Jungleland

Jungleland is often on rotation for me as top song, interchanging with Youngstown. Jungleland is not so much a song, but a journey, filled with magical characters and imagery. The song is actually about crossing over the bridge from New Jersey to New York, but it can allows the listener to interpret what they please. Jungleland is the last song on Bruce's breakout Born To Run album and is definitely a concert favorite.

Pre Born To Run Release: Jungleland was played in concert as a cookie cutter version of album track. This version is a GREAT listen for more than casual Bruce fans. You can literally see how the song was born. This version has alternate vocals all around (which I won't detail on this blog but you can have a listen for yourself: see Live At the Main Point 1975). This version also includes a saxophone solo where the guitar solo currently is, and a guitar part where the saxophone currently it. The bass on this version is also prominent and excellent.

1975-1976: This is the first time Jungleland was performed in its BTR album form. Some of the better versions are from Hammersmith Odeon (see Hammersmith 1975). These versions were usually well received from fans (given that it was from the new album) and usually played later in the sets. Not much stands out much from the album track on these versions except for the long and drawn out ending verse following the sax solo. Stevie always plays the main guitar solo, with Bruce rarely using a guitar for this song.

1978: Things start getting a little more interesting with the vocals in the Darkness Tour version of this song in regards to where Bruce emphasizes the words. Examples of this are towards the "DESPERATE as the night moves OOooOONNN" and towards the end instead of "and man the poets down here don't write nothin' at all!" he opts to say "and MAN the poets down here don't write NOTHIN!!!" (see Passaic Night 2). Stevie changes up the solo a bit, which I prefer to the previous tour. Also this is the first time Bruce asks for audience participation "as we take our stand! (SAY IT NOW!!)" and lets the audience yell out Jungleland. Usually played around the middle of the set or towards the end.

1980-1981: Similar changes occur to the River Tour Jungleland. Same basic song, new emphasis on vocals. Overall you'll just have to give this one a listen, there are subtle differences all over the place. I'm not saying none of them are significant, but there are so many that it's hard to put them all here. The solo on this version, I think, is the best one of any tour. It's much faster and includes some more technical guitar work. Of course like I mentioned above, the song goes through constant vocal (not lyrics, let's make that clear) changes. A few specifics occur in the verse before the sax solo (see Live In Uniondale 1980). 

1984-1985: I've always found it strange that songs like Jungleland and Racing in the Street were actually played during the BITUSA Tour. I'm certainly not complaining at all, but these deeper, more storytelling songs just don't seem to fit in with the tour's style. It's tough to say this, but this song is a little uninspired during this tour. It's still a great jam, but it's just lacking something and I can't quite figure it out. The band hits every note perfectly, but it doesn't seem intimate enough, the BITUSA Tour is meant for loud rockers, not really the style of song that Jungleland is. I will say in a few versions (see Philadelphia Final Night 1984) Bruce has some great vocals when he yells out Jungleland the second time before the guitar solo. Nils Lofgren plays this solo and starts it off pretty lame if I say so myself, but then turns it around and plays the rest in true Nils fashion...great version of the solo. 

Reunion Era: During the Reunion Tour Jungleland was played fairly regularly towards the end of the set. The 2000 versions are great. I love during the first Jungleland, Bruce yells for the crowd to "SING IT!!" but Bruce also yells out Jungleland too, but you can hear the roar of the crowd almost overpower his own voice in the background, it WILL give you goosebumps (see Live In New York 2000). These versions of Jungleland are fairly slowed down (as most songs do) but still hold significant power. Stevie is back on the solo. After the Reunion Tour Jungleland became a treat for fans, rarely playing it much. It got a somewhat of an every other night appearance during the summer of 2008 and again during parts of the Wrecking Ball Tour, but it was still considered a rarity and only played once in the U.S. during the most recent High Hopes Tour. I think part of the reason it isn't played as much is because Clarence died and now Jake has to play the sax solo (which isn't bad by any means) it's just different now.

Future of Jungleland?: I think he should keep it as a rarity in the coming tours. It makes it more special when you hear it. (But please play it when I come see you!!!! I've yet to see it)