Since forming in 1972, the band's members have changed; however, core members include saxophonist Clarence Clemons, organist Danny Federici, bassist Garry Tallent, drummer Max Weinberg, pianist Roy Bittan and, of course, guitarist/singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen. Guitarist Steven Van Zandt joined the band while recording Born to Run and made this record at least possible. He became one of the most honored and most influential members.
Other musicians important to the band include guitarist Nils Lofgren (who stepped in after Van Zandt quit); guitarist/singer Patti Scialfa (who is also Springsten's wife); and pianist David Sancious and drummers "Mad Dog" Vini Lopez and Ernest "Boom" Carter, who all had left the band prior to Born to Run. Also, The Rising tour saw the official addition of violinist Soozie Tyrell.
In 1989 the band split up, after the massive success of the Born in the USA tour and the quieter Tunnel of Love tour. However, in 1999, the band reunited and embarked on a rather successful 18-month reunion tour - the "E-United Tour" - and now were powered by three guitars (Springsteen, Van Zandt and Lofgren, with Scialfa usually playing a fourth, acoustic guitar).
Following the events of September 11, 2001, Springsteen and the Band embarked on their first studio recordings (excepting a short recording session for Springsteen's 1995 Greatest Hits album) since 1984's Born in the U.S.A. The band recorded The Rising in 2002, and then hit the road for another marathon, two-year tour.
After The Rising, Springsteen recorded two more albums without the E Streeters followed by "Magic", released in October 2007 and featuring the hit single "Radio Nowhere". Magic was followed up by a traditionally strong tour throughout 2008, during which original band-member and friend Danny Federici passed away. Federici had already been temporarily replaced by Charlie Giordano, with whom Springsteen played the year before during the Seeger Sessions. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band rounded the 100-show tour at Harley-Davidson's 105th anniversary celebration.
On January 27, 2009 Springsteen's twenty-fourth album "Working on a Dream" will be released. According to the official press release, Working on a Dream was recorded with the E Street Band and features twelve new Springsteen compositions plus two bonus tracks. It is the fourth collaboration between Springsteen and Brendan O'Brien, who produced and mixed the album. A new tour for 2009 is expected to be announced soon. Springsteen and the E Street Band will play The Super Bowl halftime show on February 1, 2009.
Saturday 27th July 2009 saw Bruce and the E-Streeters played The Glastonbury Festival, England. This was the band's first-ever UK festival performance, a total of 135,000 people watched an epic, two-and-a-half hour headlining set.
Current members
* Bruce Springsteen - lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano
* Garry Tallent - bass guitar, tuba
* Max Weinberg - drums, percussion (joined September 1974)
* Roy Bittan - piano, synthesizer (joined September 1974)
* Steven Van Zandt - lead guitar, mandolin, backing vocals (officially joined July 1975 after playing in previous bands; left in 1984 to go solo; rejoined in early 1995) Steven Van Zandt
* Nils Lofgren - guitar, pedal steel guitar, backing vocals (replaced Steven Van Zandt in June 1984; remained in group after Van Zandt returned)
* Patti Scialfa - backing and duet vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion (joined June 1984; became Springsteen's wife in 1991; they have a daughter and two sons)
* Soozie Tyrell - violin, acoustic guitar, percussion, backing vocals (joined 2002, occasional appearances before that)
Former members
* Vinnie 'Mad Dog' Lopez - drums (inception through February 1974, when asked to resign)
* David Sancious - keyboards (June 1973 to August 1974)
* Ernest 'Boom' Carter - drums (February to August 1974)
* Suki Lahav - violin, backing vocals (September 1974 to March 1975)
* Danny Federici - organ, electronic glockenspiel, accordion, other keyboards (on medical leave of absence from late November 2007, temporarily replaced by Charles Giordano) (Danny passed away on April 17, 2008 after a battle with cancer.)
* Clarence Clemons - saxophone, percussion, backing vocals, larger-than-life persona and Springsteen foil (died 2011)
Worlds Apart
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I seek faith in your kiss and comfort in your heart
I taste the seed upon your lips, lay my tongue upon your scars
I look into your eyes and we stand worlds apart
Where the distant oceans sing and rise to the plain
In this dry and troubled country, your beauty remains
Down from the mountain roads where the highway rolls to dark
Sometimes the truth just ain't enough or it's too much in times like this
Let's throw the truth away, we'll find it in this kiss
In your skin upon my skin, in the beating of our hearts
May the living let us in before the dead tear us apart
We'll let blood build a bridge over mountains draped in stars
I'll meet you on the ridge between these worlds apart
We've got this moment now to live, then it's all just dust and dark
Let love give what it gives, let's let love give what it gives
In Bruce Springsteen's song Worlds Apart, the lyrics depict the idea of unity despite differences. The first verse begins with the singer holding their loved one in their arms, seeking faith in their kiss and comfort in their heart. The lyrics then turn sensual as they mention the taste of the seed upon their lips and laying their tongue upon their scars, implying a physical connection. However, despite this connection, the singer admits that they stand worlds apart when they look into each other's eyes.
The second verse speaks of a metaphorical distance, where the singer describes the beauty of their loved one remaining constant in a dry and troubled country, even as the distant oceans sing and rise to the plain. They describe the highway rolling to dark and how, despite this distance, they remain worlds apart beneath the blessed rain of Allah. The lyrics then go on to say that sometimes the truth isn't enough, and they throw the truth away to find unity and truth in their kiss and in the beating of their hearts. The final lines emphasize on the momentary nature of life and how they should let love give what it gives.
The song is a beautiful representation of cultural differences and the importance of unity, despite all odds. This song was part of Springsteen's album The Rising, which was a tribute to the people who died in the 9/11 attack. The song features Qawwali music, which is a form of Islamic devotional music, and is performed by Asif Ali Khan and his group. It is said that Bruce Springsteen listened to the song Mustt Mustt by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and was inspired to include Qawwali music in his album.
Line by Line Meaning
I hold you in my arms, yeah, that's where it starts
I start by embracing you, hoping to find peace and affection in your presence.
I seek faith in your kiss and comfort in your heart
I look for trust and solace in your passionate kiss and your caring nature.
I taste the seed upon your lips, lay my tongue upon your scars
I sense the remnants of your past relationships on your lips and comfort you by kissing your wounds.
I look into your eyes and we stand worlds apart
When we gaze into each other's eyes, we realize that we come from different backgrounds and experiences that set us apart.
Where the distant oceans sing and rise to the plain
Far away, the vast seas and landscapes bring forth sounds of beauty and wonder.
In this dry and troubled country, your beauty remains
Even in this barren and troubled land, your beauty and grace still manages to shine through and inspire me.
Down from the mountain roads where the highway rolls to dark
From the treacherous mountain paths where the road ends, we move towards the unknown abyss in darkness.
'Neath Allah's blessed rain, we remain worlds apart
Even under the Divine intervention of Allah's blessed rain, we continue to be divided by our beliefs and differences.
Sometimes the truth just ain't enough or it's too much in times like this
In certain situations or conflicts, the truth can either be insufficient or overwhelming, failing to bring consensus or resolution.
Let's throw the truth away, we'll find it in this kiss
To overcome the obstacles that divide us, we can disregard the unpleasant truth and focus on expressing our love and intimacy.
In your skin upon my skin, in the beating of our hearts
As we come together and physically connect, we can feel the love and passion that ignites our hearts.
May the living let us in before the dead tear us apart
Before the inevitable arrival of death, let those who are still alive accept our love and union, and not let differences or hatred ruin it.
We'll let blood build a bridge over mountains draped in stars
Our mutual commitment and sacrifice can enable us to overcome any obstacles, even mountains, and reach for the stars.
I'll meet you on the ridge between these worlds apart
We will rendezvous on the thin borderline that separates our different worlds and cultures, and make it our own.
We've got this moment now to live, then it's all just dust and dark
Given the fleeting nature of life, we should cherish and enjoy the present moment, because soon everything will turn to dust and darkness.
Let love give what it gives, let's let love give what it gives
We should let love express itself in its own unique way, without trying to control or manipulate it.
Contributed by Scarlett F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kimbamariewiggins4683
A most poignant, touching, and beautifully haunting song...a true masterpiece. This here is one reason why he's called The Boss.
@IanRush77
This is just an absolutely amazing performance of a criminally underrated song. The crowd feeds off Bruce's passion and the result is a performance that is truly moving. Wow.
@anthonysalvati5868
You're so right about this song being criminally underrated, in reality it should have stood out as the centerpiece of this masterful record.
@MrMdasilva72
IanRush77 Γ
@larsandersson7716
at every concert i've been too there's an almost physical connection between bruce, the band and the crowd....thats what making bruce such a fantastic live performer :)
@jb0579
100% agree. I think that this song being on the album it was it didn't get the attention it should have. The rising, being an album about coming together and alone or in groups beginning a process of finding a salve for the hurt and loss of 9/11, it was under-appreciated. Great observation form the OP here.
@mxschrtt9194
And the lyrics are just fantastic
It could have prevented the madmen to kill innocents in the Middle East
@davidpolston1836
Springsteen is a musical genius. He is one of the few artists who genuinely can tap into a whole range of emotions and take you with him. Joy, sadness, thoughtfull, uplifting, or just damn good rock n roll. His music has in turns made me feel happy and dancing, reflective in missing close friends and family, angry at intolerance and prejudice, appreciative of great musical talent. Can't really think of many/any others who have such a range (maybe Bowie, U2, Dylan are the nearest contenders). Incredible
@charlesdoherty104
Very well put , my friend π
@TheMagicRat
Damn, that dueling guitar solo at the end sounds like a hurricane! Wish this song got more exposure, it's criminally underrated.