Ethan Hawke, known both for his acting and passion for music, has selected a surprising choice for his funeral song: Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart.” A lifelong music fan, Hawke has openly shared how music has shaped many moments in his life, and this particular selection reflects his deep connection to Springsteen’s work and his own personal history. Born in Texas but shaped by his years in New Jersey, Hawke’s funeral song choice bridges his identity and the influences that shaped him.
From Texas Roots to New Jersey Influences
While Hawke was born in Texas to parents attending the University of Texas, his upbringing was firmly rooted in New Jersey after moving there with his mother following his parents’ separation. It was in New Jersey where Hawke experienced formative life moments, such as first love and his introduction to live music. Those experiences helped define the man he became.
His inaugural live concert was no ordinary event—it was Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 “Born in the USA” tour at the Meadowlands Arena. Attending that concert as a 14-year-old profoundly impacted him and became a lifelong influence, linking Springsteen’s music inexorably with his youth in New Jersey.
Bruce Springsteen’s Enduring Impact on Hawke’s Life
Reflecting on the concert, Hawke shared with VICE that the show radically altered his perception of rock music. Before that night, he had only heard about the genre’s importance in the 1970s peace movement, but witnessing Springsteen live made him realize how rock ‘n’ roll could shift one’s entire worldview. Following the concert, Hawke immersed himself further in Springsteen’s albums, especially “The River” and
“Darkness on the Edge of Town,”
which he regards as more complex and substantial works.
Hawke confessed,
“It changed my life because I’d been hearing about rock ‘n’ roll as this important thing in the ‘70s—what it meant to the peace movement—but I didn’t really feel how rock ‘n’ roll could change the way you think about everything until I saw that concert. Then I got The River and Darkness on the Edge of Town, which are much darker and, I would say, better albums. But they’re all great.”
—Ethan Hawke
Speaking candidly about his attachment to New Jersey, he added,
“It’s very hard for me to separate my teenage years in New Jersey from Bruce Springsteen. When I think of Jersey and growing up, and I think of Springsteen, Seaside Heights, and roller skating rinks in Hamilton.”
—Ethan Hawke
Choosing “Hungry Heart” as a Final Tribute
Although “Born in the USA” opened the door to his love of Springsteen’s music, it is the track “Hungry Heart” from “The River” album that Hawke has chosen to accompany him in his final moments. He revealed to NME that he hopes his daughter Maya will sing this song at his funeral, finding deep meaning in the lyrics about life’s uncertain path.
Hawke explained,
“I want my daughter to sing that at my funeral. I just like that line, ‘Like a river that don’t know where it’s flowing / I took a wrong turn and I just kept going’.”
—Ethan Hawke
Maya Hawke, herself a singer who released her debut album “Blush” in 2020, would bring a personal touch to this tribute. While the moment to fulfill this wish remains distant, the choice reflects Hawke’s genuine passion for music and family.
The Significance of Hawke’s Musical Farewell
Ethan Hawke’s selection of Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart” for his funeral underlines the lasting impact music can have throughout a lifetime. It demonstrates how deeply intertwined his personal and artistic identities are, from his Texan birth to New Jersey upbringing, linked through the streak of “The Boss” and the landscape of rock ‘n’ roll. This choice also highlights the important role of family, as he envisions a personal and heartfelt send-off performed by his daughter.
The decision invites reflection on how the soundtrack of one’s life can provide comfort and meaning in moments of closure, serving as both a tribute and a final statement.
