Bruce Springsteen - I salute you!

Casdon

I agree Wyllow3. Bruce has always been a political animal, who has spoken, written and sung about his beliefs. I highly doubt he was wheeled out by anybody, he’s not the type to do something just for publicity.

👏👏

Well said, Bruce. I salute you.

No doubt about which way “The Boss” votes, just listen to his songs, usually down trodden workers and the less fortunate. Being a working class hero hasn’t stopped him being a billionaire - slowly, it took took him 60yrs, Taylor Swift over took him in a very short time

Mmmm My City in Ruins from The Rising after 9/11.
Youngstown, once I’ve made you rich enough, rich enough to forget my name. I would imagine these lyrics would appeal to many of Trumps supporters who thought his lyrics referred to them. Those that live in trailers and not the leafy suburbs.

Bruce has always admitted he hasn’t done a days work in his life.

I know his politics, I know mine, I keep them to myself.

Being an artist is work

Yes, there are many who shared Springsteens background who are Trump supporters, and many who are not.

JD Vance had a similar background and found his way out - he on to Yale Law School and rubbed shoulders with Silicon Valley elites - he hardly stayed in a trailer!

Before turning his life story into a politically tinged memoir - another sort of artist - which championed conservative values.

He chose Republicans - Springsteen chose democrats - they both have their voice and a right to speak. People who go to hear Vance get what they expect: as do people who go to Springsteen.

“People who go to hear Vance get what they expect: as do people who go to Springsteen.”

I dont think too many pay to be entertained by Vance, nor would many attend political rally by Springsteen.

“Being an artist is work”

It is if you can earn enough to live and contribute to society, many artists are sponsored which is fine.

Well I hope he's got it off his chest because I'm going to see him tomorrow and paid good money for the tickets....I don't wish to hear him ranting about President Trump....it's the music I want to hear.

I hope you enjoy the gig, Dorisdodar, but if you don’t want politics I feel you’ll be disappointed. His songs have always been political.

What makes you think he doesn’t care about free speech, Galaxy? I’m not sure who ‘these people’ are, either.

Those who are now speaking about free speech because they think Trump is closing down speech. I may have missed his concern when twitter was censoring info on bidens son or banning women for stating biological reality, etc etc. I am just not interested in that kind of concern. In the same way I am not interested in republican supporters who would turn a blind eye to Trump trying to control speech.

Galaxy

Those who are now speaking about free speech because they think Trump is closing down speech. I may have missed his concern when twitter was censoring info on bidens son or banning women for stating biological reality, etc etc. I am just not interested in that kind of concern. In the same way I am not interested in republican supporters who would turn a blind eye to Trump trying to control speech.

You have confused me Galaxy, who are ‘those’? Are you talking about Bruce Springsteen or other people?

Obviously I know that because I've listened to his music for 40 years and been to a few gigs in that time. I will enjoy the gig whether or not but just wish these musicians would quit with the political broadcast before the concert. Americas problems are not all down to Trump.

I know very little about Bruce Springsteen, but I do know how irritated I get when Gary Lineker and Chris Packham use their public appearances to express their political views. David Tennant likewise.

Galaxy

Those who are now speaking about free speech because they think Trump is closing down speech. I may have missed his concern when twitter was censoring info on bidens son or banning women for stating biological reality, etc etc. I am just not interested in that kind of concern. In the same way I am not interested in republican supporters who would turn a blind eye to Trump trying to control speech.

I don't think comments on every issue are appropriate at rock concerts (there would be no time for music), but comment on major developments are very different. Are you cynical about Bob Dylan singing about civil rights, for instance?

I think Bob Dylan isn't a very nice man but I like some of his music if that helps.
His comments about free speech are because it's not 'his side' doing it, that's a very common approach on all sides of politics in any country at the moment.

eazybee

I know very little about Bruce Springsteen, but I do know how irritated I get when Gary Lineker and Chris Packham use their public appearances to express their political views. David Tennant likewise.

I agree with that, easybee. I think the difference is that some singers are famous for writing songs about the issues that matter to them, and their fans are likely to support their views (or they wouldn't be fans). Telling them that they should have a 'balanced' catalogue is ridiculous. If someone wants to write about Biden's son they can do so - if there is a demand for it they will gain a fan base. Enough people care about working class America to make Bruce Springsteen a massive star. Why should they have to listen to songs about issues that don't concern them (or that don't lend themselves to protest songs)? Politics in the media (eg Question Time) has been made far less balanced by an insistence on having all parties given equal representation - I would hate to see that fate befall the Arts. Plus, how can people write songs (or poems or novels) about things that don't move them to do so?

eazybee

I know very little about Bruce Springsteen, but I do know how irritated I get when Gary Lineker and Chris Packham use their public appearances to express their political views. David Tennant likewise.

Why?

I think it’s great to hear others political views, who they support, what they support and why.

Politics affects us all in so many asoevts of our lives

Also, I'm not keen on people deciding on others' motivations. Who gives anyone the right to do that?

Dorisdodar

Obviously I know that because I've listened to his music for 40 years and been to a few gigs in that time. I will enjoy the gig whether or not but just wish these musicians would quit with the political broadcast before the concert. Americas problems are not all down to Trump.

That’s true, not everything in the USA is down to Trump, however he’s done a huge amount of both reputations and financial damage since he became POTUS again, particularly with his use of EOs

Doodledog

Also, I'm not keen on people deciding on others' motivations. Who gives anyone the right to do that?

I agree, unless you’re close to the person or you’re physic you just don’t know!

Go Springsteen.

What he said is about far more than free speech as such. It's about what he is doing with the poorest of the country, it's about whether people can even enjoy due Process of Law anymore, as you can read on page 1.

Yes, many of his songs have been political already, celebratory of an America, a land he loves, he doesn't want to see destroyed.

It's a culture battle, the censorship of histories and anything that doesnt follow Trumps' narrative.

Artists get involved in the culture they live in, always have, whether painters of singers or poets, and he has his place in it

The MAGA crew are busy attacking him of course:

but what he said as part of his performance isn't heavy handed or overdone, the 10 minutes or so it must have taken as part of a long evening were well spent imo.

Sorry “psychic”

No it's not about balance it is about whether I judge them to be 'truthful' I suppose. Gary Lineker is a good example, he will lecture against racism and then be as antisemitic as it is possible to be.
I don't think you can complain about free speech if the only time you raise your voice is when it is Trump, it just makes you look insincere. I don't care who he supports politically.

If you read what he actually said, he's not talking just about Trump at all, he doesn't even mention his name, he's talking about a direction those in power in the US are taking both ideas and actions.

Galaxy

No it's not about balance it is about whether I judge them to be 'truthful' I suppose. Gary Lineker is a good example, he will lecture against racism and then be as antisemitic as it is possible to be.
I don't think you can complain about free speech if the only time you raise your voice is when it is Trump, it just makes you look insincere. I don't care who he supports politically.

But Trump isn’t what Springsteen either said, or writes, sings and talks about exclusively. For forty years he has championed workers rights and overcoming oppression. think you’ve jumped to the bait here, I really do. He isn’t ‘people’.