by Robert Gillis [Unpublished]
My review of Bruce Springsteen: Tracks

Overall thought: Like it a lot; four disks contain many throw-away songs or fluff. With the right mix could make an orgasmic single CD release or an extremely good 2 CD set.

Disk 1

Overall comment about disk 1: I’m not a huge fan of some of Bruce’s earliest works, but overall liked this and glad to have it.

Mary queen of Arkansas

Like this one. Bruce’s audition! Nice that he kept the John Hammond intro.

it's hard to be a saint in the city

Not a favorite.

growin' up

Fun song, always a favorite.

does this bus stop at 82nd street?

Not a favorite. See comments about “Bishop Danced.”

bishop danced

One of the most bizarre Bruce songs ever. What was Dinah really doing in the kitchen? What was Bruce smoking when he wrote this? “She rides to heaven on a gyroscope?” Sheesh!

Santa Ana
seaside bar song
zero and blind terry

These are just so-so.

Linda let me be the one

One of the few I can say I really dislike.

thundercrack
rendezvous

This one’s live? Great song!

give the girl a kiss

Silly song but fun.

iceman

Okay, the lyrics border on preposterous (“Tombstones in my eyes / I was born dead”) but I LOVE this song. One of my all time very favorite Bruce tunes.

bring on the night

So-so.

so young and in love

Silly song but fun.

hearts of stone

I really like this one a lot. Feels like a “River” or “Darkness” outtake.

don't look back

Just OK

Disk 2

restless nights

Don’t like it at all; too “50’s” harmony.

a good man is hard to find

Definitely a “River” outtake. Musical echoes of “Point Blank” and “Wreck on the Highway.” I honestly love this one (The River is one of my favorite Bruce albums). But I was thinking that this song will be track one on the “Bruce Springsteen Christmas Album.” (or “Heartbreak and Despair on Christmas Eve”)

roulette

This has never been a favorite of mine, although it is well-written.

dollhouse

Ack.

where the bands are

Feels like a river outtake (I assume it is). Similar to “Sherry Darling” and “Out on the street.” Even has the “oh-oh oh-oh-oh” part. Didn’t like this one at first but it grows on you.

loose ends

One of my all time favorite Bruce songs. Great music, great lyrics. This one gets cranked when I listen in the car.
living on the edge of the world

Also not a favorite.

wages of sin

Love this one. Hypnotic song. Terrific lyrics.

take 'em as they come

Just OK.

be true

Live version on “Chimes of Freedom” is better, but I do like this version as well. “You be true to me and I’ll be true to you…”

Ricky wants a man of her own

Cute song.

I wanna be with you

Another quick song, but fun.

Mary Lou
I wanna be with you

Lyrics nearly identical to “be true,” but music and delivery not so good. Very weird that Bruce would put two such identical songs on the same disk on tracks (unless that was the idea, to show how songs evolve). Feels like a throw-away.

stolen car

One of my top five Bruce tunes; I love the alternate lyrics. The bootleg David gave me years ago was similar to this, but this has even more lyrics (“Son you may kiss the bride,” etc.) Love this one. Despite the song’s length, is it just me or does the vocal ending of the song feel a little abrupt?

born in the u.s.a.

Wow. This version is haunting. The echo in Bruce’s voice makes the song even better. I like this better than what was released on BITUSA in 1984; although to be fair this wouldn’t have had the commercial appeal the “anthem” did.

Johnny bye-bye

I have always loved this one. I believe it’s only one of two songs where Bruce mentions Elvis.

shut out the light

I like this song. Very sad, but excellent commentary on the “returning soldier.”

Disk 3

Cynthia

Don’t agree with David calling this one “unremarkable.” Very good song, very catchy. Is that Bruce imitating Elvis when he’s talking to Cynthia at the end?

my love will not let you down

This one grew on me. Great rock song.

this hard land

Fun song. And where else can you hear lines like, “That’s you and me Frank, we’re looking for lost cattle?”

Frankie

Man, I love this song.

TV movie

Cute. I wonder who would play Bruce in the TV movie?

stand on it

Just OK.

lion's den

Ack. Repetitive.

car wash

A female protagonist point of view – a first for Bruce? Or did he write this one intending it for Patti to sing on her album? Like it.

rockaway the days

Guy named Billy marries girl named Mary down by the river. Liked the story in this one, though.
brothers under the bridges

Unremarkable.
man at the top

I have always loved this one. The bootleg David gave me is a live version of this and people cheer when Bruce sings, “here comes a kid with a guitar in his hand.”

pink Cadillac

A classic. Perfect. Sounds even better on CD.

two for the road

Not a favorite. Feels unfinished.

janey don't you lose heart

Love this one.

when you need me

Just OK.

the wish

During the Charlie Rose interview, Bruce said this is one of the most autobiographical songs he’s ever written (yeah, one of about a thousand!) but one of the VERY few where he talks about his mother. He said on the show he played the song for her years ago and she really liked it. This song is sweet and I like it.

the honeymooners

So-so

lucky man

Originally a B-Side for one of the TOL songs – never liked it.

Disk 4

leavin' train

Good rock song; definitely feels like an outtake from Human Touch (much like Gloria’s Eyes).

seven angels

Not really fond of this one at all, even after repeated listens.

gave it a name

Powerful subject; nice song.

sad eyes

Seems out of character for Bruce, but I like this one. There’s definitely aspects of Chris Iasak’s “Wicked Game” here – not just the beat of the song but the howling.

my lover man

Loved this one, catchy. Aspects of “Brilliant Disguise” definitely there. This one really grows on you and find I like it more with each listen.

over the rise

Not much too like about this one.

when the lights go out

Unremarkable.

loose change

OK song, definite musical echoes of “Book of dreams.”

trouble in paradise

Feels like a TOL song; but lyrics seem a little contrived. Bruce definitely singing “Julianne blues” in this one.

happy

Possibly my very “new” Bruce song in ages. Gives me chills, and I think it could end up being a wedding song for a lot of Bruce fans. I really love this one.

part man, part monkey

Bruce first did this during the TOL shows in 1988. This one I always considered a throw-a-way song. Cute, (and funny lyrics)

goin' cali

”Little bit later a son comes along” is right out of TOL “Spare Parts.”

back in your arms

Another one that gives me chills. Love the saxophone part. Love this song.

brothers under the bridge

GOTJ outtake, I think. Powerful. Like this one. Really grows on you after a while.