Springsteen Plays 'American Skin (41 Shots)' at Tampa FL Concert

[Hissyspit]

The song was inspired by the Amadou Diallou shooting in NYC. This is only the second time he has played it in the U.S. since 2005, I believe.

http://www.backstreets.com/setlists.html

Following the Apollo Medley and the "world's oldest living crowd-surfer," Bruce and the band began "American Skin (41 Shots)." The performance was offered without comment, but it was patently obvious that the killing of Travyon Martin was the impetus for the song's appearance, with this show the band's only visit to Florida during the first leg of the tour. In a show full of peaks, "American Skin" was the standout performance, starting as a slow burn before exploding with a Nils Lofgren guitar solo and ending with the band building behind Bruce repeating the "you can get killed just for living in your" lyric.

American Skin (41 Shots)

41 shots, and we'll take that ride
'Cross this bloody river to the other side
41 shots, cut through the night
You're kneeling over his body in the vestibule
Praying for his life

Well, 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

(41 shots)
(41 shots)
(41 shots)
(41 shots)

41 shots, Lena gets her son ready for school
She says "On these streets, Charles
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"

Well, 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

(41 shots)
(41 shots)
(41 shots)
(41 shots)

Is it a gun, is it a knife
Is it in your heart, is it in your eyes
It ain't no secret (it ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (it ain't no secret)

41 shots, and we'll take that ride
'Cross this bloody river to the other side
41 shots, I got my boots caked in this mud
Baptized in these waters (we're baptized in these waters)
And in each other's blood (and in each other's blood)

Well, 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)
It ain't no secret (it ain't no secret)
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living in
You can get killed just for living in your American skin

[Bennyboy]

1. It ain't no secret...

Thanks for posting.

[Dawson Leery]

2. When Bruce played this song at a concert in Mr. Diallou's honor,

Patrick Lynch of the New York City Police Benevolence Association called for all off duty cops to boycott and security work for the concert.

http://www.nytimes.com/keyword/american-skin


In addition, New York's State Fraternal Order of Police chair, Bob Lucente, called Mr. Springsteen a “dirtbag” and a “floating fag".
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/jun2000/spri-j15.shtml

[Hissyspit]

3. Yes, I remember.

Acting poliitically inappropriate AND misinterpreting the song, both.

Some police did support Springsteen and spoke out, but many others stayed quiet.

And so it goes in America.

[JI7]

8. they seem like the types that probably loved born in the USA thinking it meant something it didn't

[lib_wit_it]

4. This song was one of the first things that I thought of upon hearing of the Trayvon Martin tragedy.

I thought how awful that nothing has changed.

(It's a shame Backstreets couldn't spell Trayvon's name correctly.)

[CakeGrrl]

5. k/r

[mdmc]

6. ..

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. Love that song