Why Bruce Springsteen Changed His Setlist to End Concerts with This Song
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of energy at a Bruce Springsteen concert.
However, when Springsteen and the E Street Band took to the stage in 2023 after a six-year hiatus, the overarching theme of their tour revolved around death.
More specifically, it explored themes of mortality, as depicted in “Road Diary,” a documentary about Springsteen, his legendary band, touring life, and the relentless passage of time. This two-hour film premieres on Hulu on Oct. 25.
The documentary features a significant personal revelation from Springsteen’s wife, Patti Scialfa, who shares that she has been battling a rare form of cancer, multiple myeloma, since 2018.
Beyond this insight, the film delves into profound themes and reveals how Springsteen crafts unique musical experiences for his audience.
Springsteen Crafts His Setlist to ‘Complete the Narrative’
Now 75 years old, Springsteen stresses the significance of a well-curated setlist during a rehearsal with the E Street Band in Red Bank, New Jersey, aimed at preparing for their 2023 tour, which extends into 2025.
This tour marked the first opportunity for him to perform songs from “Letter to You,” his impactful 20th studio album released amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and he has a clear objective.
As Springsteen articulates in the film, directed by his close friend and filmmaker Thom Zimny, the chosen setlist reflects the story he wants to tell. “In the 25 songs, I focused on creating a narrative that defines who I am at this point in my career,” he states.
For a band renowned for its spontaneity, much like The Grateful Dead, the early shows of the 2023 tour exhibited remarkable focus and structure.
The Meaning Behind Springsteen’s Closing Song
Typically, the opening sequence of his concerts features tracks like “No Surrender,” “Ghosts,” “Prove it All Night,” and “Letter to You.” However, Springsteen has consistently closed his performances solo, playing his acoustic guitar, leaving audiences reflecting on themes of loss and spirituality with “I’ll See You in My Dreams.”
“It’s essential for him to connect the emotions and narratives that differentiate this show from all others,” states a voice that resembles Jon Landau, Springsteen’s long-time manager. (One drawback of the documentary is that band members are identified only once, making it difficult to recognize speakers during show footage or backstage moments.)
The documentary also pays tribute to former band members Danny Federici and Clarence Clemons, who passed away in 2008 and 2011, respectively. Springsteen reflects, “Clarence and I were different parts of the same spiritual body.” It also hints that the addition of “Night Shift,” a soulful cover of the 1985 Commodores song, is a nod to both Federici and Clemons.
Interestingly, amid the prevailing theme of mortality, there is no mention of the painful peptic ulcers that sidelined Springsteen during the last four months of 2023, just before he and the band resumed their tour in March.
A segment highlighting a fan base as passionate in parts of Europe, particularly Barcelona, as in the United States, touches on themes that unite the exhilaration of “Born to Run” with the ticking clock of life.
“We hope he continues to tour indefinitely,” expresses a fan from Ireland. “We wish to savor every second of this , just in case.”
