Journey musician Jonathan Cain has publicly criticized Bruce Springsteen, calling him an "annoying, bitter old man" who should refrain from injecting political commentary into his performances. Cain's remarks follow similar sentiments expressed by Mick Jagger, who recently indicated a preference for his music to offer escapism rather than political discourse.
Speaking on The Complete Disaster Network podcast, Cain, who identifies as a "diehard conservative," stated that artists like Springsteen "should shut up." He expressed a belief that musicians should focus on their art and keep politics separate from their music, drawing a contrast with his own approach. Cain, married to Paula White-Cain, an advisor to the Trump administration, said that while he holds strong political views, he deliberately avoids discussing them on stage.
Cain referenced Springsteen's 1984 hit "Born in the U.S.A.," suggesting that the song, in some respects, is "a kind of a diss toward our country." He argued that artists should aim to unify audiences, citing Paul McCartney's observation that "Hey Jude" unites people across political divides. Cain stated that Journey experiences this as well, with fans from different political parties singing along to "Don't Stop Believin'."
Jagger, in a recent interview with The New York Times, expressed a similar view, stating his goal for live performances is to provide audiences with an enjoyable escape from their problems for a couple of hours, without lecturing them.
Cain mentioned his recent single "Winds of Freedom" as an example of a song influenced by conservative viewpoints, inspired by evangelical personality Eric Metaxas. He also cited Ted Nugent and Kid Rock as fellow artists who integrate their political stances into their work, stating, "Me and Kid Rock, we're probably on an island. There's a few of us, and I proudly stand there with my flag on that island. And if anybody's got a problem with me, America and Jesus, then bring it."