Bridge and Tunnel Boys: Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and the Metropolitan Sound of the American Century

by Jim Cullen

Born four months apart, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel both released their debut albums in the early 1970s, quickly becoming two of the most successful rock stars of their generation. While their critical receptions have been very different, surprising parallels emerge when we look at the arcs of their careers and the musical influences that have inspired them.
 
Bridge and Tunnel Boys  compares the life and work of Long Islander Joel and Asbury Park, New Jersey, native Springsteen, considering how each man forged a distinctive sound that derived from his unique position on the periphery of the Big Apple. Locating their music within a longer tradition of the New York metropolitan sound, dating back to the early 1900s, cultural historian Jim Cullen explores how each man drew from the city’s diverse racial and ethnic influences. His study explains how, despite frequently releasing songs that questioned the American dream, Springsteen and Joel were able to appeal to wide audiences during both the national uncertainty of the 1970s and the triumphalism of the Reagan era. By placing these two New York–area icons in a new context,  Bridge and Tunnel Boys  allows us to hear their most beloved songs with new appreciation.  

 

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, History

290 pages, Hardcover

Published October 13, 2023

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Rutgers University Press for this advanced copy featuring a look at two dynamic performers, known for both their live shows and their songs that both make one dance, make one think, and emphasize with the plights of others.

I grew up in a house where my parents listened to AM music quite proudly. So I was more familiar with the music of the troubadour from Long Island, Billy Joel, than I was with the Boss from New Jersey. In fact I think one of the times we took advantage of Columbia Record and Tape ten or eleven albums for a penny, or a dollar, I don' recall I think my parents got Fleetwood Mac and 5 Billy Joel albums, albums I still have in my collection. My cousin in New Jersey got me at least listening to Springsteen, his songs didn't grab me until I heard Nebraska many years later. But I liked what I heard. Even back then I was a sucker for a story in song. Disco and pop, while liking the music, the lyrics annoyed me. Stories though I liked, songs of not feeling like one belonged, or love done wrong. I was there. Later I saw the depth of both men, You May Be Right, leading to Captain Jack, Rosalita to Tunnel of Love, songs that I both think are depressive masterpieces, and one's that I played a lot, and listened to both men in awe and amazement at what they could do. Jim Cullen, cultural historian and writer of many fine books on politics and people, and what they have lived through compares these two songwriters with the times they saw and that New York state of mind that came of age in his book Bridge and Tunnel Boys: Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and the Metropolitan Sound of the American Century.

The time was 1949 and within four months of each other Billy Joel will be born in the Bronx (like Me!) but growing up in Long Island in May, and in September Bruce Springsteen will be born in September in New Jersey. Growing up both shared musical influences, though Joel started piano lessons at age 4, while Springsteen didn't pick up a guitar until he saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, a moment also for Joel. Both men learned to perform in bars, playing the music that people were familiar with, getting drunks to calm down, and the uninterested to pay attention, in the vacation areas and places that would become familiar in their songs. From this both learned to love performing, something that would continue up the present day. Early songs drew on what they knew, the people that they hung around with, their backgrounds, and while people might be dancing, there were a few who were listening, and these songs told far more then to get bodies dancing. Joel and Springsteen would both write songs about Vietnam, neither having serving, but understanding from observation the toll the war took on people. Songs like Big Shot would be accompanied by The Stranger, or Ballad of Billy the Kid, Born in the USA proceeded by Nebraska, both albums about America in decay, but with one song featured in numerous Presidential campaigns.

A very interesting look at both the music of these two performers, the times and the influences that had a hand in crafting their songs. Both men always have the aw shucks, I'm just a piano man, guitar player, but Cullen shows the intelligence and the gift that they had to see what was truly happening to people, and write songs, that could both entertain, and let people know they are seen. Glory Days, Allentown, Born in the USA and Downeaster 'Alexa, all show that something happened in the eighties, where their fathers had jobs that gave them houses, and time to spend on the Jersey Shore, suddenly the jobs were gone, so were the houses, and the Shores were being made into private land. Cullen is a great writer, able to see and put together things that don't seem to go together, but explain so much. This book is a fantastic and unique look into both singers and what their art is still capable of.

Recommended for fans of both artists and for music fans in general. Also for those who read books on the influence of culture on the arts, and how art is shaped by events around it. Jim Cullen is a very talented writer, and one that I am looking forward to reading more of. I also recommend his book on the Eighties as that was also a very interesting read.

[J Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bridge and Tunnel Boys by Jim Cullen is the type of book that will make a reader both think about the interplay between society at-large and popular culture, in this case music, as well as generate plenty of nostalgia. Okay, that second one is for older (less young?) readers like me.

The careers of Springsteen and Joel are told pretty much in tandem, which highlights the similarities and differences between them as well as the part society played in their work and reception. Even having lived through the period and been a fan I was struck by some of the things I either didn't know or didn't remember. How they were perceived by audiences (and misunderstood by senile politicians) and reviewed by critics makes for fascinating reading with the benefit of hindsight.

The biographical comparisons were intriguing, though I have to admit I found the sociological aspects more up my alley. For those readers primarily interested in their lives will find a lot here of interest, especially when taken together. Depending on your familiarity with them, you may be surprised by some of the things they have in common. Understand, however, "in common" doesn't mean identical, which is why a Jersey boy and Long Island (though born in the Bronx) boy can have those very things in common: they were raised on the periphery of Manhattan, what many think of when they think NYC. Thus, the title, Bridge and Tunnel Boys.

As for the nostalgia, this will vary from reader to reader. I thought about places I've lived, about the times I saw them in concert (Springsteen five times but Joel only once), how some of their songs made me feel, which albums I constantly revisit even today, and the social and political events and changes that have happened over the last half century. Yes, I ended up going back and listening to a lot of their music (mostly Joel since I've read several Springsteen books lately and have listened to more of him recently). If you are or were a fan of either of these artists, you will likely experience some of the same types of flashbacks, er, I mean memories.

Definitely recommended for fans of theirs, this is a very accessible and enjoyable read. This is also ideal for music historians and those who study/teach any area studies where the intersection of society and popular culture are analyzed.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Christopher Cerone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book I should have written as a big fan of both Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. Their music has inspired and lifted me up throughout my life since 1980 as a young kid from the Jersey Shore. I always knew their music and careers were intertwined - and maybe that was part of my attraction as well as part of my dissatisfaction that they so infrequently interacted or performed together in spite of their geographical proximity and love for rock and roll. Only if they recorded together, once! The author recollects in some excellent detail their careers and music - the vicissitudes through and through - drawing compelling comparisons throughout the book. Joel was a trained musician while Springsteen was more “autodidactic…and systematic” with both drawing heavily on their knowledge and love of their musical predecessors, including the British rock and rollers and soul musicians. Persistence early on their careers (withstanding financial pressures and wrongdoings) and a willingness to leave the mostly friendly confines of their hometowns helped them to realize great success over decades beginning in the 1970s and into the early 21st century. Their appreciation of history, their ability to infuse historical and cultural context into their music, and their outstanding ability to perform live (and in music videos!), bolstered their success, seemingly allowing them to connect more deeply to their fans. Remarkably, both have battled depression with little negative impact on their careers (though a different story from a family perspective, especially Joel), at least from the perspective of their fans, who have steadily supported their music and live preferences to this day. Despite some very sloppy grammatical mistakes throughout, this book provides excellent context for these two renowned musicians for fans and non-fans alike, including some insightful perspective on their libraries of albums and songs. It may be a fond trip down memory lane for some readers and a reminder of how long-term success in music, or any career, does not come without passion, dedication, ability that can be honed, an understanding and appreciation for excellence, and perseverance in tumultuous times.

[Poppy Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
*********************************************************

Born four months apart, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel both released their debut albums in the early 1970s, quickly becoming two of the most successful rock stars of their generation. While their critical receptions have been very different, surprising parallels emerge when we look at the arcs of their careers and the musical influences that have inspired them.

Bridge & Tunnel Boys compares the life and work of Long Islander Joel and Asbury Park, NJ native Springsteen, considering how each man forged a distinctive sound that derived from his unique position on the periphery of the Big Apple. Locating their music within a longer tradition of the New York metropolitan sound, dating back to the early 1900s, cultural historian Jim Cullen explores how each man drew from the city’s diverse racial and ethnic influences. His study explains how, despite frequently releasing songs that questioned the American dream, Springsteen and Joel were able to appeal to wide audiences during both the national uncertainty of the 1970s and the triumphalism of the Reagan era. By placing these two New York-area icons in a new context, Bridge & Tunnel Boys allows us to hear their most beloved songs with new appreciation.
This short book (under 300 pages) was an interesting read about Bruce and Billy – men who are American icons yet totally divergent in their marital histories, to say the least. Jim Cullen is an authority on American history when it comes to pop culture and music and this book did not disappoint. Written in a style that will appeal to all readers, it is not a dry, dusty history book but a look into two music legends and their enduring legacy in our lives. (I have seen Joel in concert but not Springsteen but I am decidedly the right age to appreciate them.)
Highly recommended to lovers of music, biographies, history and pop culture.
#shortbutsweetreivews
 

[Stephen Power · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in the late-'70s, early-'80s on the Billy/Boss Meridian just north of the city--I remember DJ Carol Miller's attempt to make "Born to Run" the NJ anthem--so these two guys provided much of the soundtrack of my life. "The River," which I had on 8-track, I wore white in my car. "Songs in the Attic," which I had on cassette, I wore white on my gray brick of a Walkman. I finally saw Bruce a couple years ago at the Meadowlands--his longest North American show until the next one, and it was everything I could have hoped for--and I'd love to see Billy at the Garden, but I'm not made of money. I worked at Avon when we put out Bruce's SONGS, and his memoir isn't just the best rock memoir ever; it's arguably one of the greatest memoirs, period. Thus the book was recommended to me, and I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher giving me a look.

It's great fun, a dual bio of the two along with a running comparison/contrast of their music. Thus it's the perfect excuse to go back and, thanks to Spotify, relisten to all their albums in order while the author discusses them. Some of Cullen's commentary is a bit too academic in places, discussing the music in a way no fan would, but overall his readings of the songs in the context of their times and the songwriters' lives really refreshes them. I have to say, Billy's classical album is really good, and I'm stunned that the new songs Bruce threw onto his Greatest Hits album for marketing would themselves make for anyone else's own greatest hits albums. I also got a new appreciation for his more recent albums, which I have to dive back into more thoroughly, and now I'm even more looking forward to Billy releasing his first new song in decades this week.

While I'll admit I'm a very particular audience in terms of birth, there are lot of me, so I'll be recommending it to my friends.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I had known this was an academic study, I likely would not have picked it up. I don’t particularly enjoy the over-intellectualization of rock music. It’s a practice that strikes against the very spirit of the genre.

No one needs 200 pages of text to tell them that Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen were influenced by metropolitan New York and that influence was apparent in their music. You can get that by simply picking up almost any of their albums. The author claims not to delve deep into histories or details at times and then does just that. He loses the thesis when it no longer becomes applicable to Springsteen and Joel’s music around the mid 80s and should have ended it there. This book could have been much more effective at a fraction of the length and minus the overuse of ten dollar words.

And yet, that wasn’t my biggest issue with this book. The biggest issue by far was the complete lack of copy editing. For a university published book, you expect better. Not glaring errors every few pages.

For someone who seems to know a fair amount about his subjects, the author misquoted lyrics when they are readily available on Bruce and Billy’s own websites (and did so twice on a single page). He mixes up different songs on the same album (the Magic Rat is Jungleland, not Backstreets). Misspelling easily googleable song, band and musician names and saying Bruce played certain songs in concert when setlists across the internet prove otherwise. I wanted to take a red pen to the pages. The multitude of gaffes takes away any effectiveness the text might have had.

If you want to pick up a book about Joel or Springsteen, there are many others to consider before picking this one up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rutgers University Press for the opportunity to read and review.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a somewhat academic side-by-side comparison of the lives and careers of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen. There are undeniable connections between the two artists that were interesting to read about. I think Cullen could have even gone deeper in examining their albums and exploring the Metropolitan sound of the times. More could have been said about the other artists from NY in the 70s and 80s that might have helped draw a stronger connection to the importance these two musical giants had at the time.

I did walk away with a new appreciation of their early work in particular. Which is odd since I know it so well. But, I had never listened to Piano Man (the album) as a piece of Americana - largely an acoustic album that featured the sounds of gospel, bluegrass, folk and rock. To me this was always just early 70s rock. I never gave a thought to how the record company was trying to create the image of Billy Joel.

Individual track comparisons are inevitable but a look at Goodnight Saigon and Born in the USA is something I had never done before.

Unfortunately, as academic as this book was - with its dense vocabulary - the editing was awful. There were typos and grammatical errors throughout the book. An average copy editor should have been able to spot these mistakes but somehow they got missed.

If you’re going to critique someone else’s art you better make sure yours is up to the challenge.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bridge and Tunnel Boys will be published on October 13, 2023. Rutgers University Press provided an early galley for review.

The first albums I bought by Joel and Springsteen were 52nd Street and Born In The USA respectively (though I had heard plenty of the Boss' early albums from my older brother). Together these two artists are part of the frequent signposts on the road of my high school and college years during the 80's.

Cullen takes a very scholarly look at their lives and music, applying the details to the cultural movements of New York City. His approach to the subjects is elevated and thought-provoking. If this subject was the focus of a liberal arts course (the type of elective I would have gravitated to in college), his book would serve well as part of the course reading materials. It was educating as well as entertaining.

I also enjoyed his dissection of each's albums track by track. It encouraged me to pull up my music library to revisit many of these classics and to listen at them through a slightly different direction.

[Smh624 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting and entertaining premise to this book. The parallels in the lives of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen, up to a point, are uncanny. The first portion of the book dealing with their lives and connection to the NYC Metropolitan area until the early 1990s is well done and insightful. As a fan of both artists I enjoyed the book a lot, up to that point. The portion dealing with the rest of their lives is too focused on Springsteen, perhaps because he continued to make new music and Joel did not, but there is little to no attempt to explain any continuing connection to NYC for either one. I found that very surprising in Joel's case given his historic residency at MSG in which attending one or more of the concerts became a quintessential NYC experience. The residency is mentioned but the author seems to have missed its significance. Also, this book was both poorly copy edited and edited. A shocking amount of typos. Many instances of pretentious word usage and apparent attempts to impress academics perhaps?

[Jb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen were born the same year, grew up in suburbs of New York (loosely defined), and released their first albums the same year. While there are many differences between them, they share a strong connection to where they grew up. Jim Cullen constructs a respectable argument that the two musicians provide a particularly useful lens on late 20th-century rock music, and late 20th-century America in general. Sometimes, the book focuses on similarities, but often, the contrasts are more enlightening. (As a lifelong Billy Joel fan, I'm mildly peeved that The Boss comes out on top in a lot of these comparisons, but this didn't keep me from enjoying the book.) Many of the best parts focus on how changes in the music business, like the creation of the vinyl LP and the CD, changed the nature of popular music and also popular tastes. Altogether, it's a great book, particularly for fans of either (or both) of the main characters.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. A little precious in it’s academic aspirations, but it’s all in service to a lively analysis of two great song writers who have much in common. It’s worth reading for fans of the artists, and those who enjoy reading about pop snd rock music history. There is a an interesting narrative thread at work: sense of place. Does being born the same year and coming of age in the same generation and raised in suburban Manhattan unite these two artists? What roles does place play in their cannon?

[Leonardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley and the Author for giving me the opportunity to review this ARC.

This book is more of detail look at the individual songs and albums put out by these well known music stars, than a biography and in depth look at them as people. It looks at Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen from the perspective of their near common upbringing, geographically, age, socially, career, and their interaction with other artists and their fans.

It's is a clearly written and understandable, but I probably would have liked to learn more about the two performers as people.

[Josh Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Cullen does a good job of comparing and contrasting the lives and careers of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen who were both born around the same time in small towns (suburbs) in Jersey and Long Island and had many of the same musical influences.

This doesn't reflect on the content of the book, but I was surprised at how many typos there were in this book. I wonder, where was Cullen's editor?

[Matthew Benzing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, the author finds a number of parallels. I did notice a few errors though…why it would make sense for Bruce to play “Roulette” at the MSG “No Nukes” concerts, but he did not. Overall a good analysis of an era in America that has passed.

[Howard Groth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting thesis that the author doesn’t effectively explore. Instead, the book becomes a synopsis of Joel’s/Springsteen’s careers that’s too brief to do either artist justice.

[Kelly Pramberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my house we are big fans of Bruce and Billy so this was a natural choice of book to choose. I enjoyed reading the story about both performers. I found myself pausing throughout the book to tell my husband everything I was learning - he enjoyed it! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars.