In Search Of Utopia: Bruce Springsteen: Master of Raunch

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May 05, 2005

Bruce Springsteen: Master of Raunch

Man, I hate when I'm right. The Bruce Springsteen song Reno has become a victim to the PC police.

Bruce Springsteen's lyrics are too hot for Starbucks. NEWSWEEK has learned that the nation's favorite coffee chain has retreated from a potential deal to sell the singer's new album, "Devils & Dust," because of one steamy tune on the 12-song disc.
The song, "Reno," is in part about an encounter with a prostitute. Springsteen includes a description of anal sex, including the price she charges for the act. Critics generally are hailing the CD, which was released last week on Columbia Records, a Sony Music label. It is the only Springsteen album to carry a parental warning (Adult Imagery) due, apparently, to "Reno".

Springsteen is about the closest thing to an American Icon that a recording artist can be. He is actually a rock star you can bring home to meet Mom and Dad. If he is under pressure for the lyrics he writes then no recording artist is safe.

I don't think Starbucks should be forced to sell music they wish not to stock in their stores. I also don't believe artists should come out with "clean" versions of records. I don't want to buy a watered-down version of an album. I do think Starbucks is overreacting. I don't see consevatives picketing Starbuck chains across America over the Boss.

Starbucks does seem to be practicing selected banning of an album. The Newsweek article reports that "first time Starbucks has declined to stock an album by a major act because of concern over lyrics." Can Starbucks management say with a straight face that Springsteen is raunchier than Snoop Dog or Eminem? I doubt it.

(Crossposted at Last Day of My Life)

Posted by at May 5, 2005 09:15 PM
Filed Under Guest Bloggers | 293 Words

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wikipedia.org CNNMoney: Starbucks Corp., a growing force in the music scene, says it chose to keep Bruce Springsteen's new album, "Devils [Read More]

Tracked on May 6, 2005 11:53 AM

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