Clarence Clemons
Tenor Sax Solo on
Bobby Jean

About

Clarence Clemons's tenor saxophone solo on "Bobby Jean" serves as the track's instrumental climax on this emotionally charged farewell song from Born in the U.S.A. Playing at 135 BPM in A, Clemons delivers an extended solo that is widely interpreted as a musical goodbye to guitarist Steven Van Zandt, who had recently left the E Street Band. The solo's warm, singing quality channels the song's bittersweet themes of friendship and departure into a wordless elegy, making it one of the most poignant saxophone performances in the Springsteen catalog.

Clarence Clemons was 41 to 41 years old at the time.