Archive of

Nebraska

Well the lyrics say "…sign said Canadian border five miles from here", but for me it's actually more like 2 miles —tops.  Looking out my cube window I actually can see more of Canada than I can of the U.S.A.  It's right there across Lake Erie.  But I digress because that's not what this post is about…

We're here today to talk about the album this little lyrical snippet came from, Bruce Springteen's Nebraska.  Now to be perfectly honest, I'm really not much of a fan of "The Boss" and his music.  I like some of it and he's talented, but for the most part I've never really felt compelled to seriously listen to it.  Generally speaking, it just doesn't click with me.  It's odd because I listen to a very wide variety of music, but for the most part I can live without out Bruce.  I hear it and I can get into it, it's good, but it doesn't stick.  The lone exception being 1982's Nebraska.  It was a largely considered a commercial flop as the follow-up to the wildly successful The River, but did garner a good deal of critical acclaim.  This is a very stripped down album.  A lot of acoustic or electric guitar, harmonica, and vocals.  This album was basically a demo recording from his living room that was to become the next album.  But during this time Little Steven Van Zandt left the band.  During this amicable upheaval, Bruce opted to release this album "as is".  This resulted in the American musical treasure that is Nebraska.  It's the only Springsteen I own and probably ever will.  A raw, stripped down sound with dark tales of desperation from America's heartland.  Very good stuff.

Trip

Trip

I am a self destructive creation
I am only human
Yet I am beyond a human need
I have no comprehension
I am over edged

I can't hold my pencil because…
My head is fallling down to… heh, heh
I am into this fear
It is only me, but it is very real
My own mind is tearing me apart
I go three ways, body, mind and soul

My body just flops
My mind is out of control
My soul has gone, and is fighting to gain control

3/15/1982

World in Flames

World in Flames

Today is the day, the skies are falling in
There isn't much to say, just put up with what they say
Seems like the days are getting shorter
Just not enough time, to finish the ever growing chores

They say the fire burns lower everyday
I say the're liars!
I feel the hear of the fire
In actuality I see the flames growing higher
A I look around, the flames swallow me

I feel the pain, as they eat away my brain
My body's in a vise
And I really wish, really wish
You'd all stop bothering me

3/10/1982