Bruce Springsteen - The River (live 1979)

[RRoxan]

The song from 1985 is good too, with a lot more energy

[honour123]

an angry bitter song for an angry bitter time.

the very late 70s to the early 80s were not the best of times. murder of john lennon, ronald regan, deep cold war, ussr and as normal.. poverty, unemployment and uncaring establishment.

the rise of punk was a spit in the face against this shite. sorry bruce but we dont buy the working man shite anymore.

[cutta1966]

@honour123 Just saw your comment. John Lennon actually predicted people like you and the media would bust/tear down Bruce. Man-- if can't appreciate the music I feel sorry for you. I lived those times and musicians like Bruce (and many others) were a welcome respite to the "shite". Including punk.

[honour123]

@cutta1966 and what does bruce know of the WORKING Man. He is wealthy beyond all common sense. Perhaps he should help the working man like he sings about.

Nothing but a modern day hyprocryte. 

[cutta1966]

@honour123 Bruce earned his fame ond fortune. He came from humble beginnings, used his talent and luck and got where he is today. You sound like some jealous slacker...one of those always looking for a handout intead of making your life better. People like you are pulling this country down. Lazy, bitchy jealous of REAL people who do WORK for what they have. He is under no obligation to help but FYI ---he does plenty to help. Ask the people of Pittsburgh and many other cities.

[Gebruikersnaam107428]

There are no words for this. You can't describe it, you can just feel it. In the deepest of your soul. Just amazing.

[voyeur06]

@2pacbiggie4334: word, and and a load of s#1t that so many guys split because *they* can't "forgive" their girlfriends for "getting" pregnant. Keep it tucked in boys or stick around to deal with what you made. The day of reckoning will come.

[Gebruikersnaam107428]

Best song ever written. Period. 'Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is it something worse'?

[DoctorRazzArea4]

lol wtf 

[TheInvisibleCollege]

This is still the only song that can make me cry.

[sangolt88]

Why does he say "my brother in law and my sister"?

[fonviell]

@sangolt88 He's dedicating the song to them.

[weightoftheworld112]

@sangolt88

This song is about his brother in law. Bruce sings in second person, he sort of crawls in the skin of his brother in law who actually had a 'job working constuction' ans so on...

[sangolt88]

@weightoftheworld112 Thats cool.

[crazygirlgoeswild]

a very haunting song, cant beat the sound of a harmonica!

I`was only 11 when this song came out?!!!!!!!in 79 when songs were songs and you could actually understand the lyrics!!!!!!!!!!lol

not like that boybands and manufactured pop bands of today.

this is true music, sang from the heart, and soul.

[arlec1625]

Amazing. Just an amazing video. Such a priceless point in time.

[crazygirlgoeswild]

what a amazing song, just beautiful, and Bruce is smokin hot here, hes so young here!

[1pbrodie]

unfuckenreal man

[AngieLincoln]

the hardest part ,, down to the river my baby and I '' ,shiver

[Poppystam]

i get the biggest shivers when i hear this song

[atarnow14]

my dog is named "Boss"

[ynotttt]

This was a great song I saw him perform in Rosemont Chicago in fall of 1980. Listen to that young bold voice! Age just changes everything. He's a legend still has the amazing drive. But look at him....listen to him.....70's and 80's were his!! Yes....he's still good. Music is about where you were and what you were doing. He meant a lot to us.

[113470499]

I like a suit but I don't look right in a suit. I put a suit on, my face just don't go with the suit, man! My face- I just ain't got a suit face. It's too bumpy. Weird.1975

Bruce Springsteen in his own words by John Duffy

[113470499]

I never seen The Boss play live but one time we tryed to get tickits when he was playing in Australia but  they were all sold out.

[tom4415]

I love you Bruce. Your so sincere in this.

[skavnakk]

WHO the fuck did subl this live movie to china????? lol

[gao1258]

does he dedicate the song to his sister and BIL? might explain thedeep emotion! thanks for posting!

[MrDidier57]

this song is very meanningful ,and when I heard , these words ,I think a kid of ninetheen years , lot of emotions.

[afansi]

I first saw this at the time when all the jobs were disappearing in my home town. And there will be plenty of new reasons to weep in the next few years while everyone who didn't cause the economic meltdown pays for it with their jobs and economic security.

[jpbslayer]

this is by far and away the best version of the best song ever

[wilbs55]

For me as an Aussie this song provides a glimpse of part of the American soul. One of the best songs ever written and this performance is one of the great moments in music. An absolute classic.

[Marz2605]

5:22...bring me that girl!

[annoyingryan1220419]

Its something about the way he says "those memories come back to haunt me" that absolutely make this song so good. Pure emotion

[shelburz]

@BrianGriffin83 I was pretty sure that the first time he ever performed the River was at the No Nukes concert.....I could be wrong though. He gets all "blinky" during the No Nukes performance, and you think he might even loose it!

[MrBoyBoss]

Is he cryin? it looks like he's cryin'. And i understand why

[ortleyman]

I was at one of the No Nuke shows and it was kind of unfair to have it in NYC because everyone at the Garden was there to see Bruce. Period. People were just mulling around waiting for Bruce and the Band to come out. When CNS were on stage the crowd was chanting Bruuuuuuuce. I loved every minute of it. Shit I was a 17 year-old kid and I was going around telling everyone I discovered the next Elvis..

[reservenote12]

awesome



[katiemurphs]

Amazing <3

[crk3232]

Could he ever have imagined 31 years later people would be watching his shows at home on computers?

[MichaleenOFlynn1]

Pre sugery pre Midwest accent, pure Jersey magic!

[ortleyman]

@MichaleenOFlynn1 What kind of surgery did he get? Hair plugs, face lifts etc. because he looks younger now then he did when he was 45. Just wondering. He has more har now then he did on the Human Touch tour.

[MichaleenOFlynn1]

@ortleyman HIs face is so very different and his nose so much smaller and you're right about his hair. I found the mugging for the camera on the 2000 DVD just over the top of someone too much in love with himself. I remember sitting in a theater in NYC watching the performance of The River and thinking he was at the top of his game...he captured such emotion in the song. He was still the guy looking up at the mansion on the hill. Now he lives there. 

[ortleyman]

@MichaleenOFlynn1 I personally think the Band peaked between 1978-81. Pre- Born in the USA. sellout tour. I also think Bruce is messing with HGH (human growth hormone). It might be the reason why he looks so youthful and fit at 60. Just a thought.

[MichaleenOFlynn1]

@MichaleenOFlynn1

I agree. HGH and testosterone are the most common used by celebs. I was expecting some juvie flaming angry posts as people worship their rock stars; especially with the association from youth. I loved him back then, up to Nebraska, but when he got political, I knew the face lifts and overall phony stuff weren't far off. The DVD from Live in NY 2000 or so is, for me, unwatchable. Narcissistic hamming and silly antics don't jive with his age.

[suzunari0878]

THANK  YOU!!!

[MichaleenOFlynn1]

@suzunari0878 were you nervous about getting nasty replies? The HGH and Testosterone are in all the anti-aging clinics, but he appears to have had his nose reduced, skin stretched and hair plugs of some kind. I miss the timeframe you mentioned and would add in 1977. I also think Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes from that era is the most underrated music in R&R today. Something was lost when Van Zandt stopped playing with them.

[followthewater]

haha love when the boss goes " this is, this is new ". Amazing to think this song turned out to be one of his finest songs ever. I wish spirit in the night got the fame it deserves aswel, another golden oldie !

[countrydawn418]

The summer 95! make me cry.

[teddybeitler]

"don't fuck with the boss" - thomas jefferson, 1781

[loadb1]

one of my all time fav

[197SIXXSIXXSIXX]

What a story teller he is,patience,delivery,harmony,m­elodies you can stick your top 40 these days,this is the stuff for me

[VasquezBenjamim]

Comentan mis tios y primos de esa epoca que fue unos de los mejores tiempos que an vivido, sus canciones resaltava la realidad de la sociedad en esos años y ahora escuchandolo resalta lo que es ahora EL JEFE.

Que Dios lo Bendiga Bruce Springsteen.

[sofakingdrunk66]

Quality intro.....

[DianaChefGill]

The Boss is the man!!

[malibu1970]

Just thank you.

[HaroldHChase]

If I was going to die in five minutes, I would spend it listening to this song.

[FOAMER103061]

"is a dream a lie if it dont come true or is it something worse?" - great line

[sadmadmaddy]

@foamer: That's also my favorite line

[FOAMER103061]

just amazing

[JusRam1]

Sad that nobody makes this kind of music anymore, i mean i was born in 1992 and never had a chance to experience this kinda live music. But I hope that someday someone will still do beautiful music like this.

[MichaleenOFlynn1]

@JusRam1 Well said. The bass line; the subtle piano...this may be my favorite BS song of them all...

[MOLLASUND]

@JusRam1 what are you whining about? these guys are still playing live, get ur finger out your ass.

watching the boss at roskilde festival 2012

[emilmooiweer]

@MOLLASUND Me too! Can not wait!

[yankeespy3]

You can really appreciate Gary's baseline on this one.

[yankeespy3]

You can really appreciate Gary's baseline on this tune.

[musictranscription]

My friend asked me to transcribe this for him

[MrsAngelicaBlack]

BRUCE <3333333333

[SuperPissflaps]

OUTSTANDING

[SicilianLove]

il mito

[rezmoneynwkubs]

BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE

[sonnysburning5133]

this song this version of this song, made me believe in the power of the song

[BrianGriffin83]

Was this the very first time this song was performed?

Anyway, what an amazing masterpiece. It always brings tears to my eyes, even with no reason.

[Siosamh]

@BrianGriffin83 I know. After 30 years, I still cry my eyes out every time I hear this song.

[17Hongo]

@BrianGriffin83 It must be, since he released the album in 81. this is so clear, and sounds brilliant, even on electric guitar.

[andyjumanji]

This is one of my favourite versions of this song!!! it's so emotional!!

[shadowVT]

lear  about that band i now bruce greets people

[sbz120709]

I have been to over 50 Bruce concerts starting in 1978. I know that I am old. Bruce puts on the best shows in the business. They are always over 3 hours old with at least 3 encores.

[patcshea]

1978 right when darkness came out is when their salad days were and i went to that show. then into the river and that show and born in the u s a and that show and it continues 'til now. the point is you'll never see anything like those shows 1978-85 again because any rock band is limited like that a few years and that's it and it ain't a bad thing

[Arsen828]

He is legend forever

[mikaspirit78]

Yes , The Boss Forever*

This Song is magic for eternity

[aviadmei]

Brilliant, charming, moving, outstanding, sensitive, touching, DIVINE, ETERNAL!!!!!!!

[20dawl]

Pure emotion - classic.

[stiflyon]

saw him in Lyon France in 1981 my brother led me to his concert. remember as if it was yesterday. fayçal

[sbh123yt]

Best performance of this song

[RJODOK]

Absolutely.

[daviddoyle1978]

Such a wonderful song. As relevant today as it ever was. Anthem for the little guy.

[kiltedwarrior1980]

i have heard many many different versions of this song from the boss .. but this one the oldest one is far and away the best.

[aoifeluvzk]

what a legend...so hot back in the day lol

[jfischetti]

Chills, just chills.  Amazing

[AugustusPablo808]

This sounds new and raw and like he has yet to perform it hundreds of times - awesome. Didn't know it was about his sister.

[STFCstoneroses]

Ive been to alot of gigs, seen alot of live music in my 23 years on this planet...but im yet to see anything this passionate, meaningful, moving

[sanshi84]

such a passionate performance, wonderful as usual

[slvtnplt]

One of my favourite Springsteen songs, and watching/listening to him delivering it gave me chills

[aaron6785]

WOW

[mailboxnet]

This was the September 1979 No Nukes concert held at Madison Square Garden in NYC. Also the first official video-taping of Bruce and the E Street Band in a live performance. Bruce is a rock-god.

[Xoandr05]

Isn't he comin' in a bit too fast at 3:10..?

Great song btw!

[TehRatchet]

Maybe he was out of breath

[Pontuswre]

Yes, he does. But it doesn't matter, Bruce is great anyway!

[stonechater]

@Xoandr05

Its Max who is too late with the drummings ;) The verse starts directly after the solo

[bojahs]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRUCE!!!

Greetings from Norway

[auckland37]

Iconic Americana - in the footsteps of Guthrie and Dylan.

[srtx700]

... the 1981 (or thereabouts) MUSE show, that is.

[srtx700]

great song, great songwriter, GREAT performance. i love bruce, but so much live springsteen has an overdramatic, high-school-battle-of-the-band­s feel to it. nice to see him do a straight ahead rendition- does the song justice. i'm looking around here for the MUSE performance...

[KommunistJesus]

Best version.

[lbj31]

This is why he's called The Boss.

He's so fantastic when he's singing !

[2pacbiggie4334]

it's not his singing that makes him the boss.

It's what he's singing; How the emotion of loosing all your hopes and dreams to bad economic times and a girlfriend who will never forgive you for getting her pregnant. That, is what makes him the boss. He sings it like it is.

[united4detreble]

@2pacbiggie4334 that was perfectly put well said

[bojahs]

It`s so wonderful. He`s so humble sayi`n "This is a song, it`s called The River, this is, this is new" And then it comes, this masterpiece. Thank you Bruce!

[gentschman12]

einfache ehrlriche songs

[tomnicholasmusic]

What a great song!

Go to my youtube page to hear a great acoustic cover of this song. The pictue quality isn't very good but it sounds great.

Well worth a listen!

Thanks.

[fniccoli]

"This is new" ...

f*****g GREAT !

Best performance of this song with the one from Night for the Vietnam Veternas bootleg (where he stop a verse as he's cryin')

[Linkanbooy]

i think he's crying through the whole song..

[tom4415]

Tom- Im not much into Springsteen. Your not?

Listen to the song " The River" you may change opinion.

Just sincere for me.

[darcyaddiction76]

I remenber this so well. this was the first time I heard & saw bruce. it was broadcasted on a rock show bec the album the river was to be released in my country, I was around 12 & came across this & I thought "oh my god who is this guy,, this so good ,,it gave me the shivers. Of course I was not ok till I get the album ...my friends were listening"spandau ballet and this kind of stuff" LOL ..then now I m 40 & this song still give me the shivers & I still think the is the best

[Senor07]

great!

[fcyafee]

The man is incredible

[Frigty23]

wow incredible song...

[fcyafee]

The best performance by bruce

[fcyafee]

The best man in the world

[pishta1]

this is the best ever track by bruce THE BEST

[lelleman123]

the boss.

[allanfurlan]

Bruce no matter how old you got , you are the BOSS and I never get tired listening your songs!!! Man I love you

[MajSmJz]

I wasn't even born back then and this guy was already rocking.

[wildplys]

...and still is. Big time!

[tom4415]

Just innocent and genuine.

[IMTheMagicRat]

Besides Jungleland, this is my favorite Bruce song. Killer vid. *****!

[petritias]

everytime that im in my compjuter i listen this song, very nice song

[robertaspring]

ti amo bruce

[Langerisverygay]

Probably the best live version I´ve heard of this song.

[slickwilyboo]

bruuuuuuuuuuuce

[fillann]

theres tears in my eyes when i hear this, just can't help it..

[renderizer01]

Just beautiful, just beautiful...

[booooh1]

brividi, adoro questa canzone

[Abbiesalem]

LOVE this song. Thanks

[slashtwg]

You can feel the emotion when he sings this. The River is one of my favourite Bruce songs.

[hulkamaniacum]

That is seriously badass.

[nilrem2]

Just shut your eyes and feel the emotion.

[nilrem2]

Thankyou!

[Tcat187]

you're welcome :)