Bruce Springsteen's "Streets of Minneapolis" revives the sound of protest - And It's About Damned Time

[B.See]

Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Minneapolis” revives the sound of protest - SALON Written amid unrest in Minnesota, "Streets of Minneapolis" fills a notable absence of musical dissent

This past weekend, as tensions in Minnesota continued to mount, Springsteen turned to the medium that made him into a household name and recorded a protest composition. “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 reported. “It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free, Bruce Springsteen.”

Titled “Streets of Minneapolis,” the song’s very name hearkens back to Springsteen’s 1993 paean to the victims of the AIDS crisis. As with “Streets of Philadelphia,” Springsteen’s latest protest song serves as a call to action by challenging us to see the humanity in our neighbors, both friend and foe. “We’ll take our stand for this land, and the stranger in our midst,” Springsteen sings. “We’ll remember the names of those who died on the streets of Minneapolis.”

At its core, Springsteen’s populist ethics has long entreated listeners to seek out the humanity in others and find common ground. “Streets of Minneapolis” is no different. Even still, the song joins a scant few artists engaging in protest music. Indeed, in spite of the polarization and rancor that characterize American life over the past decade, there has been an observable dearth of protest songs in stark contrast, say, with the 1960s, when they numbered in the thousands.

Granted he's not alone. There's been others (as noted in the article). Though (as the author stated) the DEARTH of such musical commentary has been SORELY lacking. Surprisingly so, all considered.

So hopefully, MANY MORE will take up the mantle as well. (Though I've little doubt there will also be a select few who'll somehow... minage... to SELL OUT.)


hey... a Stephen in every plot.