The Magic of Bruce Springsteen: Music, Catholicism, and Creating Moments That Last

TLDRIn this interview with Stephen Colbert, Bruce Springsteen discusses his Catholic upbringing, how it influenced his music and language, and the power of creating transformative moments during live performances.

Key insights

🎵Bruce Springsteen's music is influenced by both the blues and gospel, with verses being blues and choruses evoking transcendence and gospel music.

🕊️Springsteen's Catholic education informed his language and ideas, which are evident in his music and lyrics.

😅As a teenager, Springsteen was an altar boy, but he admits to being a terrible one and only served one mass after being knocked down by the monsignor.

🎶Every concert experience with Bruce Springsteen is unique and not repetitive, providing a sense of newness and creating memorable moments for the audience.

The magic of a live Bruce Springsteen concert is the manifestation of something tangible and cathartic, where both the artist and the audience come together to create a transcendent experience.

Q&A

How did Bruce Springsteen's Catholic upbringing influence his music?

Springsteen's Catholic education informed his language, lyrics, and ideas, with themes of religion and spirituality often present in his songs.

Was Bruce Springsteen a good altar boy?

No, Springsteen admits to being a terrible altar boy and only served one mass after being knocked down by the monsignor.

What makes a Bruce Springsteen concert unique?

Every Bruce Springsteen concert is a unique experience, as the shows are never repetitive, providing a sense of newness and creating one-of-a-kind moments for both the artist and the audience.

What is the magic of a live Bruce Springsteen concert?

The magic of a live Bruce Springsteen concert is the manifestation of something tangible and cathartic, where both the artist and the audience come together to create a transcendent experience.

How does Bruce Springsteen create moments that last at his concerts?

Bruce Springsteen creates moments that last at his concerts by connecting with the audience and manifesting a sense of us, using his music and performance to elicit emotions and create transformative experiences for both himself and the audience.

Timestamped Summary

00:05In this interview, Bruce Springsteen talks about his Catholic upbringing and how it influenced his music and language.

01:23Springsteen discusses how his Catholic education informed his language and ideas, which are evident in his music.

02:57He shares a funny story about being a terrible altar boy and only serving one mass after being knocked down by the monsignor.

05:56Springsteen explains that every concert with him is a unique experience, as the shows are never repetitive.

06:38He describes the magic of a live concert, where he and the audience come together to create something tangible and cathartic.