Nebraska (song)
Encyclopedia
"Nebraska" is a song by Bruce Springsteen
and the title song of his 1982 album Nebraska
. The song sets the tone for the album, whose content consists mostly of songs about criminals and desperate people, accompanied by just guitar
and harmonica
. The song has also been covered by other artists, including Steve Earle
and Chrissie Hynde
.
The song is sung as a first person narrative by Springsteen's version of Charles Starkweather
, who along with his teenage girlfriend Caril Ann Fugate
murdered 11 people during an eight-day killing spree in 1958. Although the singer describes the murders and his own trial and impending execution, he sings in a flat, unemotional voice, which makes the events described seem that much more chilling. The song begins with Starkweather meeting Fugate:
The economy of language in the opening is reminiscent of American writer Flannery O'Connor
, who Springsteen had been reading just before starting to write the songs for Nebraska. O'Connor's influence is heard throughout the song, with its confused characters who resort to violence. The song's last line, where the singer gives his reason for the killings as "I guess there's just a meanness in this world" is similar to the ending of O'Connor's story "A Good Man is Hard to Find
", where the killer states "it's nothing for you to do but enjoy the few minutes you got left the best way you can - by killing somebody or burning down his house or doing some other meanness to him. No pleasure but meanness." In another line from the song, the singer states that he isn't sorry for what he did and that "At least for a little while, sir, me and her we had us some fun." Springsteen has stated the last stanza, including the lines "into that great void my soul'd be hurled" and "there's just a meanness in this world" summarizes how he saw himself and all of humanity, as dogged by an existential doom.
Springsteen was inspired to write the song after seeing Terrence Malick
's movie Badlands
on television. The portrait in the opening lines of the girl standing on her front lawn twirling her baton was taken from the movie. He was then inspired to research the subject of the Starkweather killings, including interviewing Ninette Beaver, who had written a book about the killings. Despite his research, in writing the song Springsteen did not create an entirely accurate account of the killing spree. For example, Starkweather was not known to have ever attributed his actions on "a meanness in this world", he is also known to have killed eleven people, not ten. However, many aspects of the song accurately reflect the historical events. In the song, the singer hopes his "pretty baby is sittin' right there on my lap" when he is executed; likewise, the real life Starkweather did his best to take Fugate down with him (although Fugate escaped execution). In a letter from prison to his parents, Starkweather wrote "But dad I'm not real sorry for what I did cause for the first time me and Caril have (sic) more fun." This is reflected in the lines from the song:
Springsteen recorded "Nebraska" on a cassette tape in his bedroom on January 3, 1982, along with the rest of the songs on the album. The tape was originally intended as a demo that he could use to teach the songs to his E-Street Band. When he shared the demo tape with his producer Jon Landau
, Landau felt that the song would be well served by an arrangement with string bass
, brushed drums and piano, similar to James Taylor
's "Fire and Rain
." However, the arrangement did not work out. Neither did full-band arrangements of other songs from the demo tape that were tried. Eventually, the original demo version was released on the album.
"Nebraska" has appeared on several Springsteen releases since its initial appearance. A live version with fuller instrumentation and menacing drums was released on Live/1975-85
. In 2003, the song was included on the compilation album The Essential Bruce Springsteen
. And the song also appears in a segment of the video VH1 Storytellers
.
Although not released as a single, "Nebraska" reached #42 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
and the title song of his 1982 album Nebraska
Nebraska (album)
-Themes:The album begins with "Nebraska", a first-person narrative based on the true story of 19-year-old spree killer Charles Starkweather and his 14-year-old girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate, and ends with "Reason to Believe", a complex narrative that renders its title phrase into contemptuous sarcasm...
. The song sets the tone for the album, whose content consists mostly of songs about criminals and desperate people, accompanied by just guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
. The song has also been covered by other artists, including Steve Earle
Steve Earle
Stephen Fain "Steve" Earle is an American singer-songwriter known for his rock and Texas Country as well as his political views. He is also a producer, author, a political activist, and an actor, and has written and directed a play....
and Chrissie Hynde
Chrissie Hynde
Christine Ellen "Chrissie" Hynde is an US musician best known as the leader of the rock/new wave band the Pretenders. She is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and has been the only constant member of the band throughout its history.-Early life and career:Hynde is the daughter of a part-time...
.
The song is sung as a first person narrative by Springsteen's version of Charles Starkweather
Charles Starkweather
Charles Raymond Starkweather was an American teenaged spree killer who murdered eleven people in Nebraska and Wyoming during a two-month road trip with his 14-year-old girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate. The couple was captured on January 29, 1958...
, who along with his teenage girlfriend Caril Ann Fugate
Caril Ann Fugate
Caril Ann Fugate was the adolescent girlfriend and accomplice of spree killer Charles Starkweather. She is the youngest female in United States history to have been tried for first-degree murder....
murdered 11 people during an eight-day killing spree in 1958. Although the singer describes the murders and his own trial and impending execution, he sings in a flat, unemotional voice, which makes the events described seem that much more chilling. The song begins with Starkweather meeting Fugate:
- I saw her standin' on her front lawn just a-twirlin' her baton
- Me and her went for a ride, sir...and 10 innocent people died
The economy of language in the opening is reminiscent of American writer Flannery O'Connor
Flannery O'Connor
Mary Flannery O'Connor was an American novelist, short-story writer and essayist. An important voice in American literature, O'Connor wrote two novels and 32 short stories, as well as a number of reviews and commentaries...
, who Springsteen had been reading just before starting to write the songs for Nebraska. O'Connor's influence is heard throughout the song, with its confused characters who resort to violence. The song's last line, where the singer gives his reason for the killings as "I guess there's just a meanness in this world" is similar to the ending of O'Connor's story "A Good Man is Hard to Find
A Good Man Is Hard To Find
A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Other Stories is a collection of short stories by American author Flannery O'Connor. The collection was first published in 1955...
", where the killer states "it's nothing for you to do but enjoy the few minutes you got left the best way you can - by killing somebody or burning down his house or doing some other meanness to him. No pleasure but meanness." In another line from the song, the singer states that he isn't sorry for what he did and that "At least for a little while, sir, me and her we had us some fun." Springsteen has stated the last stanza, including the lines "into that great void my soul'd be hurled" and "there's just a meanness in this world" summarizes how he saw himself and all of humanity, as dogged by an existential doom.
Springsteen was inspired to write the song after seeing Terrence Malick
Terrence Malick
Terrence Frederick Malick is a U.S. film director, screenwriter, and producer. In a career spanning almost four decades, Malick has directed five feature films....
's movie Badlands
Badlands (film)
Badlands is a 1973 American crime drama film written and directed by Terrence Malick, starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek. Warren Oates and Ramon Bieri are also featured. Malick has a small speaking part although he does not receive an acting credit...
on television. The portrait in the opening lines of the girl standing on her front lawn twirling her baton was taken from the movie. He was then inspired to research the subject of the Starkweather killings, including interviewing Ninette Beaver, who had written a book about the killings. Despite his research, in writing the song Springsteen did not create an entirely accurate account of the killing spree. For example, Starkweather was not known to have ever attributed his actions on "a meanness in this world", he is also known to have killed eleven people, not ten. However, many aspects of the song accurately reflect the historical events. In the song, the singer hopes his "pretty baby is sittin' right there on my lap" when he is executed; likewise, the real life Starkweather did his best to take Fugate down with him (although Fugate escaped execution). In a letter from prison to his parents, Starkweather wrote "But dad I'm not real sorry for what I did cause for the first time me and Caril have (sic) more fun." This is reflected in the lines from the song:
- I can't say that I'm sorry for the things that we done
- At least for a little while, sir, me and her we had us some fun
Springsteen recorded "Nebraska" on a cassette tape in his bedroom on January 3, 1982, along with the rest of the songs on the album. The tape was originally intended as a demo that he could use to teach the songs to his E-Street Band. When he shared the demo tape with his producer Jon Landau
Jon Landau
Jon Landau is an American music critic, manager and record producer, most known for his association in all three capacities with Bruce Springsteen.He is currently the head of the nominating committee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame....
, Landau felt that the song would be well served by an arrangement with string bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
, brushed drums and piano, similar to James Taylor
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
's "Fire and Rain
Fire and Rain
"Fire and Rain" is a folk/rock song written and performed by James Taylor. As a song on his second album, Sweet Baby James, the song engendered widespread attention for him. The album was released in February 1970, with the song being released as a single that month. "Fire and Rain" quickly rose to...
." However, the arrangement did not work out. Neither did full-band arrangements of other songs from the demo tape that were tried. Eventually, the original demo version was released on the album.
"Nebraska" has appeared on several Springsteen releases since its initial appearance. A live version with fuller instrumentation and menacing drums was released on Live/1975-85
Live/1975-85
Live/1975–85 is a live album by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band. It consists of 40 tracks recorded at various concerts between 1975 and 1985. It was released as a box set with either five vinyl records, three cassettes, or three CDs...
. In 2003, the song was included on the compilation album The Essential Bruce Springsteen
The Essential Bruce Springsteen
- Charts :- Certifications :- External links :* *...
. And the song also appears in a segment of the video VH1 Storytellers
VH1 Storytellers (Bruce Springsteen)
VH1 Storytellers is a concert and discussion DVD by Bruce Springsteen, expanded from the airing of an episode of the VH1 television series VH1 Storytellers on April 23, 2005...
.
Although not released as a single, "Nebraska" reached #42 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.