A feature length documentary on the charismatic US musician, entitled ‘Bruce Springsteen: A Secret History’, was broadcast on BBC Two last night.
The musician, who is affectionately dubbed ‘The Boss’, talks about his life and career from his New Jersey home in the BBC program. The documentary sandwiches the conversation between a handful of Top of the Pops performances and an acoustic version of Born in the USA, which is recorded in a bar in Asbury, New Jersey.
Despite being 72-years-old, Mr Springsteen remains one of rock’s most energetic performers, while he has also released 20 studio albums across his career.
However in an unearthed interview, the Thunder Road singer once revealed he had battled depression throughout his career.
Speaking on BBC 4’s Desert Island Discs in 2016, Mr Springsteen told Kirsty Young that at times depression had taken him to the brink of despair.
He said: “It is something that has been a part of my life.
“It’s usually okay, but like Churchill’s ‘black dog’, it still jumps up and bites you in the a*** sometimes.”
The musician, who has won 20 Grammy awards across his career added that acknowledging or “naming” the feelings of depression had served as a useful coping mechanism.
He added that by acknowledging that he was experiencing a temporary “chemical imbalance” he was able to avoid blaming those around him.
Two years after the Desert Island Discs interview Mr Springsteen opened up to Esquire magazine about his first mental breakdown at the age of 32 in 1982.
Though the star couldn’t place exactly what triggered the breakdown he admitted that ageing and his childhood may have contributed.
Mr Springsteen said: “All I do know is as we age, the weight of our unsorted baggage becomes heaving, much heavier.
“Long ago, the defences I built to withstand the stress of my childhood, to save what I had of myself, outlived their usefulness and I’ve become an abuser of their once lifesaving powers.
“I relied on them wrongly to isolate myself, seal my alienation, cut me off from life, control others and contain my emotions to a damaging degree.
“Now the bill collector [was] knocking, and his payment [will] be in tears.”
Mr Springsteen was born in New Jersey in 1949 to Douglas and Adele Ann Springsteen.
His father Douglas reportedly suffered from mental health problems throughout his life, which worsened in his later years.
Nevertheless, the singer claimed that his father perceived emotion to be “a weakness”.
Mr Springsteen continued: “My mother was kind and compassionate and very considerate of others’ feelings.
“She trod through the world with purpose, but softly, lightly. All those things that aligned with my own spirit.
“That was who I was. They came naturally to me.
“My father looked at all those things as weakness. He was very dismissive of primarily who I was.
“And that sends you off on a lifelong quest to sort through that.”
That proves that not only “being old” is a situation to get used to. –
Must be tough when you are a rich Leftist millionaire dealing with all your problems. Wonder how he feels about all the problems the poor and downtrodden middle class people in this society are trying to cope with just the recent problems brought on by this current administration. I don’t think Bruce has offered any push back or has he?
So typical. Using politics as a reason to attack Bruce. Have you ever considered that that’s what our God given rights and freedoms are about. He chose who represents him the most in our sick divided and intolerant nation. That’s what the constitution was written for. It’s obvious whom you chose and that is your right. At 72, Bruce has lived his life in a very self-respectful and righteous manner.
Bruce is having a pity party. Whah!
‘Wonder how he feels about all the problems the poor and downtrodden middle class people in this society are trying to cope with just the recent problems brought on by this current administration’ After the clueless last administration we finally have a President who cares for those less fortunate than themselves. The previous liar in chief was born with a gold spoon in his mouth a was the consummate film flam man his whole life.
Lay off the addictions, which are centered around mental depression, and life gets better…
You need to get your act together and love and support America for the fantastic country it was especially for what it did for you! Speak and support a leader like President Trump to save our country & people.
Exceptional lack of sympathy on display here. Everyone’s pain is valid. Judgement is not kind or helpful.
Not to dismiss anyone’s mental health issues but I bet depression is easier to deal with when you have money and access to superior health care.
Yes. Absolutely. It’s too bad we don’t have universal healthcare like other countries so everyone who needed mental health services could receive them.
If I was a Liberal that was always back-stabbing Trump, I would be depressed too. The people that are most depressed are the one’s blaming it on their childhood and poor parenting (if any). While the poor people in our country go through depressions every day don’t seem to try and blame other people. Springsteen should be thankful he has talent and is rich from the people that aren’t.
HE WAS PRETTY “TACKY” TOWARD A GOOD & EFFECTIVE PRESIDENT TRUMP. A GOOD DOCTOR IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE A GOOD PERSON TO CURE A PATIENT. AFTER OBAMA DID HE THING FOR EIGHT YEARS, THE USA WAS PRETTY
SICK. PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS THE PERSON TO BEGIN THE CURE. IN MY OPINION, HAD HE HAD THE FOUR MORE
YEARS THAT HE EARNED AND WON, WE WOULDN’T BE IN THE CLOSSAL MESS WE ARE IN NOW. SPRINGSTEIN WAS
ONE OF THE “HATERS,” DID THAT HELP TO ERASE HIS DIFFICULT CHILDHOOD
‘GOOD & EFFECTIVE PRESIDENT TRUMP’???? Boy are you ever drunk on the kool aide? Trump inherited a country respected in the world and and an ever improving economy. He left it in a shameful stay where we are laughed at or despised for our betrayal of our allies and the climate and a pandemic out of control. If Trump were still President he’d probably be bringing Putin his slippers when he landed in Ukraine. Remember Trump’s only conversation Zelenskyy is when he tried to extort information from him to use against an opponent.
just another RICH LEFTIST CRY BABY, looking for free sympathy, from all of those NOT RICH LIVING from PAYCHECK to PAYCHECK. that bought his albums and CD’s. LOSER
JUST ANOTHER TRUMPETEER WHINING ABOUT HIS PATHETIC LOSER OF A FORMER PRESIDENT.
Ya. At least Biden is a very accurate representation of the Democrat party. Old, demented & fake.
all leftists are depressed just their nature
No sympathy here for the poor little rich obama loving anti-Trumper. Deal with it chump !!!!!
Just whining is all I see from a useless lefty.
I’d recommend you address your limited knowledge of mental health issues before commenting again.