Vid: Springsteen’s “Merry Christmas, Baby”
December 20, 2013
To hear Bruce Springsteen sing “Merry Christmas, Baby” is like opening a present on Christmas morning with anticipation, glee, and surprise. Inside this present is a direct connection to Elvis who sang this same song with a slow burning bluesy take on it, a song that Bruce obviously heard many times growing up, and then reworked it so it became his own while still remembering the King.
What becomes clear is the utter joy that Bruce experiences during the holiday season. He’s done his own Christmas shows in Jersey when he’s not been touring, and when he is on the road, he doesn’t need any prodding to begin singing “Merry Christmas, Baby” or “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”
As seen in this video, the pure innocence, joy and boyish exuberance Bruce experiences while singing this and sharing it with his audience is like his sharing a Secret Santa gift with friends as he becomes one with the audience in their holiday celebration.
And don’t we all feel real good, just like we’re living in paradise?
For when Bruce Springsteen sings “Merry Christmas, Baby,” he sings it like those three words are all we will ever need to hear to lift and warm our hearts and souls during the cold winter season. There’s a smile on his face, and a smile on ours, because we all feel real good, and he sure did treat us nice.
Guest post by Ron Wells. Thanks to Dari Silverman for sharing Jersey Deb’s video on Facebook last night and to Ron for responding so quickly to the call to write. Deb writes that embedded in the video are the “secret thoughts of a fanographer” which is what she calls a fan videographer. She shot this video at the Buffalo show on 11-22-09 from behind the stage
Merry Christmas to the Boss and my husband!
dubbed with the pristine soundboard audio. While you can’t hear the audience much, you can “really hear every word Bruce says,” she writes, “including what he actually said to ME when I tried to hide my camera from him.” At the time, she had no idea he gave her the okay to keep shooting. This video shows what was going on through her mind in that exciting, thrilling moment.
MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY to my husband Marsh! Pictured here with Bruce when they were much younger…
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art predator 
love it gwendolyn..great read. wishing you and your whole family a “merry xmas baby!”
Thank you Dari! Happy holidays to you too!