Bruce Springsteen Rocks New York In Front of Bono, Tony Soprano and Jon Stewart

"New Yorkers: be afraid," Bruce Springsteen scrawled atop his handwritten setlist for last night's frenzied Madison Square Garden gig in New York. "Veeeary afraid." Who knows what the hell we were supposed to be afraid of other than not getting a ticket (scalpers made a killing even though cops were handing out their own tickets like crazy), but Springsteen and the E Street Band will have a near impossible job topping the energy and heart they showed last night. In front of a crowd that included Bono, Jon Stewart, James Gandolfini (who danced maniacally all night despite never standing up), Mike Mills and God knows who else, Springsteen delivered a show that was on par with his Seventies epic marathons, despite being nearly half their length. Gone are the "10th Avenue Freezeout"s and "Mary's Place"s that slowed down recent E Street band shows with long preacher rants and endless band introductions. Instead, Bruce banged through twenty-three songs Ramones-style, barely pausing between them. Highlights included "Adam Raised a Cain," "Backstreets" and the new "Gypsy Biker" during which Steve Van Zandt was finally let loose on guitar. No rarities were dragged up, but it's Bruce tradition to save them for night two. "Jungleland" was on the setlist a few nights back, but didn't make it. Bruce, if you're reading this, play that plus "New York City Serenade" tonight. It's the only way you'll be able to top yourself.

Want a reminder of what Bruce and Co. look like live? Check out our photo gallery from the tour's opening-night show.

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

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