IS THIS NEWS? STARBUCKS BANS SPRINGSTEEN

\ IS THIS NEWS? STARBUCKS BANS SPRINGSTEEN



I can only guess that it’s Bruce Springsteen’s people who publicized this, but it may have been the flacks for Starbucks.

Starbucks isn’t going to sell Springsteen’s new acoustic album, Devils & Dust, because one of its songs makes graphic reference to anal sex in a whorehouse.

Now, while that isn’t exactly my favorite topic, the guy has a right to record what he wants, especially if his record company is willing to distribute it. And, despite Starbucks’ growing participation as a music retailer, it’s still a coffeehouse. I’d think Springsteen would be lots more worried if Barnes & Noble or Tower Records declined to sell the CD. I’d also think Springsteen truly doesn’t give a furry flip, considering he’s probably still having a hard time spending the royalties from Born To Run, never mind the rest of his oeuvre. And he’s never wanted to use his music commercially, anyway.

So, all told, either Springsteen or Starbucks or both is making PR macchiato out of day-old drip. And neither you nor I are richer, though we’ll probably give more money to both of these commercial giants soon.