In discussing Springsteen's growth as a writer, he stated that "When Springsteen tells Charlie Starkweather and Johnny 99's tales, he neither seeks their redemption nor asks for our judgment.
Pišući o Springsteenovu sazrijevanju u ulozi tekstopisca, rekao je: "Kad Springsteen pripovijeda priče o Charlieju Starkweatheru i Johnnyju 99, on ne traži iskupljenje niti traži osudu.