Bob Seger
 

Now there's a badly underappreciated musical icon. Doesn't have the depth of catalog of say Springsteen, but has some truly iconic American songs.

Just listened to Main Streeet a few times. . . amazing talent. I'm sorry I've never seen him in concert.

[Having said that, if I never hear Old Time Rock n Roll again in this lifetime that's fine.]

Never a choice for me, Bob Seger every time.

B.T.

Have heard a few people over the years say his live shows are just ok, not great. I suspect you disagree?

I've never seen him in concert, but I see him every time I listen to "Turn the Page".

One of my favorites of all time.

Interesting mix IMO of some truly great songs -- Night Moves, Turn the Page come immediately to mind -- and some bad ones -- Against the Wind (ugh), Still the Same.

I remember hearing Night Moves for the first time and it was a revelation. Way up firm and high, an immortal line. Trivia -- what has he said was the "song from 1962" he was humming in the slow section?

Bob Seger
 

I’m virtually certain Bob’s “catalog” exceeds Springsteen’s. Far better musician too. Trent King

I user her, and she used me, and neither one cared.

Oh, to be 18 again.

(I wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then.)

I like them both. Night Moves. Jungleland.

My sister went to see Seger back in the day. It remains her standard by which all other live acts are measured.

I never knew that until I just looked it up. The song actually came out in 1963 and it seems like it would be a difficult song to hum.

He could have just hummed the whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa. I think I read Ronnie Spector actually ad libbed that.

Workin' on mysteries without any clues

Your second line is actually Against The Wind

I thoroughly enjoy Bob Seger and think he's made some fantastic music. I don't think he's appreciated as much as he should be, but I think there are many musicians and bands from that era that suffer the same fate.

His voice has also aged like a fine wine, as his later recordings have leaned into its depth. He was featured on an album by John Fogerty not too long ago and their duet of "Who'll Stop the Rain" is excellent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j48955kL8zo

Live Bullet was one of the soundtracks of my youth. If you can consider anyone of Seger's stature and accomplishments to have made a mistake, it was that he "boycotted" iTunes at a time when it was pretty critical to a musician's popularity, though for him, he really had already made his fortune, so the personal consequences were minimal. He could have been better appreciated, though.

I think Springsteen is one of the greatest songwriters of the rock and roll era. Certainly, up there with Dylan. I agree that the totality of Seger's work does not rise to that level, there are songs he wrote that are worthy of being compared to Springsteen and Dylan.

Specifically, I think that songs like "Roll Me Away," "The Fire Inside" and "No Man's Land" are the equal of anything written by Bruce.

I am also fond of his version of "California Stars." Even though the lyrics were written by Woody Guthrie and the music by Jeff Tweedy, he lends it a certain authenticity since it touches on a main theme that flows through his own songs.

I have seen him several times and really enjoyed them each time, live Bob Seger is just as good as good as his recorded, first time was the against the wind tour in the early 80's then again on his final tour a couple years ago. He is definitely an american icon !!!

'Feel Like a Number' is a frickin' awesome piece of writing about someone screaming to be recognized as an individual. Always turn that one up to 11!!

"'Dear Sir' letters keep coming in the mail..."

"Feel like just another spoke in a great big wheel, like a tiny blade of grass in a great big field..."

Never appreciated Like A Rock until I really listened to the lyrics. Sad song at least to me. Incredible songwriter.

"To Ma Bell, I'm just another phone."

Bruce is a great songwriter, but to me a lot of his vibe is life is a grind, you work your ass off, the boss is an ass, enjoy the time racing cars or hanging with friends, and boy if feels great to unsnap that girl's jeans under the boardwalk with a nice buzz on. All solid, well founded, blue collar sentiments.

Seger seems comfortable going to much darker place of existential despair.

Lost in the Flood. Jungleland. The River. Racing in the Streets (very dark song).

Now some guys they just give up living
And start dying little by little, piece by piece
Some guys come home from work and wash up
And go racin' in the street

She sits on the porch of her daddy's house
But all her pretty dreams are torn
She stares off alone into the night
With the eyes of one who hates for just being born

Racing in the Streets is prob my absolute favorite Bruce song.

But racing in the streets is what gives his life value. He's not one of those other dudes just sitting around waiting to die.

I know he has some pretty dark stuff too. The Rising is pretty dark. You're Missing is simply devastating.

In my opinion, the single most heartbreaking lyric ever written is from "The River."

Is a dream a lie if it don't come true
Or is it something worse?

I'm tired of looking at the TV news
I'm tired of driving hard and paying dues
I figure, baby, I've got nothing to lose
I'm tired of being blue

Oh, that's why I'm going to Katmandu
Up to the mountains where I'm going to
If I ever get out of here, that's what I'm gonna do.

Bradley Center in Peoria.1978 maybe? Bob and the Silver Bullet Band saved that song for their last encore. It was awesome.



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Huh.

No mentions of Mongrel, Back in '72, or Seven.

So shocking.

Punch has done Bob a whole lot of disservice over the decades.

I think 78 was Night Moves. The first time I heard it, just wanted to go outside and run for the joy of being alive LOL.

Sounds like you might have been experiencing the fire down below.:D

This was a joy of the spirit. :)

Yep, right after Night Moves. Great album and great concert.

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Since this thread drifted a little off from Bob - I would like to take it a little further.

If you haven't heard it - you should - River of Tears (Eric Clapton)

Sample of the beginning and gets better from there!

It's three miles to the river
That would carry me away
And two miles to the dusty street
That I saw you on today

It's four miles to my lonely room
Where I will hide my face
And about a half a mile to the downtown bar
That I ran from in disgrace