute to the range of really excellent people involved/contributing material. Los Lobos' story about getting burned on the credit for "The Myth of Fingerprints" is great.
― Shakey Mo Collier, Monday, 20 October 2008 21:47 (fifteen years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.
― System, Monday, 20 October 2008 23:01 (fifteen years ago) link
My point is: it's more a testament to a songwriter's melodic virtuosity when they are able to compose interesting, surprising melodies over uninteresting, predictable chords.
I admire a lot more those who manage to add interesting and complex chords to an otherwise straightforward and relatively banal melody.
― Geir Hongro, Monday, 20 October 2008 23:08 (fifteen years ago) link
especially because of Simon's rampant ripoffery:
the rampant ripoffery is what makes it great! I don't give a shit about Bruce or Knopfler's songs. I don't really give a shit about Paul Simon's material by this point either, but he sure had good taste in who to rip off.
― Shakey Mo Collier, Monday, 20 October 2008 23:11 (fifteen years ago) link
Mmm'kay. You have any great pop songwriting examples of this in mind?
― Naive Teen Idol, Tuesday, 21 October 2008 01:23 (fifteen years ago) link
I love big sounding productions, but the production on Born in the USA sounds really obnoxious to me... the drums in particular sound really shitty.
― more Allegro-like (Turrican), Wednesday, 13 September 2017 18:39 (six years ago) link
i love graceland
ive never listened to the other two records tbh!
― marcos, Wednesday, 13 September 2017 18:44 (six years ago) link
There's a drum solo at the end of the title track of Born in the USA that would sound great if it wasn't smothered in too much reverb.
― more Allegro-like (Turrican), Wednesday, 13 September 2017 18:46 (six years ago) link
The so-called (Bruce) album collection that came out a couple/few years ago is really tastefully remastered imo. the drums sound WAY less cardboard box-y, and in fact great
― freedom is not having to measure life with a ruler (outdoor_miner), Wednesday, 13 September 2017 20:07 (six years ago) link
Graceland was robbed
Springsteen fans are so weird. I feel like I understand his appeal but it's just not for me at all.
― Οὖτις, Wednesday, 13 September 2017 20:09 (six years ago) link
yea i have always wanted to devote the time to learn why he is so beloved but he's never interested me
― marcos, Wednesday, 13 September 2017 20:11 (six years ago) link
I have a (probably entirely unfounded) suspicion that you have to be from the east coast to dig him. I don't know any native Californians that give a fuck about him for ex.
― Οὖτις, Wednesday, 13 September 2017 20:14 (six years ago) link
i'm from nevada and i love bronze sprongstein
― ToddBonzalez (BradNelson), Wednesday, 13 September 2017 20:37 (six years ago) link
Greil Marcus is Californian till he dies. Xpost
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 13 September 2017 20:44 (six years ago) link
what will he be after he dies?
― Οὖτις, Wednesday, 13 September 2017 20:45 (six years ago) link
compost
― Cheds Baker (Noodle Vague), Wednesday, 13 September 2017 21:09 (six years ago) link
the dead have no country
― ToddBonzalez (BradNelson), Wednesday, 13 September 2017 21:21 (six years ago) link
For me, this goes:
Brothers in Arms > Graceland > Born in the USA
I prefer The Rhythm of the Saints over Graceland, to be honest.
― more Allegro-like (Turrican), Thursday, 14 September 2017 06:19 (six years ago) link