The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN FANS. ONE TYPE IS
THE "BANDWAGON BRUCE" FAN, WHO SEES BRUCE AS THE HARD, FAST
ROCKER WITH HIS ARMY JACKET AND RANGER BERET. THE OTHER TYPE
ARE HIS REGULAR FANS, WHICH APPRECIATE ALL OF HIS MUSIC.
THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO TELL THE TWO APART BY ASKING THREE
QUESTIONS.
Q1: WHAT SONG, FROM "THE WILD AND THE INNOCENT" DOES
BRUCE ALWAYS PLAY IN CONCERT, BUT NEVER PLAYED
IT ONCE DURING HIS "BORN IN THE USA" TOUR?
A1: "ROSALITA"
Q2: WHAT HAPPENED TO BRUCE IN 1975 WHEN HE RELEASED
"BORN TO RUN" THAT NEVER HAPPENED TO ANY ROCK
STAR BEFORE?
A2: HE APPEARED SIMULTANEOUSLY, DURING THE SAME WEEK, ON THE
COVERS OF BOTH "NEWSWEEK" AND "TIME MAGAZINE".
Q3: WHAT IS THE MESSAGE THAT THE SONG "BORN IN THE USA"
EXPRESSES?
A3: THE HARD TIMES ENCOUNTERED BY THE VIETNAM VET WHEN
HE RETURNS HOME, AND AMERICA'S SEEMING INABILITY TO
DEAL WITH THEM.
A "BANDWAGON BRUCE" FAN WILL NOT KNOW THE ANSWERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT