Tag: Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

9 Thoughts on the “Deliver Me from Nowhere” Movie and Springsteen’s “Nebraska” Box Set

Some thoughts from one fan on the film “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” and the new box set of music “Nebraska ’82: Expanded Edition.”

Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 album Nebraska has had a new moment in the sun with the release of a box album set Nebraska ’82: Expanded Edition as well as the release of the movie Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (2025). The film, about Springsteen’s personal turmoil during the making of the album, is based on the book Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska by Warren Haynes.

The film has received some good reviews and some mixed. But by most accounts it was a disappointment at the box office. There have been various explanations for the low attendance numbers. The explanations often center around the fact that the film does not have any major stars (despite a strong performance by Jeremy Allen White), it focuses on a narrow time period around one of Springsteen’s lesser-known albums, and the movie presents a depressing time in the artist’s life rather than a period of rousing successes. Some also have argued that Springsteen fans tend to be an older demographic, and that Springsteen has alienated some of his fans through his comments about Donald Trump.

I am a fan of Springsteen’s music. His work has been a major part of my life since before Nebraska was released. Since Nebraska, I’ve purchased every album he has released on the date each album was released. Further, from books and his interviews, I was familiar with much of the stories around his life. I also admire him for being open about his political beliefs even when it might have made economic sense for him to have been quiet while the movie was coming out.

So, if you are not a Springsteen fan, my opinion of the film may not connect with you. But for others who might be interested in the movie, should you see it — and if you are a fan of the album Nebraska, should you get the new box set? Here are 9 short thoughts from one Springsteen fan.

1. A fan may find it difficult to watch the portrayal of someone you “know” go through a dark period in their life struggling with depression. But if you have any interest in the man or the music, the movie gives you an interesting insight into the creative process and the turmoil of the man.

2. While one single moment does not break through in White’s performance, the movie’s portrayal of Springsteen’s depression reveals itself slowly, eventually making me feel on the verge of tears for much of the movie.

3. Don’t go to the movie looking for much about the E Street Band. Because the movie focuses on a period during the development of a solo album while Springsteen was not touring, there is not much interaction with the band. We do get to see Springsteen and the E Street Band in the studio working on some songs, including a successful recording of “Born in the USA.” Fans will recognize the portrayal of the various band members, but otherwise we do not get to see Springsteen hanging out with Clarence Clemons, Steven Van Zandt, or other band members. If you want more about Springsteen’s relationship with the band members during this period, check out Warren Haynes’s book.

4. The movie made me love Springsteen even more for his courage in participating in the book and the movie. The film shows him at a vulnerable time in his life where the portrayal is not always flattering. His willingness to show his struggles with depression is a gift for viewers.

5. The movie ends with a quiet personal triumph, but should it have been a larger triumph? Perhaps a different ending with him on stage during the subsequent Born in the USA tour performing an uplifting song like “No Surrender” would have made moviegoers happier as they left the theater, leading to bigger box office. Maybe it would have boosted box office. But I get that it might not have been as honest to the focus on Springsteen’s struggles, making it seem like all one needs to overcome depression is a hit song.

6. If you are a Springsteen fan, should you see the movie? Yes, of course, if you want more insight into a great artist.

7.If you are not a fan of Springsteen or his music, should you see the movie? Maybe, as long as you go into the movie realizing it is more about an artist’s struggle with depression than about an artist’s triumph or his hit songs.

8. The music: Does the movie give fans more insight into the songs on Nebraska? Yes, although I knew much of the story, like how the movie Badlands influenced the writing of the song “Nebraska,” the movie gave me additional insight. The scene where Springsteen changes the lyrics to “Nebraska” from third person to first person was an insightful moment for me, reinforcing how these songs are personal to Springsteen. While many of his songs are obviously personal, you get a better sense of why he fought so hard for these songs to be released as he originally recorded them rather than re-record them with the band.

9. The music: If you already have Nebraska the album, should you buy the box set, which includes an album of outtakes, an album of band versions of the songs (“Electric Nebraska”), a recent live recording of the album, and the original album remastered? Many music critics have noted that nothing in the box set improves upon the original album. But the outtakes and the songs that make up what has been called “Electric Nebraska” add additional insight and many of them are fun to listen to. I am glad he released the album he did in 1982. And I have heard many of the electric versions of the songs in live versions. Yet, on the new set I still loved some of the other versions (like the band version of “Reason to Believe”) and was surprised by others.

If you like the album, the box set is worth it. Or you can just stream the music, but give it a listen.

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Who Sings the Gospel Song “Last Mile of the Way” in the Film “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere”?

A key scene in “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” features Bruce Springsteen and manager Jon Landau listening to a recording of “Last Mile of the Way” by The Soul Stirrers.

One of the interesting aspects of the movie Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (2025) is how it shows the close relationship between Bruce Springsteen, played by Jeremy Allen White, and his manager Jon Landau, played by Jeremy Strong. In one touching scene where Springsteen is at a low point, Landau says he has a song to play for Springsteen. He puts on “Last Mile of the Way” as the two men sit and Springsteen enjoys a rare quiet moment of comfort and peace.

Longtime Springsteen fans know about the role Landau has played in Springsteen’s life. First, as a rock critic he famously proclaimed Springsteen as the future of rock and roll: “I saw rock and roll future and its name is Bruce Springsteen. And on a night when I needed to feel young, he made me feel like I was hearing music for the very first time.”

But more importantly, in addition to eventually becoming Springsteen’s manager and co-producer, he also became a close friend that helped inspire Springsteen by sharing influences from music, literature, films, and elsewhere.

Deliver Me from Nowhere gives little background about Landau beyond the close relationship he has with Springsteen, always supporting his friend. It is a rare illustration of a close adult male friendship on screen. Landau is the opposite of the portrayal of Elvis Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker portrayed by Tom Hanks in the 2022 film Elvis. Landau’s and Springsteen’s close bond is highlighted in the moment they sit and listen to Sam Cooke singing “Last Mile of the Way” from when he was with the gospel group The Soul Stirrers.

Origins of “Last Mile of the Way”

While the song is a gospel tune, in the context of the film, a troubled or depressed soul might find inspiration to just keep going in the hope of better times ahead.

Johnson Oatman Jr.

When I’ve gone the last mile of the way,
I will rest at the close of the day,
And I know there are joys that await me
When I’ve gone the last mile of the way.

“Last Mile of the Way” is the oldest song in the Springsteen movie. Johnson Oatman, Jr., who lived from 1856-1922, wrote “Last Mile of the Way,” which was published in 1908. Oatman, like Springsteen, spent most of his life in New Jersey. From a young age he had a license to preach the Gospel and was ordained. Although sometimes serving as a local preacher, he had a more secular career too. For awhile he was in the mercantile business at Lumberton, N. J. And after his father died, he went into the life insurance business in Mt. Holly, N. J. (about 30 miles from where Springsteen would be born), where he lived with his wife and three children. Oatman also found time to write music, reportedly writing more than three thousand hymns, including “Last Mile of the Way.”

Sam Cooke & Bruce Springsteen

Before Sam Cooke became a pop star, he found success as part of the gospel group The Soul Stirrers. He served as the main lead singer of the group from 1950-1957. On August 17, 1955, Cooke and The Soul Stirrers recorded “Last Mile of the Way,” with arrangements by Cooke. It’s unclear to me whether the song was released while Cooke was alive, but the song would be released as a single in 1970 with “Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone” as the B-side. This 1970 release features posthumous overdubs and appears to be the version played by Landau in Deliver Me From Nowhere.

Cooke, of course, would go on to find pop success with songs like “You Send Me,” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” “Another Saturday Night,” and “Twistin’ the Night Away.” Unlike Springsteen, Cooke died at a young age. He was 33 when he was shot and killed in a confusing violent act in 1964 around the time Springsteen would have been 15.

During his career, Springsteen has performed Sam Cooke’s songs such as “A Change Is Gonna Come” and “Another Saturday Night.” Also, Cooke’s “Mary’s Place” may have inspired Springsteen’s “Meet Me at Mary’s Place” from The Rising album. Springsteen has also jokingly referred to Cooke as “the other sexiest man that ever lived,” while he has also praised Cooke’s work with The Soul Stirrers. He has referred to Cooke’s “miraculous voice” during that era, “when he was at his most youthful, and maybe at his best.”

The music Cooke made with The Soul Stirrers of course lives on and still can provide solace and comfort for those who find it in the music, as illustrated in Deliver Me from Nowhere.

Bonus Another Key Non-Springsteen Song in Deliver Me from Nowhere: The soundtrack for Deliver Me from Nowhere features some other non-Springsteen songs, often playing in the background. Another one that stands out is Suicide’s “Frankie Teardrop,” which Springsteen listens to in his rented house while lying on the floor. As recounted in the book that is the source for the movie, Warren Zanes’ Deliver Me from Nowhere, Springsteen was a fan and early supporter of the band Suicide and lead singer Alan Vega. “Frankie Teardrop,” which appeared on Suicide’s first album in 1977, clocks in at over ten minutes and is about a troubled factory worker who murders his family and then commits suicide.

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