Review of Springsteen's Super Bowl Halftime Show!

Since I didn't care one iota about the game itself, a lot was riding on the Super Bowl halftime show tonight. This apparently was true for Bruce Springsteen himself. On Friday, at a rare press conference, he admitted he didn't know a thing about football, though he reckoned that he used to throw the ball around - back in 1958. But as I wrote here two days ago, I go back with Bruce to 1972, and helped write the first ever magazine article about him then (and he is featured in my new book), so I had high interest in this once (very) unlikely gig.

So how did it go tonight, with the E Street Band, famously limited to exactly 12 minutes -- with Bruce asserting that he would make every 1/16 of a second count (and some calling for him to inject a little politics in it)? It was especially tricky since the boys had to follow an incredible 100-yard interception run back.

Well, they done good, and Bruce even worked in a football reference, laughing at himself, substituting a baseball line in "Glory Days" with, "He could throw a...Hail Mary pass."

It was kind of a retro show with the first two songs from the mid-'70s, "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" and "Born to Run, " and the final "Glory Days" from the '80s, with an oddly truncated "Working on a Dream" from his new album in the #3 slot. Somehow a big gospel choir got on and off the stage for that in three minutes. It was crowded already with a full horn section.

As for politics, there was no "Promised Land" or "The Rising" or others in that vein -- this was all for fun. No Pete Seeger this time. Las Vegas had a betting line going on which songs Bruce would pick, and these were pretty safe picks for anyone paying attention in recent days (The Boss said he just wanted to promote his new CD).

The whole thing kicked off with Bruce and Clarence in silhouette, and then Bruce promising, "We're going to be righteous" but everyone better "step back from the guacamole" and "put your chicken fingers down" and turn the TV "all the way up...Is anybody alive out there tonight?"

The band members were all in black, with Bruce in black shirt and black vest. The usual smoke and flares provided backdrop with an arm waving, singing along crowd in front of the stage. Bruce at the close of one number slid on his knees, groin first, into the camera (ouch).

After a great "Glory Days," Bruce looked at his watch, said to Steve "SIlvio" Van Zandt, "Steve, it's quitting time...it's going to be penalty time." Sure enough a zebra/ref came out to throw a flag for delay of game.

But Steve said, "It's Boss time," so they played another 30 seconds before Bruce shouted, "I'm going to Disneyland!"

Greg Mitchell's latest book, just published, is "Why Obama Won". It's the first "progressive" book on the campaign and includes a few looks at Springsteen's work for Obama.

Comments

[VivaldiPickpocket]

"Sources" from the Springsteen camp are revealing something that Bruce himself would never share or offer as an excuse, but what we witnessed at half-time of the Super Bowl was a man hellbent on overcoming a bronchial infection he got while singing in sub-freezing temps at the Lincoln Memorial during the inaugural concert for Obama less than 2 weeks prior to this gig. (Aretha, anyone?)

So I guess I'm going to have to forgive him for the occasionally strained vocals and breathlessness he displayed on SB Sunday, and instead be thankful he could still generate enough adrenalin to overcome his impairment and put on a high-energy dozen minutes for a very huge audience looking to have fun.

Say AMEN, somebody.

[InLosAngeles]

Boring and fake enthusiasm was evident. That was the Walmart version of Bruce. Glory days was appropriate.

[canuck4barack]

Bruce just seems to get better and better looking, the older he gets. I can't believe he's 59! He's in better shape than most of those football players.

[minty68]

I think Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" is the best thing that has happened to the Superbowl. Since then, they've been focusing on quality classic rock acts and staying away from the showy, crap they used to show that bored most of us to death.

[bradk777]

From the "Boss" to the "Shill." I'm going to go to disneyland instead of to his next concert.

[JimR]

It was a joke. God forbid anybody makes a joke and tries to have fun at the Super Bowl! Sorry he offended your delicate sensibilities.

[fjk6807]

Springsteen music not!!
Someone please explain to me why anyone thinks Bruce Springsteen is a musical talent. He can not sing. He can not carry a tune. He yells or should I say growls into the mic. He may be ok at writting but he certainly is not a singer. This was the laimest halftime show yet. Give me a group or an individual that can actually cary a tune and hit a note or two with something that resembles a piece of music instead of loud banging and struming with so much distortion that most people can't even tell they are not listening to music.

[beihai]

Spoken like a true square. No one forced you to listen or watch, and being that far more people love the Boss than don't you could learn to be a little tolerant. It was only 12 minutes, you could have washed the dishes during that time.

[minty68]

Who is your favorite musical artist?

[gevan]

You should have seen him live in the late sixties/early seventies. It's true that his voice has been showing the strain of his fifty-nine years of late. But the energy is still there.

[Joe Selvaggio]

Springsteen growls into the mic like the muffler on a vintage Mustang as it pull out of the Stone Pony. Springsteen is more than a musician; his music, persona is an embodiment of a way of life that resonates with people from the New Jersey area. Like the guy who is just "getting by" driving a delivery truck. As he moves along 1 and 9 he recall his "Glory Days" cruising to the shore on the Parkway or Turnpike with the T-tops down and the volume up to "Born to Run". Springsteen's gravelly voice is like the grittiness that is the New Jersey middle class. Knocked down, broken hearted, paying too much in car insurance, yet always a bit romantic even while against the wall. Another New Jersey crooner, Frank, was able to transport people using the emotional impact of his voice - sometimes tender, sometimes tough, but always sincere.

[JimR]

Maybe, if you learned how to spell correctly, people might take your opinions a bit more seriously.

[DBGuru]

I certainly recognize that Springsteen and his music doesn't connect with many people. His appeal lies in his emotional lyrical portrayals of the lives of common blue collar northerners, his solid guitar playing, his musical composition and amazing arrangement capabilities and the intense passionate energy he pours into bringing all these talents into his performance. The E street band on the whole displays amazing harmony and personality.

His detractors often cite the vocal abilities among his band and they will nit pick about too much showmanship, and question why Patty is in the band. The big band can be too much sound to those preferring an more minimal approach to music. The generational thing is also an issue despite his resurgence in recent years.

Personally, I'm amazed at his ability to perform at the energy level he performs at at age 59. I think his music has amazing diversity and passion. The performance was the best halftime I have ever seen. I can understand Bruce has his detractors. So did the Beatles, the Stones and the Who. You can't please everyone. Nevertheless, Bruce is an American treasure and was overdue to rock out the Super Bowl halftime. He and his band will be a a hard act to follow.

[Keo]

I thought that Springsteen did a great job. I've heard him sing much, much better than he did, but his energy and enthusiasm--his real love and passion for what he does--are undeniable and infectious.
He's a great entertainer.
And I say this as a guy who used to be a big Springsteen fan but hasn't really listened to him in 15 years.
The best band I ever saw play--and I mean the best, by far--was Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band.
But the Boss and Co. did a pretty good job the other day, and ought to be recognized for it, not slammed.

[Angelina247]

I have to say, I'm not a big follower of The Boss, but I thought that show was one of the best half time shows I have ever seen. They were fantastic! If the entire performace didn't make you rock, you must be half dead!
The way he slid across that stage - Justin Timberlake (or substitute your current teen icon) can only hope he'll be able to do that in 30 years!

[minty68]

I agree - Bruce could probably play the halftime show 20 years from now and it would still rock.

[Democrab]

I think he made it all the way to his usual mediocrity. Aerosmith's musicianship and hipness way outshined the "Boss" on their former appearances. Bittan and Federici looked ancient. LaBomba was his usual awesome self however. But even Springsteen's somewhat better than average lyrics didn't bail out his near octogenarian stage presence. And I really miss Vinny Lopez. He was a true rocker, hair flying, cymbals breaking, real Jersey rock n' roll. Oh well. So we get the jingle drummer. Clarence held his own as always, and Gary Tallent looked really good on stage. I think it was him. Most camera angles were of Bruce and Clarence and LaBomba and Max Weinberg.

[MoMan]

Danny Federici- I guarantee you-
was NOT on stage for the super bowl,
altho his spirit may have been...

[JimR]

Wow, Dan Federici was there? He couldn't have looked too bad, considering he DIED LAST YEAR.

[Ronald Sorenson]

Super Soul 2009

Pat Tillman forget not we thank
Arizona cardinals super bowl dream
Died for freedom doing for we team
Waste not this time history a change
Celebrate on high cry only in joy
Team be one blended is strength
War a distance horrific waste hate
Bonded create a new in view all race
See peace all need can we just be
The game of life a sport in sort’s team
Game loss body aches war lost a life
President new together do we can
Pat teammates fans everyone knows
Winning the game not only the goal
Listen as one the trophy inside our soul
See in his eyes Kurt Warner tear of love
Family are we together all win begin
Peace

-Ronald Sorenson
A.D.D. Poet
January 19, 2009
www.a-d-d-free.com
www.addpoet.com
copyright

[BobSacomano]

Quite frankly there are NO performers, new or old, hip or young, cool or edgy that can hold a candle to Springsteen's music, his writing, his career, his performances, and his ability to connect to his audience. Even at his age he is still schooling and influencing musicians and performers, young AND old..

Sorry, but the man is STILL the Boss, it was the best half-time show in the history of the Super Bowl....period.

[gratonite]

Disagree. But Bruce just isn't the Boss of me. He was good, I liked him fine--but I'm not from a steel town or wherever in the midwest or New Jersey you need to be from to love the guy. Tom Petty, Prince, Stones, McCartney all just as good, and all part of the merciful improvements made to the halftime show since wardrobe malfunction saved us all from more awful pop crud. I think we should all thank Janet Jackson's boob that we didn't have to watch the weight-battling Jessica Simpson lip-synch for those twelve minutes.

[jtmoney]

not period. bruce fans are hard core and dedicated and are going to say it was the best but get outside the bruce fans and you'll have a harder time finding people to agree with you.

if anything, that thing with the ref was cheesy. the "it's boss time" was cheesy. him almost breaking his neck on the piano was cheesy. he really didn't seem comfortable in such a large venue.

[ElitistWhitePerson]

I know, without a doubt, that you have never been to a Bruce Springsteen concert. First of all, he plays large venues like stadiums on a regular basis, and they sell out.
Second, the "Bruce Time" comment by Steve Van Zandt makes a regular appearance at the concerts.
This is America, so your opinion is appreciated. But don't act like an expert on something you have not even begun to understand or appreciate.

[Chloe33]

Absolutely. Got to LOVE the boss!
BTW, how's Kramer?

[Patrick Lockyer]

Game was good? I want to know why they did not place a defender right in the corner so that they could catch it? They had after all just tried the s/lame thing in the other corner? No wonder the rest of the world play the game???....over two hundred nations play soccer???

[derekc06]

you serious?

[HoracePManure]

I'm looking forward to SuperBowl LX in 2026 when Slayer does the halftime show. Hopefully by then people will recognize true art and get off this 'snap my fingers to it' crap.

Can you imagine 'Raining Blood' in a stadium setting? Or holographic souls being whisked away from the field by headless demons with gigantic wings and pitchforks?

Awesome.

[buddydave]

Prince's 2007 show still reigns as the king of Super Bowl halftime shows.

[yodaveg]

I'm a huge Bruce fan, but I have to agree. Prince is halftime king.

[ultrabop]

right on buddy