Western Stars de Bruce Springsteen
Álbum de Bruce Springsteen
- Fecha de lanzamiento: 14 de Junio de 2019
- Compositores: Bruce Springsteen
- Productores: Ron Aniello, Bruce Springsteen
Western Stars es un álbum de Bruce Springsteen, publicado en 2019. El disco incluye 13 canciones, entre ellas «Hitch Hikin'», «The Wayfarer», «Tucson Train» y «Western Stars».
Antecedentes: el sonido del oeste americano
Tras años de giras con la E Street Band y proyectos políticamente cargados, Bruce Springsteen volvió a sorprender con "Western Stars", su primer álbum de material nuevo en solitario en siete años. Lanzado en 2019, el álbum es una carta de amor al sonido pop del sur de California de finales de los 60 y principios de los 70, inspirado en artistas como Glen Campbell y Burt Bacharach.
Es un álbum de personajes, similar en espíritu a "Nebraska", pero con un sonido diametralmente opuesto. En lugar de la austeridad acústica, "Western Stars" está lleno de arreglos orquestales exuberantes, cuerdas cinematográficas y melodías expansivas. Las canciones son retratos de personajes solitarios y a la deriva en el oeste americano: actores de wéstern olvidados, dobles de acción y vagabundos que buscan una conexión en un paisaje vasto y a menudo implacable.
Proceso de grabación y sonido cinematográfico
Producido por Ron Aniello, "Western Stars" es uno de los álbumes con el sonido más rico y detallado de la carrera de Springsteen. La producción es majestuosa, con una orquesta de más de 30 músicos que proporciona un telón de fondo cinematográfico para las historias de Springsteen. El sonido combina el pop barroco, el country-pop y el folk con una sensibilidad moderna.
Springsteen grabó el álbum principalmente en su estudio casero, con Aniello ayudando a construir las capas de instrumentación. Es un álbum que se siente a la vez íntimo y expansivo, con la voz de Springsteen, más profunda y resonante con la edad, en el centro de la mezcla.
Claves musicales y temáticas
"Western Stars" es un álbum temáticamente cohesivo sobre el individualismo americano y la búsqueda de la comunidad y el hogar. Los personajes son hombres mayores que reflexionan sobre sus vidas, sus errores y el amor perdido. Hay un profundo sentimiento de melancolía y nostalgia que recorre el álbum, pero también de aceptación y una tenue esperanza.
Musicalmente, es una desviación radical de todo lo que Springsteen había hecho antes. La ausencia de la E Street Band es palpable, pero es reemplazada por la riqueza de la orquesta, creando un sonido que es a la vez grandioso y profundamente personal.
Película del concierto
Dado que Springsteen decidió no hacer una gira para promocionar el álbum, co-dirigió una película de concierto titulada "Western Stars". En la película, interpreta el álbum completo en vivo para una pequeña audiencia en el histórico granero de su propiedad. Entre las canciones, Springsteen ofrece monólogos reflexivos sobre los temas del álbum. La película fue aclamada por su belleza visual y su intimidad emocional.
Las canciones más relevantes
"Western Stars": La canción que da título al álbum es un retrato melancólico de un actor de wéstern envejecido que reflexiona sobre su fama pasada. La producción orquestal y la letra nostálgica establecen el tono cinematográfico del disco.
"Hello Sunshine": Una balada suave con influencias del country de los 70. Es una de las canciones más bellas y tristes del álbum, una meditación sobre la soledad y la depresión.
"Tucson Train": Una de las canciones más optimistas del álbum, con un ritmo galopante y un estribillo edificante. La canción es sobre un hombre que espera el regreso de su amada, una metáfora de la esperanza y las segundas oportunidades.
"Stones": Una balada orquestal dramática sobre el peso de las mentiras en una relación. Es una de las interpretaciones vocales más poderosas del álbum.
Cifras comerciales y valoración crítica
"Western Stars" fue un gran éxito comercial y de crítica. Debutó en el número 2 del Billboard 200 y alcanzó el número 1 en el Reino Unido y en muchos otros países. El álbum fue aclamado universalmente como uno de sus mejores trabajos en años, elogiado por su belleza, su madurez lírica y su audaz dirección musical.
Posición en listas:
- Estados Unidos (USA): 2
- Reino Unido (UK): 1
- España: 1
- Alemania: 1
- Suecia: 3
- Noruega: 1
Listado de Canciones
- Hitch Hikin'3:38
- The Wayfarer4:18
Letra
It's the same sad story, love and glory goin' 'round and 'round It's the same old cliché, a wanderer on his way, slippin' from town to town Some find peace here on the sweet streets, the sweet streets of home Where kindness falls and your heart calls for a permanent place of your own I'm a wayfarer, baby, I drift from town to town When everyone's asleep and the midnight bells sound My wheels are hissin' up the highway, spinning 'round and 'round You start out slow in a sweet little bungalow, something two can call home Then rain comes fallin', the blues come calling, and you're left with a heart of stone Some folks are inspired sitting by the fire, slippers tucked under the bed But when I go to sleep I can't count sheep for the white lines in my head I'm a wayfarer, baby, I roam from town to town When everyone's asleep and the midnight bells sound My wheels are hissin' up the highway, spinning 'round and 'round Where are you now, where are you now? Where are you now? I'm a wayfarer, baby, I roam from town to town When everyone's asleep and the midnight bells sound My wheels are hissin' up the highway, spinning 'round and 'round I'm a wayfarer, baby I'm a wayfarer, baby I'm a wayfarer, baby (Wayfarer, baby) I'm a wayfarer, baby (Wayfarer, baby) I'm a wayfarer, baby (Wayfarer, baby) I'm a wayfarer, baby (Wayfarer, baby) I'm a wayfarer, baby (Wayfarer, baby) I'm a wayfarer, baby (Wayfarer, baby) - Tucson Train3:32
Letra
I got so down-and-out in 'Frisco Tired of the pills and the rain I picked up, headed for the sunshine I left a good thing behind Seemed all of our love was in vain Now my baby's coming in on the Tucson train I come here lookin' for a new life One I wouldn't have to explain To that voice that keeps me awake at night When a little peace would make everything right If I could just turn off my brain But now my baby's coming in on the Tucson train We fought hard over nothin' We fought till nothin' remained I've carried that nothin' for a long time Now I carry my operator's license And spend my days just runnin' this crane And my baby's coming in on the Tucson train Hard work'll clear your mind and body The hard sun will burn out the pain If they're lookin' for me, tell 'em, buddy I'm waitin' down at the station Just prayin' to the five-fifteen I'll wait all God's creation Just to show her a man can change Now my baby's coming in on the Tucson train On the Tucson train On the Tucson train Waitin' on the five-fifteen Here she comes - Western Stars4:41
Letra
I wake up in the morning, just glad my boots are on Instead of empty in the whispering grasses Down the Five at Forest Lawn On the set, the makeup girl brings me two raw eggs and a shot of gin Then I give it all up for that little blue pill That promises to bring it all back to you again Ride me down easy, ride me down easy, friend Tonight the western stars are shining bright again Here in the canyons above Sunset, the desert don't give up the fight A coyote with someone’s Chihuahua in its teeth skitters 'cross my veranda in the night Some lost sheep from Oklahoma sips her Mojito down at the Whiskey Bar Smiles and says she thinks she remembers me from that commercial with the credit card Hell, these days there ain't no more, now there’s just again Tonight the western stars are shining bright again Some days I take my El Camino, throw my saddle in and go East to the desert where the charros, they still ride and rope Our American brothers cross the wire and bring the old ways with them Tonight the western stars are shining bright again Once I was shot by John Wayne, yeah, it was towards the end That one scene's bought me a thousand drinks, set me up and tell it for you, friend Here's to the cowboys, riders in the whirlwind Tonight the western stars are shining bright again And the western stars are shining bright again Tonight the riders on Sunset are smothered in the Santa Ana winds And the western stars are shining bright again C'mon and ride me down easy, ride me down easy, friend 'Cause tonight the western stars are shining bright again I woke up this morning just glad my boots were on - Sleepy Joe's Café3:15
Letra
There's a place out on the highway ’cross the San Bernardino line Where the truckers and the bikers gather every night at the same time At seven the band comes in and locals dance the night away At Sleepy Joe's Café I drive on down from the big town Friday when the clock strikes five As the red sun sets in the ocean, I start to come alive Summer girls in the parking lot slap on their makeup and they flirt the night away At Sleepy Joe's Café Joe came home in ’45 and took out a G.I. loan On a sleepy little spot and Army cook could call his own He married May, the highway come in and they woke up to find They were sitting on top of a pretty little gold mine Saturday night the lights are bright as the folks pour in from town Joe keeps the blues playin', at the bar May lays the beers down I come through the door and feel the workweek slip away See you out on the floor and Monday morning's a million miles away At Sleepy Joe's Café Sleepy Joe's Café Sleepy Joe's Café - Drive Fast (The Stuntman)4:16
Letra
I got two pins in my ankle and a busted collarbone A steel rod in my leg, but it walks me home At nine, I climbed high into the boughs of our neighborhood's tallest tree I don't remember the fear, just the breeze Drive fast, fall hard, I'll keep you in my heart Don't worry about tomorrow, don't mind the scars Just drive fast, fall hard At nineteen, I was the king of the dirt down at the Remington draw I liked the pedal and I didn't mind the wall 'Midst the roar of the metal I never heard a sound I was looking for anything, any kind of drug to lift me up off this ground Drive fast, fall hard, I'll keep you in my heart Don't worry about tomorrow, don't mind the scars Just drive fast, fall hard We met on the set of this B picture that she made She liked her guys a little greasy, 'neath her pay grade We headed down to Baja in the desert, we made our stand of it Figured maybe together we could get the broken pieces to fit Drive fast, fall hard, keep me in your heart Don't worry about tomorrow, don't mind the scars Just drive fast, fall hard, I'll keep you in my heart Don't worry about tomorrow, don't mind the scar Just drive fast, fall hard I got two pins in my ankle and a busted collarbone A steel rod in my leg, but it walks me home - Chasin' Wild Horses5:04
Letra
Guess it was somethin' I shouldn't have done Guess I regret it now Ever since I was a kid Tryin' to keep my temper down is like Chasin' wild horses, chasin' wild horses Chasin' wild horses Left my home, left my friends I didn't say goodbye I contract out to the BLM Up on the Montana line Chasin' wild horses, chasin' wild horses We're out before sunup In after sundown There's two men in the chopper Two under saddle on the ground In the evenings we'd hop in the pickup Head into town for a drink Make sure I work 'til I'm so damn tired Way too tired to think You lose track of time It's all just storms blowin' through You come rollin' 'cross my mind Your hair flashin' in the blue Like wild horses, just like wild horses Just like wild horses Fingernail moon in a twilight sky Ridin' high grass of the switchback I shout your name into the canyon The echo throws it back The winter snow whites out the plains 'Til it can turn me blind The only thing up here I've found Is tryin' to get you off my mind Chasin' wild horses, chasin' wild horses Chasin' wild horses, chasin' wild horses - Sundown3:17
Letra
I'm 25 hundred miles from where I wanna be It feels like a hundred years since you've been near to me I guess what goes around, baby, comes around Just wishing you were here with me, in Sundown Sundown ain't the kind of place you want to be on your own It's all long, hot, endless days and cold nights all alone I drift from bar to bar, here in lonely town Just wishing you were here with me, come sundown In Sundown the cafés are filled with lovers passing time In Sundown all I've got's trouble on my mind So I work all day out here on the county line I tell myself it's all just gonna work out in time When summer's through, you'll come around That little voice in my head's all that keeps me from sinking down Come Sundown When summer's through, you'll come around That little voice in my head's all that keeps me from sinking down Come Sundown - Somewhere North Of Nashville1:53
Letra
Came into town with a pocketful of songs I made the rounds But I didn't last long Now I'm out on this highway With a bone-cold chill Somewhere north of Nashville I lie awake in the middle of the night Makin' a list of things that I didn't do right With you at the top of a long page filled Here, somewhere north of Nashville For the deal I made, the price was strong I traded you for this song We woke each morning with hearts filled Bluebird of love on the windowsill Now the heart's unsteady, and the night is still All I've got's this melody, and time to kill Here, somewhere north of Nashville Here, somewhere north of Nashville Here, somewhere north of Nashville - Stones4:44
Letra
I woke up this morning with stones in my mouth Said those were only the lies you've told me Those are only the lies you've told me I pulled my collar to the wind and spit them on the ground You said those are only the lies you've told me Those are only the lies you've told me Sat on the edge of our bed in the sun I felt them gather on my tongue I woke up this morning with stones in my mouth You said those are only the lies you've told me Those are only the lies you've told me The dirt-brown winter field A thousand black crows cover the ground You say those are only the lies you've told me Those are only the lies you've told me The autumn wind blows through the trees As the dark leaves come tumbling down You say those are only the lies you've told me Those are only the lies you've told me I walk a highway washed in sun I feel weight gather on my tongue I woke up this morning with stones in my mouth You said those are only the lies you've told me Those are only the lies you've told me Those are only the lies you've told me (Only the lies you've told me) Those are only the lies you've told me (Only the lies you've told me) Those are only the lies you've told me (Only the lies you've told me) Those are only the lies you've told me I woke up this morning with stones in my mouth - There Goes My Miracle4:06
Letra
Sunrise, sundown The streets gone golden brown Auburn skies above I’m searching for my love I’m searching for my love There goes my miracle Walking away, walking away There goes my miracle Walking away, walking away Moonlight, moon bright Where’s my lucky star tonight Streets lost in lamp light Then suddenly inside Suddenly inside There goes my miracle Walking away, walking away There goes my miracle Walking away, walking away Look what you’ve done, look what you’ve done Look what you’ve done Look what you’ve done, look what you’ve done Look what you’ve done Look what we’ve done, look what we’ve done Look what we’ve done Heartache, heartbreak Love gives, love takes The book of love holds its rules Disobeyed by fools Disobeyed by fools There goes my miracle Walking away, walking away There goes my miracle Walking away, walking away Walking away, walking away There goes my miracle Sunrise, sundown - Hello Sunshine3:56
Letra
Had enough of heartbreak and pain I had a little sweet spot for the rain For the rain and skies of grey Hello sunshine, won't you stay? You know I always liked my walking shoes But you can get a little too fond of the blues You walk too far, you walk away Hello sunshine, won't you stay? You know I always loved a lonely town Those empty streets, no one around You fall in love with lonely, you end up that way Hello sunshine, won't you stay? You know I always liked that empty road No place to be and miles to go But miles to go is miles away Hello sunshine, won't you stay? And miles to go is miles away Hello sunshine, won't you stay? Hello sunshine, won't you stay? Hello sunshine - Moonlight Motel4:18
Letra
There's a place on a blank stretch of road where Nobody travels and nobody goes and the Deskman says these days 'round here Where two young folks could probably up and disappear into Rustlin' sheets, a sleepy corner room Into the musty smell Of wilted flowers and lazy afternoon hours At the Moonlight Motel Now the pool's filled with empty, eight foot deep Got dandelions growin' up through the cracks in the concrete Chain-link fence half-rusted away Got a sign, says, "Children, be careful how you play" Your lipstick taste and your whispered secret I promised I'd never tell A half-drunk beer and your breath in my ear At the Moonlight Motel Well then, it's bills and kids and kids and bills And the ringing of the bell Across the valley floor through the dusty screen door Of the Moonlight Motel Last night I dreamed of you, my lover And the wind blew through the window and blew off the covers Of my lonely bed, I woke to something you said That it's better to have loved, yeah, it's better to have loved As I drove, there was a chill in the breeze And leaves tumbled from the sky and fell On a road so black as I backtracked To the Moonlight Motel She was boarded up and gone like an old summer song Nothing but an empty shell I pulled in and stopped into my old spot I pulled a bottle of Jack out of a paper bag Poured one for me and one for you as well Then it was one more shot poured out onto the parking lot To the Moonlight Motel
