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Bruce Springsteen has swept quite a few fans off their feet over the years.

(Aristide Economopoulos)

Sometimes I don't quite fully understand the impact Bruce Springsteen has on his female fans.



But then again, over the years I have seen quite a few ladies swoon while listening to Mr. Springsteen's music or watching him perform. They haven't been quite as bad as Tom Jones' fans, although a few bras have been tossed at Bruce over the years.

At one Christmas show at Asbury Park's Convention Hall about 10 years ago, Bruce was conducting the band with his back to the audience. I then looked at the women around me and they were all starry-eyed with their jaws dropped as they focused on his.... Okay enough of that. But it is a true story.



Being today is Valentine's Day, I'll pick my Top 10 Bruce Springsteen love songs.



On Wednesday, I saw a writer for another website did the same thing. Some of the results were interesting. "Reno?" Really???



After tweeting out that link, I got quite a few responses with what songs others thought were left out.. So I figured I would try my own Top 10.



My preliminary list had more than 40 songs, There's quite a few to chose from and it was hard narrowing it down to 10 and some honorable mention choices.



10. "I'll Work For Your Love"

An underrated song off of 2007's "Magic" album. At a show I was at on Nov. 18, 2007 in Boston, a guy in the audience requested this song before he proposed to his girlfriend. He held up a sign that read "We met 15 years ago, I'm proposing tonight."

Bruce saw it and said: "I´ve got this guy, we´ve got a little proposal going on. A lesson before you start. This is for them. Do we have any lovers out there? Ah, just remember you gotta work, work …”

9. "Kingdom of Days"

I'm not a huge fan of the "Working on a Dream" album but this one is my favorite track. As many of us in the Springsteen fanbase get older, we have a real appreciation for this song and the lyrics: "And I count my blessings that you're mine for always. We laugh beneath the covers and count the wrinkles and the grays "

Hasn't been played live since the Working on a Dream tour. Too bad.

Bruce Springsteen has always said his wife Patti Scialfa is "Tougher Than the Rest." Here they are at last Friday's MusiCares event in Los Angeles.

8. "Book of Dreams"

The "Lucky Town " album has several love songs. Along with "If I Should Fall Behind" this one is quite special. How about these lyrics: "Just holdin' you to me/As through the window the moonlight stream/Oh won't you baby be in my book of dreams."

Only been played eight times live, five times on the 1992-93 tour and three times on the solo Devils & Dust tour in 2005.

7. "Secret Garden"

Can't leave this off the list after how it was unofficially mixed for radio play in 1996 when "Jerry Maguire" came out. Who can forget "You had me at hello." From the 1995 "Greatest Hits" album.

Another song that has been very rarely played in concert. Only played three times live, all in New York City. The first time and second times were both on April 5, 1995. The first at an appearance on "Late Show with David Letterman" to promote the album, the second at Sony Studios for promotional filming in front of an invitation-only crowd. The final time was at the June 22, 2000 Madison Square Garden show. It would be great to see this played somewhere live in 2013.

6. "Drive All Night"

So many guest DJs on the E Street Channel on Sirius/XM always play this song from "The River." Why? Because it's so powerful. "I swear I'll drive all night just to buy you some shoes/And to taste your tender charm."

At the Nov. 8, 2009 Madison Square Garden show when Bruce performed "The River" album in its entirety, I was amazed at how many people had tears running down their face when this was played. Men and women. Another song that has never been overplayed maybe that's why it's always so special whenever heard live.

5. "If I Should Fall Behind"

Has to be somewhere on the list. A popular wedding song. Played in various forms over the years including a waltz style on the Seeger Sessions Tour in 2006. Who can forget the way it was performed during the encores of the Reunion Tour when Steve Van Zandt, Patti Scialfa, Nils Lofgren and Clarence Clemons all sang a verse.

4. "Back in Your Arms"

Always a top request of the ladies. Never been played too much but whenever Bruce does bring it out, it's definitely a special show. Only time played on the current tour was at the July 31, 2012 show in Helsinki, Finland.

A good song when trying for a reconciliation. Bruce introduced it this way when he played it on Nov. 10, 2009 in Cleveland: "Do we have any lovers out there tonight? … Now do we have anyone who’s ever been in love and blown a good thing? ... Everybody’s been to that place where you’ve let something go that you’ve wanted back ... Just let me have one more chance just to show the love I feel in my heart for you.”

3. "Valentine's Day"

An obvious choice from the "Tunnel of Love" album. Never played live with the E Street Band. Only played six time live (and always well received) on the Devils & Dust Tour in 2005. Song ends with these lyrics: "So hold me close honey say you're forever mine, And tell me you'll be my lonely valentine."

I would love to see this played on this tour. Give it a try Bruce!

2. "Fade Away"

I never really thought of this as a love song until Bruce's live performance of it at that 2009 Madison Square Garden "River" show. So soulful, one of the highlights of an incredible night. I asked my friend Sue her favorite Springsteen love song and she right away replied "Fade Away."

I could write more but the best way to describe it is to just watch this performance of it from the July 9, 2009 show in Stockholm, Sweden:.

1. "Happy"

Many aren't familiar with this song from 1998 "Tracks" box set. One reason is that it has never been performed live.

Over the past few tours, Bruce has played some real rare tracks but this remains a Holy Grail. I've seen many signs for it over the years at shows.

Check out these lyrics: "Happy in each other's arms, Happy, baby, come the dark, Happy in each other's kiss, I'm happy in a love like this."

If it is played live, there won't be many dry eyes in the house.

So are you "Happy" with my list? What did I leave out? You could start off with "Jersey Girl" (even though its Tom Waits' song, it still counts), "I Wanna Marry You," "Save My Love," "Tougher Than the Rest," "I'm on Fire," "Crush on You," "Give the Girl a Kiss?" and so on.

Let me know in the comments section below..

Honorable mentions:

That special song for Mom: "The Wish" from "Tracks."

That special song for Dad: "Walk Like a Man" from "Tunnel of Love."

Songs for celebrating your children: "Living Proof," "Long Time Comin' "

A song for guys who've had their hearts broken: "I Wish I Were Blind."

Two love songs Bruce wrote but are known better for being performed (and greatly so) by Southside Johnny: "Hearts of Stone," and "All the Way Home."

Take a listen to my top 10 songs by following the link below:

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