Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This essay explores the political rhetoric of one of contemporary society’s most accomplished artists, Bruce Springsteen. Through the methodological merger of auteur theory and narrative synthesis, the authors unveil the stylistic tendencies that control Springsteen’s articulation of his political worldview. In so doing, the study selects a pivotal portion (1978’s Darkness on the Edge of Town and 1980’s The River) of Springsteen’s extended narrative and exposes the value orientation that supports those works. The results reveal how these two early albums initiate a populist rhetoric that responds to perceived sociopolitical inequities through fantasies of rebellion and anti-social behavior. The authors conclude that Springsteen presents characters whose loss of faith inspires a shift in ethical worldviews—outlooks that question traditional societal roles and behaviors.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This article investigates the songwriting of Bruce Springsteen through a careful analysis of his lyrical word choice. Employing a sophisticated, unconventional computer program designed to track language patterns, this study probes Springsteen’s craft by running a series of statistical tests surrounding his songs. In doing so, it demonstrates a democratic disposition in Springsteen’s lyrics, developed by his reliance on concrete language.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This article investigates the function of popular music as a populist public address in post 9/11 American culture. When Brice Springsteen's post 9/11 release of "The Rising" was heralded for its abilities to heal a grieving and wounded nation, its lack of democratic deliberation went unnoticed. In using appeals to populism over the critical argumentation of counterpublics, Springsteen fails to act in his usual mode as a voice of civic dissent.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The Twentieth Century’s second half witnessed a tidal wave of celebrity commentary that washed over the oratorical world in ways the political, ecclesiastical, or scholarly discourse of previous centuries did not. Mass media became the harbinger for mass editorializing. And navies of celebrity performers pointed their partisan armadas toward identifiable destinations in recognizable fashions. Consequently, this essay explores the rhetoric of one the most accomplished of these celebrities, Bruce Springsteen. Through the methodological merger of auteur theory and narrative synthesis, the authors unveil the stylistic tendencies that control Springsteen’s articulation of his sociopolitical worldview within his art. In so doing, this study identifies his 2005 album Devils & Dust (and corresponding solo tour) as a compelling example of Springsteen’s oratorical style. The results reveal how Springsteen used this project to articulate editorials that portray his populist rhetoric as it manifests in diverse narrative contexts. The authors conclude that Springsteen’s rhetoric (i.e., his songs, performances, and commentaries) demonstrates the potential influence of celebrity oratory in the contemporary world of public address.