I discovered music in high school. It started with Barry Manilow (yes, I did just admit that) and Bill Joel, but soon Bruce Springsteen took center stage. I have vivid memories of long summer nights with friends hanging out outside of our houses and singing Bruce’s latest hits at the top of our lungs. Not sure the neighbors loved our performances all that much.

It was 1978 and Darkness on the Edge of Town had just been released. We studied every song in order so that we could chant the lyrics in unison. In tribute to Darkness on the Edge of Town and great high school memories, the first track on the album – Badlands.

Come on, admit it, you’re all singing right now too! Sing along with Bruce right here . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xemgC81-5Uo&feature=kp

Badlands

Lights out tonight,

Trouble in the heartland,

Got a head on collision,

Smashin' in my guts, man,

I'm caught in a cross fire,

That I don't understand,

I don't give a damn,

for the same old played out scenes,

I don't give a damn,

for just the in betweens,

Honey, I want the heart, I want the soul,

I want control right now

Talk about a dream,

try to make it real

You wake up in the night,

with a fear so real,

Spend your life waiting,

for a moment that just don't come,

Well, don't waste your time waiting,

Badlands, you gotta live it everyday,

Let the broken hearts stand

As the price you've gotta pay,

We'll keep pushin' till it's understood,

and these badlands start treating us good.

Workin' in the fields

till you get your back burned,

Workin' 'neath the wheel

till you get your facts learned,

Baby, I got my facts

learned real good right now,

Poor man wanna be rich,

rich man wanna be king,

And a king ain't satisfied,

till he rules everything,

I wanna go out tonight,

I wanna find out what I got

I believe in the love that you gave me,

I believe in the hope that can save me,

I believe in the faith

and I pray, that someday it may raise me,

Above these badlands

Badlands, you gotta live it everyday,

Let the broken hearts stand

As the price you've gotta pay,

We'll keep pushin' till it's understood,

and these badlands start treating us good.

For the ones who had a notion,

A notion deep inside,

That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive

I wanna find one face that ain't looking through me

I wanna find one place,

I wanna spit in the face of these badlands

Badlands, you gotta live it everyday,

Let the broken hearts stand

As the price you've gotta pay,

We'll keep pushin' till it's understood,

and these badlands start treating us good.