Tramps Like Us: Music and Meaning Among Springsteen Fans

by Daniel Cavicchi

Book Overview

As rock critics have noted in the past, Bruce Springsteen's songs exist in a world of their own--they have their own settings, characters, words, and images. It is a world that even those who know only a handful of Springsteen's lyrics can instantly recognize, a world of highways and factories, loners and underdogs, hot rods and patrol cars. And it is a world that stretches far beyond the New Jersey state line. Indeed, Springsteen's attention to the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195125649
• ISBN13: 9780195125641
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 11 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

They All Listen To The Same Boss

If you judge the book by its cover, it looks like a Bruce book. This isn't a book about Bruce Springsteen, nor is it about specific Bruce fans MORE than it is an academic study of people who all like the same artist. It's technical, scientific, and just happens to use specifically-Springsteen fans as the control group. I believe Bruce was used because his following happens to be notoriously massive, including several generations. This is probably because his music often centers around middle class life.Several issues:+ Conversion of a fan - when a person has not always been fond of an artist but turns into a fan. Religious comparisons included.+ The live experience - what kinds of physical things typically happen, and interviews of psyched concert-goers+ Community - friendships formed based on fandom, internet communication, etc+ Participation - things fans outwardly do/behavior studyNow, it's all based on fans of the same subject, so there is a constant reference to Bruce. The people are talking about Bruce - but THEY are the subject of the book.Know that, before you decide whether or not you want it. I adore these kinds of studies and happen to love Bruce, too - so naturally, I dug this book. But if you're looking for Bruce-specific information, grab something like his Rolling Stone interviews collection."In the end, while fans' feelings may fluctuate, connecting with Springsteen means that he becomes a part of each fan, a continuing presence to which they may turn again and again. On the whole, fandom is not some particular thing one has or does. Fandom is a process of being; it is the way one is." --Daniel Cavicchi, the author

Like TRACKS, this is one for the real fans.

This book came to me as a gift from a friend who knew of my fanaticism for the Boss's music. It is part scholarship and part testimonial, written in the style of the best New Yorker journalism: not quite high brow but a cut above ROLLING STONE et al. It's just great to know that there are deep and abiding tramps like us who can publish a book that talks the talk of ones who have walked the walk, from Asbury Park to L.A. . . . and back again. And now that Bruce & the Band are going to hit the road again, this is JUST the book to prepare for a summer of staying in line for tickets . . . as long as it takes. If you love the Boss and you love good writing, you'll love this book. Thanks Bunny! m.d.