A Philosophy for Life

Springsteen has a song for every mood I've ever had. Sadness, joy, fear, anger...there is a tune in the catalog that speaks to me. That said there is one track that, the first time I ever heard it, lifted me up and spoke to me. It whispered in my ear. "you can be of worth, and still not give yourself up."

I often think...ah, hell...I know that I am a fake. I struggle to stand apart, and to put myself forward as a person of worth, a person of quality, a person of creative energy....

I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, "Sit down," I stood u

Someone who can be counted upon, who will come through when the chips are down. Who would take the opportunites given to myself and run with them, yet...I haven't always.

I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, "Come down," I threw up

But what this song reminds me of is that life is about finding the balance that gives you the room to reach, the space to dream, and the mind and soul to harness all that effectively.

In my mind it is his masterpiece, and this is the best recorded version of it, in my mind.


Growin' Up
by Bruce Springsteen

I stood stone-like at midnight, suspended in my masquerade
I combed my hair till it was just right and commanded the night brigade
I was open to pain and crossed by the rain and I walked on a crooked crutch
I strolled all alone through a fallout zone and come out with my soul untouched
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, "Sit down," I stood up
Ooh... growin' up

The flag of piracy flew from my mast, my sails were set wing to wing
I had a jukebox graduate for first mate, she couldn't sail but she sure could sing
I pushed B-52 and bombed them with the blues with my gear set stubborn on standing
I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school, never once gave thought to landing
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, "Come down," I threw up
Ooh... growin' up

I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere, and you know it's really hard to hold your breath
I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared, I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress
Well, my feet they finally took root in the earth, but I got me a nice little place in the stars
And I swear I found the key to the universe in the engine of an old parked car
I hid in the mother breast of the crowd, but when they said, "Pull down," I pulled up
Ooh... growin' up
Ooh... growin' up