Before Highway Patrolman Bruce said: "A fella asked me for this outside. Usually when that happens I say yeah then I don't do it, you see. That's kind of my way of thwarting the fans. Tonight, even though I have some trepidations, this is for you my friend."
After that ended Bruce said:
Well, you kind of messed up my whole thing, here. I'll tell you why. I usually have some trepidations about singing that last song. Now, the reason is about three quarters of the way through up comes the word Michigan. Now, no matter what you're singing at that point people cheer. Doesn't matter what the song's about or what kind of mayhem or cruelty is going on. When they hear the name of the state they let out a cheer.
The be honest with you I was expecting I bigger cheer than that.
(BIG CHEER)
I didn't say I wanted one. I said I was expecting one.
Because I'm sitting backstage with nothing to do before I come out here. These are the thoughts that are running over in my mind. Jesus, kid wanted to hear Highway Patrolman, but when I sing Highway Patrolman the word Michigan is there. And when the word Michigan comes up somebody, I don't know who, is gonna shout either filled with local pride or just because for some reason that's the strange thing that people do when they hear the name of their home state. But the thing is you don't do it at home, you don't sit in front of the TV and hear the word Michigan and jump out of your chair. I don't do it when I hear the words the great state of New Jersey. But then I got to thinking, as I must, because I'm sitting back there with nothing to do for two hours before I come out. I thought, wait a minute, insted of being worried that Michigan is gonna inspire applause what I should be doing is I should be thinking is that's where the money is. The money is in writing song's with people's hometown's. Now, it really doesn't matter what you say in the song at all, as long as the hometown comes up regularly. And so, because I'm sitting back there for two hours with nothing to do before I come here. About the last ten minutes before I hit the stage I say I'm gonna write one of these suckers right now.
I have to say this is one of the greatest songs I ever wrote. Gonna make 'em forget all about that Born in the USA bullshit.
Ah, I need some light cause I got the words on the floor...
(Lyrics for the new song, which we're calling 'In Michigan'):
Well my mother rolled over and died in Michigan
My dog got hit by a truck and I cried in Michigan
I got drunk and puked up my guts in Michigan
But I'm alright, I'm alright, I'm alright, I'm alright
And man I'm riding here tonight in Michigan
I ran a race and came in dead last in Michigan
Yeah, I shot myself in the ass in Michigan
I was lookin' for someplace to feel free But they busted my for just being me
In Michigan
But alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright And baby I'm riding high tonight in Michigan
I ran into a little bad luck in Michigan I met a woman ???
Baby I'm running late but you got here one hell of a state
In Michigan
Oh Michigan
--
After the show we hung around to try to see Bruce again. Terry directed us as to where to wait, and after awhile Bruce came out and started signing. He saw me and said, "Hey! There's the guy! That came out good, didn't it." To which I had to reply, "It was great! Thanks!"
I thought that nothing could come close to sitting front row dead center for a show on this tour, but having Bruce dedicate a song to me and inspiring, even indirectly, a new song comes pretty damn close.