I am way more excited than a 54-year-old man should be for a concert.
After all, I've been attending shows since May 9, 1989 when Cinderella, Winger and Bullet Boys headlined the Broome County (N.Y.) Arena.
When your live music life starts with Marq Torien singing "Smooth Up in Ya," there truly is no place to go but up.
I eventually became more discriminating as the years and The Black Crows, Robert Plant and ZZ Top shows came and went. The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan are the last two concerts I attended.
Only legends now and Bruce Springsteen might be the last concert for me. In 141 days.
The internet tells me that appropriate fanboy behavior includes creating your own dream set list. This is mine:
Badlands
My Lucky Day
Growin' Up
My show kicks off with "Badlands" and there is no other option. This arena-ready, butt-hopping classic gets our show off the ground in high-energy fashion and reminds us that it's Saturday night and it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive.
"My Lucky Day" is a fun, hopeful, uptempo rocker and only here because it's a current favorite. It's my set list and I reserve the right to change it right up to March 18, 2023, which is just 141 days away. Have I mentioned that?
We next reach into the back of the Boss vault for "Growin' Up." I am imagining Bruce changing some lyrics to remind us that we're all grown up now. Our opening three-song salvo has us in the mood for a badass show.
Prove it All Night
Burnin' Train
Ghosts
Land of Hopes and Dreams
Bruce and the E Streeters might be Medicare eligible, but they still want to "Prove it All Night." And they do. This ain't no dream we're living through tonight.
My research shows seven songs performed more than 1,000 times by Springsteen and the band. We're going to give them a pair of new ones off the 2020 "Letter to You" release with "Burnin' Train" and "Ghosts." Just amazingly good.
This blistering set closes with a Sergio Leone-like tale of good guys, bad guys and the lure of redemption in "The Land of Hopes and Dreams." Get on your feet. You don't need no ticket. All you gotta do is just get on board.
Tenth Avenue Freeze Out
The Price You Pay
Darkness of the Edge of Town
Let's remember why we booked this show in the first place. Performed 1,111 times, "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" might go on for 20 minutes, but we do not care. It's 2023 and Jake fills in admirably for the late, great Big Man.
"The Price You Pay" takes us on a journey about life, love and reminds us you can't always walk away.
"Darkness" might be the best song off the best album in the Boss catalog. It's peak songwriting Bruce, serving up small-town secrets with four minutes of pure power. The live execution is never quite as tight as the recorded version, but no show would be complete without it.
Independence Day
Thunder Road
Jersey Girl
Time to slow it down. The guys take a break and Bruce performs a stripped-down solo version of "Independence Day." First, he will tell a story about Douglas Springsteen, probably one we've heard already. We're okay with it.
Bruce turns the piano over to professor Roy Bittan for a terrific haunting version of "Thunder Road." And there's magic in the night.
We're close enough to their 32nd anniversary to hear Bruce sing "Jersey Girl" to Patti every night on the early part of this tour.
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
Atlantic City
Trapped
The band comes roaring back with Soozie Tyrell's violin launching us into "Waitin' on a Sunny Day." We're gonna chase the clouds away.
Next, Bruce takes us to "Atlantic City" for a dark story of shady deals made by desperate people. The electric version of this classic song is perfect for the arena setting.
Time for our first cover, as the Boss delivers a scorching version of the Jimmy Cliff classic, "Trapped." I know someday we'll walk out of here again.
Racing in the Street
Born to Run
The Promised Land
Jungleland
Our night together is nearing the end but we've still got time to go "Racing in the Street." Out of our way, mister, you best keep.
Bruce has performed "Born to Run" an incredible 1,746 times, according to setlist.fm. It's never been a favorite of mine. Too overplayed and far too polished. Bruce recorded and re-recorded "Born" pieces for months and months and it sounds like it. That said, it is undeniably brilliant and the guys rip the roof off the Bryce Jordan with it.
I believe in "The Promised Land." And you will, too, after we sing it together amid this set of pure classics.
Surprisingly, "Jungleland" has only been played 645 times. I can't imagine my show without it.
Hungry Heart
Light of Day
Out in the Street
Allentown
Rosalita
Blood Brothers
Our show has come to a close and it's time for encores. In Bossland, the encores go for 5-7 songs, so it's another mini-concert here.
"Hungry Heart" is the first Springsteen song I remember, in a middle school music room in 1980. Bruce likes to turn it over to the crowd to sing the iconic opening lines. We be ready.
Encores are about cranking up the party fun and sending everyone home tired and happy. "Light of Day," a song Bruce wrote and gave to Joan Jett and Paul Schrader for their 1980s movie, and "Out in the Street" are pure foot-stomping fun.
"Allentown" isn't really close to State College, but Bruce takes us there with a brilliant Billy Joel cover.
One final trip back to the early days for "Rosalita." We ain't here on business, baby, we're only here for fun.
If you made it this far, we might be "Blood Brothers." My dream show ends like this:
