The Heartland Artist Glenn Frey Believed Was Better Than Bruce Springsteen

Heartland rock is one of the most distinctive sub-genres. There is no mistaking an artist’s intentions when they attempt to make a song that falls under the “heartland” banner. Though it’s hard to describe the specifics of what makes Heartland what it is, there is one artist who typifies it: Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen is the undisputed king of Heartland. In many ways, he helped to form the genre as we know it. He provided an example to follow.

Videos by American Songwriter

However, there are other heartland artists out there who are equally as important to the genre. According to the Eagles’ Glenn Frey, there is even an artist who did heartland better than Springsteen. Find out who that artist is below.

The Heartland Artist Glenn Frey Thought Was Better Than Bruce Springsteen

For whatever reason, Bob Seger didn’t reach the same notoriety as Springsteen. That’s not to say he isn’t a lauded musician, but Seger rarely gets his props for helping proliferate heartland rock. Frey attempted to rectify that in an interview, praising Seger and the music that helped “set him apart”. He even went as far as to call him better than Springsteen.

[RELATED: 4 Memorable Times Bob Seger Collaborated with Other Famous Artists, in Honor of the Rock Legend’s 80th Birthday]

“As he got into the ’70s, the guys in his band wanted it to be a Detroit, heavy driving rock ‘n’ roll thing, but his ballad writing set him apart–even, in my opinion, from Springsteen,” Frey once said. “These songs, like ‘We’ve Got Tonight’, and ‘Famous Final Scene’ — that ability was really the thing that set him apart from everybody.”

Not everyone will agree with Frey, but his opinion doesn’t come completely out of left field. Seger’s music has a lot of the same characteristics as Springsteen’s does: lyrics about the American spirit and roots influences. But, they have key differences as well. You couldn’t mistake a Springsteen song for a Seger track or vice versa. It really all comes down to taste.

Heartland Rock

Heartland rock started to form in the ’70s, but reached its peak in the ’80s. Something about that era begged for artists who knew the lives of everyday Americans–and were willing to say what they couldn’t.

Musically, the genre was often as catchy and danceable as disco, albeit with a harder edge. Artists that fell into this category would lay bare both the good and bad about life, but they would always give you an anthemic cushion to lean into–either for comfort or for revelry.

Credit: Photo by Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstock