Working On A Dream

Why do we love the artists that we love?

How can a piece of music change a persons life so dramatically?

I'm a big Bruce Springsteen fan. Actually, the word fan is an understatement. I am what one would call an obsessive fanatic. I own all of his albums, have seen him live, and salvitate over every bootleg that I can get my grubby hands on.

Sure I can get annoying. After last year's Magic came out Lia, my girlfriend, had to threaten a seperation in order for me to listen to anything else.

I'm just kidding. It never got that bad. But almost...

But I'm not the only one who suffers from this kind of debacle. I've heard of people creating shrines in their homes to artists such as John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, and The Doors. One of the parents of one of the kids I give swim team lessons to still wears all of the Fleetwood Mac t-shirts shes bought from every single concert she's ever seen. And I've never seen her wear the same one twice.

Now I cant explain why these people love who they love. But I might be able to give some insight on maybe why The Boss means so much to me.

It's people.

His words are about people that all of us can see. The old man at the bar wondering if and when his wife will come home (You're Missing). The young kid watching his older brother go off to war--something he doesnt yet, and may not ever understand (Born in the U.S.A.). The guy who lost all of his hopes and dreams racing the car he built with his best friend (Racing in the Streets). People coming together for a cause they believe in (The Rising). Lastly--the one who we all can relate to--someone who just wants to get out of the town that he's grown up in (Born to Run, 4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy), Growing Up, etc).

His words--his--honesty give people something to relate to, something to believe in. When Bruce Springsteen endorsed President-Elect Barack Obama it came as no shock to us E-Street fans. It seemed like the perfect combination. Here we have a singer who has always represented the common-man, as well as the youthfulness of america; and we have a politician who works hard for the average working American, the one living paycheck to paycheck.

Last night during the Redskins Cowboys football game, Bruce Springsteen premiered his single "Workin' on a Dream" off of his upcoming new album. While campaigning for Barack Obama he would always say the same thing before playing an acoustic version of the song--"This one goes out to Senator Obama"

Out here the nights are long, the days are lonely
I think of you and I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream

Now the cards I've drawn's a rough hand, darling
I straighten the back and I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream

I'm working on a dream
Though sometimes it feels so far away
I'm working on a dream
And I know it will be mine someday

Rain pourin' down, I swing my hammer
My hands are rough from working on a dream
I'm working on a dream

I'm working on a dream
Though trouble can feel like it's here to stay
I'm working on a dream
Well our love will chase trouble away

I'm working on a dream
Though it can feel so far away
I'm working on a dream
Our love will make it real someday

The sun rise up, I climb the ladder
The new day breaks and I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream

I'm working on a dream
Though it can feel so far away
I'm working on a dream
Our love will make it real someday
I'm working on a dream
Though it can feel so far away
I'm working on a dream
And our love will make it real someday

What dream is he talking about in this song? In context it's about a man creating a family. However Bruce has never meant for his lyrics to be read on the surface level. This song could be seen as a vintage Springsteen song. America, the youngest country in the world, obviously has it's problems. It has it's kinks that are years and years away from being solved. However we are getting there. If the american people can rally behind Barack Obama, we can all get to work on the American Dream. A place where everyone--no matter your race, creed, sexual orientation, no matter anything--can come together, raise a family and live.

That is why I love Bruce Springsteen, he, as well as his songs, represent an America that is not only willing to admit it's faults, but work to change them selflessly for the betterment of all of it's citizens.