Unpatriotic Rock Star

Unpatriotic Rock Star
Nicole Rossoll
Anthony Walick

The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name of Bruce Springsteen is his nickname the boss and his All-American image. Now, that image, of his classic album cover with the American Flag in his back pocket, is under attack.
His newest album “Magic”, where he is reunited with the E-Street band, is getting some harsh criticism. “Magic” is said to have an anti-war and an anti-American image.
Its hard to picture this great American Rock Star, who’s most famous hit is Born to Run, with an anti-American attitude but, this Rock Star’s newest album is likely to be his most controversial album he has ever written and performed yet.
In an interview with 60 minutes’ Scott Pelley, Bruce Springsteen took all of this harsh criticism head on and answered questions on his new controversial album, his latest tour, where he will be reunited with the E-Street band, and about his life as a Rock Star.
Springsteen says that writing is how I find out who you are, and who I am, and then who we are. I’m interested in that. I’m interested in what it means to be an American. I’m interested in what it means to live in America. I’m interested in the kind of country that we live in and that we leave our kids in. I’m interested in trying to define what that country is. I got the chutzpa or whatever you want to say to believe that if I write a really good about it, it’s going to make a difference. It’s going to matter to somebody.
Springsteen does not believe his album is anti-American but he does realize that some people will believe it has an anti-war message. But, everyone has a right to their own opinions. “You know, I think this record is going to be seen as anti-war. And you know there are people watching this interview who are going to say to themselves, Bruce Springsteen is no patriot,” Pelley remarks.
“Well, that’s just the language of the day, you know? The modus operandi for anybody who doesn’t like somebody, you know, criticizing where we’ve been or where we’re goin’. It’s unpatriotic at any given moment to sit back and let things pass that are damaging to some place that you love so dearly. And that has given me so much. And that I believe in, I still feel and see us as a beacon of hope and possibility.”
Bruce Springsteen is just expressing what he believes needs to be said in this country right now. And if we are truly “the land of the free and the home of the brave” where we believe everyone has a right to freedom of speech and a right to express their opinions. Why are we so critical when people actually have the courage to step up and express their beliefs? Bruce Springsteen has the same rights that every American has to express their opinions and beliefs but, most of the average Americans do not have the amount of courage it takes to take a stand and fight for what they believe in.
“I think we live in a time when what is true can be made to seem a lie, and what is a lie can be made to seem true. And I think that the successful manipulation of those things have characterized several of our past elections. That level of hubris and arrogance has got us in the mess that we’re in right now. And we’re in a mess. But if we subvert, the best things that we’re about in the name of protecting our freedoms, if we remove them, then who are we becoming, you know? Who are we, you know? The American idea is a beautiful idea. It needs to be preserved, served, protected and sung out.
The message of the album can be focused around anything and everything. No matter what the lyrics say or what the song is about, the rabid fans will still flock to the stores to buy it. On October 11, 2007, it was reported that Springsteen's “Magic” sold 563,000 copies around the world in its first week, making it the best-selling record in the world for that particular week. The next world chart saw Bruce remaining at the top, selling another 270,000 copies of Magic and bringing the total for that album to 833,000 copies worldwide. This is Bruce’s 15th album and it can grow to be the most popular. Along with his 15 albums, he has won 15 Grammy Awards.
“Woke up Election Day, sky's gunpowder and shades of grey, beneath the dirty sun, I whistle my time away.” This excerpt from the song “Livin’ in the Future” explains how Bruce feels about the presidency. It clearly states that after the election, it seemed that a dark cloud was cast over the entire nation. “You can’t kill your way to security, and you can’t lead through scaring people,” says Bruce. With the new election coming up next November, the outcome is unpredictable. There are numerous candidates that include Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Barack Obama.
It is clear that the message of the album does not reflect its sales. Good music is good music. “Who cares what the message is. Anti-war, pro-war, it does not matter. The boss will always be the boss of rock and roll,” says fanatical follower, Lisa Garrett. The other fans seem to agree since his album is the top of the charts around the world.
Bruce has been recording songs for decades, but is there an end in sight? Some people may agree that his long-lasting career might be finishing soon but others hope that he is still born to run. “Bruce lives on for as long as he keeps making good music,” says blogger Michelle Lanese.
Bruce Springsteen has been on the rock music scene for years. It seems like he goes away silently and comes back quickly with a huge album with a huge message. This message is just a little different. That does not mean the music is different. It is the same Bruce that everyone loves or loves to hate. “I’m not competing with 50 cent or trying to get on MTV. I’m playing for myself, my band, and my audience,” says Springsteen. No matter what comes of this “anti-war” album, Bruce will continue to listen to the beat of his own drum, and ride off into the rock and roll sunset.