Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today’s song is one of the best parts of Bruce Springsteen’s live shows. It is from his second album, The Wild, The Innocent And The E Street Shuffle. It was released in the same year his debut came out on January 5, 1973. Both records were critical favorites but neither sold well commercially until after the success of Springsteen’s paragon album, 1975’s Born To Run.

The first time I saw him live he changed the lyrics to today’s track. It was a little tongue in cheek moment to reflect the craziness of his soaring popularity after the ginormous hit of 1984’s Born In The USA.

The original lyric went like this:

“Well tell him this is his last chance
To get his daughter in a fine romance
Because the record company Rosie
Just gave me a big advance“.

The concert version went like this:

“Well tell your parents
That I’m really clean
Because I’m on the cover
Of People Magazine” .

And if that were not a great moment to witness at my first Bruce show all by itself, that beautiful man took it one step further. He put his head in a bucket of water and sprayed all of us lucky enough to be standing in front of the stage. I had been formally baptized into the religion known as The Boss. Can I get an amen?

Bruce Springsteen circa 1973. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bruce Springsteen: “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” (1973, written by Bruce Springsteen).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.