Must be something in the NJ water - Springsteen and Bon Jovi

[gamecockcat]

Recently, Springsteen announced that he was planning on releasing SEVEN albums worth of outtakes, unreleased tracks, etc. this summer. Roughly 100 songs that weren't good enough to make it on any of his other releases over the course of a 50 year career. Who in the hell would be interested in THAT? I know many on here don't like him at all, but he's had a very, very successful career and has millions of fans worldwide. But, 'here's the trash I didn't think you'd buy previously'? Wow. Talk about lacking self-awareness from the celebrated 'working class' rock 'n roller.

I also just saw that Bon Jovi has a 3-night comeback performance booked. A few years ago, he had vocal cord surgery. If you are so inclined, there are many videos on YT prior to the surgery that prove his voice was completely shot. Several songs each night during those years/tours he'd get the audience to sing so he didn't have to. When he did sing, it was a hoarse, off key rasp. I get that he had physical problems - not complaining about that. But, I'm 100% sure he didn't cut the price of his tickets all the while knowing he couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. Well, the comeback gigs seat prices START at $1,750. That is not a misprint. The lowest priced ticket is $1,750. There is no way his voice is going to be anywhere near its peak (he's ~ 60 years old, so, yeah) even without the surgery. Now? This could end up being a pretty poor tribute band level of performance. Like him or not, at his peak, he had a big voice, especially for rock music.

I guess both guys are hurting for money. I guess a few $100M just doesn't go as far as it once did (BJ - $400M, BS - $1.2B).

 

[PhDcat2018]

Recently, Springsteen announced that he was planning on releasing SEVEN albums worth of outtakes, unreleased tracks, etc. this summer. Roughly 100 songs that weren't good enough to make it on any of his other releases over the course of a 50 year career. Who in the hell would be interested in THAT? I know many on here don't like him at all, but he's had a very, very successful career and has millions of fans worldwide. But, 'here's the trash I didn't think you'd buy previously'? Wow. Talk about lacking self-awareness from the celebrated 'working class' rock 'n roller.

I also just saw that Bon Jovi has a 3-night comeback performance booked. A few years ago, he had vocal cord surgery. If you are so inclined, there are many videos on YT prior to the surgery that prove his voice was completely shot. Several songs each night during those years/tours he'd get the audience to sing so he didn't have to. When he did sing, it was a hoarse, off key rasp. I get that he had physical problems - not complaining about that. But, I'm 100% sure he didn't cut the price of his tickets all the while knowing he couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. Well, the comeback gigs seat prices START at $1,750. That is not a misprint. The lowest priced ticket is $1,750. There is no way his voice is going to be anywhere near its peak (he's ~ 60 years old, so, yeah) even without the surgery. Now? This could end up being a pretty poor tribute band level of performance. Like him or not, at his peak, he had a big voice, especially for rock music.

I guess both guys are hurting for money. I guess a few $100M just doesn't go as far as it once did (BJ - $400M, BS - $1.2B).

"The boss" sucks and always has. Can't sing, and most of his songs are nails on chalkboard.

 

[ukalum1988]

"The boss" sucks and always has. Can't sing, and most of his songs are nails on chalkboard.

Early Springsteen is OK, but as he got more and more overtly political I like him less and less.

Bon Jovi is ok but I never bought his records or saw him in concert.

My New Jersey musical act that could have / should have been bigger was Skid Row. I really like them.

 

[Blue-ish]

"The boss" sucks and always has. Can't sing, and most of his songs are nails on chalkboard.

When Springsteen’s debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. came out in 1973, the label did push a marketing angle — they tried to sell him as the “next Bob Dylan.” That was the main advertising gimmick, if you want to call it that. But it didn’t quite work at first — the album got critical praise but sold poorly.

 

[Glenn's Take]

Well, it is called Tracks 2 so obviously he's already done it once already.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracks_(Bruce_Springsteen_album)

 

[WTF Cat]

"The boss" sucks and always has. Can't sing, and most of his songs are nails on chalkboard.

But he can at least throw that "speedball" by ya lol.

What an athlete lol.

 

[Kooky Kats]

My New Jersey musical act that could have / should have been bigger was Skid Row. I really like them.

Pinegrove
Stephane Wremble

 

[Ryan Lemonds Hair]

The only good thing Springsteen did for the world was put Courtney Cox in his Born to Run video.

 

[gamecockcat]

The only good thing Springsteen did for the world was put Courtney Cox in his Born to Run video.

No, no, no. 'Dancing in the Dark' video. But, yes, she did look scrumptious in that video. Now, with umpteen surgeries/botox injections, she resembles the Joker more than the girl in that video. IIRC, when 'Friends' was being cast, she was supposed to be the focal point/star. But, Jennifer Anniston pretty quickly became the more recognizable 'Friend'. Matthew Perry may have surpassed her, also.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Neither does a single thing for me and both feel like hacks. *shrugs*.

 

[MegaBlue05]

My New Jersey musical act that could have / should have been bigger was Skid Row. I really like them.

They might’ve been the only band from the 80s glam scene that got heavier as they went on. Their second album “Slave to the Grind” is very underrated.

I’m still shocked anyone would pay almost $2000 to see Bon Jovi, and old Bon Jovi at that. I still remember asking the Easter Bunny to bring me Appetite For Destruction when I was 8, and I ended up with New Jersey instead. Talk about disappointment.

 

[Ryan Lemonds Hair]

No, no, no. 'Dancing in the Dark' video. But, yes, she did look scrumptious in that video. Now, with umpteen surgeries/botox injections, she resembles the Joker more than the girl in that video. IIRC, when 'Friends' was being cast, she was supposed to be the focal point/star. But, Jennifer Anniston pretty quickly became the more recognizable 'Friend'. Matthew Perry may have surpassed her, also.

Yes you are correct it was Dancing in the Dark.

 

[Ryan Lemonds Hair]

They might’ve been the only band from the 80s glam scene that got heavier as they went on. Their second album “Slave to the Grind” is very underrated.

I’m still shocked anyone would pay almost $2000 to see Bon Jovi, and old Bon Jovi at that. I still remember asking the Easter Bunny to bring me Appetite For Destruction when I was 8, and I ended up with New Jersey instead. Talk about disappointment.

That's like the Great Value version of AFD.

 

[CAT Scratch FVR]

Springsteen had his place. He had some classic records. I am not including Born In the USA because I think the song and album stinks,. His last good album was Nebraska.

Bon Jovi is nowhere near close in the stratosphere to Springsteen but "Livin on a Prayer" is the equivalent to "Don't Stop Believin" in rock-pop genre. If your wife/girlfriend is listening to this music, it's all you need to know.

 

[Dore95]

Springsteen's seven unreleased albums are better than most anything Bon Jovi ever did.

 

[cole854]

Springsteen had his place. He had some classic records. I am not including Born In the USA because I think the song and album stinks,. His last good album was Nebraska.

He still "has" his place. 2nd highest grossing tour of 2024, and no, his last good album was not Nebraska.

 

[PuffyNips]

He still "has" his place. 2nd highest grossing tour of 2024, and no, his last good album was not Nebraska.

I hate to agree with UKO_ColeHeel, but I do when it comes to The Boss.

 

[jedwar]

Best Springsteen song is Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

 

[WTF Cat]

The last interesting piece of music I heard from Springsteen was "Live at the Agora" in 1978 (IIRC) on the King Biscuit Flower Hour. But hey, when you can't really sing or play...

Manfred Mann's "Blinded by the Light" KILLS the Springsteen version:



Bon Jovi? I'm still waiting for something interesting...

 

[gamecockcat]

I’m still shocked anyone would pay almost $2000 to see Bon Jovi

Honestly, I'm shocked anyone would pay $2k to see any performer. I know Swifties were forking over ridiculous amounts during her tour. And, relative unknown bands are charging $200+ per ticket. But, damn. Two grand to see Bon Jovi who has to be only a shadow of himself when you figure in age and vocal cord surgery? I'm not a huge fan but he's got a handful of songs that are damn catchy. IMO, problem is many of his 'good' songs are very, very derivative (i.e., they sound a lot alike).

 

[WTF Cat]

I’m still shocked anyone would pay almost $2000 to see Bon Jovi
IMO, problem is many of his 'good' songs are very, very derivative (i.e., they sound a lot alike).

I think that's because an outside writer (Desmond Child?) wrote most of his big hits.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

Springsteen made one good album: Nebraska.

 

[gamecockcat]

I think that's because an outside writer (Desmond Child?) wrote most of his big hits.

That's an accurate indictment of much of the current music industry, imo. There are 'hit factories' (about 4 from what I've read) that churn out product and then the record labels assign an artist. As you stated, when one source produces a ton of music, it's going start sounding a lot alike. I mean, there's only 12 notes in western music. It is limited unless you're diligent about creating something new. I'm guessing at these factories, they sit down every morning and have a quota of so many songs they have to write that day. Hard to have the Muse on call 9 hours a day, 5 days a week. It's natural that you'd create a slightly different melody with the same 4 chords just to hit your quota.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

That's an accurate indictment of much of the current music industry, imo. There are 'hit factories' (about 4 from what I've read) that churn out product and then the record labels assign an artist. As you stated, when one source produces a ton of music, it's going start sounding a lot alike. I mean, there's only 12 notes in western music. It is limited unless you're diligent about creating something new. I'm guessing at these factories, they sit down every morning and have a quota of so many songs they have to write that day. Hard to have the Muse on call 9 hours a day, 5 days a week. It's natural that you'd create a slightly different melody with the same 4 chords just to hit your quota.

That’s always been popular music. There’s always been hit making machines like the Brill Building or Motown or a host of others. The only thing different now is technology and media. Things are quantified and targeted. Algorithms are set.

Whether we like it or not popular music is a business and has been for some time. Sometimes you get art and sometimes you get the New Kids on the Block.

 

[Nightwish84]

I like "Blaze of Glory". That's about it.

As far as music goes, I don't look too deeply into it because it's subjective. Whatever you like is what you like. If you like the nostalgia of Limp Bizkit, cool. Would you like to tear up while listening to The Cranberries sing about senseless violence and tragedy in "Zombie"? Okay. Wanna act goofy and turn up "Party in the U.S.A." by a once innocent Miley Cyrus? Have at it.

 

[Dore95]

That's an accurate indictment of much of the current music industry, imo. There are 'hit factories' (about 4 from what I've read) that churn out product and then the record labels assign an artist. As you stated, when one source produces a ton of music, it's going start sounding a lot alike. I mean, there's only 12 notes in western music. It is limited unless you're diligent about creating something new. I'm guessing at these factories, they sit down every morning and have a quota of so many songs they have to write that day. Hard to have the Muse on call 9 hours a day, 5 days a week. It's natural that you'd create a slightly different melody with the same 4 chords just to hit your quota.

Ok but legitimate rock acts starting in the mid 60s wrote their own songs with few exceptions. In the 80s when acts like Aerosmith, Heart, etc. started using professional songwriters, they lost legitimacy. Of course this is a thread that thinks Skid Row is superior to Springsteen so that may be lost on you.

 

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

Nebraska is a great album.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Bon Jovi

 

[notFromhere]

The only good thing Springsteen did for the world was put Courtney Cox in his Born to Run video.

He wrote "Blinded by the Light," sung best by Manfred Mann, as well. That's the only song of his I actually like.

 

[notFromhere]

Springsteen and Dylan are proof you don't have to sing well or sound good to be popular. Lyrics to songs are about marketing a feeling, just like politics, services, and sports. Can't stand much of either one of them. Maybe a "song" here or there. I get why a lot of people like them.

Same reason a lot of people like the movie Titanic.

I like some of Bon Jovi's earlier stuff because of the people I hung out with at the time. I have a lot of good memories that the songs are associated with from back then. First couple albums before SWW, which was ok, but JBJ's voice was already shot by the 3rd album. Most of the real singing, if not all of it, was done by Richie Sambora. A friend of mine went to a SWW concert in Illinois that was rescheduled because of JBJ having issues with his voice. Sambora did all of the singing at the concert.

Inxs was another one we listened to a lot back then. The 3 albums starting with Shaboo Shoobah had some fun, popular tracks. They wrote their own stuff then.

Not a lot of music from back then that will be remembered and acclaimed like Mozart, Beethoven, etc, but it's what we've got from the time period. So much fun music from a lot of bands.

 

[UK 82]

Springsteen and Dylan are proof you don't have to sing well or sound good to be popular. Lyrics to songs are about marketing a feeling, just like politics, services, and sports. Can't stand much of either one of them. Maybe a "song" here or there. I get why a lot of people like them.

Same reason a lot of people like the movie Titanic.

I like some of Bon Jovi's earlier stuff because of the people I hung out with at the time. I have a lot of good memories that the songs are associated with from back then. First couple albums before SWW, which was ok, but JBJ's voice was already shot by the 3rd album. Most of the real singing, if not all of it, was done by Richie Sambora. A friend of mine went to a SWW concert in Illinois that was rescheduled because of JBJ having issues with his voice. Sambora did all of the singing at the concert.

Inxs was another one we listened to a lot back then. The 3 albums starting with Shaboo Shoobah had some fun, popular tracks. They wrote their own stuff then.

Not a lot of music from back then that will be remembered and acclaimed like Mozart, Beethoven, etc, but it's what we've got from the time period. So much fun music from a lot of bands.

Jackson Browne is still a favorite of mine. The guy didn't have the greatest voice but wrote really good songs. Big influence during my younger years.

 

[HymanKaplan_rivals48997]

Best thing to come out of NJ is Redman.

 

[notFromhere]

Jackson Browne is still a favorite of mine. The guy didn't have the greatest voice but wrote really good songs. Big influence during my younger years.

Yes! Jackson Browne was great. Man, thinking about his music brings back a flood of memories. It's amazing how your group of friends can ebb and flow so much over just a few years.

 

[gamecockcat]

He wrote "Blinded by the Light," sung best by Manfred Mann, as well. That's the only song of his I actually like.

Patti Smith's cover of 'Because the Night' is damn good, imo.

 

[ukgrad83]

The best Springsteen song was written and performed by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, On the Dark Side.