Arrivederci, Berlusconi! Italians Bid Their Controversial Leader Adieu

For decades, Bruce Springsteen has remained one of rock music’s most outspoken figures, addressing social issues through his lyrics, interviews, and activism. In May 2021, he was even awarded the Woody Guthrie Prize, which honors artists whose work speaks for "the less fortunate." In other words, his words carry a lot of weight—so it’s no surprise that, in an era that feels politically divided at an almost unprecedented level, we might seek out his perspective on the big picture.

Jimmy Kimmel took advantage of that opportunity on Thursday during his late-night show, when he interviewed the rock legend to promote the upcoming biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere. The chat started out casual, with Springsteen joking about the film’s production and a particularly amusing attempt at karaoke. But the conversation turned more somber toward the end: "Bruce, you have spoken very beautifully, I think, about the state of this country and the world," Kimmel said. "And I was wondering, before we wrap up here, if you had anything positive to share with us, to inspire us—because not too many people do."