Bruce Springsteen recalls how Tim McGraw bolstered his spirit after Grammy loss for ‘The Rising’

Bruce Springsteen found a good friend in Tim McGraw when he was down in the doldrums about losing a Grammy Award for one his most critically acclaimed albums.

The rock legend, affectionately known as The Boss, was devastated after losing Album of the Year at the 2003 Grammy Awards but the country crooner helped console him.

“I always remember one thing you said to me. It was the night after we lost the Grammy for ‘The Rising’ and I came into the dressing room and everybody was kind of down in the mouth,” Springsteen told McGraw on his “Beyond the Influence Radio” podcast.

“And you said, ‘Hey, what’s the matter, man? You’re Bruce Springsteen.’ I always remember that, man,” the 71-year-old Rick & Roll Hall of Famer shared. “That took me up, it was kind of a great moment. And I’ve always remembered that when I think of you.”

Though Springsteen’s “The Rising” was beat in the prestigious category to Norah Jones’ “Come Away with Me” in 2003, he’s amassed 20 Grammy Awards throughout his illustrious career, which spans five decades.

In October, the pride and joy of Long Branch, N.J., released “Letter to You,” which he said “can stand up next to the best records” he’s made.

Following the Epic Records’ opus release, Springsteen made history as the first artist to ever have a Top 5 album on the Billboard 200 chart in six decades.

“Letter to You” is the Oscar, Golden Globe and Tony Award recipient ‘s 21st top 10 album.