65: Rain Perry Discusses Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska

Send us a text

Al has had issues with Bruce Springsteen’s music for more than 40 years, and singer/songwriter Rain Perry is here to help him work through them. She introduces Al to Springsteen’s first solo album, Nebraska, and analyzes his particular approach to songcraft. Rain also talks about how she became a Springsteen fan, as well as what she doesn’t like about his music. She also delves into her soon-to-be-released A White Album.

Correction: Al cites April 15 as the release date for Rain’s new album and the tax filing deadline in the U.S. While this is the correct date for Rain’s album release, Tax Day is actually April 18 this year.

Buy Rain’s music! https://rainperry.bandcamp.com

While you’re at it, sign up for her mailing list at rainperry.com.

Also, you can follow Rain on Twitter and Instagram at @rainperry.

Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.

Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/

0:59 Rain joins the show

1:37 Al feels like the only person in the world who doesn’t like Bruce Springsteen’s music

3:24 Rain talks about her formative musical experiences

6:51 Springsteen’s music resonates with Rain because of the way he tells personal stories

8:22 Rain identifies which Springsteen album she first got into

9:26 Rain explains why she chose Nebraska instead of another Springsteen album

11:53 The track “Johnny 99” highlighted Al’s sense of disconnect with Springsteen’s songs

14:53 Rain talks about her initial impressions of Nebraska

17:01 The six major themes of Springsteen’s songs

Reactions to selected tracks:

18:16 Johnny 99

22:11 Highway Patrolman

27:46 Nebraska

30:13 Reason to Believe

33:45 Atlantic City/Used Cars

37:21 Open All Night

38:42 Springsteen on Broadway left an impression on Rain

42:11 Springsteen inspires Rain to write from other people’s perspectives

47:27 Rain talks about what she likes and dislikes about Springsteen’s songs musically

54:56 Rain and Al discuss her new record, A White Album

Support the show