Happy Birthday to Bruce Springsteen, and Happy New Music Monday from Charles Wesley Godwin.
There is no better way to kick off your week than with the release of new music. And what good timing from CWG that he is dropping two tracks a day after Family Ties turns a year old.
On The Boss’ birthday today, Godwin is tipping his hat to one of his favorite artists and albums, giving fans a cover of Springsteen’s “State Trooper” and a full band version of his original sequel “10-38.”
“Monday, September 23, is The Boss’ bday, and as a lifelong Springsteen fan, I’m celebrating by releasing a cover of his Nebraska classic ‘State Trooper,’ as well as a full band version of my sequel to that song, ’10-38.'”
As I sit at my desk this morning, looking at the gloom cast over my location, these two haunting ballads are just what the doctor ordered.
Springsteen’s single, off Godwin’s all-time favorite album, Nebraska, features a man who has or is about to commit a crime. The dark lyrics express his thoughts as he hopes to get away. Godwin’s take on this track is spot on. The lyrics are chilling as he delivers them in a dark and sinister tone. While the lyrics do not depict the narrator’s crime, the low bellows of the vocal delivery lead the listener to believe it’s a severe offense. Since “State Trooper” is written from the criminal’s perspective, Godwin’s follow-up “10-38” is sung from the officer’s perspective.
CWG noted that the idea for “10-38” came about after he and Zach Bryan listened to Nebraska in the green room before a show they played together in 2022. After that night, ZB told CWG he wanted to do a song inspired by “State Trooper,” but what he sent Godwin ended up being the start of “Jamie.”
However, CWG was still hung up on doing a true sequel to The Boss’ song and followed through with it, releasing a stripped back, acoustic recording of “10-38” on his critically-acclaimed Family Ties
Police code “10-38” calls for stopping a suspicious vehicle, and as the officer narrates the track, he pulls over the man on the run from his “State Trooper” car. The sequel carries over the same dark and grim feel.
The officer is on night patrol, and as he pulls over a vehicle with no backup, he quickly realizes that this will not be a routine traffic stop. As he discovers the man he pulled over is bad news, his mind races to his wife and children, wishing to hold them one last time.
“It’s a ten thirty-eight, now it’s earlier than late
It’s an old-time fastback
Riding the turnpike like a racetrack
Ain’t no backup, time to pick the slack up
Your blue lights are flashing
License, registration
He ain’t got none; now he’s pulling out his gun
Thoughts turn to Louise, how you’d give them kids a squeeze…”
While it seems as though the madman will take his life, the ending verse, noting that the sunrise is on the horizon, makes listeners believe he was not killed but badly injured, living to see another day. If you’re into murder ballads or haunting tunes, these two are right up your alley.
Charles Wesley Godwin does not miss, and this is a perfectly executed cover and sequel. Fire them up.
“State Trooper”
“10-38”
