Journey’s Jonathan Cain unloads on Bruce Springsteen over politics
The Journey keyboardist called Springsteen an “annoying, bitter old man” during a podcast appearance and defended his own conservative views.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain has taken a very public swing at Bruce Springsteen, using a podcast appearance to say the Boss should stop bringing politics into his performances.
Cain, 76, made the remarks on the “Complete Disaster Network” podcast, according to Variety, where he described himself as a “diehard conservative” and said he no longer identifies with the Democratic Party as he once did.
“Guys like Bruce Springsteen should shut up,” Cain said on the podcast, according to Variety. He also named Robert De Niro while arguing that artists should focus on their work rather than political commentary.
Cain said he tries to keep politics out of Journey’s music and stage show. He contrasted that with Springsteen, who has made recent onstage comments about conditions in the United States, according to Variety.
Cain’s criticism went beyond Springsteen’s speeches. He also took aim at “Born in the U.S.A.,” saying that, based on its lyrics, he views the 1980s hit as a slight against the country.
“I used to like him, and now he’s just annoying,” Cain said, according to Variety. He called Springsteen an “annoying, bitter old man” and added, “You were born in the USA, weren’t you, dude? So act like it.”
Variety did not report a response from Springsteen.
Cain touts patriotism and conservative allies
Cain is married to evangelist Paula White-Cain, who is an adviser to President Donald J. Trump. On the podcast, he pushed back at the idea that being Christian and conservative should be controversial, saying he does not spend time preaching those views during shows.
He also discussed his new solo song “Winds of Freedom,” from the EP “Only a Prayer Away.” Cain said the track was inspired by right-wing evangelical figure Eric Metaxas, according to Variety. The song includes lyrics about uncertain fate, distant shores and fighting to make a stand.
Cain argued that releasing a patriotic song is not the same as injecting politics into his music. He said he put out the track because he considers himself a patriot.
He then named Ted Nugent as a friend and fellow patriot, saying they share love for the flag and the country. When the podcast hosts suggested that conservative rock musicians can seem rare, Cain brought up Kid Rock.
“Me and Kid Rock, we’re probably on an island,” Cain said, according to Variety. He added that he was proud to stand there with his flag and challenged anyone with a problem with “America and Jesus.”
Journey’s long run keeps rolling
Cain also looked back at Journey’s career, saying the band endured years when it was considered fashionable to dislike them. He singled out Rolling Stone, saying the magazine criticized the band’s shows and records for years and gave them poor reviews.
He said Journey faded somewhat during the grunge era, naming Pearl Jam as part of that shift, but argued that the band’s songs ultimately outlasted the backlash.
Cain described Journey as a source of certainty for fans, especially after 9/11, and connected the band’s 1980s success with the Reagan era and a strong stock market.
He also said Journey was among the first acts to book a tour during the COVID period, despite warnings that it would fail. Cain said the band filled every arena it played.
Journey is now on a multi-year farewell tour, though no final date has been announced. The band continues to tour despite public tensions between Cain and co-founding guitarist Neal Schon, who objected when Cain brought other members of Journey to the White House to meet and pose with Trump, according to Variety.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.