October 22, 2024
EDITOR'S NOTE: As we continue celebrating LGBTQ(+) History Month, Letters To You is pleased to present this well-deserved spotlight on the Because the Boss Belongs to Us podcast, by our contributing writer Caroline Madden:
Bruce Springsteen joked in his Born to Run autobiography that his Born in the U.S.A. concert garb—red bandana against his sweaty brow, thigh-hugging jeans, plain white tee, and matching denim vest—had more than just an all-American aesthetic. He was not just performing as the kind of macho guy who grinds at a blue-collar job and enjoys playing baseball on the weekend with his buddies. It was a style that was so over-the-top, Bruce humorously wrote, that he looked "simply… gay. I probably would have fit right in down on Christopher Street in any one of the leather bars."
He also once quipped on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that his primary audience was young men, "due to the homosexual undercurrents in my music.” The male friendships in songs like "Backstreets" and "This Hard Land" are so intimate that they can inspire readings of queer love. These are more than just offhand jokes or observations; they indicate how Bruce Springsteen recognizes elements in his music and star power that connect with the LGBTQ+ community. This is precisely what Jesse Lawson and Holly Casio explore in their 2024 podcast, Because the Boss Belongs to Us. The working-class champion and rock star may seem like an unlikely queer icon, but as previously mentioned, certain aspects of his artistry strike a chord with LGBTQ+ audience members. This podcast digs deeper into these ideas.
Jesse Lawson (pictured above on the left) has a background as a freelance audio producer, sound designer, and community facilitator, while Holly Casio (pictured above on the right) is a comic artist. Casio's zines, Butch Mother Springsteen and Looking for Bruce, are lovely pieces of fandom that were one of my first introductions to the queer community's appreciation of Bruce. Produced with Molten Heart, Because the Boss Belongs to Us varies its format, but mainly, Lawson and Casio perform as scientists of sorts on a mission to research, gather data, and hypothesize whether or not Bruce Springsteen should be regarded as a queer icon. They consult with other LGBTQ+ professionals in fashion, celebrity and music. They interview Springsteen fans and non-Springsteen fans. Performing this kind of well-rounded investigation feels exciting and draws in audiences who may be skeptical that there is anything queer about Bruce at all.
One of the best aspects of Because the Boss Belongs to Us is the many ways it changes up the structure and style. At times, there are very intelligent roundtable discussions, academic without being stuffy, while other parts are riffing on nostalgic memories, or personal, diary-esque narration set against wistful music. No matter what form it takes, the content is intimate and thought-provoking. There are seven episodes and the hosts discuss a variety of issues that may or may not come to mind when considering Bruce’s LGBTQ+ reach. The podcast culminates with a "Panel of Queers" that Holly and Jesse must convince—all of the members (perhaps like the podcast listeners themselves) are uncertain about Bruce Springsteen's queer connections.
Each episode examines a facet of the "Queer Icon Checklist" that the hosts develop, including a camp sensibility and underdog identity. For the camp episode, one of the guest speakers, Brooke Palmieri, makes an insightful point about how Bruce Springsteen has a unique blend of sincerity and theatricality that sets him apart from other queer icons. His showmanship oscillates between a theatrical flair and raw, soulful connection to his characters' complex psyches. Springsteen's relationship to the underdog figure is quite clear, as he often sings from the perspective of the marginalized, whether that be the working class, immigrants, veterans, or displaced youth.
For cisgender and heterosexual audience members especially, it's eye-opening to hear how Springsteen's themes of exclusion and resilience resonated with young queer listeners grappling with their sexuality and societal judgment. The podcast also highlights the importance of Bruce’s transparency about his mental health struggles, particularly in challenging the taboos surrounding masculinity that often prevent men from seeking help and expressing vulnerability. Episode 5, "Cry / Dance / F**k," is a witty yet insightful exploration of how the LGBTQ+ community uses music to access their wellspring of emotions. The episode delves into how Springsteen's music helps them reconnect with feelings often suppressed during adolescence, providing a particularly cathartic release during concerts. For queer fans of Bruce Springsteen, many of these songs were the powerful seeds of their self-discovery that had been waiting years to blossom.
The podcast also explores more provocative topics, such as Bruce’s status as a multi-millionaire (now billionaire?) and what that means for someone trying to relate to marginalized communities. Is it even possible for LGBTQ+ fans to emotionally connect to this rich, white, straight Baby Boomer? These are some of the questions raised in Because the Boss Belongs to Us, which also addresses the more conservative segment of Springsteen's fan base, whose political views may be actively opposed to the queer community. These discussions are well-handled, giving room to diverse viewpoints. Another notable aspect is that the hosts are from the United Kingdom. The feeling of wanting to escape a small town that doesn't align with your values is not just specific to Freehold, New Jersey, but universal. It is illuminating to hear how their own experiences in an insular and narrow-minded community have shaped their attachment to Bruce's work.
Because the Boss Belongs to Us serves an even greater purpose: to bridge generational divides. We all recognize the intense bond among those who grew up listening to Bruce's music or came of age during his rise to fame. Now, Millennials and Gen Z are carving out their own spaces in Springsteen fandom, and they are bringing more awareness to the devoted fans who are also part of LGBTQ+ community. Holly Casio and Jesse Lawson’s thoughtful perspectives reveal a whole new side to Bruce's work that you may not have considered before, especially if you do not identify as queer. Bruce Springsteen has consistently shown his support for the LGBTQ+ community, from his moving ballad “Streets of Philadelphia” to his recent shout-out at Sea.Hear.Now for helping to bring Asbury Park back to vibrant life.
The idea that the blue-collar everyman like Bruce Springsteen could reflect queer culture is a fascinating concept that Because the Boss Belongs to Us covers in nuanced and affectionate ways. The hosts do an excellent job of guiding listeners through Bruce Springsteen's career and status as a musical icon, and how that might intersect with the LGBTQ+ community. Because the Boss Belongs to Us casts our beloved Boss in a completely different light, revealing new dimensions of his work and offering insights into a community that deserves greater visibility within Springsteen fandom. Because the Boss Belongs to Us is available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, and many other platforms. Click here to listen to the Because the Boss Belongs to Us podcast on the platform of your choice.