Side Vent

I’ve been reading Tennessee Jones’ short stories based on #Springsteen's “Nebraska”. Oh my god, they are awful. Am I allowed to say that? This book isn’t held up as some kind of cherished Springsteen paraphernalia is it? Yes, I’ve come across a few lines that I find insightful and well written. The stories, though? They’re just rip offs of the songs – just as they are. And it got me thinking – is this how people view my blog? I wanted it to be so much more than that. I wanted it to be insightful and pull me in other directions than the ones I’ve already been pulled in. Besides time, I think that is why I take so long to write. I don’t want to rush it. I want to do these songs justice. I want to do more than tell what’s already been told. So, though it takes a while for me to post new songs, I’m still going at it…thanks for sticking with me…

The Big Man

"...and if I close my eyes...I can still see you dancing...laughing loud and undiminished..."

As someone who has a #Springsteen blog, I feel obligated to write about the passing of Clarence Clemmons. So much has been written already from his fans and those who were fortunate enough to know him, I feel there is little left be said other than something that has struck me personally. Clarence did more than contribute a great sax solo to Jungleland or Secret Garden. He did more than rile up the pit at a show. He was a brother to the man whose music has touched all of our lives. He was his great friend. And they weren't afraid to show it. Seeing the clips and photos of the two of them just being themselves and publicly loving one another has me feeling - wow what a beautiful relationship! What sensitive hearts must lie in these two men - the hearts that allowed them to form a loving bond with one another - the same two hearts that made beautiful music together - music that has become our life's anthem - music that has reached all the way deep inside of us and changed our lives in one way or another. For that, I thank #ClarenceClemmons. His heart will forever live on inside his friend's and ours.

#98 Jesus Was An Only Son by Bruce Springsteen

"Now there's a loss that can never be replaced, A destination that can never be reached, A light you'll never find in another's face, A sea whose distance cannot be breached "

Loss, sacrifice, destiny, chance…all the ways our world can be changed in such a momentous way that life is never the same again. Throughout our lives the winds of time will continually call to us and ask us to release what we cherish to the betterment of the world, to a higher calling than our own, or for reasons unfair and unknown. Whatever measure of faith allows us to make such sacrifices promises to some day and in some way replenish the hole in our mortal hearts. But our mortal hearts do not know eternity; they do not understand "the soul of the universe” no matter what we believe and hold onto for comfort.

Faith does not mean without pain. It does not promise a heart without anger, sadness, and isolated fears. It does not provide a friend to wipe our tears away during the most extreme human moments we must face. It does not promise anything other than what we ascribe to it. Something to be hoped for as a belief in the goodness of human nature or the condemnation of human evil by a greater power. Its elusive hand of comfort only guides us through…with doubts, with struggle, with worry, with disbelief and moments of surrender. It is a “destination that can never be reached” … never be held when all we know and all we love has been taken from us. It’s an elusive dream we return to night after night looking and looking for the answers…which must exist somewhere across the sea…they must…

For complete lyrics visit:
http://www.brucespringsteen.net/songs/JesusWasAnOnlySon.html

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#97 Jersey Girl written by Tom Waits.

“...cause tonight I'm gonna take that ride
across the river to the Jersey side...”




Finding someone real, that’s the goal. Seeing beyond the façade, like the bright lights of New York City, across the shore - for on the other side awaits home, awaits someone with a heart that can feel like home. A Jersey girl, a Massachusetts girl, a Georgia girl, we’re all capable of being that girl for someone, of being something real in a world filled with artificialities.

We grow up thinking about what we deserve to find, what we should get from another. What we need to remember, too, is what we can be for someone, all that we have to give and being worthy of the love we are given. A “jersey girl” is giving and loving. She is worthy of such a love song as this.