By James, Philadelphia, PA

Growing up in central New Jersey, Springsteen is pretty much inescapable. That makes not liking him as much as I do so much harder than it is anywhere else in the world. I grew up a complete mutant; his music does nothing for me. I think if I grew up anywhere else he would just be mildly annoying… But because it’s just expected that I have to love him, everything about Springsteen makes me loathe him.

I think I really began to feel this was was when I was working in a CD shop when the reunion tour with the E Street Band started. I was asked not “if” I was going to see him but “how many times” was I going to see him. When I would try to say I had no interest, they acted like I committed the worst heresy.

It’s been a while since I’ve moved from that area, but he still haunts my life. It’s hard telling someone that I used to hang out in Freehold and Asbury Park without them asking about Springsteen. I’ve tried to get into him. I’ve picked up Nebraska, which is supposed to be the album even Springsteen haters are supposed to like. Nothing. It’s all constipated bleating to me.

Hey, if Springsteen’s your thing, great for you. I listen to tons of music I’m sure most people would think is garbage. I think it’s the blind fanaticism that drives my reaction from “Eh, he’s not really my thing” to become “My god! Turn this crap off!”