The Bruce Springsteen Song That Is a Story-Telling Masterpiece—and Pays Homage to Bob Marley

Bruce Springsteen’s musical taste on the surface seems fairly predictable. However, when it comes to the subtextual ideals articulated in lyrics, his taste becomes far more diverse. Hence, Bruce Springsteen was a profound fan of political activist and Rastafarian, Bob Marley. Springsteen’s love for Marley goes far beyond the basic admiration one has for another musician. Instead, Springsteen also views Marley as a premier political figure of the 20th century.

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In the book Rebel Music: Bob Marley & Roots Reggae, Springsteen wrote, “[Bob Marley] is one of few musicians who can truly be described as revolutionary.” Why Springsteen wrote such a comment has to do with the actions Bob Marley’s lyrics incited. That being so, Springsteen didn’t hold that many lyricists in such a decorated place. While he did so with Bob Marley, and there is one song that proves it all. Particularly, in the similar stories their lyrics aim to tell.

Bruce Springsteen and “Johnny 99”

Bruce Springsteen’s most lyrically refined and novel album is without a doubt, Nebraska. Released in 1982, Springsteen brings to life the underground and underrepresented facets of American culture. That being so, there is one song that does just that all while loosely paying homage to the true revolutionary, Bob Marley.

“Johnny 99” is the song where Springsteen tips his hat to Marley, and he does so by embedding an antagonist of the same name and nature into the song. In “Johnny 99,” Springsteen writes about a judge named John Brown who sentences Springsteen’s protagonist, Johnny, to a life sentence even though he demands to be executed. In short, Springsteen’s song touches on the catatonic episode some people undergo due to failing economies.

Now, this is an overt reference to Bob Marley given that the sheriff’s name in his hit track, “I Shot The Sheriff,” also holds the name John Brown. Additionally, and similarly, to Springsteen’s protagonist, Marley’s main character violently lashes due to the systemic injustices in place. Neither song is a carbon copy of the other, although, between the character titles and subject matter, it’s clear Springsteen received inspiration from Bob Marley.

However, Bruce Springsteen has never confirmed this. So, there is a chance the lyrics’ similarities are a sheer coincidence. But, given Springsteen’s comment about Marley, and his poignant lyrical manner, it seems he wished to pay homage to the musician he believed to be a revolutionary.

MANDATORY CREDIT David Tan/Shinko Music/Getty Images