Bruce Springsteen reveals why his Oscar for 'Streets of Philadelphia' was "fluke"
Washington, June 22
Legendary singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen has described his Academy Award win for 'Streets of Philadelphia' as "a fluke," reflecting on the song's unexpected journey during an appearance at the Tribeca Festival.
Springsteen made the remarks at the Storytellers event, where he was honoured with the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award and took part in a conversation with longtime friend Bono, as per People magazine.
Looking back on his Oscar-winning contribution to the 1993 film 'Philadelphia,' Springsteen said the success of the song came about in an unlikely way.
"It really was because Jonathan Demme called me up and said, 'I need a rock song for the movie I just made.' And he told me a little bit about the film, and he sent me just an opening two minutes or so of it," Springsteen recalled, as quoted by People magazine.
The Grammy-winning musician said he initially tried to write a rock song for the film but struggled to make it work.
"I tried to write him a rock song when I just couldn't. So I went next door, and I had a little synthesizer and a little drum machine and [in] a couple of days I wrote the song," he said, as quoted by People magazine.
Springsteen added that he was unsure how director Jonathan Demme would respond to the track when he sent it over.
"I sent it to him and he roughed it into the film, and then I sent him a real version, and he threw that out and kept the rough version that I sent him, and then we won the Oscar," Springsteen said, as quoted by People magazine.
Released in 1993, 'Philadelphia' starred Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. The legal drama followed Andrew Beckett, played by Hanks, who sought the help of attorney Joe Miller, portrayed by Washington, in a lawsuit against his former employer after allegedly being dismissed because he was gay and had AIDS.
During the discussion, Bono praised Springsteen for being "an activist" throughout his career and highlighted his involvement with 'Philadelphia.'
Reflecting on the experience, Springsteen credited Demme and the circumstances surrounding the project.
"It was really one of those things. If you do good things, good things happen. So Jonathan Demme, who is deeply missed and was a wonderful, wonderful man, incredible filmmaker, kind of invited me into his film and I guess we lucked out," he said, as quoted by People magazine.
'Streets of Philadelphia' went on to become one of Springsteen's most celebrated songs.
Along with winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song, it also earned multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Song and Record of the Year, as well as a Golden Globe for Best Original Song and an MTV Movie Award for Best Song from a Film.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I remember watching Philadelphia in college - it was one of the first Hollywood movies that made me cry. The song is hauntingly beautiful. Springsteen being humble about it is so like him, but that 'fluke' still earned him an Oscar, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe. Not bad for a fluke! 😄
Interesting how the rough version ended up being the final cut. That happens so often in music - you overthink things and the first spontaneous take has the real magic. Springsteen's humility here is refreshing. And Bono interviewing him? What I would give to be in that room.
Bruce Springsteen and Jonathan Demme - what a collaboration! The song fits the movie like a glove. I wish we had more artist-director partnerships like this in India too. Sometimes our Bollywood item numbers don't match the film's mood at all. This is how you do it right. 🎵
I have mixed feelings about this. While the song is undoubtedly powerful, calling it a 'fluke' feels slightly dismissive of the craft that went into it. But then again, Springsteen is known for his down-to-earth attitude, so I get it. He's just being Bruce. The video still makes me emotional though.
As someone who grew up on classic rock, this is gold. Springsteen is a legend, and 'Streets of Philadelphia' is one of those rare songs that transcends the film it was made for. It's not a fluke - it's what happens when talent meets the right moment. Also, Bono and Springsteen together? Epic combo.
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