Springsteen Magic Tour Set List 08/18/08 Richmond: “Crush On You” Played First Time in 28 Years
I’m so far behind I’m in front of me.
That line from Paul McCartney tells you exactly where I am. I got a lot of work done yesterday and last night and I’m only now getting to yesterday’s “Holy Shit” show in Richmond. Bruce dusted off a song from The River that he hasn’t played in 28 years. No, not “The Price You Pay.” I’m talking about “Crush On You.”
There’s a reason it hasn’t been played in 28 years. It’s terrible. Before you start piling on me, I’m not the only one who thinks it’s terrible. Bruce thinks it’s terrible. He said so last night in Richmond before he played it. It’s a nice rarity that Richmond folks will tell their kids and grandkids they heard and most of them won’t care. Already, BruceFan is reading two things into this. 1) “The Price You Pay” is inevitable at one of these final shows. 2) This could be The End- as in, the end of The E Street Band as a regularly touring unit.
What do I think of that? There are three main factors that have fans wondering about the band’s future. Founding member Dan Federici passed away this year after a battle with cancer. Clarence Clemons may have just gotten married for the 38th time, but anyone who has watched him on stage of late knows the Big Man ain’t movin’ as well as he used to. Drummer Max Weinberg will likely follow Conan O’ Brien to The Tonight Show and “conventional wisdom” (read: rumors) suggest Max won’t be as free to come and go as he pleases.
I don’t know what to make of any of that. Obviously the first factor is sadly true. I can attest to the second having seen Clarence in Atlanta in April and he wasn’t light on his feet. I have no idea about the third. I don’t know how much or how little to make of it, either. Nothing lasts forever and sooner or later one of these shows will be the last. I doubt even Bruce knows when that is, so enough already. This is the show that was. Enjoy it and curse it on its own merits.
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Radio Nowhere
Out in the Street
Prove It All Night
Lonesome Day
Spirit in the Night
Stand on It
Cadillac Ranch
Backstreets
For You (solo piano)
Youngstown
Murder Incorporated
She’s the One
Livin’ in the Future
Mary’s Place
I’ll Work for Your Love
The Rising
Last to Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands
Crush on You
Quarter to Three
Born to Run
Rosalita
Bobby Jean
Dancing in the Dark
American Land
Twist and Shout (with Robbin Thompson)
Filed under: Tags: Bruce Springsteen, Springsteen Magic Tour Setlists
