
Based on three years of ethnographic research with Bruce Springsteen fans, and informed by the author's own experiences as a fan, Tramps Like Us is an interdisciplinary study of the ways in which ordinary people form special, sustained attachments to Springsteen and his music and how those attachments function in people's daily lives. An insider's narrative about Springsteen fans--who they are, what they do, and why they do it--this book also explores the phenomenon of fandom in general. The text oscillates between fans' stories and ideas and the author's own anecdotes, commentary, and analysis. Cavicchi challenges the stereotypes of fans as obsessive, delusional, and even mentally ill, and explores fandom as a normal cultural and social phenomenon. He argues that music fandom is a useful and meaningful behavior that enables people to shape identity, create community, and make sense of the world.
This book investigates how and why individuals form deep, sustained emotional and social attachments to popular musicians, specifically focusing on the fan base of Bruce Springsteen. Author Daniel Cavicchi, an academic and long-time fan, utilizes three years of ethnographic research to argue that fandom is a rational, meaningful social behavior rather than a pathological obsession. He posits that these musical attachments serve as vital tools for identity formation, community building, and navigating the complexities of daily life.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Scholars and music critics frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the sociology of music fandom. Readers often note the balance between academic rigor and the accessible, personal narrative style employed by the author.
Page Count:
229
Publication Date:
1998-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190284323
ISBN-13:
9780190284329
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!