Yesterday Bruce Springsteen announced a further 22 shows across the UK and Europe for 2024. Playing places he didn’t play this year, Springsteen must feel confident enough in his health, after some recent issues, to be announcing more dates on a run that culminates in a huge show in London at Wembley Stadium on July 25th. To see all the dates click here.
The run of shows this year saw some interesting additions to Springsteen’s mammoth set list with songs like ‘Candy’s Room’ and ‘Kitty’s Back’ getting heavy rotation alongside tracks like ‘Johnny 99,’ ‘Wrecking Ball’ and ‘Mary’s Place’ that have been in and out of the set across multiple tours over the years. With an artist like Springsteen, who has such a fertile and rich back catalogue, you’ll never be able to please everyone in terms of what songs you chose to play and there are some songs, as there are with all artists, that would be impossible to drop. However, we’ve come up with a list of 10 songs that we think should come back into the set next year if the Boss wanted to shake things up a little and offer a slightly different setlist in an attempt to tempt people who came to see him this year to purchase a ticket for the new shows. Spruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce!
Land of Hope & Dreams
This song did feature in 5 of Springsteen’s 66 shows this year but for us needs to be an absolute must each night. A powerful, impactful look at mortality and what might lie beyond that is perfectly suited to Springsteen’s current station (no pun intended) in life and a huge portion of his fan base too.
My City of Ruins
A tricky one, this, given the subject matter and why it was written but it is such a beautiful song and with huge parts of Ukraine and Gaza / Israel under bombardment it would be a fitting song to play if the Boss wanted to make a statement or pay tribute to the lives lost around the world.
Radio Nowhere
One of our favourite songs from Springsteen’s work this century. It rocks, pure & simple, and would be a great palate cleanser after a more serious or heavier songs to get any stadium on their feet.
Jackson Cage
Reaching back into the Springsteen’s back catalogue, we came across this little gem that often gets overlooked in place of showier tracks from ‘The River’ album. It’s hard for the Boss not to play tracks like ‘Out in the Street’, ‘Two Hearts’ and the title track from that album but we’ve always had a soft spot for this rocking little number.
Where the Bands Are
Taken from 1998’s ‘Tracks’ opus, ‘Where the Bands Are’ is a joyous, youthful romp that, similar to a song like ‘Radio Nowhere’, would provide a short, sharp adrenaline jolt in any live show and take Springsteen’s ageing crowd back to the carefree days of their youth!
American Skin (41 Shots)
It’s an election year in the United States next year and it’ll be hard for the Boss not to lend his voice to that Democratic, liberal core base. This song is such a powerful statement that crosses the political divide whilst remaining fiercely critical of police brutality and is hauntingly awesome, particularly if Patty Scialfa is re-joining the tour and can add her unique vocals to the backing on this track.
Better Days
Another short, sharp jolt that could act as both a respite from a heavier song or a statement itself if Springsteen wanted to. Another one for Patty Scialfa’s backing vocals and one that would give a nice tingle to the Boss’ long time fans who like to see him play different songs.
Murder Incorporated
Taken from the 1995 ‘Greatest Hits’ album that still, to this day, is many people’s favourite Springsteen compilation, this song is another one with a huge social message that might play well in an election year. It is also a huge, get-your-hands-in-the-air type of big Rock song that would work well in stadiums and arenas with it’s bombastic sound.
Adam Raised a Cain
A classic. Enough said.
Youngstown
We’ve always loved this song. The way it can be worked out as a brooding, acoustic track or, possibly our favourite version, the way it is presented on Springsteen’s ‘Live in New York City’ album from 2001, in a bigger, bolder, louder format which really rocks! Big chance for the E Street Band to have an extended jam session and let Bruce nip off side stage for a breather, too!
No doubt you will have your own favourites and songs that you wish stayed in the set and ones that you’d, ideally, take out if you were in charge! Let us know on social media across all the platforms as @Ent_Focus
