Bruce Springsteen, “American Skin (41 Shots)” | Controversial Tunes 😈🎶

On the 6^th edition of Controversial Tunes (2022), we explore the controversy behind “American Skin (41 Shots)” by Bruce Springsteen. 

B

ring on the controversy! Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 is a column that provides background information and insight into songs that raised eyebrows and totally stirred the pot.  The records that grace Controversial Tunes are old and new alike, with all genres of music welcome.  On the 6^th edition of Controversial Tunes (2022), we explore the controversy behind the song, 🎵 “American Skin (41 Shots)” by 🎙 Bruce Springsteen.

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Theme & Lyrics ✍

“41 shots / Cut through the night / You’re kneeling over his body in the vestibule / Praying for his life.” 🎵 “American Skin (41 Shots)” marks the heaviest moment of 💿 High Hopes, the 2014 album by 🎙 Bruce Springsteen.  Furthermore, it’s probably the most controversial song in The Boss’ catalog. “American Skin (41 Shots)” wasn’t born in 2014, despite the fact it was dedicated to Trayvon Martin, one of many senseless tragedies involving unarmed black men. The original arrived 13 years earlier, inspired by a different but equally tragic incident.

Back in 1999, 23-year old West African immigrant, Amadou Diallo was fatally shot by the NYPD sparking outrage.  Springsteen wrote this song protesting the wrongful death that same year. 41 shots are the number of shots fired towards Diallo. “American Skin (41 Shots)” first appeared on his live album, 💿 Live in New York City from 2001, but wouldn’t receive the studio treatment until 2014.  “American Skin (41 Shots)” has a chilling, disturbing lyrical tone:

“Is it a gun, is it a knife, is it a wallet, this is your life

It ain’t no secret, it ain’t no secret, no secret my friend

You can get killed just for living in your American skin…”

The lyrics that raised more eyebrows relate to police interaction when black in America. This is where Bruce received the C-O-N-T-R-O-V-E-R-S-Y:

“You’ve got to understand the rules

If an officer stops you,

Promise me you’ll always be polite

And that you’ll never ever run away

Promise Mama you’ll keep your hands in sight.” 

The controversy, of course, is Springsteen was criticized for being anti-police.  He’s not ‘anti-police’ mind you, but some police officers were unhappy about the record.  They missed the point – it’s about the senseless tragedies facing blacks.

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Final Thoughts 💭 

I have no doubt that there are many who probably don’t heart this Springsteen record.  Criticizing the police? Awful Bruce, awful! I’m being sarcastic of course because people forget there are bad apples and corruption everywhere – churches, police, politics, schools – you name it! I love this song because it is food for thought, addressing a huge problem in the United States. Of course, being African American myself, I understand.  Helping others to understand such issues raised by Mr. Springsteen – that’s where more work and progression are needed.

Appears in 🔽:
13 Powerful Songs Where Black Lives DO Indeed Matter

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🎙 Bruce Springsteen • 💿 High Hopes • 🏷 Bruce Springsteen • 🗓 2014
Bruce Springsteen, “American Skin (41 Shots)”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 No. 6 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Bruce Springsteen, cottonbro, Darkmoon_Art,  TheDigitalArtist, inna mikitas, Isabela Catão, Jonathan Nenemann, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, Tazz Vaughn, Victoria Borodinova, zzzvector]

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