It’s two in the morning and raining, and I just witnessed the patron saint of New Jersey rock Giants Stadium for the last time. Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band took a wrecking ball to the doomed venue with a vintage 197 minute performance that defied time. (As one native New Jerseyan proclaimed to me as Springsteen tirelessly bounded around the stage: “He’s f—kin’ 60 years old? I mean, c’mon!”)
Performing all of Born in the USA, the album the band first “played the first time we set foot in this arena” back in 1985, the concert was a fitting farewell from the man who’s practically made the Meadowlands his home field over the years. He opened again with “Wrecking Ball,” the new song about the soon-to-demolished stadium he unveiled only last week, and the crowd was ready. Fans held “Wrecking Crew” signs, wore “I Was at the Wrecking Ball,” t-shirts, and roared approvingly when he sang, “Here where the blood is spilled, the arena’s filled, and Giants play the game.”
The 12-song Born in the USA set, performed in such an enormous setting, was a powerful reminder of that album’s contagious energy, and with the opening bars of the title track, the concrete vibrated all the way up to the upper deck. It could’ve been 1985, though instead of Courteney Cox dancing with Springsteen on-stage during “Dancing in the Dark,” it was a middle-aged bald man pulled from the crowd.
The album portion of the show closed appropriately with “My Hometown,” but the band rallied for 13 more songs, including the Rolling Stones’ “Last Time,” Moon Mullican’s “Seven Nights to Rock,” and a rollicking, folksy “American Land.” In closing, Springsteen kissed the lady farewell with “Jersey Girl,” leaving the masses swaying and wanting more.
Springsteen shrank from speechifying, but he subtly acknowledged the tough economic climate by pounding home lyrics like “Hard times come; hard time go” in “Wrecking Ball,” and “Cover Me’s” “Times are tough; just getting tougher.” The only odd moment was during the Boss’s band introductions, which didn’t occur until late in the night. When he pointed out the Big Man, Clarence Clemons, the imposing saxophonist pimped his new book, Big Man: Real Life & Tall Tales, by holding it prominently so it appeared on the giant video screens.
Shameless self-promotion aside, it was a glorious night—it felt like the best Irish wake you’d ever attended. As far as I can tell, Springsteen intends to be around to close Giants Stadium’s successor in 40 years.
Were you there last night? What song were you singing all the way home? (Me? “American Land”) Were you disappointed that the parking-lot rumors about special guests failed to be true? How long did you wait after “Jersey Girl” in the hopes that the band would return for another encore? (Me? 11 minutes.)
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Great show. Did not care about the special guests. Seven nights to rock still swimming in my head this morning
I was there and it was magic!
I was there. It was truly an historic night. Once the fireworks were let loose, I was sure no one (even the rumored Bon Jovi) would want to follow. An awesome performance!
I was there 4 out of the 5 shows and closing with Jersey Girl disappointed many. Should have closed the old girl down with Rosalita or Thunder Road. Then again, my 40 minute ride home was 3 hours so I’m still a bit weary
I was at the first show and he ended with Rosalita which was great but we are ALL hoping for Jersey Girl and he didnt play it so I would have been ecstatic had he played Jersey Girl
The show was GREAT, but I think we were all disappointed with the ending. We all thought he was coming out one more time. It felt like there was unfinished work to be done …..
The concert was fantastic! Great way to close out the stadium and so glad my first time seeing Bruce live was at Giant Stadium!
I was there saturday and last night…the final night. great concerts…so much energy… 3 1/2 hrs… wow. BUT last night, i felt he just let it end… the fans were asking for more…and honestly i just thought there was more that could have gone on…for this last show. rumors were all over..bon jovi, southside jonny.. why not? that would have brought the house all the way down. BUT it was great being there! Go jets!
Thats too bad about Giants stadium
It should be noted that Mother Nature waited until he was done playing before she brought the rain. Because even she knows, NO ONE messes with the Boss.
I’m sure he’ll be asked to open the new stadium next year though Clarence says they might not be touring again for awhile since he is having knee surgery after this tour. I’ll be seeing them at MSG in late Oct. at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concert.
ending with JERSEY GIRL
Friday was my birthday & I couldn’t think of any better way to spend it then at the final show given by The Boss. He picked the best song to bid Giant Stadium a fond farewell. No disappointments that additional guests did not appear . . . he’s the true Jersey Man who deserves to have the last good bye! Great show!!!
I was hoping he would play Spirit in the Night, and Waiting for a Sunny Day. AND HE DID BOTH! So it was Crazy Janey making love in the dirt … all the way home.
I was at nights 2 and 5. Both great shows, but not anything more special than he normally does. I was a little disappointed with Night 5. Was it a great show? Yes, but not something that will live in my memory the way Billy Joel closing down Shea Stadium will. I think part of the problem is that these 5 nights were just simply in the middle of Bruce’s tour rather than 5 stand alone shows. I’d love to know if Bon Jovi was ever invited and just couldn’t make it work out.