America's Poet Laureate

There's a lot of truth behind such angry rumblings as: "Sounds like up and comers Jay-Z and Bruce Springsteen got a nice buzz boost from SXSW.”

And whether or not he should've accepted the invitation to speak, and perform at SXSW, there's no denying that once there, Springsteen laid down the gauntlet.

Evoking the history of rock n' roll, and the second half of the 20th century in a personal context, this is required listening.

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"Open your ears and open your hearts. Don't take yourself too seriously, and take yourself as seriously as death itself. Don't worry. Worry your ass off. Have ironclad confidence, but doubt. It keeps you awake and alert.

It keeps you honest. It keeps you honest. To be able to keep two completely contradictory ideas alive and well inside of your heart and head at all times. If it doesn't drive you crazy, it will make you strong.

Stay Hard. Stay Hungry. Stay Alive.

And when you walk on stage tonight to bring the noise, treat it like it's all we have -- and then remember it's only rock 'n' roll."