You're Missing (Bruce Springsteen song)
| Company type | studio album |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | July 30, 2002 |
| Founder | Bruce Springsteen |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music album |
| Parent | Columbia Records |
The Rising represents the twelfth studio effort by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on July 30, 2002, through Columbia Records. This album serves as Springsteen's artistic reaction to the September 11 attacks and achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success, becoming his first record to reach number one on the US Billboard 200 chart since Tunnel of Love in 1987.
Widely regarded as a powerful comeback, the album earned two Grammy Awards and marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration with producer Brendan O'Brien. Issued seven years after The Ghost of Tom Joad (1995), it was also Springsteen’s first studio project in almost twenty years featuring the E Street Band, following their reunion tour's success.
Background and recording
The impetus for creating The Rising came when Springsteen was approached by a stranger shortly after September 11, 2001, who said, "We need you now." Although some tracks were written before the attacks, the album’s title track tells the story of a firefighter climbing the World Trade Center during evacuation efforts, embodying themes of hope and perseverance.
Originally about Asbury Park, "My City of Ruins" took on new meaning following 9/11 as an anthem of optimism. Springsteen performed it at the America: A Tribute to Heroes telethon soon after the tragedy, introducing it as "a prayer for our fallen brothers and sisters." The melody is influenced by Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready."
"Further On (Up the Road)" was played live during the Springsteen–E Street Reunion Tour and professionally recorded but did not appear on official live releases. "Waitin' on a Sunny Day," composed in the 1990s, was used during soundchecks on that tour. "Nothing Man," initially completed in 1994, was revisited and re-recorded for this album.
"Worlds Apart" stands out for its Middle Eastern musical elements and features Qawwali vocalists in its opening. The track "The Fuse" incorporates subtle hip hop rhythms and vocal loops; an orchestral arrangement of this song is included in Spike Lee’s film 25th Hour.
"Mary's Place" takes direct inspiration from Sam Cooke’s "Meet Me at Mary's Place."
Release
With the most extensive pre-release campaign of Springsteen’s career paired with a supporting tour, The Rising became his sixth album to reach No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 chart and also topped rankings in six additional countries, including the United Kingdom.
Critical reception
The Rising garnered widespread acclaim from critics, achieving a Metacritic score of 82/100 based on 21 reviews. Rolling Stone commended it as a unified work with a daring thematic vision. Thom Jurek from AllMusic described it as one of the finest examples of popular music capturing a complex historical moment. Entertainment Weekly emphasized Springsteen’s revitalized artistic presence supported by vivid instrumentation. The A.V. Club highlighted its assured musicianship and compassionate lyricism. Uncut praised it as "a brave and beautiful album" and hailed it as a "towering achievement."
Conversely, some critics offered less enthusiastic views: The Guardian considered its sound dated with overly simplistic lyrics, while The Village Voice criticized its lack of specificity and vague storytelling. Robert Christgau acknowledged several notable songs but felt that its patriotic tone burdened the album with excessive sentimentality and clichés.
In the 2002 Pazz & Jop critics poll, The Rising placed sixth; Christgau also ranked its title track among the year's best singles. The album appeared on Kludge magazine’s list of top albums for 2002 and was named fifteenth best album of the 2000s by Rolling Stone. Included in 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, it won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2003 and received a nomination for Album of the Year—an award ultimately won by Norah Jones' debut Come Away with Me. The title song also earned a Grammy Award.
Legacy
Though The Rising was initially created as a reaction to the events of 9/11, it has evolved into a broad anthem symbolizing endurance and optimism. On the tenth anniversary of 9/11, Dan DeLuca from the Philadelphia Inquirer observed that songs such as "Lonesome Day," "You're Missing," and "My City of Ruins" express emotions that transcend the original tragedy. Additionally, "My City of Ruins" has been embraced in response to various other catastrophes, including Hurricane Katrina and the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Springsteen’s 2006 performance of this song at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival struck a chord with listeners, particularly through its rallying refrain "Come on rise up!" Furthermore, "The Rising" gained prominence during the 2020 Democratic National Convention, highlighting its enduring message of hope amid challenges.
Track listing
This record was issued as a vinyl double LP, with the following distribution: Tracks 1–4 comprise Side 1; tracks 5–8 make up Side 2; tracks 9–11 are on Side 3; and tracks 12–15 complete Side 4.
Tour edition bonus DVD
- "The Rising" [live performance at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards]
- "Waitin' on a Sunny Day" [live from The Rising Tour, Barcelona, 2002]
- "Lonesome Day" [official music video]
- "Mary's Place" [from The Rising Tour, Barcelona, 2002]
- "Dancing in the Dark" [live during The Rising Tour, Barcelona, 2002]
Personnel
Information sourced from liner notes:
- Bruce Springsteen – lead guitar, vocals, acoustic and baritone guitars, harmonica
- Roy Bittan – keyboards including piano, Mellotron, Kurzweil synthesizer, pump organ, Korg M1, Crumar
- Clarence Clemons – saxophone and backing vocals
- Danny Federici – Hammond B3 organ, Vox Continental, Farfisa organ
- Nils Lofgren – electric guitar, Dobro, slide guitar, banjo, backing vocals
- Patti Scialfa – vocals
- Garry Tallent – bass guitar
- Steven Van Zandt – electric guitar, backing vocals, mandolin
- Max Weinberg – drums
Additional musicians
- Soozie Tyrell – violin on selected tracks and backing vocals
- Brendan O'Brien – hurdy-gurdy, glockenspiel, orchestra bells
- Larry Lemaster, Jere Flint, Jane Scarpantoni – cello contributions on various tracks
- Nashville String Machine featured on tracks 5 and 12: Carl Gorodetzky (concertmaster), multiple violinists and violists; string arrangements and conducting by Ricky Keller
- Asif Ali Khan and ensemble – guest vocals on track 7 accompanied by harmonium and tabla musicians
- Alliance Singers appear on tracks 8 and 11 as choir; contractor Carinda Carford with soloist Michelle Moore
- The Miami Horns on track 11: Mark Pender and Mike Spengler (trumpets), Rich Rosenberg (trombone), Jerry Vivino (tenor saxophone), Ed Manion (baritone saxophone)
Technical
- Brendan O'Brien – producer and mixing engineer
- Nick Didia, Karl Egsieker – engineering team
- Billy Bowers and Toby Scott – additional engineering support
- Melissa Mattey – second engineer for Nashville String Machine sessions
- Chuck Plotkin, Dave Reed, Bryan Humphrey – engineers for Asif Ali Khan and group recordings
- Bob Ludwig – mastering engineer
- Laurie Flannery – digital editing specialist
- Chris Austopchuk – art direction
- Dave Bett – art direction and design work
- Michelle Holme – design contributions
- Danny Clinch – photography
Weekly charts
Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chart {{album chart|Ireland|2|year=2002|week=31|rowheader=true|}| Chart (2002) | Highest position |
|---|---|
| European Albums (Music & Media) | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2002) | Ranking |
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See also
- The Rising, memorial dedicated to the September 11 attacks