Jonathan Cain, known for his roles as keyboardist and guitarist with the iconic rock band Journey, didn’t hold back when criticizing fellow musician Bruce Springsteen. Describing Springsteen as an “annoying, bitter old man” who should tone down his political commentary, Cain quipped, “You were ‘Born in the USA,’ weren’t you? So act like it.”
During a recent chat on the Tom Barnard Podcast, Cain shared his thoughts on patriotism and politics, stating, “We’re blessed to live where we live.” The musician opened up about his switch in political views, revealing, “I’m obviously a conservative. I used to be a Democrat back in the old days, but I just couldn’t go there anymore.”
Cain reflected on his political evolution, mentioning, “I thought Obama, maybe, but then I saw where he was going and I’m like, ‘Okay, we can’t have this anymore.’ So I’m a diehard conservative,” solidifying his stance on the political spectrum.
He further expressed his sentiments by commenting on other celebrities, stating, “And guys like Bruce Springsteen should shut up. Honestly, shut up, Bruce. Him and… who’s the other one? Robert De Niro. I mean, who cares, guys? Really? Do your art.”
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Cain — who recently released the song “The Winds of Freedom: A Salute to America” for the 250th anniversary of America’s independence — went on to say, “I try to keep politics out of my music,” explaining, “I’m releasing this patriotic song because I’m a diehard patriot.”
“I think we should do what we do, and try to unify,” he added. “I think our job is unifying people — and I feel the same way with with Journey. We have our respective parties [Republicans and Democrats] out there in the audience, and they’re singing ‘Don’t Stop Believin’.’”
“Now, people say, ‘Well, you’re Christian and you’re conservative,’ and I’m, like, ‘So what?’ I don’t preach it on stage. I don’t spend ten minutes talking about it,” Cain said.
The keyboardist-guitarist elaborated, “I just don’t think it’s cool to have celebrities going there. It’s a bad look.”
“And, Bruce, I mean, what the heck? I used to like him, and now he’s just annoying. He’s an annoying, bitter old man,” he added. “I mean, story it, really. You were ‘born in the USA,’ weren’t you, dude? So, act like it.”
“But even that song [‘Born in the USA’], if you look at the lyrics, it’s a kind of a diss to our country,” Cain pointed out.
Late last year, Cain released a song called “No One Else,” in honor of slain conservative icon Charlie Kirk.
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In September, Cain will kick off a fall North American “Final Frontier” farewell tour with Journey.
As for Springsteen, he has spent most of his year so far attacking President Donald Trump, wrapping up his anti-Trump “Land of Hope and Dreams American” tour in May, after verbally assaulting the president’s administration at very stop.
In March, the left-wing rocker claimed he isn’t afraid of losing a portion of his fans after doubling down on his anti-Trump and anti-ICE stance, saying, “I’m ready for all that.”
Earlier this month, Springsteen declared himself a “patriot” for trashing President Trump.
Alana Mastrangelo is a reporter for – News. You can follow her on Facebook and X at @ARmastrangelo, and on Instagram.