Politics - divisive, hard-core, polarizing politics - has infiltrated just about every aspect of our lives. The entertainment world is feeling it, too. Stars have been harshly blasted for either liking or not liking someone or their ideology. Being either pro-Donald Trump and MAGA or flagrantly negative on both can get a prominent figure in hot water fast. Artists have pulled out of engagements because they felt those events were too overtly political. Then there is Bruce Springsteen. Per Rolling Stone, he is unapologetic about the stands he takes. If people agree with him, great. If they dissent, that is alright with him as well. A guy isn't called The Boss for nothing.
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In fact, Springsteen actually said as much. Referring to shows he did on his Land of Hopes and Dreams tour, the "Tunnel of Love" singer shared this. "I went out to find its audience, and I'm sure there were people, and I've read things where people were vehement about the content of the show, and that's just the way the chips fall. And that's okay with me right now."
To clarify, he added, "I always made the records I wanted to make and then went out and found the audience for them."
A film of the tour called Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour (Philadelphia Freedom Cut) is in the works, per People.
He Advocates for "Critical Patriotism"
Bruce Springsteen defined that concept as it applies to him when he was interviewed on PBS News Hour. to him, it means being "willing to look at [our nation] clearly, recognize its faults, encourage it to be a better place, and believe that you carry in your heart the country that is waiting."
Poetically put, Bruce!
Some of Springsteen's Classic Songs Reflect His Stances on Key Issues
His music through the years clearly reflects that position. Songs like "Born in the U.S.A." and "Streets of Minneapolis" are definitely critical. Nevertheless, they also incorporate Springsteen's love of this country, imperfect though it is. Springsteen told Rolling Stone, "I'm out there to perform that music and to provide its message. Minneapolis occurred, so I wrote 'Streets of Minneapolis,' and that fired the whole project, really, into being."
By "Minneapolis," Springsteen means the shooting deaths of bystanders Alex Pretti and Renee Good in reported skirmishes with ICE agents in that city this year. As for President Donald Trump. with whom Bruce Springsteen has publicly and frequently traded barbs, he reportedly said per Rolling Stone he wants the last half of Trump's term to be "the most miserable years of his life."
