BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN PLAYS PRIVATE WHITE HOUSE GIG FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA

It's just been revealed that on January 12th, Bruce Springsteen performed a 15-song private set in the East Room of the White House for President Obama and his staff. Springsteen has a long history with Obama, going out on the campaign trail for him back in both 2008 and 2012. Last November, President Obama awarded Springsteen the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Backstreets.com posted a fan's notes from one of the lucky few who caught Springsteen's once-in-a-lifetime performance, who wrote in part: "Springsteen spoke between most of his selections, talking about politics a bit before 'Born In The U.S.A.' and calling it a 'protest song,' one that had been misunderstood before and would be misunderstood again. Before 'The Wish' he referenced the President's own family and talked about how he'd written this one for his mom, who now had dementia, but had taught him so much 'about how to be in the world.' Bringing Patti up for 'Tougher Than The Rest,' Bruce talked about the example set by the President and First Lady through the tough years of the Administration and dedicated this one to them. Patti remained onstage for 'If I Should Fall Behind.'"

• The poster went on to write: "'Long Walk Home' -- pause a moment and consider this recent masterpiece actually being performed in the White House -- was preceded by commentary about being in a difficult moment and maintaining optimism. A few final words of thanks from Bruce, and then President Obama hopped on the stage. He thanked Bruce in turn -- something to the effect of, 'he's been with us for some time now, performing his craft to show his support.'"

Bruce Springsteen's setlist on January 12th, 2017 at The White House: "Working On The Highway" "Growin' Up" "My Hometown" "My Father's House" "The Wish" "Thunder Road" "The Promised Land" "Born In The U.S.A." "Devils & Dust" "Tougher Than The Rest" - with Patti Scialfa "If I Should Fall Behind" - with Patti Scialfa "The Ghost Of Tom Joad" "Long Walk Home" "Dancing In The Dark" "Land Of Hope And Dreams"

• Not too long ago, Bruce Springsteen recalled that the night that Barack Obama was elected president in 2008 stands as one of the most meaningful of his life: "You spend 35 years singing your songs about a place. You see the country drifting further from democratic values, drifting further from a sense of. . . any fair sense of economic justice -- and you just keep singing your songs. And then a night comes when after 35 years, something happens that you didn't think you might see in your lifetime, which is that country, it actually shows its face one night -- the election night. You go, 'I don't believe it!'" in Perth, Australia.