60) Murder Incorporated So the comfort that you keep's a gold-plated, snub-nosed .32 Not quite sure why this doesn’t get more plays. It is a real belter, pumps you up, would be a great show opener. Would have been right at home on Darkness. Has you rocking from go to woe. Bruce leaves nobody behind on this and you’re taken on a six minute power ride, and there is no time for stopping. This was initially recorded back in 1982 with the Born In The USA sessions, but did not see an official release until the release of greatest hits in 1995. From the get go it sounds like classic Springsteen. The thud of Max’s drums, followed with the intro of the guitars. The organs feature prominently too. And for the next six minutes, you feel compelled to tap your foot to the beat and fill with anger, because let’s face it, this song doesn’t exactly put a smile on your face. That’s not to say songs need to have a happy vibe about them to enjoy them. The sax solo feels like it’s just been shoved in for the sake of it. But somehow Bruce managed to make it work. Nils’ wows us with a blistering solo before the bridge and we are treated to one final verse and raspy Bruce belts out a “I could tell you were just frustrated livin with Murder Incoporated.” Bruce struts his stuff and nearly sets his guitar on fire, Stevie throws a punch back (much like the Saint duel at Hammersmith), but Bruce shows why he’s Boss. Before you know it that six minutes is up and you still feel full of energy and want to continue the fist up as if you were in the pit, even though you’re sitting down at home. 59) Sad Eyes Sad eyes never lie One of the few I have chosen from Tracks in my list. Polar opposite to Murder Incorporated. Nice and mellow ballad. There’s nothing amazing about this musically, or lyrically really. It’s simple, and simple is sometimes good. No crazy solos, no pounding drum beat from Max. Although the bass line is fairly prominent, and nobody ever knocked a good bass line. We get treated to Bruce’s falsetto, rather pleasant on the ear if you ask me. Doesn’t really play it much live, the only version I have found on YouTube is one from the D&D Tour and he sort of struggles with the falsetto. Opinion is divided on the actual meaning of the song, but whatever it is, it’s an underrated tune. 58) Iceman Once they tried to steal my heart, beat it right out of my head, but baby they didn’t know that I was born dead. A true hidden gem on Tracks IMO. When you listen to the lyrics, they are some of his darker ones. It sounds like this guy has lost everything who meant everything to him. People are trying to steal his heart, but he was born dead – making him cold. He is The Iceman. 57) Trapped Good will conquer evil and the truth will set me free Yeah, I know, it’s not really a Springsteen song, but he’s released it so it gets the nod in my book. Originally written by Jimmy Cliff, it seems to be very popular amongst Springsteen fans. The first recollection I have of this song, I would have been about 15. My dad came home from work one day and said he’d heard a song by Springsteen on the radio. He managed to remember the “But now I’m trapped” line and I was able to do search the lyrics and I found it. Eight years later and I’m here doing this. I’ve never really loved this song to be honest, but at the same time, I have never really had any beef with it. I find myself singing (if you can call it that) at the top of my lungs during the chorus without a worry in the world. The Big Man’s solo in this is kick ass. You can tell he is really going for it, and he definitely owns it, and just like that, we’re back to how the song started, then we get one final chance to test our lungs. 56) For You Your cloud line urges me and my electric surges free Imagery. It is a powerful tool. And Springsteen uses it extremely well. This song is one of those examples. Now, this song is at opposite ends of the Spectrum when it is played with the band and when Bruce plays it on the piano. With the band, it doesn’t sound too depressing, it bops along and you can tap your foot to it and Bruce seems happy enough when he sings it. You put him in front of the piano and you realize how heartbreaking this song really is. But alas, it gains intimacy. Absolutely outstanding song. Lyrically it is amazing. It’s up there with his best written songs. My heart breaks every time I listen to it and I think of the male character in the song. It sounds like it’s about a guy who is in love with a girl, and she’s tried to kill herself. And that he’ll always be there for her. But, like a lot of his songs, it is open to interpretation. 55) Born In The USA BORRRRRRRRRRRRN IN THE USAAAAAAAAAAA It’s 1985. You have reached the ultimate height of superstardom and this is the song (and album) that’s got you there. I’m not going to bore you with all the Regan stuff because we’ve all heard it a million times and it doesn’t get any more interesting. Or the meaning of the song. This is stadium rock at its best. From the opening where Max is bashing his snare like he has a point to prove, Danny on the synths, Roy on keyboards, it has you fist pumping like no tomorrow. Then throw in 40,000 odd people screaming at the top of their lungs and you’re getting the best possible experience for Born In The USA. It’s not great lyrically, but what it is, is LOUD. This is the song you turn up if you want to piss off your neigbours – because it is that damn loud. The fact it is easy to sing along to, is probably why it is so popular, and for the fact that a lot of American’s have probably misinterpreted the lyrics, like Regan. Nonetheless though, it get’s the crowd going. Obviously not my most favourite of Bruce songs but its catchyness gets it in there. You’re doing it now aren’t you. BORN IN THE USA! The crowd here is great. Italians going nuts, brilliant. 54) Youngstown I pray the devil comes and takes me, To stand in the fiery furnaces of hell My first choice from Nebraska. When I first heard Youngstown on the Live In N.Y.C. DVD I did not like it. At all. I don’t know what it was, I think it was that it was a little too heavy for me at that stage and I was still pretty much into mainstream Bruce and was still delving into his catalogue yet to discover his true potential. But the years wore on and I thought I’d give it a go. Then it started to grow on me. Basically it’s about a steelworker who works in Youngstown, Ohio. And it revisits a common theme in Bruce’s song – the division between the poor and wealthy. Once I made you rich enough, rich enough to forget my name Bruce sounds really throaty when he sings this. Having said that though, I think he delivers a great vocal performance. We are treated to Danny, or Charlie, now, on the accordion. And The Professor on keyboards. The highlight is obviously Nils’ solo. Probably his most famous one. It’s blistering. He is such an underrated guitarist it isn’t funny. Max delivers yet another more than convincing performance behind his drum kit too. P9FgwO1ysNM 53) Lonesome Day Better ask questions before you shoot, deceit and betrayal's bitter fruit Number 53 presents us with the most recent selection in terms of age of songs so far. Straight out of the blocks, this one doesn’t leave anyone left standing still. The opening track off the 2002 album The Rising, is yet another foot tapper. It will have you screaming ‘YEAH!’ whether you’re in the confides of your car or living room or at a concert. One to really get the crowd going. I think it’s best place was second song into the set straight after The Rising. I have read in a few different places that it was a little overplayed, which is probably a fair call considering it made 313 straight appearances in set lists stretching back from July 2002 to November 18, 2009, the third last show of the WOAD tour. Bruce must love it. PTbzkHee1v4 52) Atlantic City Everything dies, baby, that's a fact, but maybe everything that dies someday comes back The original version, which appears on Nebraska, is of course an acoustic. Fast forward to the Reunion Tour and we see a full band version, to which I prefer. The acoustic is okay, but I think the band version owns this song.