Darkness on the Edge of Town

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” ~MLK

portrait by Gregory Adamson

Bruce Springsteen released his most powerful rock record, Darkness On The Edge of Town, 42 years ago. The Boss was only 29 years old when he unleashed Darkness upon the world. If you can find a more relevant collection of songs from yesterday, for today, please share it.

Springsteen calls Darkness On The Edge of Town “my samurai” record, “stripped to the frame and ready to rumble.” The album’s raw and mighty with its pounding beats and power chords. The lyrics lay bare the anger, the struggle, the isolation, the despair and the fight for the American soul. If Joe Biden needs an anthemic playlist for his Presidential campaign, this one’s got the guts.

Before diving into the album’s material, you must know its context. Nearly three years had passed since Springsteen’s Born to Run career-launching release. During this period, Springsteen battled with his former manager, Mike Appel over his artistic rights and control. A bitter lawsuit from both parties ended in a settlement that forced Appel out, and current manager, Jon Landau, in. More importantly, much like a prolific gladiator who’d once been enslaved, Bruce finally earned his freedom from a previously signed poor contract. Darkness was the first official set of songs from his…