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  • Writer's pictureBlair Morgan

First Dance - from RNZ Afternoons

Updated: Jul 7, 2022

The afternoon show at Radio New Zealand asked for people to submit the song that was played as their Wedding Dance . I spoke to Jesse Mulligan about "If I Should Fall Behind" by Bruce Springsteen which we chose as ours back on April 18 , 1998 . It is first up via the RNZ link here:


https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018848326/music-feature-first-dance-songs


Recorded for the Lucky Town album and released in 1992, here we find Bruce in post second marriage reflection . It couldn't be more of a contrast to the Tunnel of Love album from 5 x years earlier where the focus included :


"You got to learn to live with what you can't raise above" - Tunnel of Love

"Now look at me baby, struggling to do everything right" - Brilliant Disguise

"One step up , two steps back". - One Step Up

"I swore I'd make her happy every day and how I made her cry, two faces have I" - Two Faces


Instead Springsteen is reaching out to his new wife in the spirit of togetherness and trust


"Everyone dreams of love lasting and true

But you and I know what this world can do

So lets make our steps clear, so the other may see

I'll wait for you, and if I should fall behind wait for me"


He returns to this later in the album with "Book of Dreams" and the album opener "Better Days"


"I've got a new suit of clothes and a pretty red rose and a woman I can call my friend"


For the live tour that accompanied the album ( see clip below), Bruce kept it personal , later on the 1999 Reunion Tour with the E Street Band , he shifted the songs focus to encompass his relationship to to his bandmates. Perhaps it was too personal to continue with the focus on his wife Patti.


Live In Concert/MTV Plugged


The original Lucky Town recording has a demo like feel (check the non intro) , Bruce playing all instruments except drums, mainly acoustic with the type of acoustic guitar/mandolin type staccato riffs reminiscent of the great Nebraska and Tunnel of Love albums . This is Bruce at his best , away from the stadium and with a voice representing the human condition irrespective of gender, race, political divide, border and circumstance.


Studio Recording - Lucky Town album

Thanks Boss!


#brucespringsteen #ifishouldfallbehind #luckytown #nebraska #tunneloflove

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