The must-read books on music, according to Bruce Springsteen, have been shared by the veteran songwriter.
The Boss has been open about reading and its impact on his career, with the legendary performer citing Flannery O’Connor as a massive influence. But books on music and the industry were also read frequently by the Born to Run songwriter, who shared a few recommendations from his reading list. Featured on the list was Bob Dylan‘s autobiography, Chronicles: Volume One. It was believed a second instalment was on the way after Sean Penn confirmed he was working on an audiobook, but this turned out to be an expanded audio version of the first volume, rather than new material.
Springsteen included Chronicles: Volume One alongside books from Daniel Lanois and Geoffrey O’Brien, with the latter a particular highlight for The Boss. He told the New York Times: “At the top of my list remains Greil Marcus’s Mystery Train, followed closely by Peter Guralnick’s Last Train to Memphis.
“I’d include Dylan’s Chronicles and a recent book by Daniel Lanois, Soul Mining, that gives insights into the making of music that I found unique from any other book out there. Sonata for Jukebox, by Geoffrey O’Brien, has some lovely chapters in it, particularly its opening discussions of Burt Bacharach’s career.”
Book recommendations from Springsteen come as the songwriter shared the songs he “couldn’t live without” in a separate interview. During an appearance on BBC’s Desert Island Discs, Springsteen shared the songs he would like to keep with him if he found himself deserted on an island with nothing but a Bible, the works of William Shakespeare, a luxury item, and a book of their choosing.
Dylan’s Like a Rolling Stone, too, was mentioned by The Boss, who says the Mr. Tambourine Man songwriter had many works which meant a lot to him. He told Desert Island Discs: “Like a Rolling Stone’ feels like a torrent that comes rushing towards you. Floods your soul, floods your mind.
“Alerts and wakes you up instantaneously to other worlds, other lives. Other ways of being. It’s perhaps one of the most powerful records ever made, and it still means a great deal to me along with all of Dylan’s work.”
Also mentioned in Springsteen’s appearance were Van Morrison, The Four Tops, and James Brown. A full list of Springsteen’s choices can be found below.
- Elvis Presley – Hound Dog
- The Bealtes – I Want to Hold Your Hand
- The Rolling Stones – It’s All Over Now
- Van Morrison – Madame George
- Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
- James Brown – Out of Sight
- The Four Tops – Baby I Need Your Loving
- Bob Dylan – Like a Rolling Stone
Gaye, too, had a huge influence on Springsteen, with The Boss adding: “This entire record, from start to finish, is a masterpiece. It was sultry and sexual while at the same time dealing with street-level politics. That had a big influence on me.”
