As discussed, we’re looking at categories for each of Bruce Hornsby’s songs (a maximum of 12), and then looking for patterns.
Here’s an early attempt to fit every song into at least one theme. Let us know what you think! We’re also discussing it on the Bruuuce.com Facebook group.
(We have omitted the instrumental songs – obviously – and cover songs, or material not written by Bruce Hornsby. Studio albums only).
Album 1 — The Way It Is (1986)
On the Western Skyline
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Relationships & Family
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Every Little Kiss
- Relationships & Family
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Mandolin Rain
- Relationships & Family
- Time, History & Nostalgia
The Long Race
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Relationships & Family
The Way It Is
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Down the Road Tonight
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Relationships & Family
- Time, History & Nostalgia
The Wild Frontier
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Time, History & Nostalgia
The River Runs Low
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
- Relationships & Family
The Red Plains
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Album 2 — Scenes from the Southside (1988)
Look Out Any Window
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
The Valley Road
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Relationships & Family
I Will Walk With You
- Relationships & Family
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
The Road Not Taken
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Relationships & Family
The Show Goes On
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Relationships & Family
The Old Playground
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
Defenders of the Flag
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
Jacob’s Ladder
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
Till the Dreaming’s Done
- Relationships & Family
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Album 3 — A Night on the Town (1990)
A Night on the Town
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
Carry the Water
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Relationships & Family
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Fire on the Cross
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
Barren Ground
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
Across the River
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
Stranded on Easy Street
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
Stander on the Mountain
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
Lost Soul
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
Another Day
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
Special Night
- Relationships & Family
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
These Arms of Mine
- Relationships & Family
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Album 4 — Harbor Lights (1993)
Harbor Lights
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Relationships & Family
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Talk of the Town
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Relationships & Family
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
Long Tall Cool One
- Relationships & Family
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
China Doll
- Relationships & Family
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
Fields of Gray
- Relationships & Family
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
Rainbow’s Cadillac
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Passing Through
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Time, History & Nostalgia
The Tide Will Rise
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
What a Time
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
Pastures of Plenty
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
Album 5 — Hot House (1995)
Spider Fingers
- Artistic Creativity & Musical Identity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
White-Wheeled Limousine
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Walk in the Sun
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Relationships & Family
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
The Changes
- Artistic Creativity & Musical Identity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
The Tango King
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Artistic Creativity & Musical Identity
Big Rumble
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
Country Doctor
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
The Longest Night
- Relationships & Family
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Hot House Ball
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
Swing Street
- Artistic Creativity & Musical Identity
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Cruise Control
- Relationships & Family
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Album 6 — Spirit Trail (1998)
King of the Hill
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Resting Place
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
Preacher in the Ring Part 1
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
Preacher in the Ring Part 2
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
Sad Moon
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
Pete and Manny
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
Fortunate Son
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
Sneaking Up On Boo Radley
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Great Divide
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
Line in the Dust
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Relationships & Family
- Time, History & Nostalgia
See the Same Way
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Shadow Hand
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Relationships & Family
Sunlight Moon
- Relationships & Family
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Listen to the Silence
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Funhouse
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Sunflower Cat
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Swan Song
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
Album 7 — Lost and Found on the Spirit Trail (1998)
Living in the Sunshine
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Groove Infatuation
- Artistic Creativity & Musical Identity
Evening Sun
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Clown’s Tambourine
- Artistic Creativity & Musical Identity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Album 8 — Big Swing Face (2002)
Sticks and Stones
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Cartoons and Candy
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Artistic Creativity & Musical Identity
The Chill
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Big Swing Face
- Artistic Creativity & Musical Identity
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
This Too Shall Pass
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Try Anything Once
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Take Out the Trash
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
The Good Life
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
So Out
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
No Home Training
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Place Under the Sun
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Album 9 — Halcyon Days (2004)
Gonna Be Some Changes Made
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Candy Mountain Run
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Dreamland
- Relationships & Family
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Circus on the Moon
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Halcyon Days
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Relationships & Family
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
What the Hell Happened
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Hooray for Tom
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Heir Gordon
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Mirror on the Wall
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Lost in the Snow
- Relationships & Family
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
Album 10 — Levitate (2009)
The Black Rats of London
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
Prairie Dog Town
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Cyclone
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Continents Drift
- Relationships & Family
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Paperboy
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
Invisible
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
Levitate
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
Here We Are Again
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Relationships & Family
Space is the Place
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Artistic Creativity & Musical Identity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Michael Raphael
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
Simple Prayer
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
In the Low Country
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
Album 11 — Rehab Reunion (2016)
Over the Rise
- Relationships & Family
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Soon Enough
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Relationships & Family
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
MIA in M.I.A.M.I.
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
Tipping
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
Rehab Reunion
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Hey Kafka
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
Tropical Cashmere Sweater
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
TSA Man
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
Celestial Railroad
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Album 12 — Absolute Zero (2019)
Absolute Zero
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Fractals
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Relationships & Family
Cast-Off
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Meds
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Relationships & Family
Never in this House
- Relationships & Family
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Voyager One
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Echolocation
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
The Blinding Light of Dreams
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
White Noise
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Take You There (Misty)
- Relationships & Family
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Album 13 — Non-Secure Connection (2020)
Cleopatra Drones
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
Time, The Thief
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
Non-Secure Connection
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
The Rat King
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Time, History & Nostalgia
My Resolve
- Artistic Creativity & Musical Identity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Bright Star Cast
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Shit’s Crazy Out Here
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Anything Can Happen
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Relationships & Family
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
Porn Hour
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
No Limits
- Artistic Creativity & Musical Identity
Album 14 — ‘Flicted (2022)
Sidelines
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
Tag
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
The Hound
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
Maybe Now
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Bucket List
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Relationships & Family
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Days Ahead
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Relationships & Family
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Lidar
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
- Time, History & Nostalgia
Is This It
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Had Enough
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
Simple Prayer 2
- Relationships & Family
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
Point Omega
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Album 15 — Deep Sea Vents (2024)
The Wild Whaling Life
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
- Artistic Creativity & Musical Identity
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
My Theory of Everything
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
Platypus Wow
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
Phase Change
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Relationships & Family
Foreign Sounds
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
- Social Justice, Inequality and Societal Critique
- Compassion, Empathy & Human Dignity
The Wake of St Brendan
- Time, History & Nostalgia
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
Deep Blue
- Spirituality, Faith & Mortality
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider
The Baited Line
- Resilience, Hope & Perseverance
- Geography, Place & Southern Identity
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
Barber Booty
- Satire, Irony & Comic Register
Deep Sea Vents
- Science, Knowledge & Technology
- Nature, Environment & Ecology
- Identity, Self-Reflection & the Outsider