Shades of Springsteen

JOHN MASSARO writes about politics and popular culture. A Distinguished Teaching Professor at SUNY-Potsdam, he is currently retired and living in Wells, Maine. His previous books include Supremely Political: The Role of Ideology and Presidential Management in Unsuccessful Supreme Court Nominations.

• Preface and AcknowledgmentsIntroduction 1 Springsteen's Biography 2 Springsteen and Politics Teaching with Springsteen Essay 1. Teaching Politics (and More) with Bruce SpringsteenSpringsteen and Patriotism Essay 2. "Born in the U.S.A." and Patriotism Essay 3. "But Was It Right?"Studying Springsteen Essay 4. Image and Reality: A Review of Springsteen's Autobiography Born to Run Essay 5. A Note on the State of Springsteen ScholarshipSpringsteen, Class, and Depression Essay 6. Springsteen and Depression Essay 7. Straddling Class and Demons Essay 8. "Used Cars" and the Hidden Injuries of Class Essay 9. Wrecking Ball and Class Warfare? Essay 10. Why I Am a Democratic Socialist and Springsteen Isn't—YetSpringsteen and Race Essay 11. Racism and "American Skin (41 Shots)" Conclusion: Springsteen and Politics 3 Springsteen, Love, and Relationships Essay 12. A Fitzgerald/Springsteen Pastiche: "Gatsby" Down the Jersey Shore Springsteen, Fathers, and Sons Essay 13. Springsteen to Springsteen: Speaking of Love Essay 14. Flying Essay 15. Pakistani Son, Pakistani Father: An Updated Reviewof Sarfraz Manzoor's Greetings from Bury Park: Race, Religion,and Rock 'n' Roll Compassion and Understanding in Love (and Even in Politics) Essay 16. "Scumbag Bobby" and Springsteen's "Spare Parts" Essay 17. The Nixon in All of Us Springsteen and Tunnel of Love Essay 18. Springsteen on Relationships in Tunnel of Love Essay 19. Bravery and Honesty in Patti Scialfa's Rumble Doll AlbumThe Sacred and the Profane Essay 20. The Sacred and the Profane: Springsteen, Caravaggio, "Earth Angel," and "Reno" Essay 21. The Sacred and the Profane? The Love of a Daughter and George Carlin's "Seven Dirty Words" Essay 22. The Good News according to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Essay 23. Springsteen and Apocalypse Sex Conclusion: Springsteen and Love  4 Springsteen, Synchronization, Sports, and Masculinity "Glory Days" Essay 24. Springsteen's "Glory Days" and Synchronization Essay 25. Synchronizing with Springsteen Essay 26. "Glory Days" and Uncle Phil Two More "Boring Stories" of "Glory Days" Essay 27. Replay Essay 28. The Stuff of Life Springsteen and Fatherhood Essay 29. Fatherhood: From a Different Perspective The Traditional Model of Masculinity Essay 30. The Traditional Model of Masculinity and Me Essay 31. Bruce Springsteen and the Traditional Model of Masculinity Grandpa Bruce? Essay 32. Man to Man in Maine Conclusion: Springsteen, Sports, and Masculinity 5 Loose Ends Essay 33. Why Write? Some Answers Provided by Bruce Springsteen, Roger Rosenblatt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Alexander Hamilton Essay 34. Concluding Statement References Index

"John Massaro writes about classic Springsteen themes––politics, love, sports, and masculinity––with insight, care, and thoughtfulness. Massaro finds meaning in the singer's lyrics that should resonate with Springsteen fans, whether long-time admirers or those just learning about him."— June Skinner Sawyers, co-editor, Long Walk Home: Reflections on Bruce Springsteen"Shades of Springsteen fits squarely into what is now a sizeable literature of Springsteen studies. The tenor of that discourse, like that of fandom generally, has a deeply personal dimension, but Massaro is part of what might be termed a strongly ethnographic cast in recent Springsteen writing....Rutgers University Press, which published Shades of Springsteen, has been at the vanguard of this trend in honoring its local son....Shades of Springsteen is a useful contribution to a vibrant, ongoing conversation."— Jim Cullen, New Jersey StudiesFirst Person: Springsteen and politics, Adirondack murder mystery, ins and outs of dog training - interview with John Massaro— "First Person," North Country Public Radio (Canton, NY)"Book on The Boss published by Potsdam Professor," by Craig Thorton— WWNY7"Massaro's work is academically sound — he's done his research, quoting everyone from Jung to Albert Camus to Ta-Nehisi Coates, not to mention a who's-who of Springsteen experts like Peter Ames Carlin, Eric Alterman, Marc Dolan and Andy Greene. But the book is also part memoir, with stories of Massaro's own father and family experiences that resonate within Springsteen's words, and vice versa. It's a fine analysis even without them, but don't skip those sections: If you've read this far, I have a feeling you'll relate."— Blogness on the Edge of Town"A gifted speaker and writer, John Massaro speaks very astutely to contemporary issues involving love, masculinity, and sports, connecting with both the reader and Springsteen."— Kenneth Womack, author of Solid State: The Story of "Abbey Road" and the End of the Beatles"Massaro's thesis of connective tissue in the themes of the book's subtitle Politics, Love, Sports and Masculinity that he artfully argues drive Springsteen's canon and best explains the songwriter's ability to overcome his own issues of depression, is solid. He digs deep, but with an entertaining flair, explaining how all of these themes comes through in nearly every stanza of Springsteen's songs."— James Campion, The Aquarian