TS: Springsteen "Hungry Heart" vs. Magnetic Fields "100,000 Fireflies"

yeah exactly!

Bruce himself mentions this in the "greatest hits" liner notes (I think) ------- basically says his manager talked him out of giving it to the Ramones ----

"100,000 Fireflies" is great, both the Fields' version and Superchunk's cover.

As for "Hungry Heart," it's of course great, and part of Springsteen's proud traditional of having hits with his darkest songs ("Born to Run," "Hungry Heart," "BitUSA," "Dancing in the Dark," "Brilliant Disguise," "Streets of Philadelphia," etc.). Mildly subversive from a guy who inspires mass fists-in-the-air singalongs. I guess Bruce-town's full of losers who relate (me included, sometimes).

how does the other one go?

lol at going out for some brie and leaving your wife btw. i believe he went out for "a ride" and never came back like a river that don't know where it's going. which obviously makes it alright.

I met her in a Kingstown bar
We fell in love I knew it had to end
We took what we had and we ripped it apart
Now here I am down in Kingstown again

it begins:

got a wife an' kids in baltimore, jack
i wen' out for a ride an' i never went back
like a river that don' know where it's flowin'
i took a wrong turn an' i jus' kept goin'

and yes, the record was sped up

in other news, i wish i hadn't sold my m.f. cds sometimes, especially that first one.

This is partially because I looked at the thread title and went, "Hmm, a dead heat."

And please forgive my snappish response. Though not drunk, I was on a couple hours sleep in as many days. I'd hug you, but I have cooties.

I thought this would be a Pinefox thread!
-- Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 23 March 2006

I thought JtN would have said that. I'm glad he did. I am almost surprised I didn't start this thread myself, except that I don't think there's any contest - it's average Boss vs utterly outstanding Merritt; '100,000 Fireflies' by 100 miles.

You won't be happy with me
But give me one more chance
You won't be happy anyway

^^^omg best lyric ever.

So when Bruce sings "Baltimore, Jack" he's talking to someone named Jack? "Baltimore Jack" isn't a section of the town?

"jack" is a new jersey nickname for maryland

I think they serve Baltimore Jack on bacon cheeseburgers in New Jersey.

Hungry Heart is so much more profound than it is good...

You won't be happy with me
But give me one more chance
You won't be happy anyway

^^^omg best lyric ever.

― I donated and I expect some sort of reward measured in virgins. (a hoy hoy),

absolutely true. but tonight this lyric "makes me want to kill myself."

(that's another lyric from the song. i'm fine. but like... desperation.... heartache.... approached through the thinnest possible veneer of irony, a way of maintaining dignity... anyone who thinks stephin merritt isn't a good songwriter is wrong)