Bruce further connects to his audience with “Glory Days” through the embodiment of the song’s narrative, and breaking of the fourth-wall during his live and scripted performances.
Springsteen plays a character in the narrative sections of the music video which reinforces his status as being akin to his audience. John Sheinbaum has said that Springsteen’s “lyrics continually evoke the real of the everyday” (Sheinbaum 2019) and I assert that his performance in the music video for “Glory Days” does the same. The music video cuts away from the performance to scenes of Springsteen throwing pitches alone, to him watching baseball on television, and him teaching a kid (presumably his son) to play baseball. There was no elaborate scene of Springsteen being an actual Major League Baseball player that certainly could have been afforded given the popularity of Springsteen at the time. The fact that Springsteen was not performing for a crowd while at the baseball field shows that he is not portraying himself as a famous entertainer when he is off stage. Rather, Springsteen is a normal person that also performs. This persona is carried further when Springsteen talks to the crowd.
The New Jersey Turnpike which Springsteen references in his audience interactions at a East Rutherford, New Jersey Concert in 2009. (Photo Courtesy of Louis Berger Photography)
In the live performance, as Springsteen speaks to the crowd outside the lyrics of the song, he breaks the fourth-wall which removes the division between them created by Springsteen’s fame and performer status. In the live performance in New Jersey, Springsteen is given a standing ovation with the crowd asking for an encore when the concert is about to conclude. He obliges the crowd and even talks directly to them saying, “Do you want to test me?” showing his willingness to abide by their requests, showing he is there for them. He goes on to playfully say, “The turnpike is closed, nobody goes home.” This serves to unify every in the arena as one group while also referencing his knowledge of the area showing that he has commonalities with the audience. The way in which the music video is shot diminishes Springsteen’s status as a famous performer, but not through explicit breaks of the fourth wall. As stated earlier, the people playing pool who are not focused on Springsteen exemplify how his performance is an optional form of entertainment. Waitresses are still serving patrons and other band members are heavily featured on camera with distinct styles of their own. These directorial choices show that while Springsteen is clearly the center of attention, he is a part of a bigger community.
Bruce Springsteen performing in 1985 in the LA Memorial Colosseum. (Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone)
By dressing and acting similarly to his audience, portraying realistic settings in his videos, embodying a middle class character, and breaking the fourth wall Springsteen creates a formidable connection to a blue collar audience.