POSH

So Bruce played Prove It All Night with the 1978 intro.  People were positively orgasmic all over the Bruce world.  I've reproduced parts of a piece about this from Backstreets.  It's an interesting read.


May 17th, the first of two nights at the Olympic Stadium, found Bruce Springsteen reaching back for a version of "Prove It All Night" that included, for the first time since 1980, the long instrumental introduction.


The E Street Band played it this way throughout the 1978 tour, and twice in Los Angeles at the beginning of the River tour. And then it was gone. Fans had always discussed, or perhaps fantasized about, its return. But it was the longest of shots.


After reconvening the E Street Band in '99, Springsteen has effectively run through his back catalog, an admirable feat for a recording artist celebrating close to 40 years of work... 


... But back to the long-lost instrumental lead-in to "Prove It All Night." Part of its myth remains tied to what many fans consider his greatest tour. 


Musically, last night's breakout sounded pretty strong: Roy Bittan anchored the beginning, and Springsteen laid out some fine six-string work before Max Weinberg kicked things up a notch and they launched into the song proper. They played at a slightly slower tempo, but the fabled intro sounded otherwise much the way one might hope it would in 2012.



We don't know yet the impetus for its return. Bruce said "this is for this man over here," indicating the likelihood of a sign. Did Bruce just turn around and tell the band, "Hey, we’re doing 'Prove It' with the long intro" as if he were calling for something they played with some regularity? Did they work it up in rehearsal before the tour began? Maybe Steve Van Zandt's solo during the song on May 15 was the spark. Maybe Bruce just felt like playing it. We'll know in short order whether it's a true one-off, a treat for European audiences (where the song was never played with the long introduction before last night), or becomes a regular part of the show.

Ok, so here it comes - you may want to cover your ears - I don't get it! Well that's not strictly true. I do get why the fans, who were there on the 'Darkness' tour, are excited to hear this again although there were some on Greasy Lake who wished he hadn't played it, and of course, those who said it wasn't as good any more.

I thought the love was all linked to the 'I was there' syndrome but - no - a lot of Bruce Buddies much younger than I were equally rapturous. Yes I understand that too. They had, no doubt, heard about the mythical intro, actually listened to it courtesy of a boot and were chuffed to hear it live.

So I get that you might be ecstatic but for me? well, as I said in my post about the show I love the song, but the top and bottom of it is, I don't mind if I have a long intro or not.

Anyway it got me thinking that there is a sort of a hierarchy among Springsteen fans, so with tongue firmly in cheek, I give you -  The Pyramid of Springsteen Hierarchy - POSH

Tier 1  

The fans who were there at the beginning. They actually witnessed the fabled early shows.   These fans may have their feet a little too firmly set in the past. They believe that Bruce hasn’t done much, if anything, worth talking about since the seventies...but they are still here! I wonder why if they don’t rate him any more. Come on guys - Bruce is never going to reach the dizzy heights of 1978 - at least not in your eyes. Accept it and move on. 

Tier 1s go to multiple shows and are disappointed if they don't get a rarity.

Tier 2

These fans weren’t there at the beginning but probably wish they had been. They may have joined the church of Springsteen any time from 1980 onwards. To make up for lost time they have collected boots from the bygone days and watched blurry black and white YouTube clips. They have listened to the ‘old timers‘ tales of four hour shows and surprise appearances at The Stone Pony. They probably know which live version of Rosalita they prefer.  

Tier 2s go to multiple shows and hope to hear a rarity.

Tier 3

Probably where Mike and I sit. They discovered Bruce through 'Born In The USA' but didn’t rest on their laurels. They collected the back catalogue, gave it a listen and stuck it in the CD rack. They kept the faith, though, and bought all the subsequent albums. They have come to love some of the early stuff. Have some boots and know all but the most obscure tracks. They don't necessarily think earlier is best.

Tier 3s go to multiple shows and recognise a rarity when they hear it. 

Tier 4 

The fans who discovered Bruce through 'Born In The USA' and haven't moved on. They believe that Bruce hasn't done much, if anything, worth talking about since 1984. These are not unlike Tier 1s in a way as they haven't moved on either. Come on guys Bruce is never going to reach the dizzy heights of BITUSA - at least not in your eyes. Accept it and move on.

Tier 4s go to one show a tour and want to hear Dancing In The Dark.

Tier 5

The newest fans who haven't decided how far up the POSH they want to go.

Tier 2 fans are never going to get into Tier 1 unless we find a way to turn back time. They can soak up all the information about the early shows, listen to all the boots but they will never be able to say they were actually there. 

Tier 3 can reach up to Tier 2 if they want to. It just takes a bit of dedication. 

Tier 4 people are a lost cause

Tier 5 fans have the joy of discovery to come.

And
a
final
thought
What about Backstreets with Sad Eyes.

Oh! - is there a bit of tier 2 sneaking in?