Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen

[Wanderlei]

Just out of interest, do people on here regard Bruce Springsteen in the same light as Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams?

If so, i think you're missing out. Bon Jovi and the like share that same sort of image with Bruce Springsteen, and rock stadiums in the same way but Springsteen's songs actually have soul. I also think a lot of people on here only know 'Dancing in the Dark' and 'Born To Run'. If so, i urge you to grab a copy of The Essential Bruce Springsteen and listen to songs like Badlands, The River, Jungleland, Thunder Road, etc.

He is a fantastic artist. Please don't tar him with the same brush as other similar acts.

[glastofun]

I categorise him as similar to the above artists you've mentioned. Your idea that Bruce 'has soul' is a bit of a ridiculous one to try and convert non-fans. Whether something 'has soul' or not is a subjective thing, and I'm sure Bon Jovi fans would argue that they have soul too.

[Homer]

These guys have soul.

[Karlhippy]

hhmm, Amercian AOR shite??

[Wanderlei]

I categorise him as similar to the above artists you've mentioned. Your idea that Bruce 'has soul' is a bit of a ridiculous one to try and convert non-fans. Whether something 'has soul' or not is a subjective thing, and I'm sure Bon Jovi fans would argue that they have soul too.

[Filthy]

I would group him with those mentioned and other middle of the road lowest common denominator "RAWK AND ROLL" stadium acts who I have little or no interest in. I can see why people have an affinity with him, and perhaps if I'd been brought up on springsteen instead of Dire Straits and Fleetwood Mac by my parents, I'd have him as a guilty pleasure instead of them and be bang up for seeing him. But I wasn't and I won't.

[The Nal]

so you haven't really taken much notice of him then?

[Filthy]

so you haven't really taken much notice of him then?

[thegremlin_1999]

you make it sound like being like bon jovi is a bad thing?

bon jovi are fekking great imo

just a really good fun live band with lots of big singalong anthems

lighten up!!

[Tugger2k]

I've tried, I've listened to recommended things by you, jens, friends etc and just don't see what the attraction is. He doesn't speak to me, he speaks to americans in a far too overly sincere manner. He epitomises stadium rock to me.

[glastofun]

...but anyone is capable of defending an artist they like and attempting to argue why they are better than other artists. For me it's just the cheese factor, and aside from selected songs of his, the way he performs is just cringe worthy.

[tevaburger]

all 3 represent different genres completely...

take Glasto for instance...Springsteen would have been at the top of Eavis' list of 'musts' for a decade or more. Bryan Adams and Bon Jovi will never play glastonbury, or even be thought as possibilities.

if you go back to the 80's, Bryan Adams (pre Robin Hood bollocks) was a guitar-playing mainstream rock star, with the very (north) American sound that works on US highways ... Bon Jovi was much more of a light heavy metal guy who still got most of his UK press in Kerrang!

At around the same time that those 2 broke big, Springsteen had already released some classic pieces of work through the 1970's, and was about to release a mainstreamish album (Born-USA) that became his biggest seller and reached a new audience (admittedly, some Bryan Adams fans probably bought his records then too). But, he still had the reputation as the songwriter extraordinaire writing stories about things important in life, playing gigs such as the No Nukes thing at Madison Square Garden, and refusing Ronald Reagan permission to use "Born In The USA" (the often misunderstood song) as a campaign song.

Bryan "the only thing that looks good on me looks good on you" Adams and Jon "You Give Love A Bad Name" Bon Jovi hardly had the brainpower to strum together such thought-provoking stories or ideas in their songs. Admittedly, Bon Jovi has got a bit more involved in good causes as he's gotten older, and he often shows up on stage with Bruce (perhaps he will tonight when I see the Boss in New Jersey!!! had to throw that in!), but his songs are still shallow and as such are aimed at a different audience.

i don't know what Bryan Adams does these days, but he's gone more Sting'ish since the Robin Hood thing...cheezy ballads.

but there's no way you can put them all in the same category. they're very distinct. and neither hold a candle to the Boss...they'd be the first ones to tell u that.

[hoils]

He just comes across as horribly sincere. Sincerety and popular music is never a very pretty sight.

[Filthy]

I'm going to stop now. I really hope you all enjoy him, it is good to see such unrelenting passion in music in general, I just won't be a convert. Glastonbury will be amazing whatever we choose to see!!

[KANKLES]

Just out of interest, do people on here regard Bruce Springsteen in the same light as Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams?

If so, i think you're missing out. Bon Jovi and the like share that same sort of image with Bruce Springsteen, and rock stadiums in the same way but Springsteen's songs actually have soul. I also think a lot of people on here only know 'Dancing in the Dark' and 'Born To Run'. If so, i urge you to grab a copy of The Essential Bruce Springsteen and listen to songs like Badlands, The River, Jungleland, Thunder Road, etc.

He is a fantastic artist. Please don't tar him with the same brush as other similar acts.

[sifi]

if you've had a child, I don't think it matters whether you believe in god or not, but those lyrics mean a lot to me

Edited May 21, 2009 by sifimaster

[hoils]

different strokes an' all that, but really

Sincerity and popular music is where it's at

[Filthy]

"most people who say they dont like him are stupid people who have heard about 2 songs"

This is the kind of statement that may inspire the "hatred" described in the other thread.

[sifi]

Stuff like born in the usa and all the gay stuff he done is horrible, most people who say they dont like him are stupid people who have heard about 2 songs.

Edited May 21, 2009 by sifimaster

[KANKLES]

I had no idea he went through a period of appealing to a homosexual audience. Kinda like Kylie in an ironic way, I'm guessing?

[Tugger2k]

Stuff like born in the usa and all the gay stuff he done is horrible, most people who say they dont like him are stupid people who have heard about 2 songs.

[KANKLES]

what absolute cobblers

ive heard his stuff from the day i was born (my folks are huge fans), my missis and her folks are huge fans

i know his stuff upside down and it just doesnt touch me, illicit an emotional response, in any way

does that make me and all the other people in the world who dont get it stupid?

or does it just make them different to you?

[tevaburger]

....

the gay stuff....

[sifi]

I'm getting a bit confused by this idea that Bruce Springsteen appealed to a homosexual audience. I'm not picturing him dressed up as the guy in leathers on this picture.

And Van Zandt could dress up as the Indian fella, I don't know.

Edited May 21, 2009 by sifimaster

[Tugger2k]

Yeah it does, thats my oppinion on the matter.