Actually, it's not that Bruce Springsteen himself gave short shrift to artists like Bob Seger and John Mellencamp; it's that Springsteen is so idolized by fans and music critics alike that other artists who have done similar music aren't given as many accolades for their work.

Bruce Springsteen is widely recognized and lauded for creating great rock and roll songs about the common man. He has sold over a hundred million albums over his illustrious career, and his albums like Born To Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town, Born in the USA, and The Rising are considered masterpieces.

But what about Bog Seger and John Mellencamp? Both of those artists also sang about the common man, and Seger's Night Moves and Against The Wind are considered excellent rock albums, and Mellencamp proved his common man credentials as early as 1982 when he released American Fool. He followed those up with Scarecrow, The Lonesome Jubilee, and Human Wheels, which were considered not only among his best albums but were lauded by critics as great American rock and roll.

So why is it that Bruce Springsteen is universally recognized yet Bob Seger and John Mellencamp have only a limited following?

Is it truly because Springsteen is a better artist than the other two? Or is a geographical bias? After all, Bruce Springsteen grew up in and got his musical start in Freehold, New Jersey, which was just down the way from New York City, the biggest media market in the USA and western hemisphere. It is also the home to Rolling Stone magazine, and numerous other rock music publications as well as MTV. Bob Seger, on the other hand, came out of Flint, Michigan while John Mellencamp came out of Seymour, Indiana, neither of which are exactly major media markets. So does Springsteen get a boost because he's near the center of the media universe? Discuss.


[Edited 4/20/10 18:44pm]

728huey said:

Yes. Seger and Mellencamp both have a lot of great songs, but none of them are as good as Thunder Road, Rosalita, or Born to Run. All of them are great live, but Springsteen goes the extra mile.

I'm not saying he isn't overrated.

Your point about geography is well taken, however. I hadn't thought about that.
[Edited 4/20/10 19:46pm]

Totally different artists in alot of respects, I wouldnt put Seger in the conversation, i dont really see him as a "strong artist" of their caliber. Mellencamp's issue was that he broke through as a "rock pop star" Bruce broke through as a Dylan like artist, but to me Mellencamp album for album over his career is stronger at what he does. He has the ability also to still chime and recognize talent, lets not forget him having the balls to work with MeSHell when no one did, he also had India Arie, Heather Headley and Trisha Yearwood prior to them having deals, and also has had a top notch band rivaling the E street Band. So Springsteen is more iconic, but album for album, Mellencamp is stronger, and to me a better overall songwriter, theres more depth and blues in his work.

lastdecember said:

All really good points, and I do agree that Mellencamp has more soul than Bruce.

Stax said:

I disagree with the comment about Bob Seger not being a strong artist. His melodies and style can seem very simple, and yet I never ever seem to skip it when it pops up on my MP3. Something about his lyrics and his style sucks me in every single time. I have a lot of respect for the almost modest and... I don't know... unselfish sound of his songs.

To be honest, I don't know a lot of Bruce Springsteen. Basically I only know some of his better known songs, so I don't feel qualified to say who "deserves" more recognition. But I do feel Bob Seger deserves a great deal of respect by rock lovers.

savoirfaire said:

I agree about Bob- he's done some great work. You should check out some more of Bruce's stuff- beyond the big hits. He has some great album cuts that aren't generally known. Also, Bob has sort of dropped out of the business, while Bruce has kept a high-profile, between his music and his political work, and I think that's a factor as well (And I love Mellancamp as well, though I thought his last CD needed a perk-up)