BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Wrecking Ball - song by song - Shackled and Drawn

Track 3 and Bruce is getting into the heartland of the album in sound and the case against the respectable criminals. The sound goes straight into an toe tapping country/folk sound. They were not kidding when they said that this was much more folk than rock in Bruce’s original vision. Producer Ron Aniello, new to Bruce, has given it this musical context that is perfect for the record’s theme but also for Springsteen’s career as he nudges into his sixties.

As for Bruce’s indictment that goes deeper too. The character in this song is not dressing up to roam the streets seeking Easy Money. There’s more of a fatalistic understanding, “Trudging through the dark in a world gone wrong/Woke up this morning shackled and drawn.” The idea that the world is not how God originally intended is not a new concept to Springsteen but here it gets a very contemporary out working as he points the finger and accuses: -

“Gambling man rolls the dice, workingman pays the bill
It’s still fat and easy up on banker’s hill
Up on banker’s hill, the party’s going strong
Down here below we’re shackled and drawn”

It is powerful in a very Amos chapter 5 or indeed various other indictments by Old Testament prophets. The Bible makes it clear time after time that God hates and is most angry when the wealthy are wealthy at the mercy of those they are ripping off. Springsteen is right on the up-to-date of the prophetic succession right here.

Hope? Well you might feel that that is a little absent in this particular track. Listen closer though and you hear the sound of the negro slaves in the plantations of the nineteenth century. There was a people shackled and drawn and one of the things that fortified them was the song. Seven of the songs that Springsteen sang on the Sessions Tour were from this tradition and when Bruce sings, “What’s a poor boy to do but keep singing his song” he is awakening the ghost of the slaves to share wisdom with the modern day shackled and drawn! The substance of these songs will be spelled out later on the record.

Wrecking Ball song by song We Take Care Of Our Own

Wrecking Ball song by song Easy Money

Wrecking Ball review

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - Rock's Catholic Bishop

Comments

[Jesse moore]

Good one Stocki. I have been listening to this album since it came out. Even pre-ordered it. I do not do that often and this song was my favorite. Until I listened to the next song, and then the next. This is a top drawer album for me. Greetings from the states.

[Yours Singles dating]

Great Post

[kandy]

Just wanted to give you a shout from the valley of the sun, great information. Much appreciated.

[mlytv]

A solid review.