About the Song

Track: Somewhere North of Nashville

Length: 1:51

Album: Western Stars (2018)

Artist: Bruce Springsteen

Songwriter: Bruce Springsteen

Favorite part: 

“Now the heart’s unsteady, and the night is still

All I’ve got’s this melody, and time to kill”

©℗ 2019 Bruce Springsteen

Here’s Why I Love It

Aristotle has said great storytelling doesn’t rely on “spectacle.” And, well, this song has no spectacle. The story that’s painted in under two minutes is nothing short of amazing. It’s a lesson in the power of brevity and simplicity. I hate that I even just said that about Springsteen. It’s like, who am I to say it’s “amazing.” He’s the freakin’ Boss, but I made peace with it pretty quickly. Why? I know I’m advocating for (and passing along to you) an absolute gem.

Just like the first Springsteen song I shared with you, he adopts a character here, and writes from the POV of that character. Something he relied on a lot throughout his career. This character is a man who wound up “somewhere north of Nashville.” Of course, this is a metaphor for someone who didn’t quite “make it.” Or, as he writes with the first line, “Came into town with a pocket full of songs / I made the rounds but didn’t last long.” More so, the song is about what the man gave up to pursue a career in music. This provides a subtle depth to the story. The backbone, really. And although the man is clearly reflecting back on a lost love, I’m not quite convinced that he’s totally discontent with his choices or journey. Or maybe he is. I don’t know. He does know, however, that his music is what he’s left with (as the line above indicates).

Anyone who’s ever chased a creative endeavor will feel some pain while listening to this song, not because their story is similar (although it might be), but because you know what it’s like to make hard decisions for the thing you love to do. It’s an unseen reality for many, and a vivid one for others. Either way, the song will land because it’s storytelling gold.

It’s worth noting that I am a HUGE fan of the album this song is on, Western Stars. It has a fantastic HBO concert/documentary that accompanies it. One that you should definitely watch after you fall in love with this song. 

Listen to the song and read the lyrics for full effect.

Don’t forget to listen to the Lyrics I Love playlist on Spotify. A new song is added with each edition!

*This article is part of the ongoing Lyrics I Love series: short interpretations of the meaning and story behind one song with lyrics that move me.