Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s half-time performance during the Super Bowl this Sunday has inspired a New York Times sports columnist to muse: “Who knows, maybe we’ll get lucky and there will be at least one bold moment… when Springsteen goes rogue and rails against… offensive Wall Street bonuses… Go ahead, Bruce, make those corporate fat cats squirm on their sofas. It’s a one-time forum — make a lasting impression,” concludes Harvey Araton.
Hey, I am usually all for spontaneous, socially-provocative gestures in mass-culture settings, but this strikes me as one of the worst ideas possible.
Given the history of Super Bowl controversies (hi, Janet and Justin), any serious political comment Springsteen might offer would attract negative criticism from even some of his biggest fans, don’t you think? I mean, it’s not as though Springsteen has been a wallflower about expressing his views on the past few years’ social ills. It’s just that I think he’ll inspire a lot more good will for his future political statements if he and his band just play the hell out of a few of their hits, gives the cameras that big Boss smile, and jogs offstage.
Or am I wrong? Do you think Springsteen should use his live-TV time to let loose a political blast as well as a musical one?
I agree he should just play the hell out of some good songs. That forum is so weird it doesn’t lend itself to great performances. Maybe Bruce can change that.
NO!! I think its a bad idea…it turns people off when artists start spewing about their political views..
Rock the crowd for 15-20 mins; and leave ‘em wanting more..and leave it at that!!
Maybe Patti should come up behind him and, for the big finale moment, rip his shirt off. Oh, wait. That’s been done before. Never mind… Seriously, C’MON! No wonder the NY Times is teetering on the edge of destruction, if this is what their columnists are wasting column inches on.
Heard a rumor that Courtney Cox will be pulled onstage to reinact the Dancing in the Dark video….
I agree. I love Bruce and am a huge fan (of his music AND his politics), but I think he should stick to the music in this case. I think the more fun question is: which songs should be play? If they play, say, five songs, I think these would make for a great set at halftime of the big game: My Lucky Day (gotta promote the new single), Radio Nowhere, The Rising, Thunder Road (or Dancing in the Dark, to go with a more obvious choice for the setting), Born to Run, and Born in the U.S.A. Ok, so that’s six songs, but it’s Bruce, you think there won’t be some kind of an encore?
I love Bruce and respect his politics, but Sunday is definitely NOT the time and place to do it. This is supposed to be a fun and entertaining event and any political statements made on stage will only serve as a bucket of cold water on the event.
Just a post script, if Bruce does want to make some sort of statement, he should do it subtly through the songs he chooses to perform. He’ll probably just do the hits or something fun that fits in with the spirit of the day: Born to Run, Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark, Hungry Heart, Ramrod. If he wants something edgier or more statement oriented, he could go with Born in the USA, Gypsy Biker, Badlands, Into the Fire, The Rising, City of Ruins.
Bruce going political would be the least of the SB promoters worries – I thing a phallic guitar and a wardrobe malfunction were a little more ‘offensive’ than the Boss saying anything.
Wonder when the fake crowd of fans on the field will have finally played out and not be part of the halftime show?
The super bowl is silly. Consider what it truly is… two groups of men running around in colored costumes to a finale that has no consequence to the lives of the onlooker. The importance that this event is purported to have by the media is shameful.
Our pursuits as a species need be more genuine and thought out.
Charades.
Good gig for Bruce.
Grow up America.
@freaky
You can boil just about anything to down and make it sound stupid. Don’t underestimate the power sports has on society both as a form of entertainment and as a way for children to learn fitness and teamwork.
I really hate football, and the Stupid Bowl in particular. But I really like Broooce. What to do?
Springsteen is there to entertain us; we have enough politicians in the limelight.
Most of the time, Super Bowl performances are pre-recorded. Like when Sir Paul was playing “Hey Jude” he stood up and the piano continued… It’s a show, take it or leave it.
Yeah, that would be cool, a millionaire singer slamming millionaire financial folks. Can you say “hypocrite?”
Obviously, the “fat cats” are beyond feelings like squirming. They would likely interpret such proposed commentary as praise, laughing good-naturedly at the desparate as they sip $450 bottles of vintage champagne. Ho-ho-ho, life is good.