Fire and Blood Trivia Quiz

Answer: (Sandy) Fourth of July, Asbury Park

'Sandy' appeared on Springsteen's second album, 'The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle' (1973) and, although it was never released as a single, became a concert staple. It has been said that Bruce deliberately whispered the vocals to give the song an air of intimacy, in much the same way as a man would whisper into a lover's ear.

The Hollies released a cover version of the song in 1975. It only got as far as #85 in the US charts but in doing so became the first song Springsteen wrote to chart in his own country.

Answer: Adam Raised A Cain

Springsteen has identified this number as being somewhat 'emotionally autobiographical', with the inspiration being drawn from his own relationship with his father. The song has a jarring quality and Bruce emphasises this by placing it between two rather melodic songs on his fourth album, 'Darkness on the Edge of Town'. Those two tracks are 'Badlands' and 'Something in the Night'.

Answer: Darkness on the Edge of Town

'Darkness on the Edge of Town' (1978) was Springsteen's fourth album and came three years after his break-through set 'Born to Run'. Maybe it was the legal wrangles that Bruce endured during this period but this album is full of references to fire and blood. Only two tracks fail to make any mention of it. Ironically, one of those tracks is 'Prove It All Night' which tells of a fired up Romeo trying to buy and/or talk his young lover into living for the moment and surrendering her virtue for him.

The other track is 'Factory' where Bruce deals with the monotony of a worker's lot on the factory floor. Bruce sings this song in a monotone, giving the number a dirge like quality, hardly the scenario where he'd wish to use words of passion.

Answer: I'm on Fire

The film clip won 'Best Male Video' at the second MTV Video Music Awards in 1985. It was the first time that Springsteen had acted, as opposed to performed, in a video. It is believed that many US radio stations ceased playing this song, for a period, after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the US, as the vision of fire was thought to be too close to home. "I'm on Fire" reached as high as #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Born to Run

The lyrics in this song indicate that a betrayal has taken place and the one who has been betrayed is trying desperately to keep the friendship of the other. Springsteen's use of the name, Terry, for the female character certainly raised a few eyebrows. Debate is still active as to whether the relationship within the number is boy/girl or boy/boy.

Answer: No Surrender

Springsteen, reportedly, only included this track on the album at the insistence of his friend and fellow guitarist, Steve Van Zandt. A slower, acoustic version of the song, recorded at the Meadowlands Arena in 1984, appears on Springsteen's box set 'Live 1975-1985'.

Answer: The Ghost of Tom Joad

The novel, along with Woody Guthrie's 'The Ballad of Tom Joad', were strong influences on Springsteen comparing the dustbowl of the 1930's with the America of the 1990's. Rather than it being an indictment on the country, Springsteen seems to be staring into the fire and seeing hope, looking toward the strength of community to work as a positive unit toward overcoming injustice.

The 'I'll be There' speech, so eloquently spoken by Henry Fonda (as Tom Joad) in John Ford's 1940 film, is acknowledged by Springsteen within the lyrics.

Answer: Blood Brothers

It is interesting to note that the majority of times that Springsteen has employed the words fire and blood within his lyrics were in his early years as a songwriter. In those days he appeared more as the angry young man, the hot blooded Romeo or the vulnerable dude with his shoulder against the world.

As he matured some of the 'spit and vinegar' dissipated and suddenly those same words were taking on a different resonance. Now fire was sought for warmth or protection, even some mythical symbolism whilst blood came to represent kinship or the need for lifelong bonds. After seven years apart from his band Springsteen called the members back together again to record some new material for the release of their 'Greatest Hits' album.

He wrote this song on the night before their first recording session as a tribute to his strong ties with the band.

Answer: Atlantic City

This song has been included as a, for want of a better word, contra to the questions posed to this point. It has been introduced to highlight how cleverly Springsteen chooses his words. You won't find a mention of fire or blood within this song, which is probably one of Bruce's best lyrical moments. It tells the story of a young man sinking into debt and the effect it has on his relationship with his partner. With every line Springsteen slowly peels away another layer of the man's fortunes to the point where he resorts to making a deal with the devil.
"last night I met this guy and I'm gonna do a little favour for him".
All the warmth is extracted from the song until it is a reflection of the relationship.
"put on your stockin's baby, 'cause the nights getting cold".

Answer: Dancing in the Dark

Legend goes that Springsteen considered his 1984 album 'Born in the USA' complete. His manager and producer, Jon Landau, thought otherwise. The majority of the tracks for the album had been written some time beforehand and Landau's view was that whilst the material was powerful, it wasn't as relevant as it could have been.

In addition his view was that the time was right to spread Springsteen's music to a broader audience and to do so a hit single was required. None of the tracks to that point could support that distinction. An argument ensued between them. Landau got his way and the rest, as they say, is history.