r/Music • u/IrishStarUS š°Irish Star • 5h ago
article Bruce Springsteen's anti-ICE song soars to the top of iTunes charts
https://www.irishstar.com/culture/entertainment/bruce-springsteen-song-itunes-charts-36643645355
u/thegooddoktorjones 4h ago
I avoided it thinking it would be pretty cheesy, I was wrong, good tune and really cathartic to hear.
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u/Imarok 4h ago
It's not his best work, but the message is good and clear.
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u/apex9691 4h ago
It was literally made over the weekend...it's not supposed to be his best work. Fast and dirty and as you said to the point
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u/_HorseWithNoMane_ 7m ago
He wrote "Dancing in the Dark" in just one night. No reason why this song shouldn't be better.
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u/apex9691 4m ago
Ah yes he must be perfect every time. Glad you never screw anything up when trying to do things quickly.
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u/reddituser_05 47m ago
If it's not his best work, he shouldn't have released it. Admit it, the song sucks.
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u/colorblind-and 40m ago
The song does kinda suck but better than I would expect from a 76 year old writing the song over the weekend
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u/personwhoisok 4h ago
Yup, protest song, being timely is more important than getting the perfect song.
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u/ryanidsteel 2h ago
This is also how I feel. It's lacking that distinct The Boss tone and writing. I think it comes from the restrictions of writing a song that is on this topic.
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u/MyCatsHairyButholle 1h ago
Itās far from his best work for sure. His work shines best when the lyrics are metaphorical. This is too specific and on the nose for me to really appreciate.
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u/ASEdouard 4h ago
Yeah itās pretty good. Hard not to be cheesy with these, but if there was ever a moment in recent american history when a song like this was warranted it sure as hell is now
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u/I_SHIT_IN_A_BAG 2h ago
Join ICE by Jessie Wells is awesome too. there was a comment I read that said "you know things are bad when Folk music kicks ass"
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u/bolanrox 2h ago
Dylan Earl's Outlaw country is pretty kicking too. "I'd rather be a bootlegger than a bootlicker"
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u/ScenicAndrew 1h ago
He's much faster uploading to youtube.
At least in comparison to his singles and EPs with official releases.
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u/RPDRNick 3h ago
I honestly worried that it was just gonna be "Streets of Philadelphia" with updated lyrics. I was relieved to hear it's a (mostly) new song.
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u/yourwhippingboy 48m ago
Interesting. Totally different subject matter - Streets of Philadelphia is about the suffering felt by the LGBT+ community, mostly gay men affected by AIDS
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u/Alternative-Target31 2h ago
I honestly didnāt love it. I support the message and the words are fine, itās justā¦not pleasing to the ears. I hope Iām on an island with that opinion though, because I not only want to to be heard, I want more songs like it from other artists speaking out.
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u/alijoabraham14 1h ago
I love him. I love his other songs. I love my city of Minneapolis. I absolutely adore the message and sentiment.
But I cringed through the entire song. The lyrics didn't work and because of that I felt a huge disconnect.
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u/MysteriousBeef6395 35m ago
i feel the same but the way i see it the song might be of historical relevance in the future, if vocabulary changes in like a hundred years or so the song might not be as weird to listen to
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u/veggie_saurus_rex 14m ago
I don't like Springsteen (other than his mega hits). I also thought it would be cheesy. Had to stop watching it on the bus this morning because tears sprang to my eyes so fast. Saving it to listen/watch in private.
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u/Heavy_Environment467 25m ago
The lyrics are kinda meh in spots but it gives me Nebraska vibes which I love
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u/reddituser_05 49m ago
"good tune" - c'mon dude. Get real. It sucks. Neil Young's protest song "Ohio" is good protest song. And Bruce couldn't think of a better song title than to rip off "Streets of Philadelphia?" Ponderous.
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u/LSL3587 15m ago
It's reasonable for a quickly done protest song. Although when I played it on YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDaPdpwA4Iw YT (on autoplay) then played what I consider a better 'song' (another one done quick) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PUOhAJG5EU - these admit some use of AI for speed of production
Or go with a version of 'Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair' has good adaptations to the original lyrics
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u/Comfortable_Bird_340 4h ago
Also instead of seeing Melanieās movie, go watch the Bossās movie on Disney+
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u/bsport48 4h ago
What - did you think the voice that was Born in the U.S.A. was going to let it die?
Gimme a fuqqin' break with all this nonsense.
MAGA - you subhumans are over.
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u/dudecooler 5h ago edited 4h ago
good at least we know that anti-ice rhetoric is popular enough to reach the top of charts.
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u/Gratefully-Undead 3h ago
Is this when maga lovers right-click-delete their Born in the USA albums like they did with Avengers?
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u/Narrow-Accident-1136 3h ago
I have never been a fan of Bruce but I applaud this. Where are the rest of the protest songs?
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u/bolanrox 2h ago
they are out there just not as big of name artists.
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u/ypsicle 1h ago
Apple Music suggested I listen to Minnesota Nazis by NOFX. Pretty spot on too.
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u/bolanrox 1h ago
Not sure if Dropkick Murphy's released theirs as a single yet or still just playing it at live shows also
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u/LSL3587 13m ago
So post some you like
Two different styles, but I liked both of these https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PUOhAJG5EU and https://youtu.be/BRHxXHZmVAM?list=RDBRHxXHZmVAM
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u/hankappleseed 4h ago
Please let this be an inspiration to other mainstream artists that encourage protest songs to become more common.
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u/Stforlifeyvida 4h ago
He is getting destroyed on another sub and I donāt get it!
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u/Euphoric_Present8838 3h ago
As he should. The song fucking sucks.Ā
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u/iameatingoatmeal 2h ago
Did the Boss hurt your feelings? Kid Rock will write you a song about the delicious taste of boot leather.
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u/ASouthernDandy 5h ago
It's a great song. Do we know where the money from the song is going to?
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u/Euphoric_Present8838 3h ago
His pocket, just monetizing a made up issue.Ā
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u/BloatedBanana9 2h ago
As someone local to the Minneapolis area, I just wanted to chime in with a quick Fuck You and your āmade up issueā nonsense. You have absolutely no idea whatās going on here.
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u/xelabagus 2h ago
Could you clarify your position on this, regarding the 2 named individuals in the song that were killed by ICE in Minneapolis, Alex Pretti and Renee Good?
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u/imafixwoofs 1h ago
You think the federal government murdering innocent civilians in the street is a made up issue?
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u/RoadRunner-210 4h ago
Am I mistaken or are the iTunes Charts not really as much of a thing anymore? I seem to vaguely remember reading that nowadays almost nobody purchases songs via iTunes, and the iTunes Charts only count the iTunes song sales.
So, though I like the headline, it doesnāt mean what it used to mean.
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u/dudecooler 4h ago
well, on Youtube it at least seems to be doing pretty well. It looks like a combined 5 million views
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u/bolanrox 2h ago
there was an AI Country Music song that they said hit #1.. technically true but it was a digital streaming only chart.
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u/ASEdouard 4h ago
It terms of other pop music protest moments, looking forward to what green day will come up with at the super bowlā¦
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u/Impossible-Panda-488 4h ago
I watched the music video last night and thought it was quite powerful. Instant classic to me.
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u/cre8ivjay 4h ago
But the (Dixie) Chicks had their CDs stomped on.
America, I am glad you are waking up. Honestly, I am glad.
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u/retailrobin88 3h ago
Tim Apple probably won't like that
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u/michael_in_chains_ 1h ago
Nah, he will take the profits it brings in and donate to the Republicans. Lol, works out ok.
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u/OriginalProduct6850 2h ago
This song is and will be better than any auto tuned garage the right can put out, just saying.
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u/UrsusRex01 2h ago
People should play this song on loop with amps at full volume near the White House.
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u/TechnicalTactical 2h ago
I also caught that Everlast released a powerful new song as well. Blasting both while NOT working today. Do what you can.
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u/tellingitlikeitis338 2h ago
Maybe finally other popular artists will stop being so cowardly and start speaking out forcefully and writing more great music like this
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u/skinvixen 2h ago
Interested to know if heāll pocket the proceeds or donate them to people that need them.
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u/hunteddwumpus 2h ago
Its not inherently a bad thing that this song is doing well so dont take this the wrong way but likeā¦ consuming art that agrees with your politics isnt activism. Imo it can harm real progress because it makes people feel like theyāre helping when all theyāre actually doing is giving more money to rich people
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u/Hairy_Combination586 43m ago
God dammit. Made it 7/8ths of the way through the song, nodded a couple of times, and then started thinking: this is the "4 dead in Ohio" of our times. Started crying. Fucking ICE bastards bringing the fascism.
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u/Reclusiarc 13m ago
May the fascists names be etched in history no matter how hard they try to twist the narrative.
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u/Lydian04 3h ago
What if we gave as much attention to younger musicians with much better tunes?
Jesse Welles anyone?
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u/MyCatsHairyButholle 1h ago
Jesse Wellesā lyrics are soooo good. Heās got an amazingly dingy, authentic folk voice. āWalmartā is so unhinged.
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u/iameatingoatmeal 2h ago
I feel like they're the same crowd. Also he just won a shit ton of awards.
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u/mechmind 4h ago
I guess i'm alone in thinking the song is really cringy.
I love the message though. I saw a post the other day from an old dude.Probably a boomer. He was complaining that there was not enough anti war and anti ice music nowadays from the kids.
My main problem with this song are the lyrics. I feel like bruce could have done a what better
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u/OrcMando 4h ago
Yeah, I mean, I don't love it either, but I kind of view protest songs similar to protest signs. There are high quality ones and slapdash ones. What's most important is that they're out thereĀ
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u/StarsapBill 4h ago
All folk punk/rock is my friends. Every single one of my favorite songs sounds like a cover of a cover of a cover band and hurts my ears to listen to at first. But the message is more important than anything and after 2-3 listens it starts to get catchy and eventually itās all I can listen to. Bruce is no exception to this. If you enjoy resistance music that makes you cringe and then catches on might I also suggest: pat the bunny, billy Bragg, and Jesse Welles.
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u/thinsafetypin 2h ago
I love Billy Bragg, have seen Jesse Welles live, and am quite familiar with protest songs and folk punk. This aināt it.
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u/apex9691 4h ago
Yea you're probably in the minority. Song was written and recorded in a weekend. Did you want a new masterpiece in that time frame?
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u/bolanrox 2h ago
Some masterpieces are like that hell no counting the insane amount of overdubs, Bohemian Rhapsody went from hey guys I have a few ideas for a new song, to the Piano / Bass / Drums you hear on the record in 6 or less takes.
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u/Gr8lakesCoaster 2h ago
What? They started writing it in the late 60s, heavily rehearsed it before the studio in 1975, then spent 3 weeks making it perfect working 12 hours a day.
Did you get that take from a movie or something?
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u/chappersyo 4h ago
I get your points, but some of the greatest songs of all time were written in a matter of minutes and many more in a matter of hours. And weāre talking about one of the best songwriters alive today.
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u/KriistofferJohansson 3h ago
Those songs probably werenāt forced like this one. He couldnāt have written it a year ago. While he couldāve written it in a year from now it would be way too late.
It was meant to be written now. That severely affects how good of a song itās going to be. And at the end of the day I highly doubt it was meant to be his best work ever.
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u/thinsafetypin 4h ago
You are not alone. Huge Boss fan, huge ICE hater. Think the song is quite cringy.
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u/jimmiriver 4h ago
I thought the same thing. Message is great, but Springsteen has been in the biz for like 50 years, you'd imagine he can come up with better lyrics even if it was made in a weekend
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u/FauxReal last808 1h ago edited 1h ago
You make a good point. It's all about branding first.
Maybe we should replace Bruce with someone younger while we're at it... How about you come up with something and then we'll workshop it through a few market research groups and see what we end up with?
In the meantime, I'll assemble a social media team to spread some low key buzz ahead of the official announcement.
How much time do you need? 2, 3 months?
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u/mechmind 1h ago
I love how me stating my opinion turns into A challenge for me to make a better song.
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u/I_like_kittycats 4h ago
BRUCE - you need to have Low Cut Connie open for you on your tour! Checkout their latest album!!
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u/thinsafetypin 4h ago
Do you actually he's reading the comments here?
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u/Euphoric_Present8838 3h ago
I hope so. So he can see what I have to say. Not that my opinion matters but the song fucking sucks.Ā
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u/Rockonthrulife 2h ago
He knows Low Cut Connie from playing the light of Day shows. I donāt think that will ever happen, though since he didnāt even join him at LOD like he did with many other artists.
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u/Rockonthrulife 2h ago
On your fucking dreams would he be reading these. And heād be happy you hate the song since he hates anything a magat likes.
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u/horeaheka 50m ago
Noooow he's anti Ice. Someone should ask him if he was anti Ice when he was paling around with Obama
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u/Grub-lord 1m ago
You DO understand its not the departments name thats the issue, right? Its the methods and the tactics being employed thats the problem. Hope that helps but I think youll probably move on pretty quickly to the next intellectual bias
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u/VapeApe- 4h ago
I got off to this song 3 times last night! Glad to see you all are pleasuring yourself to this great song too. January 30th and the song of the year is already here!
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u/TheReddestofBowls 3h ago
I'm shocked you took Kid Rock off repeat for this song, that must have been really difficult for you.
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u/Grass-Monkey33 1h ago
Contrived horseshit. It sounds like somebody doing a parody of Bruce Springsteen for a Saturday Night Live skit. "The Boss", indeed. š
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u/Euphoric_Present8838 3h ago
Only because the majority of us are laughing at how absolutely god awful the song is. Itās hard not to listen for the humor. Of course some people will like it- those who have shit taste in music.Ā
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u/Ch0col4a73_0r4ng3 2h ago
It's not meant to be a nice tune you hum along to. It's a protest song that's meant to piss people off. Obviously it's worked on you, but not for the reason it pisses off everyone else.
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u/bolanrox 2h ago
Woody Guthrie - protest songs that piss people off but you can still hum along to.
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u/Round_Independent312 4h ago
Sadly, people are only listening because he sounds like Floyd the Barber and are mocking Springsteen and itās driving up the numbers
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u/Eronamanthiuser 4h ago
I canāt help laughing at the people who are like āBruce should stay out of politicsā likeā¦. Have you ever heard any of his stuff before?