The Iconic Musician Keith Richards Thought Was Pretentious: “Too Contrived For Me”

Bruce Springsteen has always been an artist with something to say. His unique brand of “heartland rock” has been a rallying cry for the American public since his debut in the music industry. While that has made him one of the most iconic rockers in many fans’ mind, it has also made him susceptible to scrutiny. One scrutinizer is his fellow rocker, Keith Richards. Though they may have made up, Richards once called Springsteen’s music pretentious–in so many words. Learn more, below.

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The Iconic Musician Keith Richards Though Was Pretentious: “Too Contrived For Me”

Mmm yeah!
Women think I’m tasty, but they’re always tryin’ to waste me
Make me burn the candle right down
But, baby, baby, don’t need no jewels in my crown

Richards has never been one to keep his mouth shut when it comes to his opinions about his fellow musicians. Books could be filled with Richards’ colorful comments about his peers. Springsteen once ended up on the rough end of the Rolling Stones guitarist’s opinions. Every self aware, Richards deemed himself “The toughest taskmaster” while dishing out his feelings about Springsteen.

Though he liked Springsteen as a person, he once said, “I’m the toughest taskmaster of all time…I’m going to annoy a lot of people…Too contrived for me. Too overblown. These are just my opinions.”

[RELATED: The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards to Receive Prestigious Award from the Governor of His Adopted Home State, Connecticut]

It’s a harsh blow, but an opinion likely shared by other listeners. Though we (and many other people) admire Springsteen’s commitment to relaying the truth of the everyman, we could see how it could come across as “overblown,” as Richards put it.

Whatever Richards’ opinion at the time was, the Stones and Springsteen have been known to be chummy. Take the video below as evidence. Watch the iconic rock outfit and Springsteen take on “Tumbling Dice” together. It’s hard to imagine Richards ever said a cross word to the New Jersey native.

Baby, I can’t stay, you got to roll me
And call me the tumblin’ dice
Always in a hurry, I never stop to worry
Don’t you see the time flashin’ by

Baby, I can’t stay, you got to roll me
And call me the tumblin’ dice
Always in a hurry, I never stop to worry
Don’t you see the time flashin’ by

(Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)