Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band: A Voice of the American Spirit

For many that can remember (* and for those that are in my age bracket), Bob Seger has been one of the greats that had been given to us as a gift to the masses for as completely unique and different sound. Instead of the sound of a sqealing guitar and the screaming of the mnay rock idols of the time and era, Bob Seger's music was a lot simpler, and his lyrics always conveyed a message that everyone had in common with. The feeling of isolation, the remebrance of a teenaged love, and even remembering the loss of youth and the coming of manhood when times seem a lot more complex than the simpler days of swimming holes and going down to the lake on a hot summer afternoon.

Beginning in 1969, Bob began his start with his first band as the Bob Seger System, playing such songs as 'Ramblin' Gamblin' Man' and ;Paint a Picture'. These early albums, unfortunately are out of print and very rare to find. So, if you manage to find these vinyls, look them up in a safe place!

It was not until 1975, with the release of the album 'Beautiful Loser' and the title track that began Bob Seger on his stream of success and rock stardom. But, even with all this, as a proper Bob Seger fan, I cannot merely cite that the one song that everyone remembers that includes Tom Cruise lip-synching in his underwear to 'Old Time Rock and Roll'. Bobb has created everything from the hardest of rock anthems to the most mellow of ballads. He is shown that he is a versatile performer, and with this, I intend to make sure that with this Top Ten Playlist, that I manage to show every facet of Bob' career with his music to show why I believe that he is legend as well as the voice of the American spirit.

The playlist will start as follows:

10)"Little Drummer Boy" (* A Very Special Christmas - 1997) - Bob's soulful tone to one of the most spiritual carols ever created sent shivers up my spine the first time I had heard it. Many had known Bon for his guitar rock that was so synonymous with the nightclub and honky-tonk scene that many did not know that he had the ability to pay homage to one of the most blessed events in our history. It showed that even he could take something so beautiful and make it his own.

9)"Understanding" (*Teachers- Motion Picture Soundtrack - 1982) - This song, released in 1982, looked into the mind of men and women who soon grew past their teenaged years and looked forward into the future and reminisced about the people that shaped the understanding of the world around them and how it was perceived. The very first time I headr this song, it often made me ask the same questions as to who really shaped my understanding, and it is a song that I use regularly for meditation as the lyrics speak to me in such a manner as to make me ask the question as to what my true understanding.

8)"Fire Lake" (* Against The Wind - 1980 -Capitol Records)- This track speaks of the temptations of the woman when Bob must retrieve his uncle from the fabled place and even worries about their own temptations and falling into the same trap! The song itself was almost comedic in nature, and its slow-toned-down-almost-country feel makes a great sound to come down to after a hard day at work.

7)"Still The Same"- (Stranger In Town - 1978 - Capitol Records)- This song was written by Bob and given to a friend after doing so and had asked him to play it in his car while he was driving around. The next day he handed it back to him and told him to record it, even after what the lyrics were about. The song dealt with him describing one of his best friends who always had to be right, and he was still the same after all this time and had never changed. I listen to this track always frequently, as it often reminds me of a situation that I had experienced in my own life with one of my best friends and how I had to learn to accpet the things that I could not change. Most especially, when it came to who I chose for friendships.

6)"Mainstreet" - (*Night Moves- 1976 - Capitol Records)- "Mainstreet" is mainly a simple song that speaks of hometown life in a small town where he had spent his days and a particular girl that he had taken a fancy with who danced in a club. He spoke of how he watched her in the windows and from afar, and simple admired her beauty from a distance, and the patter of a young heart.

5)"The Fire Down Below"- (*Night Moves-1976-Capitol Records)- This cheating song to me made other tracks that spoke of it in the era (*ie 'Bad Girls' by Donna Summer). 'The Fire Down Below' puts a stronger and more defined point on the issue. When he speaks of it, he gets into what drives men and/or women to do the particular cheating scheme in the dark. Again, another fabulous track.

4)"Shakedown" - (* 'Beverly Hills Cop II'- Soundtrack- 1996)- Bob took over where the Pointer Sisters left off with their classic song from the first original movie, 'Neutron Dance', and really turned up the heat with this fast-paced Axel Foley anthem. The horn section and guitar section blended beautifully with Bob's heated performance as he conveyed the message about what Axel Foley was all about.

3)"Her Strut" - (*Against The Wind -Capitol Records) - This song was just simply fun! It was a very strong and sexy vibe, and the guitar solo is enough to send shivers up one's spine!

2)"Like A Rock"- (* Like A Rock - 1986 - Capitol Records) - A simple song about growing older and how we look back on our youth. Its slow, soothing sound always helps me to relax.

and now it's time for the Number One...... drums please! :

1)"Turn The Page"- (*Greatest Hits Vol 1 - Capitol Records - 1994)- This classic mournful ballad, in my opinion, was Bob's best work. It conveyed what it was really like and how most people perceive you when you are in the business as well as the kinds of things that happen. Every time I hear it, it reminds me that it doesn't matter if you are a musician or whatever it is that you do for a living that we all have to play on a stage of our own making, and the actioons you take determine what the outcome is.

There are many who only know Bob Seger for his classic 'Old Time Rock and Roll', he has done so much more than that and has made a massive impact on me. His music speaks straight from the soul in many different facets. It from his own soul, his heart, and the heart and soul of America. This to me is probably why Bob and the member of the Silver Bullet Band will always hold a special place in my heart for many years to come.

To learn more about Bob and his music, you can visit his official website at www.bobseger.com. To join other fans of his music, visit http://www.segerbob.com .