Brilliant Disguise

Listen while you read:  Bruuuuuuuuce!

I hold you in my arms as the band plays
What are those words whispered, baby, just as you turn away?
I saw you last night out on the edge of town
I want to read your mind to know just what I've got in this new thing I've found
So tell me what I see when I look in your eyes
Is that you, baby, or just a brilliant disguise?

I heard somebody call your name from underneath our willow
I saw something tucked in shame underneath your pillow
Well, I've tried so hard, baby, but I just can't see
What a woman like you is doing with me
So tell me who I see when I look in your eyes
Is that you, baby, or just a brilliant disguise?

Now look at me, baby, struggling to do everything right
And then it all falls apart when out go the lights
I'm just a lonely pilgrim, I walk this world in wealth
I want to know if it's you I don't trust 'cause I damn sure don't trust myself

Now you play the loving woman, I'll play the faithful man
But just don't look too close into the palm of my hand
We stood at the altar; the gypsy swore our future was right
But come the wee, wee hours, well, maybe, baby, the gypsy lied
So when you look at me, you better look hard and look twice
Is that me, baby, or just a brilliant disguise?

Tonight our bed is cold, lost in the darkness of our love
God have mercy on the man who doubts what he's sure of

~  Bruce Springsteen

It was thirty years ago today that Tunnel of Love, Springsteen's 9th album, was released. Yep, three decades ago. Are you feeling old yet? (Bruce isn't.)

There's little doubt that this song is somewhat autobiographical. At the time, Bruce was married to his first wife, Julianne Phillips, but there was trouble in paradise. Later on, when he was married to his current wife and band-mate, Patti Scialfa, "Brilliant Disguise" was still on his setlist. Bruce had this to say: "Songs shift their meanings when you sing them, they shift their meanings in time, they shift their meanings with who you sing them with. When you sing this song with someone you love, it turns into something else." Rationalization, maybe, but who cares? The song speaks to all of us regardless of the circumstances of its birth.

Who are you, really? Does anyone know you as well as you know yourself? We all wear masks, appropriate to the company we are keeping at any given moment. And I am not suggesting that this is a bad thing, although certainly there are times when it can be. There have been enough memes highlighting what might happen if we were always honest with our acquaintances! You know, like saying to a stressed-out friend, "Man, you look like shit today!" (As if she didn't already know.) Protocol would instruct us to say instead, "Hey, I love that outfit you're wearing!" There is often wisdom in dishonesty.

Relationships may be another matter. You better look hard and look twice. And then, if what you see is real, abandon your suspicions and put your faith in trust.

I think Bruce is sure of what he sees in Patti. At least, I hope so.