Bruce is in a spiritual frenzy on Leap of Faith which was released on the latter of his double release albums Human Touch / Lucky Town. He goes the extra yard and is in full -gusto as he celebrates entering a new phase of his life. I always agreed with the Rolling Stone‘s review of the double release which argued ‘the aims of the two albums would have been better realized by a single, more carefully shaped collection‘.
There at least ten songs from both albums that could have been combined to form one classic Springsteen album to rival his best ever. Lucky Town on its own contains the following 6 songs (from 10) I have included in my Music Library Project; all but today’s song remains:
It would never have occurred to me when I undertook this project (and it seems revelatory to me now based on this 0.6 percentile inclusion of music from this record), that according to my musical appreciation, Lucky Town is a top-tier Bruce release. Also how the magnificent Happy was left off the record is anyone’s guess. And yet still, a lot of Bruce fans loath this era. Springsteen said in the 90’s ‘ I tried to write happy songs & the public just didn’t like it ‘ But I think Lucky Town has aged gracefully!
The only other records (for mine) by Bruce which could rival that inclusion rate are:
- The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle
- Born to Run
- Darkness on the Edge of Town
- Born in the USA
- The Rising
[Verse 1]
All over the world the rain was pourin’
I was scratchin’ where it itched
Oh, heartbreak and despair got nothing but boring
So I grabbed you, baby, like a wild pitch
[Chorus]
It takes a leap of faith to get things going
It takes a leap of faith, you gotta show some guts
It takes a leap of faith to get things going
In your heart, you must trust
[Verse 2]
Now your legs were heaven, your breasts were the altar
Your body was the holy land
You shouted “jump,” but my heart faltered
You laughed and said, “Baby, don’t you understand?”
[Bridge]
Now you were the Red Sea, I was Moses
I kissed you and slipped into a bed of roses
The waters parted and love rushed inside
I was Jesus’ son, yeah, sanctified
[Verse 3]
Tonight the moon’s looking young, but I’m feelin’ younger
‘Neath a veil of dreams, sweet blessings rain
Honey, I can feel the first breeze of summer
And in your love, I’m born again
The other astounding little known Springsteen fact are that the ten songs on Lucky Town were derivatives of the initial Human Touch project. He shelved the project in early 1991 and came back to it in September of the same year intending to record one more song for the Human Touch album (“Living Proof“), but he ended up with 10 new songs. Once he completed the sessions, he decided to put the 10 new songs on a separate album, which became Lucky Town. Lucky Town peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for over one million copies sold in the US.
I have chosen below the effervescent live MTV plugged version of today’s song Leap of Faith which demonstrates everything that is great about Springsteen, and a Springsteen concert – at least according to those I have spoken to here who have seen him live.
References:
1. Lucky Town – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
I got both Springsteen albums “Human Touch” and “Lucky Town” the year after they came out. Both aren’t bad and overall I prefer the latter. That said, to me, the songs aren’t as memorable as the ones on my favorites, “Born to Run”, “The River” or “Born in the U.S.A.” As such, I can relate to the sentiments of Springsteen fans who feel a bit lukewarm about these two albums.
I can understand how you could find songs from those albums as more memorable. I think after the dual album release I would have been in complete agreement with you. But with time, I have learnt to appreciate certain songs from the maligned records probably more than some of his classic era songs. For instance, if I had to choose between the title tracks Born to Run and Born in the USA to take away with me on a desert island or the scantily known My Beautiful Reward and With Every Wish, I would choose the latter two. I know I’m in very small company with that preference, but that’s how my appreciation has changed over the years.
I feel it’s not uncommon that once you explore an artist in greater detail you eventually move away from the better known songs that initially drew you in to deeper cuts.
While I’m not sure which two Springsteen songs I would take to a desert island, “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” would be a strong contender, whereas “Born in the U.S.A.” wouldn’t be in the mix.
Those two songs I mentioned are not the two from his whole collection I would take with me, rather I prefer those two (from the dual release records) for eternity (as an example) over the classic title tracks.
As you alluded to above, once you become more familiar with an artist’s discography your preferences change from what they once were. I remember in my youth being besotted by Dylan’s The Times They Are A-Changin. Now it would be unlikely to make my favourite hundred Dylan songs.
I would have Born in the USA (live version Amnesty) over Tenth Avenue Freeze Out (studio). But the studio BITUSA doesn’t do much for me at all. It’s all a matter of personal preference at the end of the day.
This is one of the songs I really like on there. I did like Lucky Town better than Human Touch.
Yep. I bet with hindsight Springsteen would have released a solo album featuring the best of both.
Yes…that would have been the best thing. Lucky Town was more raw to me…more cutting…if that is a good description
I see what you mean. I just prefer more songs from Lucky than Human. The actual title track Human Touch is reflective of the dual album problem to me. It’s too long.. It overstays its welcome.
Me also…I always favored Lucky Town
Never been a huge fan of his..some songs I like..
My only gripe with it are the superfluous lyrics. Otherwise I love it. Can I ask what you don’t like about it?
I used to kinda like him. But his outspoken politics turn me off. I actually used to really like a few of his songs…..
That’s what Max said and why he hadn’t followed so much since the dual album. I personally just want to hear their music output.
Thank you Matt. I wish he’d stick to music..there are some I used to love that must turn of now. It’s a shame….
I can see when a music artist steps outside their area of expertise to promote their political opinions could be divisive. I think that’s what happened to me with Bono and U2 after the early 90’s. Having said all that, I can’t help but admire what Springsteen did after September 11th 2001 in releasing the excellent ‘The Rising’. That took balls.
I just wish they’d stick to their craft. I don’t listen to U2 anymore. They were great when I saw them in 1987. But over the years they just annoy me now. Another one I used to just love and can’t stand anymore is Neil Young..
Haha. Yes, Neil went a bit Joni Mitchell lol
Hilarious 😂
I was talking to Max about Bruce at this time. I saw the tour he was on at this time. I like both albums very much. A place in my music listening journey. Good pick
Thanks CB. That’s kind of you. That must have been cool to see him during this period.
The clip you showed took me back. It was such a celebration. I think Roy was the only E Streeter with that band. Pattie also but not an original. ‘Man’s Job’ still stands out as a cool highlight. Why? I dont know , they were just having so much fun on stage. You could probably find a live version on that tour.