A Review by Johnny Cole
The song “Wasted Days” by John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen is by one of this year’s most anrticipated pairings, especially if you are fan of Sirius XM’s E Street Nation or recently attended this year’s Farm Aid.
Both men achieved commericial heights during the 1980’s as they were able to tap into the lives of the blue-collar working-class living in the Ronald Reagan era of American history. John Mellencamp found huge success with “American Fool” (1982), “Uh–Huh” (1983) and “Scarecrow” (1985), while Bruce Springsteen reached phenomenal sales and recognition with “The River” (1980), “Born in the U.S.A.” (1984) and “Tunnel of Love” (1987). Since the ’80s, these two acclaimed artists have continued to delve into a variety of themes while providing social awareness on a number of topics.
On December 9, 2019, only months before the pandemic, Springsteen and Mellencamp relived their ’80s Glory Days at Sting and Trudie Styler’s 30th annual Rainforest Benefit at the Beacon Theater in New York City. At that time, it seemed very possible that we would be hearing from these two music giants again…. but when?
Earlier this year, word broke that Springsteen had been seen in Mellencamp’s home state of Indiana. It didn’t take long for rumors to circulate about a possible pairing. Springsteen did, in fact, join his friend in the studio on some music that will appear on Mellencamp’s upcoming album.
On Wednesday, September 29, the single “Wasted Days” was officially released alongside a music video directed by filmmaker Thom Zimny, who has worked with Springsteen on several award-winning projects. The video was filmed in New Jersey in early September.
While listening to “Wasted Days”, you hear Springsteen (who recently turned 72) and Mellencamp (who turns 70 in October) sing about making the most of the time we have. Mellencamp opens with “How many summers still remain…. How many days are lost in vain?”. While Springsteen later adds: “Who on earth is worth our time? Is there a heart here that I can call mine?” (see complete lyrics below)
While watching the video and listening to the lyrics of “Wasted Days”, I am somewhat reminded of Johnny Cash’s powerful version of “Hurt”. Interestingly, Cash was younger than Springsteen when he recorded that classic and died shortly thereafter.
Mellencamp’s upcoming album will be released within a few months, while Springsteen and the E Street Band is releasing “The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts” in November.
“Wasted Days”
(Lyrics by John Mellencamp, 2021)
How many summers staring at nothin’?
How many days are lost in vain?
Who’s counting now these last remaining years?
How many minutes do we have ahead?
Wasted days
Wasted days
We watch our lives just fade away
To more wasted days
How much sorrow is there left to climb?
How many promises aren’t worth a dime?
And who on earth is worth our time?
Is there a heart here that I can call mine?
Wasted days
Wasted days
We watch our lives just fade away
To more wasted days
How can a man watch his life go down the drain?
How many moments has he lost today?
And who among us could ever see clear?
The end is coming, it’s almost here
Wasted days
Wasted days
We watch our lives just fade away
To more wasted days
Wasted days
Wasted days
We watch our lives just fade away to more wasted days
Wasted days
More wasted days
We watch our lives just slip away to more wasted days
Page Designed & Edited by Johnny Cole
Additional Editing by Brenda Germany
© The Southland Music Line. 2021.
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