Bruce Springsteen: “I’ve Gotten to Work with the People I Love the Most” – Reflections on Music, Family, and Legacy
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Bruce Springsteen, the iconic rock legend known as “The Boss,” recently sat down for an intimate interview at his New Jersey farm, Stone Hill Studio, where he has recorded much of his music over the past decade. In this candid conversation, Springsteen reflected on the therapeutic power of music, his lifelong bonds with bandmates, personal struggles with mental health, and the profound influence of family on his life and work. From winning a Tony Award for Springsteen on Broadway to addressing political concerns, his words paint a picture of an artist deeply connected to his craft and his roots. This article explores Springsteen’s journey through music as a centering force, his efforts to break generational cycles, and his thoughts on fame, voice, and the state of America.
Music as a Psychological Anchor
For Bruce Springsteen, music is more than a career—it’s a lifeline. He described performing as “psychologically centering,” a process that contextualizes his existence. “When you come off [stage], you’ve had some experience that contextualizes your life—why you’re here, what you do, who you love, how you approach your work,” he explained. This therapeutic aspect of performance has been a constant in his life, offering clarity and grounding amidst personal turmoil. It’s a reminder of why he continues to pour his soul into every show, even at 70, creating a space where both he and his audience can find meaning.
Springsteen’s connection to music extends beyond the stage to the camaraderie of working with lifelong friends. He highlighted the rarity of his career, noting, “There is no other job in the world where the same people you work with at 18 and 16, in some cases, you are working with when you’re 70.” This enduring partnership with the E Street Band and others he loves deeply has been a cornerstone of his journey. “I’ve gotten to work with the people I love the most,” he said, emphasizing the joy of continually finding something new in their shared creative process. This sense of community underscores the emotional depth of his music, rooted in authentic relationships.
Personal Struggles and Resolutions
Springsteen’s openness about his personal challenges, particularly mental health, adds a layer of vulnerability to his public persona. He spoke candidly about growing up in a generation that hid mental illness, often without even recognizing it as such. “There was a lot of mental illness on the Irish side of my family,” he shared, recounting how each household on his childhood block had at least one person severely affected. As a child, he perceived this as merely “strange” or “embarrassing behavior,” unaware of the need for help. It wasn’t until his 30s that he began questioning these patterns, seeking analysis and support to address his own struggles with depression.
Reflecting on his relationship with his father, Springsteen revealed a complicated dynamic marked by distance and eventual reconciliation. In Springsteen on Broadway, he recounted a moment near the end of his father’s life when his dad admitted, “I wasn’t very good to you,” to which Springsteen responded with understanding. This resolution, though late, was a gift, especially given how often such conflicts remain unresolved. He also noted the impact of medication in his father’s final decade, which allowed them ten more years together—time for his father to meet his grandchildren. This experience shaped Springsteen’s perspective on legacy, driving him to address his own issues to avoid passing undue burdens to his children.
Fatherhood: Breaking the Cycle
Fatherhood has been a transformative force for Springsteen, influencing how he approaches parenting with intention. Determined not to repeat past mistakes, he expressed a desire for his children to face their own challenges without “digging themselves out of my hole.” “Their sins are their own, they’re not my sins,” he said, emphasizing his efforts to parent in a way that minimizes the baggage he carries. While acknowledging that some struggles are inevitable, Springsteen strives to ensure his children don’t spend half their lives working through his problems, a poignant reflection on breaking generational cycles.
Raising his three children with his wife, Patti Scialfa, in New Jersey was a deliberate choice to surround them with a large, supportive Irish-Italian family, mirroring his own upbringing. This environment provided diverse role models, ensuring his kids didn’t feel pressured to follow in his footsteps. “We wanted them to find what’s in their hearts,” he noted, prioritizing their happiness and meaningful lives over any specific path. His children, now on their own roads, have found their passions, a source of pride for Springsteen, who values guiding them along their unique journeys rather than his own.
Fame, Voice, and Identity
Despite his global fame, Springsteen remains grounded, sharing that his children were relatively unaffected by his celebrity status until they were older, thanks to their rooted upbringing. He also offered a surprising critique of his own voice, describing it as a “working man’s voice” lacking tonal beauty or range. Comparing himself to singers like Marvin Gaye or Rod Stewart, whom he considers to have “great instruments,” Springsteen views his voice as a functional tool he’s learned to use effectively. “I had to write, or else I’m sunk,” he admitted, underscoring how songwriting became his path to a unique identity.
This self-assessment reflects Springsteen’s analytical approach to his craft. He credits his ability to study and apply what makes other artists great to his own work, compensating for perceived vocal limitations with powerful storytelling. His distinct style, though not what he considers a “great instrument,” has resonated with millions, earning his songs the status of American classics, praised by presidents from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama. This blend of humility and analytical prowess highlights why his music feels so authentic—it’s crafted with deliberate care and personal necessity.
Political Reflections and National Concerns
Springsteen didn’t shy away from addressing the current political climate, expressing deep concern about the direction of the United States. Reacting to criticism from President Trump, who dismissed needing “little Bruce Springsteen” at a rally, Springsteen responded with a mix of resignation and alarm. “We’re living in a frightening time,” he stated, critiquing the lack of understanding of what it means to steward a nation. He lamented the absence of a grasp on the “deep meaning of what it means to be an American,” hoping for a swift change in leadership to someone who appreciates the beauty and stakes of citizenship.
While he has campaigned for figures like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in the past, Springsteen remains open but cautious about future political involvement, having “spent my chips” on previous efforts. His comments reflect a broader civic responsibility felt by many artists, using his platform to voice fears about national identity and governance. This political engagement, though not the core of his interview, reinforces his role as a cultural commentator whose music often mirrors societal struggles.
A Legacy Rooted in New Jersey
The interview, conducted at his New Jersey farm near where he grew up, symbolized Springsteen’s deep ties to his origins. “You’ve traveled all around the world and end up right where you started, ten minutes from my house,” he mused, a line from his play that captures his journey full circle. This setting, where he recorded his concert film Western Stars, is also where he and Patti raised their family, embedding his personal and professional life in the same soil that shaped him. It’s a testament to his belief in roots, community, and the grounding power of home.
Bruce Springsteen’s reflections at Stone Hill Studio offer a window into the soul of an artist who has navigated fame, personal struggles, and family with unwavering authenticity. Music remains his therapeutic anchor, a way to center himself while working alongside lifelong friends. His journey through mental health challenges and reconciliation with his father reveals a man committed to understanding and healing, both for himself and his children. His humility about his voice contrasts with the monumental impact of his songwriting, which has defined American music across generations. As he voices concerns for the nation’s future, Springsteen’s story remains one of resilience and connection, rooted in New Jersey but resonating worldwide. “I’ve gotten to work with the people I love the most,” he said, a sentiment that encapsulates a career built on passion, partnership, and purpose—a legacy that continues to inspire.
