Ties That Bind Independence Day Out in the Street The River Be True I always felt there are too may dumb rock songs on the album (I'm a Rocker, really??) but the good tracks on it are really good. 'The title track and 'Independence Day' are in my top ten Bruce songs and I love 'Out in the Street', especially when played live. Actually all of the songs work better live as the album's production is mostly appaling. Not a fan of the sped-up vocals on 'Hungry Heart'. I prefer the Tracks version of 'Stolen Car'.
In order: 1. Be True (The Ties That Bind version) 2. The Price You Pay (although I prefer the extra verse version on The Ties That Bind) 3. The River (The River version) 4. The Ties That Bind (The River version) 5. Two Hearts I'd choose Stolen Car, if it was The Ties That Bind version. I don't care for the cut that made to the album.
The Ties That Bind - a terrific opening number with one of Clarence's signature solos Independence Day - this song kills me Stolen Car - lots of people seem to prefer the outtake version but I can't understand why, as the album version is an understated masterpiece The River - arguably Springsteen's best song Wreck on the Highway - foreshadowing the next project, this is one of the key ballads that make this album indispensable
This was hard. I love the album, but not many are tracks that I play on their own. The Ties That Bind Out in the Street The River Point Blank I'm a Rocker
I found this album such a comedown after Born to Run and Darkness that I pretty much tuned out on Bruce. The River and Point Blank are quality tunes, but nowhere near enough to drape a double album around.
Ah...stuck Be True on there, did ya? Love em all, but I made my picks that include Independence Day and The River.
It 's not just you. When I heard that the forthcoming Springsteen album was going to be a double set I was excited about it. It was going to be his White Album ! His Exile on Main Street !! His Blonde on Blonde !!! Nope . It was his The River.
The Ties That Bind - A perfect intro. The River - It's ubiquitous but very, very good. Stolen Car - An underrated nugget. Tallent's bass playing is perfect. The Price You Pay - I like the linkage back to Darkness. Wreck On The Highway - A perfect ending.
I LOVE Bruce, but for some reason, I could never get into this album and I've been trying since it came out. That said, I think Be True is fantastic and I also like Held Up Without a Gun.
The Ties That Bind Two Hearts Independence Day Point Blank Be True Many of the River outtakes are my favorite Bruce performances and are better than most of the official album. I wish the album could be totally remixed too. The box would have been a perfect time to include it.
1. The Ties That Bind 2. Independence Day 3. Out in the Street 4. The River 5. Cadillac Ranch Great album, almost impossible to limit to 5.
Two Hearts - In an alternate universe this was a hit single. One of my favorite Bruce songs. Hungry Heart - classic The River - the 75/85 intro into the harmonica.. chilling. That said, this studio cut captures just about everything that is appealing about Bruce. "Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is it something worse?" - Bruce has been searching for the answer throughout the entirety of his career. Stolen Car - Used to prefer the Tracks cut, but I've come around and prefer this version. Think the music fits the lyrics better. Drive All Night - I mean, cmon.
None of these polls have been easy. You're torturing us. I made my choices and I could have picked another 10 songs in it.