posted 05-26-2000 07:09 PM PT (US) 
This is a take off of BillsBruce's comment about playing Jungleland to convert non- Bruce fans. If you had to choose one song to convert a non-Bruce fan and get them in the right direction, then what song would it be? Of course there are several factors pending. IE age of that person, are they jazz oriented, musical taste, etc. But still try to choose one song. This would be mine.
"New York City Serenade" It has everything. How could you not like this song?
Thanks KTD
posted 05-26-2000 10:01 PM PT (US)
KTD,
Like you said, many factors would come into play to influence the choice on this one. I'm going on the premise that this person would be about my age and want something that rocks. There might be some argument, but I'm going to say Bruce & Co. were at their best around '78, so I'll start my search there.
Backstreets is fantastic, but may not have that universal appeal. Because The Night is super here too, but one might link this song to Patti Smith and so the impact might not be the same. There are 2 songs that ALWAYS get me pumped up when I here them live, songs that absolutely make me stand up and start air-guitaring away, songs that give me goosebumps and make think, "It don't get any better than this!"
She's The One from Winterland '78 just gets me every time. The way it builds, comes down just a tad in the middle, and then explodes at the end. One of Bruce's finest moments.
But I think I'd have to go with Prove It All Night, also from Winterland '78. That piano intro has the perfect feel. And then, of course, is Bruce's guitar intro. So raw and emotional, if this doesn't get your blood flowing, nothing will. EVERYTIME I hear it, I'm amazed. This song was a central part of one of the greatest tours by one of the greatest artists of all time. This one might even have the power to convert Tipper Gore.
posted 05-26-2000 11:42 PM PT (US)
Fred...She's the One on Passaic Nights (piece de resistance) is the all time best She's the One. To convert someone new...."Better Days" live or studio and "Candys Room" same.
posted 05-27-2000 12:55 AM PT (US)
i actually recently converted a friend of mine with the accoustic version of born to run off chimes of freedom cd, during a very long road trip, after she heard that she wanted to hear more and more, i finally had a friend who didn't think i was insane!
posted 05-27-2000 01:19 AM PT (US)
It completely depends on who you're trying to convert. My best friend adores Human Touch, but she mocks Badlands whenever it's on (go figure). Another one of my friends absolutely despises Prove it All Night. It all depends on their personal tastes and preferences.
BUT, I think if you sit someone down with a lyric sheet and have them REALLY listen to Thunder Road, they'll have a hard time avoiding conversion. Then again, I'm yet to really convert anyone. My roommate can sing along to Loose Ends but she still doens't consider herself a fan... sigh...
posted 05-27-2000 04:28 AM PT (US)
I always find when you're dealing with non-Bruce people, they always have misconceptions about him. Usually its based on the Dancing In The Dark video or anything off BitUSA really. I always try to play them something that is'nt what they're expecting. That usually means anything off Tunnel OF Love (Walk Like A MAn/One Step Up/Valentines Day etc.) or some of the old stuff like NYC Serenade. Strangely Jungleland and Thunder Rd. usually leaves them cold at first. It's always a thrill though when someone really loves a song they hear without realising it's Bruce. I get a lot of pleasure out of informing them!
posted 05-27-2000 05:52 AM PT (US)
Yep...misconceptions. Why oh Why did he have to 1st of all, make so few videos, and 2nd, make so few that are SO BAD??
sigh.
Depends very much on many factors like you said. Recently got 2 friends with 'misconceptions' a little interested by playing first 'the fever' and then 'rosalita' [live '75-85].
If it's misconceptions you must shatter first, try 'the fever'.
If the person has an artistic clue, but just unexposed to Bruce, Thunder Road, esp. acoustic, is a can't miss.
posted 05-27-2000 08:29 AM PT (US)
If you can actually get someone to sit down and listen to Thunder Road for 5 minutes, leetting the lyrics sink in, i think that is yur best bet. But some people's curiosity may be more easily grabbed by something totally unexpected. Just about any ofthe pre SSB stuff will be sure to surprise them, the old Steel Mill stuff goes down well with people who like heavy metal and that sort of thing. Otherwise I always try to play some loud guitar songs from the 78 tour when my friends are around. The acoustic version of BUSA also is guaranteed to surprise people.
posted 05-27-2000 10:27 AM PT (US)
Good insight Greasers. If I had a dollar for everybody who had no idea that Bruce sang "Blinded By The Light," then I would be going to MSG 7/1 and not have to worry about ticket prices. I agree when people don't know Bruce is singing the song and they are caught off guard.
posted 05-27-2000 09:39 PM PT (US)
Great suggestions, Greasers, you are all so correct about it depending on the many factors of that person's life. But, if you know they're a rocker, then how about good old Born To Run or Badlands? I mean, how could you not want to get off your butt and dance like a heathen during these songs?
On a slower note, I have a friend at work who was having marital problems last summer, her husband was cheating on her, but she decided to stick it out and take him back. I had her listen to "Should I Fall Behind", and she was in tears...now it's like their theme song, and she is listening to Bruce a lot. (She used to only listen to country) so I feel like I converted her.
posted 05-27-2000 10:36 PM PT (US)
i spent a lot of my first year of college trying to convert my roommate to no aval. I thought that thunder road, jungleland (he likes born to run) would get him. he was into racing in the street, and one day i was listening to nyc serenade, and he was shocked to hear that it was bruce. last week, we made a 19 hour drive back east, and i figured it was my last chance to get him. i decided to go with a different tactic and broke out asbury nights from the joad tour. i think that finally did it, cause he just wrote me that he's had bruce in his head the last few days.
posted 05-28-2000 09:34 PM PT (US)
live Youngstown in Nov 99 has my virgin boss fan converted. It would be tough to name one song, each person finds their own personal meanings in each song. just keep playing them wherever you are,all night.
posted 05-29-2000 09:16 AM PT (US)
I (accidentally) dropped my work-out tape in a friend's car but hadn't heard from her for a few weeks, When I did, she said 'Why didn't you tell me about this song, Backstreets' it's unbelievable! In fact, I can't stop playing this whole tape! (BTR,Darkness,GH selections), I think I've gotta see this guy you've been telling me about for 15 years!!' So I get her tix to Albany, made the 3 hour ride, played Live '75-85 most of the way, a little River, but when we got to NY all she kept saying was 'I want to hear Backstreets' tonite... he played 'Jungleland', and on the way home she put BTR in CD player and hit track 4, and where she says that song really did it for her, she also said she would never be the same because of that nite!
posted 05-29-2000 10:37 AM PT (US)
Prove It All Night - there's none better
posted 05-29-2000 02:36 PM PT (US)
How about organising a pool competition
where you work and get the DJ to play loads of Bruce stuff
even covers just to mix the vocal range up a bit.
Obviously have Rosalita & Glory Days in there but also
get the Donna Summer Protection and Im on Fire by Pointer Sisters in there.
In truth you can never convert someone into being
as big a Bruce fan as you - they need to get it for
themselves (they need the pain in the first place or
at least something missing, or even to be able to recognise
that people have a deep desire for something in order to fully get Bruce).
But you can try to get your mates to be able to understand why
you are such a huge fan by making them aware just how braod his music is.
Mike
posted 05-31-2000 01:54 PM PT (US)
i think the best way to convert others to bruce is, not to tell them that itīs bruce.
3 weeks ago i was at a party with campfire and beer and girls :-) and a guitar, about 1 am i grabbed the guitar and started to play. after some songs i started to play thunder road, when i finished everybody asked me who wrote this great song and where to get it....., this people are normally listen to groups like smiths, pixies, pearl jam, rage.......(i also like them).
when i told them that this was bruce they were all surprised ("is this this dancing in the dark guy?".......
greetings
stefan