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It’s one of the nastiest couplets Bruce Springsteen ever wrote: “You’ll be fine long as your pretty face holds out/Then it’s gonna get pretty cold out.” And it sums up the lyrical message of “You’ll Be Comin’ Down,” from hisMagic album.

“You’re smilin’ now but you’ll find out/They’ll use you up and spit you out,” he sings elsewhere in the song. Ouch.

Who is the anger directed toward? The most obvious explanation is an ex-lover. But some have also wondered if there’s a political metaphor here, with the girl with the pretty face representing President George W. Bush.

I think that’s a little far-fetched, honestly. And the song is lacking in the kind of personal detail that could make it seem like it’s about a failed romantic relationship. I like to think of the song as Springsteen giving a word of warning to young rock and pop stars — flavors of the week who may not realize that they won’t burn up the charts, or fill arenas, forever. And I think this interpretation is buttressed by the song’s uplifting melody and buoyant arrangement.

In other words, “You’ll Be Comin’ Down” is a sweet, shimmering pop confection with a sour, anti-pop message. It seduces you and warns against seduction at the same time, and that’s part of its charm. It’s perfect for an album whose title track warns, “Trust none of what you hear/And less of what you see,” and represents a kind of magic trick in its own right.

Background facts: “You’ll Be Comin’ Down” is from Springsteen’s 2007 album, Magic. It has been performed in concert just once, in Columbus, Ohio, in 2008.

On each of the 70 days leading up to Bruce Springsteen’s 70th birthday (on Sept. 23, 2019), NJArts.net will do a post on one of The Boss’ best songs of the last 30 years. We’re starting with No. 70 and working our way up. For more on the project, click here.

https://www.njarts.net/pop-roc...en-70-project-no-55/

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The SPL Rocks!

Prego che tu stia danzando con San Pietro alle porte perlacee del cielo





Pulled up to my house today
Came and took my little girl away!
Giants Stadium 8/28/03



Oats

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Another rarity I've never heard live.  we need to get Bruce to do a 'RARITIES' concert. 

____________________________________

The SPL Rocks!

Prego che tu stia danzando con San Pietro alle porte perlacee del cielo





Pulled up to my house today
Came and took my little girl away!
Giants Stadium 8/28/03



Oats

Oats posted:

It’s one of the nastiest couplets Bruce Springsteen ever wrote: “You’ll be fine long as your pretty face holds out/Then it’s gonna get pretty cold out.” And it sums up the lyrical message of “You’ll Be Comin’ Down,” from hisMagic album.

“You’re smilin’ now but you’ll find out/They’ll use you up and spit you out,” he sings elsewhere in the song. Ouch.

 

I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes

then you'd know what a drag it is to see you

 

Dylan, John Lennon, Springsteen

 

using their artistic powers to express grumpiness

people would jump onstage and grab me by the head and scream, ‘tilly! bootlegs!'"

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