"No, I always felt that amongst my core fans- because there was a level of popularity that I had in the mid '80s that was sort of a bump on the scale- they fundamentally understood the values that are at work in my work"

In this quote, Bruce Springsteen is reviewing his relationship with his fans and how they have actually perceived his work over the years. He acknowledges that there was a period in the mid-1980s where he experienced a rise in appeal, however he thinks that his core fans have actually always understood the much deeper significance and values behind his music. Despite the short-lived spike in popularity, Springsteen thinks that his true fans have stayed devoted because they connect with the messages and themes in his work. He values this understanding and connection with his fans, as it is a testimony to the credibility and genuineness of his art.