What better way is there to end summer than dancing alongside thousands of like-minded tramps while New Jersey’s first son belts out his iconic stories backed by one of the best band compilations in history?

Yes, I’m talking about Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, who returned home to Jersey’s Giant of Stadiums (MetLife) for a three-night gig this week. The now 18-person band, including original members Little Steven, Max Weinberg, Nils Lofgren, Garry Tallent, and Roy Bittan, brought their a-game behind their frontman, with Jake Clemons absolutely brilliant on the saxophone. He’s Clarence Clemons’ incredibly talented nephew who stepped into his uncle’s shoes but with his own persona and is one of my favorite musicians ever.

Devoid of political messages and commentary, there was truly magic in the night.

While I am not a Springsteen junkie, I am a Jersey born-and-bred creative, and I’ve always admired his ability to thread his songs with expertly written stories about people like me. I’ve gone to several Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band concerts before, but something was different this go-around.

With three treasured friends, we found our seats on the tour’s opening night in Jersey with thrilling anticipation, and I couldn’t get over the perfect breeze that wildly blew through my hair. 

The entire show was energy exemplified, and collectively, we all sang and danced, and smiled and laughed. A nearby white-haired woman wrapped her arm around her son, who looked to be than me, while punching her other fist in the air and screaming every single word. Two gentlemen in their 70s grinned to each other and nodded as they mouthed the lyrics to songs from their life’s road map. Children stood and swayed in time together with their parents and grandparents, and couples kissed underneath the rising blue moon. 

I found myself just looking around during the almost three-hour set with awe that I was lucky enough to experience such a delicious slice of a memory with the most amazing of people to my left and my right and with the most welcome of winds proving all night.

An odd sensation, however, loomed just behind the night’s eyebrows, one that is hard to explain. 

This concert, while simultaneously incredible yet mysteriously affirming, felt like a farewell of sorts, and a few memories slipped from my eyes as I caught myself pondering the lyrics of many songs I grew up listening to but now from the opposite end of time’s spectrum.

When Mary’s dress first swayed, I had my entire life ahead of me. Now, it sways with more days behind me than ahead of me, my glory days receding further in my rear-view mirror. 

Perhaps it is because summer was taking its last bows, or that I’m grieving the soon-to-be-completed herculean task of cleaning out my uncle’s house, or that another birthday in my 50s is slowing creeping up on the calendar.

Maybe it’s because the night, or I’m scared in thinking I ain’t that young anymore.

But, maybe it’s just because of the badlands…

For the ones who had a notion

A notion deep inside

That it ain’t no sin

To be glad you’re alive

I wanna find one face

That ain’t looking through me

I wanna find one place

I wanna spit in the face of these

Badlands, you gotta live it everyday

Let the broken hearts stand

As the price you’ve gotta pay

Keep movin’ ’til it’s understood

And these badlands start treating us good…

“Badlands” written by Bruce Springsteen (see video below)

Someday, I’ll look back on this and it will all seem funny, but today, I am pulling out of here to win behind my wrecking ball while lighting a fire with my spark and dancing in the dark. 

Thank you, Bruce and company, for all the feels and for inspiring me to jump a little higher.

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you are here.

With light and love,

Jill

“The Jersiest of Joys and Most Awesome of Adieus” was posted on jillocone.com on September 1, 2023. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2023, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact Jill with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries using any of the links below.