Springsteen & I: A Documentary Analysis of Springsteen’s Fan Base

Abstract

Music is an international code of interaction which allows listeners to enhance their knowledge of other countries and cultures. This paper offers a study of music fandom, of the ways in which people form special, sustained attachments to musical performers or genres. The focus for this study is to analyze the 2013 documentary, Springsteen & I through the lens of studies of fandom. This documentary is comprised of fan clips and, using this movie as a cultural artifact, we examine the documentary to see how Springsteen fans, both in the United States and internationally, employ their activities and experiences with the music of this artist.