The Boss kicked off the 54th Grammy Awards on Sunday (February 12) the only way he knows how. Bruce Springsteen opened up the awards show with the E Street Band performing his new single, the patriotic anthem "We Take Care of Our Own."

Backed with a whole company of stringed instruments, Springsteen was his usual self, jumping around, rocking out and leaving the audience, including a very enthusiastic Lady Gaga, on their feet cheering.

The first single off of his upcoming Wrecking Ball, "We Take Care of Our Own" concerns many of the same close-to-home themes the New Jersey singer has made a career out of. Taking a timely look at the economic crisis, the song reflects on the empathy that has disappeared among fellow Americans. It's a hard look at the state of the country, but as always with Springsteen, the message remains optimistic.

Even with such heavy subject matter, the performance did not fail to get the crowd on its feet, ready to party for the rest of the night, despite the somber tone set by the death of Whitney Houston the night before.

Springsteen hammed it up with E Street guitarist Steven Van Zandt, the two playing back to back in their usual manner.

The group suffered a significant loss of their own less than a year ago. The saxophone player for the E Street Band, Clarence Clemons, died less than a year ago, in June 2011.

Stick with MTV News for all the news on Whitney Houston's tribute, the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and more until the hangover wears off!