On Springsteen tour, Asbury Park elegy 'My City of Ruins' takes on new life in San Diego

It's from Asbury Park — with love.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed the 2023-24 tour debut of “My City of Ruins” at the March 25 Pechanga Arena show in San Diego.

The song, originally written for the then-blighted Asbury Park more than 20 years ago, has taken on several meanings over the years. In San Diego, the Springsteen spoken intro for the gospel-tinged elegy suggests it's now a declaration of the current tour's theme: facing mortality with a rock 'n' roll heart.

“We are here tonight to bring the joyous power of rock and soul music into your life,” said Springsteen during the intro while the music slow-burned in the background (check out the Aisles Music Visions fan shot video on YouTube). “We are here to wake you, to shake you, to take you to higher ground! But the thing is, we can't get there by ourselves. We need your help! We need you to help us get there! Are you ready! Because I plan on sending you home with your feet hurting, your hands hurting, your sexual organs stimulated.”

Yet Springsteen shows have a higher calling than just the desire of the flesh.

“Of course, we got a story to tell,” Springsteen continued. “It's a story about yesterday and about tonight, and hopefully tomorrow. It's about hellos and goodbyes. It's about the things that leave us and the things that remain. That's a lot of ground to cover so it may take a little time, so let's get started.”

The arrangement performed on Monday highlighted members of the E Street Horns: Curt Ramm and Barry Danielian on trumpet, Eddie Manion on sax, and Ozzie Melendez on trombone. E Streeter Jake Clemons joined in on sax.

The song also frames the E Street Choir: Anthony Almonte, Curtis King, Michelle Moore, Lisa Lowell and Ada Dyer.

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Springsteen did a roll call and introduced band members toward the end of the song.

“Are we missing anybody? Are we missing anybody? Everybody's missing somebody,” Springsteen said. “The only thing I can guarantee tonight is if you're here and we're here, then they're here.”

The Boss debuted “My City of Ruins” in December 2000 at Convention Hall in Asbury Park. The San Diego concert also featured the tour debuts to “Death of my Hometown,” “Detroit Medley” and “Bobby Jean”.

Up next is the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thursday, March 28. Springsteen and the E Street Band play Asbury Park on Sept. 15, part of the Sea Hear Now festival.

More: Rise up: Asbury Park roots of Bruce Springsteen's other song at the Democratic Convention

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; [email protected] 

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bruce Springsteen: My City of Ruins takes on new life in San Diego