It has been three weeks, and I still am angry with Bruce Springsteen.
And while I am angry at my husband’s most favorite musician, I’m also filled with gratitude and cannot thank Mr. Springsteen enough.
On Sunday, April 20, Dan and I were in Columbus, Ohio, to see Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band. This epic three-hour Columbus concert (Dan’s surprise birthday present to me, a converted Springsteen fanatic) brought out a mixed bag of emotions that included everything from joy to jealousy.
As a lifelong Michigander and Michigan Wolverine football fan, I’ve always been less-than-impressed by the state directly below mine filled with those dreaded Buckeyes from The Ohio State University. And yes, they insist on reminding the world that it is THE Ohio State.
But Bruce made me see Ohio in a better-than-Michigan light, and that makes me so angry!
That’s because of the combined 26 times Dan and I have seen Springsteen live in concert, this truly was one for the ages. And it happened in Ohio!
I have never seen a crowd so passionate; so ready to give every last ounce of their energy, spirit and fandom to Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band.
The crowd of more than 18,000 fans in the sold-out Nationwide Arena pumped their fists on cue, cheered loudly, never sat down, and nailed the lyrics of every song. This included flawlessly executing all the informally mandated acapella crowd participation moments such as the opening lyrics of Hungry Heart, bridge of Promised Land, chorus of Trapped, and the final opening verse in Thunder Road.
Ugh, I was impressed, and this Wolverine appreciated all that greatness and was humbled to be part of such an awe-inspiring event. Wait a second. A Wolverine respecting an event at a venue in the heart of Buckeye territory? Oh Bruce, what have you done to me?
My anger was stoked again because Bruce made my dear sweet husband tear up on more than one occasion. And Dan was not alone. I witnessed a sea of grown men giving up their emotional souls and wiping away tears that night to Bruce and the E Street Band. Side note: Even women (including me) are emotionally connected to Springsteen and his music!
I especially noticed tears rolling down Dan’s cheeks as Bruce played the crowd member-requested anthem Racing in the Streets. When it was over, Dan reminded me that this tune was one of the eight Springsteen songs that helped him cope with his initial Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.
I realized over the course of the concert, in the weeks that have followed, and while writing this essay that there is an undeniable power in music of all kinds. The power to inspire. Motivate. Comfort. Energize. Heal. Calm. Unite.
Yes, even unite this Michigan Wolverine with members of The Ohio State University Buckeye nation. But it wasn’t just any music that built this bridge. It was the music of THE Boss, Mr. Bruce Springsteen and his legendary E Street Band. And for that, I’ve got a happy heart 🙂
Jen,
Well done & well received. You see, not everything about Ohio is bad!
As a lifelong resident of the Buckeye State and OSU grad, even I scoff at the THE in front of Ohio State University.
Respectfully,
The My Odd Sock