This is in no way meant to insult you, The Boss, or to turn this thread political, but it's just interesting to me how people in general skew toward thinking more highly of a musical artist if he or she agrees with them politically. I've heard a few Springsteen songs (the ones on the radio mostly) and they're fine. Nothing I would ever seek out, and I've never heard of about 2/3 of your list. I'm just saying it seems like you give his stuff more weight because you love his messages. Me, not so much.
You probably don't sit around and listen to Toby Keith (RIP) a lot either, and I can't say I would blame you. Honestly his voice ain't that great, and I think a lot of people only like his stuff because they agree with what he's trying to say.
I like Springsteen because I grew up listening to him at home and in the car. 90s grunge, 90s alt rock, 90s hip hop, and singer/songwriter rock, thanks to my parents.
As for his politics?...I am really not sure what his specific views on issues are, but yes there is a general idea that they lean left/progressive.
For decades now, his songs have pretty timeless themes- young love, poverty cycle, hope, reminiscing with age, American Dream, working class struggle, etc.
^ Are these liberal/progressive themes?
Funny you mention Toby Keith. That pop-country song of his from when I was in college, How Do You Like Me Know, was an easy listen and catchy.
But to add to your post's point about singers and politics, its interesting to see how Keith and Springsteen addressed an historic attack on America- 9/11.
- Toby Keith went full jigoistic in a song titled 'The Angry American', aka 'Courtesy of the Red White and Blue' where he sings about how we will put a boot up the *** of those against us because its the American Way.
- Bruce Springsteen and E Street released a song titled 'The Rising', a Grammy winning song that is about NYFD going up Tower stairs on 9/11 when everyone is going down. It was part of an album with the same title, that addressed the many emotions people felt after the attack and had an over-arching theme of unity and healing.
To be clear, both songs are catchy.
