Stewart Francke - Summer Soldier (Holler If Ya Hear Me)

First performance: no live dates

Coverinfo

no live dates
 
More Info: Springsteenlyrics
 
 
 

Songinfo

Summer Soldier (Holler if ya hear me) is a song written by Detroit-based singer/songwriter Stewart Francke and released on his 2011 album Heartless World. The song is the album's single and opening track. It features a guest appearance by Bruce Springsteen who sings vocals along with Francke.  In November 2010, Stewart Francke had nearly finished recording the songs that will make up his upcoming album Heartless World. Being an independent artist, he funded the project from the general public through the Kickstarter website. The funding goal was $15,000, and by early January 2011, the project had successfully raised $17,185. According to Francke, "the money will be used to finish mixing and recording, create the artwork, manufacture the CD, and then take on the complex task of promoting it in this media-ized new world." The album was released on Blue Boundary Records on 17 May 2011. It was produced by Stewart Francke and Bryan Reilly.
 
 
Summer Soldier (Holler if ya hear me) is a guitar jam, a rocker, with a call and response chorus. According to Francke, it was cut live at Harmonie Park in Detroit, MI, "the old school way – a bunch of great musicians all in one room playing together. No samples, no sequences, no auto-tuners." Francke wrote, "I showed 'em the song and got the hell out of the way." Francke sings vocals and plays acoustic guitars on this track, and is accompanied by Johnny Bee Badanjek on drums, Chuck Bartels on bass, Paul Warren on guitar, Bobby Murray on guitar, Jimmie Bones on piano and organ, Bryn Reilly on drums and percussion, and Bruce Springsteen on vocals.

When the album was first announced in November 2010, Francke wrote that "there are also a couple surprise guests that will knock you out." Springsteen was not mentioned then, neither in late December when Francke posted early lyrics (see below) and detailed information about the song on Kickstarter. It wasn't until early March 2011 when the official press release was issued that Springsteen's guest spot was revealed. This indicates that most probably Springsteen's contribution was confirmed and his vocals were recorded in January or February 2011.

"This is a tremendously generous thing for Bruce to do," Francke said, "and of course a real honor. It was always his voice I heard on the call and response part of this track, but figured it would remain just a wish. He found something in it compelling enough to join me, and I'm still a bit knocked out about it all. His involvement ups the ante on my entire career. He's been the quintessential artist of our time – the guy who wrote the book on this."
 

Other cover versions

Bruce on the artist

Springsteen is a fan of Francke; he commented in 2006 that "Stewart Francke makes beautiful music". On 26 Sep 2009, Francke and his band performed at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, as part of the 2nd "Glory Days: A Bruce Springsteen Symposium".
 

Lyrics

As I lay wounded in this wasteland
Summer soldier, a family man
Back home it's springtime
They're tying yellow ribbons in the sun

Bruce Springsteen: Holler, holler if you hear me
Holler, holler if you hear me
Holler, holler, holler if you hear me
Francke and Springsteen: If you hear me

Stewart Francke: I come from Warren down by Detroit
I joined the army, five times deployed
I don't regret it, but I miss my boys

Stewart Francke: Oh, Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Francke and Springsteen: Holler if you hear me
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Francke and Springsteen: Holler if you hear me
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Francke and Springsteen: Holler if you hear me

Stewart Francke: We dream at night but never sleep
Bruce Springsteen: For promises we never keep
Stewart Francke: And seeds we sow, we never reap
When push comes to shove
We're all fallin' short of God's love
Francke and Springsteen: Love love

Stewart Francke: When that train arrives, and I can hear my title clear
We'll walk together
Bruce Springsteen: Yea brother we'll walk on outta here
Stewart Francke: And we'll understand it all in the by and by

Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Francke and Springsteen: Holler if you hear me
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Francke and Springsteen: Holler if you hear me
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Francke and Springsteen: Holler if you hear me

Stewart Francke: Come on!
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Francke and Springsteen: Holler if you hear me
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Francke and Springsteen: Holler if you hear me
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Stewart Francke: Holler
Bruce Springsteen: Holler
Francke and Springsteen: Holler if you hear me
Stewart Francke: If you hear me
Bruce Springsteen: If you hear me
Stewart Francke: If you hear me
Bruce Springsteen: If you hear me
Stewart Francke: As I lay dying in this wasteland