With heartland rock at the core of Do I Love You (Indeed I Do), Bruce Springsteen marks the first step towards a new sound with his latest single. Ahead of his album, Only the Strong Survive, it is clear that Springsteen hopes to survive a genre change. His reliance on soulful vocals and Motown rock mark a change in pace for the megastar musician, and it is as intense as it is enjoyable. Without the comfort of a rocking, steady guitar, Springsteen puts himself on the line as all good musicians should. He operates beyond that level of comfort usually reserved for legendary artists, although the backing vocals feel a bit expressionless throughout.
No, it would appear Springsteen is far from content with a life lived out on past charms. Although his discography is littered with absolute classics and an ultimately satisfying journey of strong, heartland rock, it is as inspiring as it is rewarding to see Springsteen delve into a new genre. He makes the most of his vocal range, which has always been key to his music but never the frontrunner. Springsteen’s active decision to give himself that new scope on Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) highlights the change in range that the Born to Run singer has, and audiences are all the better for it. Energetic and happy vocals of real intensity should be no surprise to those well-versed in Springsteen’s work.
What may be a surprise though is how much Springsteen puts on the line with this floaty, backing-singer-supported piece. Handing off the instrumental responsibilities to that of Ron Aniello and composer Frank Wilson frees up Springsteen to hone in on lyrics and lyrics alone. Weaker of the two singles so far, Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) has a charming, short simplicity to it. Not quite memorable but a very nice teaser for the album. Sometimes a single needs to dart in, tease two minutes of quality work and strike straight back out. Over before it settles in, Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) has a positivity oozing from it that does feel rather lost in previous records from Springsteen. There is an ultimate layering of new and confident explorations of vocal range here. It presents a new attitude for Springsteen.
Crucial that new attitude is, it marks a change of pace for Springsteen. His previous two albums, Western Stars and Letter To You, were marked by a clinging to the powers of his best works. Strong and solid they might have been, there is nothing more articulate and challenging than an artist expressing a new desire or change of pace. Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) is a clear sign of that. Springsteen embarks on a new phase of his career at the young age of 72. As it turns out, peddling the same great guitar riffs on deeply moving tracks of heartland rock tires for the man that managed it best. His new embrace of vocal sophistication and exceptional wordplay will, hopefully, steer him well.
Read Ewan Gleadow’s full review of Bruce Springsteen’s Only the Strong Survive here.
