As is his way, Bruce Springsteen is talking about his love of America (and his dislike of Donald Trump). The “Born in the USA” singer has used his music as a way to praise his American roots while also criticizing our more negative parts. Trump doesn’t like it.
Currently, Springsteen is in Europe on his “Land of Hope & Dreams” tour and he had a rather colorful commentary on our current administration during his show in Manchester, England. He called the Trump administration “treasonous” and summoned the “righteous power of art, of music, of rock ‘n’ roll in dangerous times.”
“In my home, the America I love, the America I’ve written about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration,” he said to the crowd. “Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experience to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism and let freedom ring!”
Trump saw Springsteen’s response and he was not a fan. He tried to insult Bruce Springsteen “hilarious” and tried to insult the rocker’s looks (the 75 year-old still rocks shows without a shirt on and it isn’t an unwelcome sight). “This dried out ‘prune’ of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied!) ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
This isn’t surprising if you’re a fan of the Boss
I grew up with Springsteen. His music has, in a way, been the soundtrack to my life. And it all stems from my family’s deep love for the artist. But what I love about the Boss isn’t his catch tunes and Americana vibes. I love the deeper meaning behind songs that often get missed by the casual listener. Songs like “Born in the USA” are not, as many believe, a celebration of being an American. They are a commentary on how we treat our veterans and those who the “American Dream” leave behind.
But through Springsteen’s commentary on the state of America is a deep love for his country. He’s not afraid to criticize it and that is what makes us true Americans. Believing that our country is the best blindly and not questioning things is, in a lot of ways, anti-American. We are founded on pushing back, saying no, and doing what we think is the best for our country.
Trump’s version of America is his way or you are wrong and that, in itself, is anti-American. So Bruce Springsteen fighting back and telling the world that the America he loves is being run by the corrupt is the most American thing about him and that’s why I love him so much.
You can think what you want about the Boss but he’s always been this way. Songs like “American Skin” tackle racial injustice, “Johnny 99” is about economic struggles in this country, and (of course) life as a working class kid from New Jersey.
If Springsteen didn’t say anything against our current administration, he wouldn’t be the Boss we know and love. And if you’re shocked by his comments, maybe you weren’t a fan of Bruce Springsteen to begin with.
(featured image: Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images)
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