Journey Keyboardist Critiques Springsteen’s Politics
A keyboardist from Journey has taken Bruce Springsteen to task for his ongoing promotion of liberal political views through his music. Jonathan Cain, who identifies as a conservative Christian, expressed his frustration with Springsteen’s frequent criticisms of former President Donald Trump and his supporters during live performances.
In an interview on “The Complete Disaster Network,” Cain stated, “I mean, who cares, guys? Do your art. I try to keep politics out of my music.” He further declared, “I’m a die-hard conservative…and guys like Bruce Springsteen should shut up. You know, honestly, shut up, Bruce, right?”
Reflecting on his own political evolution, Cain mentioned that he used to be a Democrat but has since shifted rightward. He aims to avoid discussing politics in his performances, explaining, “Now people say, ‘You’re a Christian conservative,’ and I’m like, ‘So what?’ I don’t preach on stage. I don’t spend 10 minutes talking about it.”
Cain elaborated on his changing opinion of Springsteen, saying, “I used to like him, but now he’s just annoying. He’s an annoying, bitter old man. I mean, stop it. Really. You were born in America, right? So act like it.” He criticized Springsteen’s lyrics, suggesting they contain a disrespectful undertone towards the country.
His ire wasn’t limited to Springsteen; Cain also directed criticism towards other liberal celebrities who have spoken out against Trump, specifically mentioning Robert De Niro. “I mean, who cares? Guys, just do your art. I try to keep politics out of my music,” he reiterated.
Cain, who is married to Paula White, a controversial figure in the evangelical community, discussed how Journey continues to be a popular choice among fans, even as the band faces ridicule from some in the mainstream. He reminisced about returning to the concert scene post-pandemic, noting, “Everyone told us we were going to fail, and we were crazy – we were all going to die, you know? So we said, ‘Nonsense, it’s time to come back and celebrate rock ‘n’ roll again.’ And we were right, and we sold out every arena we played.”
