Listen to Bruce Springsteen’s anti-ICE protest song (and a bonus song from Billy Bragg) [UPDATED]
In May 1970, Neil Young saw reports of the Kent State massacre on the evening news. The blatant killing of four students by National Guard troops enraged him. He got even angrier a few days when he saw the famous photos in Life magazine. He grabbed his guitar, went for a walk in the woods and a few hours later presented his bandmates, David Crosy, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash with the bones of a new song called “Ohio.” It was recorded, pressed, and in record stores within two weeks.
Bruce Springsteen had a similar moment. Last Saturday (January 24), he witnessed the murder of Alex Pretti by ICE goons in Minneapolis. He immediately set to work. It was given to the world on Wednesday (January 28).
“I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis,” he said in an online post. “It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors, and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free.”
It’s an old-school rock-based protest song with the E-Street Band. He references “King Trump” and “federal thugs.” It also calls out all nonsense that Good and Pretti were responsible for their own deaths.
Their claim was self defense, sir / Just don’t believe your eyes
It’s our blood and bones / And these whistles and phones / Against Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem’s dirty lies.
Here’s the new video with images. The White House isn’t happy. Shame.
I find some of the comments from MAGA types hilarious. They’re offended that Springsteen has gone “woke.” Jeezus, people. You haven’t been paying attention, have you?
Serious question: “Streets of Minneapolis” has received plenty of media coverage over its first 24 hours. Can this be sustained? Will the song catch fire with audiences?
Maybe not. It’s hard to gain immediate traction with any song. But if we look at things incrementally–this drip drip drip of anti-ICE, anti-DHS, anti-Trump sentiment–it could be a part of the solution.
On that note, Billy Bragg, someone who has never shied away from singing about social and political injustice, has his own song about Minneapolis. He wrote, recorded, and released in the song in just 24 hours.
Billy’s post:
