This week's Friday Bruce Fix leads off with something pretty obscure called 'Lift Me Up', which Bruce Springsteen recorded for the soundtrack of John Sayles' 1999 film 'Limbo'. It ran over the closing credits, I imagine much in the way 'The Wrestler' does at the end of 'The Wrestler' (go figure). If I remember correctly (a rare event, thus notable), John directed Bruce's video for 'I'm On Fire', as well as 'Born in the USA' and 'Glory Days'.
Bruce had started writing 'Lift Me Up' around the time of 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' album and tour, but never quite finished the song. In 1998, John needed a song for his upcoming film and asked Bruce for "something that was healing but also something that was about risk". Bruce dusted this one off, finished up the lyrics and, playing all the instruments himself he recorded and produced the track in his home studio. (Thanks to www.springsteenlyrics.com for these details.)
Speaking of John Sayles, it seems an easy segue over to the John Sayles directed video for 'I'm On Fire'.
Does anyone know who played the mostly unseen woman in the video in the role as the object of Bruce's burning desire? I've often thought that it might have been his first wife, Julianne Phillips. I think Bruce overshadowed her with his acting in this video. Perhaps that was the catalyst for the breakdown in their marriage.... professional jealousy.... "but Brucie... I'm supposed to be the actor in this family..."
Anyway, I seem to recall some buzz suggesting that Bruce's dramatic turn in this video led to his being approached for some film roles. I suppose his immense popularity at the time might have also had something to do with that. To my knowledge, his only film role so far came in a cameo role as some bit player in 'High Fidelity'. Bruce did a nice job, but generally I think it's good that Bruce wisely stuck to doing what he does best, fixing us when we need it, which is every single Friday. Here's the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo1npZWR5qk&NR=1
And, what the hell, why not have a listen to Johnny Cash covering 'I'm On Fire'. This was a bonus track on 'Badlands: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska'.
Happy Friday!
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