In its live arrangement " The Rising " underwent two significant changes : the oscillating violin and keyboards line that is understated on the record became much more prominent , with violinist and new E Streeter Soozie Tyrell featured , and Nils Lofgren took the " dream of life " contravocal lines towards the end of the song . In particular the violin-based opening of the song became instantly recognizable , and signalled the thematic if not literal beginning of all Rising Tour shows . " The Rising " was also played at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards and the Grammy Awards of 2003 shows . The song is also performed in the key of C Major live as opposed to the key of B-flat major on the album
2002 MTV Video Music Awards
2002 MTV Video Music Awards
The Rising (Bruce Springsteen song)