“It felt really bold”: The first song that made Lucy Dacus fall in love with Bruce Springsteen
While it might seem like something of a chore to have to do when you’re in your rebellious teenage phase, it’s definitely important to listen to the advice of your parents every once in a while. While you may be able to gain invaluable life lessons from them, more important still is the need to listen to their record collections, as you might discover some gems that you wouldn’t have otherwise found yourself enjoying. It’s clear from her varied taste and songwriting chops that Lucy Dacus wasn’t afraid to delve into the archives to discover what her elders were enamoured by.
The Virginia-born songwriter and Boygenius member has always demonstrated a sense of versatility and songwriting dexterity that comes from her admiration of a variety of classic songsmiths, both past and present. While she’s used her vast knowledge to bolster her own abilities, she’s still managed to form a signature style of her own without it ever feeling derivative of the work of her biggest inspirations.
One clear influence that has always been present in Dacus’ work is that of Bruce Springsteen. The New Jersey native and heartland rock legend is regarded as one of the most important songwriters in US music history, and his influence is likely to be traceable for an eternity due to how instantly impactful and urgent his songs tend to be.
However, it might come as something of a surprise to learn that her love of Springsteen wasn’t something that took hold of her instantly, and when first exposed to his music, she was a little non-plussed by what she heard, or was at least reluctant to find herself enjoying his work. This may have been as a result of her over-exposure to the music of ‘The Boss’, and the fact that her father was constantly playing Springsteen in the house initially made it a laborious experience.
Speaking to The Line of Best Fit, Dacus revealed that she “really didn’t like” having to hear Springsteen throughout her youth. “Through middle school, I was like, ‘This guy is annoying’, but I had to listen to him all the time,” she explained. “I thought my Dad was lame, because I was a middle-schooler and parents are lame!” However, there came a time when the penny finally dropped for her, and upon listening closer to ‘Atlantic City’, she realised she had been wrong in her assessment of his work.
“It’s so poetic and narrative and stripped down, and in a really humble way,” she told the magazine. “For him to do this song – after having major radio hits that were really lush and typically catchy – to then have this song that grabbed you in the gut, in the heart? It felt really bold. Taking a step back is bold when you have that type of profile. It’s dark and it’s honest, it’s like negative and hopeful can co-exist.”
Dacus’ love of Springsteen would eventually evolve to the point where she has regularly paid tribute to her songwriting hero, having recorded a cover of his 1984 hit ‘Dancing in the Dark’ and regularly including it as part of her live performances. It may have taken her a long time to realise Springsteen’s importance and brilliance, but her finally coming around to his music was ultimately something that has guided her through her career to date.
