This is about as authentic as it gets because it's the story of what happened to his sister. It has a happy ending though because they got through the hard times and are still married to this day.
Bruce Springsteen is a national treasure. I have seen him many many times and each time was one of the best concerts I've ever seen. The man is the real deal. If I had to pick one musician to hang out with it would definitely be him.
Springsteen is an icon in rock history, a passionate storyteller, a rocker, a whimsical free spirit and quite possibly the greatest live act of all time. You talk about rabbit holes, his is well worth exploring.
I have to say, I believe you are the best reactionist thats out there, you listen to the complete song, break it down, and tell us your thoughts. I watch a lot of reactions, and a lot of them don’t do that. Also while you watch and listen you show your feelings for the song, and that’s rare. Keep up the great work! Oh and I Love the classic rock, the music I grew up with. Awesome, and Thanks Brother!
The despair was real in the late 70s. America was no longer the unabashed king of the world. Business moving to Asia, the Arab oil crisis. Bruce documented the angst we all were living from his New Jersey viewpoint.
Excellent interpretation, JMBoy. I'd never thought of the river as a symbol of good and bad times. It seems so obvious and I'm not sure why I missed it before! This is my favorite BS song. So sad, so real. Really shows his depth. Is a dream a lie if it don't come true? Or is it something worse? What a gut-wrenching question.
Awesome. Just subscribed after watching the Southern Man reaction, pop over to the videos and you're reacting to what I consider to be one of the great recordings. But I remember us riding in my brother's car Her body tan and wet down at the reservoir At night on them banks I'd lie awake And pull her close just to feel each breath she'd take It doesn't get much better than that.
Thanks Bro... I haven't heard this gem in a long time. Edit, your reaction to this song is brilliant and I never got the "river metaphor" before. Nice job man. 😎
Taking me all the way back to HS graduation. Favorite lines: Now those memories come back to haunt me. They haunt me like a curse. Is a dream a lie if it don't come true? Or is it something worse. Love the whole album.
Agree I love this song also the lines "now all them things that seemed so important well mister they vanished right into the air now I act like I don't remember and Mary acts like she don't care" how sad is that?
Bruce Springsteen released The River when I was thirteen and too young to appreciate songs like this, but time has a way of smartening people up. Heh. "Hungry Heart" was the big radio hit from the album, but the rockers from it were more my speed back then -- "Cadillac Ranch", "Ramrod", "You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)", "Out in the Street", "Two Hearts" ...
I have NO IDEA why everyone keeps recommending "The River" as Springsteen's finest songs. WRONG! "MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER"!!! THAT'S the Hidden Gem! ❤❤
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This is about as authentic as it gets because it's the story of what happened to his sister. It has a happy ending though because they got through the hard times and are still married to this day.
Bruce Springsteen is a national treasure. I have seen him many many times and each time was one of the best concerts I've ever seen. The man is the real deal. If I had to pick one musician to hang out with it would definitely be him.
Springsteen is an icon in rock history, a passionate storyteller, a rocker, a whimsical free spirit and quite possibly the greatest live act of all time. You talk about rabbit holes, his is well worth exploring.
Springsteen and Dylan are the two greatest storytellers in our musical lifetime
The GOAT
Agree on all - and just saw him live in Baltimore and still best live act touring
One of your best reactions. The lyrics have a lot of depth, and you dove all the way in. Nice job!
I saw the river as hopes, dreams and possibilities. Life has a way of draining these from a man.
The poet of my life...BRUUUCE!!!
I have to say, I believe you are the best reactionist thats out there, you listen to the complete song, break it down, and tell us your thoughts. I watch a lot of reactions, and a lot of them don’t do that. Also while you watch and listen you show your feelings for the song, and that’s rare. Keep up the great work! Oh and I Love the classic rock, the music I grew up with. Awesome, and Thanks Brother!
The despair was real in the late 70s. America was no longer the unabashed king of the world. Business moving to Asia, the Arab oil crisis. Bruce documented the angst we all were living from his New Jersey viewpoint.
Excellent interpretation, JMBoy. I'd never thought of the river as a symbol of good and bad times. It seems so obvious and I'm not sure why I missed it before! This is my favorite BS song. So sad, so real. Really shows his depth. Is a dream a lie if it don't come true? Or is it something worse? What a gut-wrenching question.
My favourite song of all time I was at the live concert on the 4th of July in London
Brilliant reaction good man, like always. Thank you for always getting it.
Awesome. Just subscribed after watching the Southern Man reaction, pop over to the videos and you're reacting to what I consider to be one of the great recordings.
But I remember us riding in my brother's car
Her body tan and wet down at the reservoir
At night on them banks I'd lie awake
And pull her close just to feel each breath she'd take
It doesn't get much better than that.
And then in the next chorus, "We go down to the river, though we know the river is dry..." Such great poetry and metaphors.
Thanks Bro... I haven't heard this gem in a long time. Edit, your reaction to this song is brilliant and I never got the "river metaphor" before. Nice job man. 😎
Taking me all the way back to HS graduation. Favorite lines:
Now those memories come back to haunt me.
They haunt me like a curse.
Is a dream a lie if it don't come true?
Or is it something worse.
Love the whole album.
Agree I love this song also the lines "now all them things that seemed so important well mister they vanished right into the air now I act like I don't remember and Mary acts like she don't care" how sad is that?
What a song. Right!
This describes growing up in Pittsburgh in the 1960s
1. POINT BLANK 2. SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT 3. THE RIVER 4. DOWNBOUND TRAIN.
My first Bruce concert was The River tour, in November '80. Nothing like Bruce in person! Great review sir!! ❤
Great reaction to this awesome song!
Thanks for the great reaction JM, the whole album is full of gems!
I would love for you preview Springsteen’s Racing in the Street.
Bruce plays the harmonica, too. This song was written, and performed 'live' in 1979 -album was released in 1981.
Mistake -album was out in 1980, the single was in 1981.
Brilliant review 😘
Love Out In The Street off the album!
I've always loved this song. Real as it gets. Good observations on your part too.
Please react on live Videos of him. They are somtimes way better than the studio Version
Further on up the road covered by the man in black. If you said you were not a pro,I would look at you ah funny. Too good. Sokay good at picking too.
Bruce Springsteen released The River when I was thirteen and too young to appreciate songs like this, but time has a way of smartening people up. Heh. "Hungry Heart" was the big radio hit from the album, but the rockers from it were more my speed back then -- "Cadillac Ranch", "Ramrod", "You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)", "Out in the Street", "Two Hearts" ...
Don't like Bruce all that much but this is one of his best songs.
Agree
I have NO IDEA why everyone keeps recommending "The River" as Springsteen's finest songs. WRONG!
"MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER"!!!
THAT'S the Hidden Gem! ❤❤