Hey Bruce
[words and music by Lorenzo Bertocchini - SIAE/PONGO EDIZIONI]

Hey Bruce, let me tell you...
There I was, in the living room of my parents’ house
Instead of sitting at my desk doing my homework,
I was lying by the stereo listening to the radio.
They played Michael Jackson, Madonna, Cindy Lauper,
Wham!, Prince, the Beastie Boys, Run DMC
And then, and then, and then...

I had the radio on, I must have been 14
When on came some guy singing “Bobby Jean”
I closed my eyes, I listened close and that’s exactly when
For the first time I felt the urge to grab a guitar and pen

Well... The first song I ever wrote sounded a little like “My Hometown”
Meets “Blowin’ In The Wind”, meets “It’s Only Rock’n’Roll”,
Meets “Twist & Shout”, meets “Sweet Little Sixteen”...
But I thought it was cool... And I was proud!

It’s 25 years later, now, I got my own band and God knows
I’ve bought all your CDs and I’ve seen so many shows
In Italy they’ve all been pretty wild and crazy
Or, as you like to say, “Pazzi, pazzi, pazzi!”

I think I heard you say that in Milano
The time you were about to play “Waiting On A Sunny Day”
And as soon as you started singing the first line to the song - “It’s raining”
We had the heaviest rain I have ever seen and felt – in my whole life!
Perfect video, man!
Anyway...

My buddy Dario and I, we wanted to know more
About you, the E Street band, and the Jersey shore
So we bought us 2 tickets and we took a plane
Then we crossed the Atlantic - my daddy thought I was insane

After 3 very bad movies and 2 very bad meals,
I filled in the I-94W form and applied
For admission to the United States
- Am I carrying fresh fruits, vegetables, bakery items, cheese or meat products? No.
- Am I carrying plants or seeds? No.
- Do I have a communicable disease? No.
- Am I a terrorist? No.
I answered “No” a few times, and I finally made it to the other side...
YES!!!

Wee wee hours in Newark, we rented a pink Cadillac right away
New Jersey in the morning like a lunar landscape
The State Trooper didn’t stop us, so about an hour later
We were in Asbury Park, on the boardwalk, by the water

It was the 4th of July, we saw this girl - I think her name was Sandy
And we asked her if she knew how to find you
She said “I used to, but I’m not sure anymore...
I know someone who can help you, though
She’s a fortuneteller, she’s right over there and if you need some advice, she’s the one!”.
We turned around, and we saw a woman sitting on a folding chair
Outside a tiny booth...
The Temple of Knowledge

She said “Come inside, friends, my name’s Madam Marie”
For a minute she looked at Dario and me
Then she said “You guys went on a loooooooong trip, geeze”
I said “Yeah, well, Madam, we just flew in from overseas

We came all this way ‘cause we wanna find Bruce... can you help?”
She said “Yes, that’s very easy: ride down Kingsley
Make a right at the light, keep straight until night
Then make a left on 82nd, keep going on Lover’s Lane
Make a left on 53rd Street, left again on Thunder Road
Then make a right on 10th Avenue, make a left on E Street
And right at the end of the street, that’s where Bruce’s house is”...

On the way there we heard songs by Gary US Bonds and Southside Johnny
We saw a sign for “Lake Como, NJ” and we thought it was kinda funny
Another sign said “Belmar” and we felt at home ‘cause, you see
“Bel mare” in Italian means “beautiful sea”

Probably your ma, Adele, told you that already...
Well it was beautiful there... Paradise by the C! The ocean, actually.
Then, finally, at quarter to 3 we made it to your house, Bruce...
We knew it was your house ‘cause there was a ’69 Chevy on the driveway
And a sign on the gate that said “Welcome to the Land of Hope and Dreams”
Cool sign!

The moon was full, the gate was closed and the fence was pretty high
I looked at Darione, and I said man, I gotta try
When I got to the other side, I crossed the backyard
Then up the stairs I climbed, my head pounding hard

I saw a light that was on in a room up above
Then a guard came my way and I said “Peace and Love...
Sorry for the intrusion, man, I’m a singer from Italy
I just made the cover of “Lombardia Oggi” & once I was even on Rai TV”

The guy looked a little like the Big Man
With gypsy clothes and a bandana like Little Steven
And long sideburns like Nils Lofgren
At first, he seemed a little cranky, then he became friendly and nice
So I went on explaining...

“You see, I just wanted to say hello to the Boss and maybe have a beer
I also wanted to tell him I wrote a song for him, last year
My friend Rice really thinks that Bruce should hear it
So if Bruce has a lefty guitar, maybe I could play it

Or, otherwise, I could use his guitar and just flip the strings around...
I mean, not his legendary Fender Esquire/Telecaster
– I wouldn’t touch that one
Maybe just an acoustic guitar, you know?
Like the one he used on the Seeger Sessions CD...
Would that be OK?”

The guy said: “I’m sorry to inform you that Bruce is not home
He’s down in Lake Como, I just spoke to him on the phone”
I said: “Lake Como, NJ... That’s not far, I know where it is!”
He said: “No, man, Lake Como, Italy - that’s where Bruce is!”

So I’m in New Jersey looking for you
And, instead, you’re so close to where I live!
I could have showed you all the cool spots and taken you to the best places...
Well, next time maybe...
Now I guess we’re going to the Amusement Park, to the Federici’s pizza place
To Atlantic City and to the Stone Pony...
And I guess the things I wanted to tell you I will sing them instead
So, Hey Bruce...

What I like about your songs is that they’re all about me
And your shows are the best in the world definitely
It’s like the people in the audience are all old friends to you
And you and the band are part of the audience too
So, thank you for all these years of great music and fun
And thanks in advance for the ones to come
Oh, and September 23rd is almost here
So happy birthday Boss, have a wonderful new year!



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