Reviews (page 13 of 14)
I'm On Fire is a genuinely brilliant song, and there are a couple other highlights on this album, but a lot of it feels really dated and cheesey. There are some good Springsteen albums, but this isn't one of them.
if i was a white male born in the 60s or 70s i would think this album was good to great. i was born in the 90s as a black man. this album was as mid as potato salad from a local american diner. white people can have him at the cookout.
not for me
not my style of music
This is another phenomenon I have never been able to understand. How he continues to pull off the ‘working class hero’ image following decades of fame and wealth is beyond me. Don’t mind his greatest hits but his voice always sounds strained rather than powerful and his lyrics a bit over sentimental.
Not only is this not my jam in term of style, I couldn't feel LESS like hearing Americana patriotism bullshit given the last 2 weeks of utter political shitshow from the USA. From what I read The Boss himself is anti Trump, so no shade on him there.
Again, a album I didn't love. It was boring overall but had a few hits.
I honestly listened to 2 songs and it just wasn’t my vibe so I wasn’t a huge fan.
Only Dance In The Dark and My Hometown resonated a bit with me. The music is kind of ok, the lyrics are hard to relate to.
2/5
Estaba preparado pal hateo mientras escuchaba los 4 minutos y medio de la primera canción, que ya está trilladisina por la radio, por ser una sola melodia repitiendose todo el tiempo. Me da bastante rabia todo el rollito malote pero al mismo tiempo supercontenido. El icono perfecto para aplatanar la clase obrera. Me he reconciliado un poco en algunas baladillas que me han sorprendido, luego otra vez abajo con los rockanroles revenidos. En fin, sin mas. Dancing in the dark está bien, jarto plagiadic por parte de war on drugs laerda. Ah y que la mitad de las canciones la batería entre solo con los golpes de caja esos? es su trademark?
First time listening and I wasn’t as impressed as I thought I would be from all the talk about it
não é necessariamente horrível, mas nas palavras de um grande amigo, é "dad rock" até o cu fazer bico e rodar fora o patriotismo evocado, vai tomar no cu estados unidos
dad rock AO EXTREMO. besta demais esse aqui. tipo, num eh ruim, mas é o SUCO do pop rock estadunidense dos anos 80. é meio bobão, mas as baladinha são dançante demais. queria muito odiar esse aqui, porém é mó divertidinho. tem umas que, se forçar, desce, vai.
This is one of Springsteen's weaker albums. Dated 80s sound, pretty pedestrian lyrics (where are the gritty character sketches?). Even the vaunted title track has some parts where he's just searching for something meaningful to say. And No Surrender? Come on... hackneyed crap. And you know what I think he (Springsteen) knows it. Pretty sad when Dancing in the Dark is the best song. Check that, I think it's Glory Days and Going Down and Hometown that ALMOST save this turd of an album. OK Hometown is a good song. 3 stars, reluctantly! Fuck it....2 stars! Tell me what you really think
I'll continue to think Bruce Springsteen is overrated until I hear music from him that doesn't sound like a backyard garage band full of teenagers. At least the album provides a relevant message. Favorite Song: "Born In The U.S.A."
Yes, the Boss, lots of well-known songs. But then after a few songs it just gets nostalgic and it's enough with US country again.
Definitively Bruce.
All what I dislike in rock on one album
The title track is dreadful content, vocal, and repetition-wise. Cover Me wasn't awful. Darlington County is. Working on the Highway was a pretty good song, reminding me of Lord Huron. I'm On Fire is good. I walked in expecting to hate this and was only half correct. 2 stars for the few decent songs.
Apart from the three singles I already knew, the rest of this album was a mystery. It’s very clangy, grating and Bruce is pretty much screaming his way through the songs. I preferred the slower ballads but even those were fairly boring.
Never liked him
I’m just not a Bruce kinda girl, im sorry :(
Nej tak
I don't wannnaaaaaaaaa listen to thissssss.... I'm only 4 songs in and it's so weird and creepy. Dancing in the Dark is the only good song. Thank god im done tho
I'm sorry, I just don't like this. 2/5
Yeah, it's heartland rock which is fine but not something I gravitate towards. A few good tracks throughout but the sound just gets tiring. Being a fan of The Killers, it's funny realizing now how much of a direct influence this sound shows through on many tracks of theirs that I don't care for much (see Imploding the Mirage).
Meh
I like the hits and the typical 80s sound but not something I would listen to again
bored of the USA too bored to run etc.
Boy I just don’t know about Bruce Springsteen. Just don’t see it. The “if you listen to the lyrics, he’s actually CRITICAL Americana!” trick works once, the first time, and it IS cool. But the music is pretty not cool, to me.
Title track still slaps. The rest of the album just felt like butt rock style vocals over 80s electronic keyboard.
I like rock, but not this kind of rock. It is interesting that the album/title track have been unfairly labelled as unashamed patriotism, but that's about it for me.
Mention a rubbish job, lust for a "little girl", a train/bus (each an American synonym for poverty) and jail and you've got yourself a Springsteen track. He often sounds like Vic Reeves singing in the style of a club singer, however he did exceeded my expectations. The album is listenable. I could listen again. I just won't.
There were a few good songs but overall I didn't care for the album.
Ehhhh Springsteen isn't really my thing. I gave it a listen to see if that has changed but I'm still not really into it.
Not for me but with a couple of classic hits
Not my cup of tea
Wow, the second Bruce Springsteen record in 2 days time. I get why this one is on here, because it has the hits and the iconic voice, but did he really deserve to have more than one album on here? The writer must be a nationalist and consider this guy a national treasure. I'll give it a 2 just because these songs were hits, but I am so sick and tired of them.
Overplayed is an understatement
Historically, this is the Reagan years, communism and the economic rise of Japan. Working class hero with a guitar from Jersey is all I hear. Beyond the title track being a wolf in sheep's clothing, I never really understood what the big deal was about this album or Springsteen in general. Does this album still have a place in 2024?
Another month, another Springsteen album. Surely they must be running out soon. Though not his worst, it's still pretty terrible. Recognised two of the songs and both already annoyed me. I'm on Fire saves it from yet another 1* Brucey award. 1.5*. Congrats Bruce
I didn't hate it, but I wasn't really into it. It's just the ultimate in mid-afternoon background noise really.
After having 4 (of the 5) Springsteen albums on the 1001 list, I was hoping this one may pique my interest, but nope, I still don't care much for Bruce Springsteen.
Too upbeat, Dancing in the dark is the only song I kinda like, and others have better covers of it.
From what I understand, this is by far his best album. Classic Americana, by your drunk Uncle doing karaoke
Didn’t really like it. Favorite song: Born in the USA Rating: 3/10
Doesn’t really have a lot of interest to me. I like glory days and my hometown is alright but the rest puts me to sleep or is way overplayed.
Favourite track: Downbound Train.
I know this is a classic but it does nothing for me
Taustamusiikkia
meh
Opens with that awful 80s synth and reverb drums. Then the awful voice. Dude cannot sing. Album finished strong but damn I don't like the sound of this album. I'm on Fire great tune though
Pretty good but Glory Days ruins it
I've always thought Springsteen sounded like a mewling drunk. This album wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but he still sounds terrible....
Some good songs but mostly pretty boring
I was surprised how much I did not enjoy most of this album
Boring, repetitive, annoying.
Bruce just doesn’t do it for me. Probably a generational thing.
I appreciate the bait and switch nature of the title track. I love how modern republicans think it’s some sort of anthem, rather than the indictment it is. I also think Glory Days is still a banger. Outside of that, this album, sonically, is just so very 80s that I can’t imagine listening to it start to finish again. I really expected to give this a solid 3 but it’s a 2.5 at best.
3 good songs, rest are awful
Way overrated
Finally someone who’s not afraid to be an American!! 😤
Pls stop with the gravelly voiced old white guys Thank you
For some reason I always get Bruce Springsteen and Bruce Willis mixed up. Is it because they look alike? (Probably not) or because Springsteen’s music is like the Die Hard films? (More likely) or because they share same name and I’m getting on a bit now so unable to distinguish? (Very likely) Anyhow I always think of the other when watching or listening to either chap and this spoils both things for me. This is because I end up feeling that both the films and music are over the top American jingoism. Don’t get me wrong I think that in the main this is a good quality and wish the we in the UK displayed more of it but not sure I want it in my music. Having said that UK musical history is full of jingoism - Rule Britannia, Land Of Hope And Glory spring to mind but that stuff was eons ago. When rating this album I cannot help but be distracted by my rambling thoughts I have tried to express above. Whilst it is full of good rock tracks many of them now established standards, it is not the type of rock music which I yearn for when in a rock music mood. Cannot doubt its significance but an album low down in my appreciation. I don’t own the album but would buy it if seen cheap. To date I only have a Springsteen greatest hits album which is probably all I ill ever need. 2.5/5 22/6/24
“Born In The USA” is a great track but I didn’t really need to listen to more of the same.
A Classic, but a little bit boring
✅ strong one check, almost two but realistically don't see myself coming back to this one. some really poignant moments to be sure, very "dark side of the 'american dream'
An ok album
Question: How many mid tempo songs can one man write about blue collar America? Answer: Loads! I thought it was a joke about how Bruce basically writes the same song over and over again, but now I've heard a few albums I can see how true this is.
Not for me, feels a little like its on one song
the first track really set the tone for this album. its so intentionally cheesy with the production and patriotic lyrics. id feel less embarrassed to have ayesha erotica play in a car full of people than born in the usa. that being said, this isnt something that i would listen to on the regular or in full at all, but the singles are good. 2 personal favs: im on fire
Cha, medio que si me gusto... its super repetitive pero al inicio lo tuve tripeando. Es un clasico, pero simplemente no es creativo. Demasiado gringo para mi gusto. 4/10.
I went into this wanting or even expecting to like it. I sort of thought, hey, this Bruce Spingsteen fellow is an alright one; I also remember once putting on Nebraska - don't remember how that eventually went though -, liking Streets Of Philadelphia and I expected this to be one of the albums of which I've heard most of the songs but never paid attention to and they might surprise me. Well. While I do know most of the songs, I now also know why I had forgotten them: the sound and vibe of 80ies Keyboard Rock'n'Roll Played By A Band In A Corner Of A Bar-Restaurant. Featuring performances that make me get why people hate saxophones. Saving grace: Dancing In The Dark is a solid pop song and the sparse one(s like) I'm On Fire I quite like. Other than that: man, sorry Bruce, it's a No from me.
Not my thing
Aldrig lyssnat på Bruce pga har inte gillat hans röst. Det låter som hans stämband får jobba stenhårt för att pressa fram ljuden. Born in The USA är trots det en bra låt. Cover Me passerade när jag skrev ett sms. Darlington County låter som titelspåret. Working on the Highway är en käck låt. Lite Elvis över den. Vilket sällan blir bra. Gillar Bruce småflickor? I'm On Fire är verkar handla om det. På det stora hela är det samma låt som upprepas i ca 46 min och det blir lite enformigt. Glory Days och My Hometown är bäst. Flåt Bruce
Mix some generic 80's background music, and a healthy dose of Springsteen's YellSinging™️ and you get this album. I still don't get it. Music to protest the plant shutting down.
America!
Not really sure why everyone loves Bruce so much. Half of this album is sort of incoherent
Not a huge fan of The Boss. 2 stars only because Born In The USA is very catchy.
Not a big fan
Boring boomer country music
The Boss does disco. Now I've heard it all. Thankfully he sticks to songs about driving around. Running low on material, Springsteen combines his usual themes of roads and working into a single track about "Workin on the Highway." On "I'm Goin' Down" he works driving into a song about a failing romantic relationship.
I'm not the biggest Springsteen fan, but I was open to give it a try. This album was so popular when it came out, so naturally I avoided it...until now! I really respect Springsteen as an artist and songwriter - he did write Blinded By The Light - but I found this to be mostly boring anthemic pop. I've always liked Glory Days and I'm On Fire, but there were no Liked Songs added here. In retrospect, I wonder what hardcore Boss fans think of this album. I would guess it would be considered weaker than his earlier work, but I don't have that perspective.
Never been a Springsteen fan
Sorry I just dont like Springsteen.
I liked the first song but afterwards it just got too patriotic for me. And none of the commentary
It's hard to believe this was ever good, but it certainly didn't age well
tried and tested method of putting your best song first so the rest of the album feels like a slog
Dancing in the dark, born in the usa and I'm on fire are great tracks, I'm on fire in particular. But I wasn't that impressed with the rest.
Already heard it
It's cheesy and it drones on what seems like forever.
Each song on “Born in the U.S.A.” sounds like a Bruce Springsteen song. Personally, I can only take so much of that sound before getting bored. But, there are some solid tracks on this album: “I’m on Fire” “No Surrender” “Bobby Jean” and “Dancing in the Dark.” Would have been a 2.5, but songs like “Glory Days” make it hard to make it a 3.
I liked "I'm on Fire" and "dancing in the dark" but the rest of the album is really not my kind of music. I recognize that a lot of people really love Bruce Springsteen so his work holds influence but this didn't seem terribly ground breaking and falls into the small town America dive bar karaoke night material.
Not my piece of cake. Aber die letzte Zeile des titelgebenden Tracks hat mich interessiert und zu einem längeren Gespräch mit GPT geführt.
As I age, my dislike of this album grows.
I’ve never “got” the Springsteen thing, and I still don’t after listening to this album. “I’m on Fire” was the only song that I even remotely cared for. “Working on the Highway” is one of the worst songs I’ve ever heard. This is just simple music with simple themed lyrics, which maybe is the point? I’m never going to be a “Boss” fan.
Have never understood why people like this guy so much. It’s not absolutely awful, but it’s far from good.
#129. This album is so stereotypically boomer that it almost doesn't seem real. Like it almost doesn't sound like music made by some boomers in the 80s, but rather like some spoof music made recently to mock boomer music from the 80s. It can't really be this fucking cheesy, can it? 2/5: it's just too much.
this album has zero worth outside of 4th of july barbeques 2
pretty bad as i expected it to be. and his voice annoying
I'm not familiar with gay semiotics but I'm pretty sure the cover signalizes something Cover Me was the only song that stood out for me
'MURICA.
Gotta say, not a big fan of Bruce Springsteen. I didn’t mind him prior to this album, but I gotta say I was finding myself waiting for it to be over. I mean it’s classic americana. Don’t know what else to say
Nothing really stood out from this album for me
Der Boss. Der Titelsong ist mir zu grell. Zwei Sterne.
“Bored… umm… Born in the USA. This was a struggle. I have a sometimes like/a lot of the times dislike for his music. The first few albums are fine and his later folky/roots rock stuff is decent. This album though? Ugh. If I never hear the title track or “Dancing in the Dark” ever again… Well you know. Since it wasn’t as bad as I thought, I’ll give it 2 stars because most of it really is just mediocre. I have to admit though, Downbound Train is quite good. It’s a seriously good song which just doesn’t fit with the rest of the meh stuff on the album.
Not a huge Bruce Springsteen fan - music is passable and listenable, but generally not something I would put on myself. That being said, it is in offensive to the ear and is a classic to many. Just meh for me.
Too much white trash. Too much USA. There are other countries that make better music..
Only 2 good songs, the rest of them are unbearable.
It was ok
I didn't quite make it through the whole thing. Bruce's music is some of the cheesiest, hokiest around. Chick music for dudes. It's truly unbearable.
Not for me
It sounds like this stuff was screaming through radios in the 80s on country roads. A few classics Ive heard before. Very American. Little too repetitive for me though. Many of the songs could use more dynamic back ends.
Definitely heard this one a few times before... think he's one of the most overrated musicians ever
I don't get the hype. Not for me.
It's like if Jimmy Buffet and Bon Jovi had a baby, and fed it a bottle of Xanax.
Sounds like a parody of Rock n Roll. Being catchy and commercially successful is great, but it doesn't make the music great.
Not my favorite
Following “Born to Run,” this is my second Springsteen album in this compilation. Never have I felt so patriotic. While “Born in the USA” and “Dancing in the Dark” are classic Americana, this album is mid at most. In the process of writing 80 songs for this one album, the quality of the musicianship audibly deteriorated. The writing certainly feels lazier and every song sounds similar. It feels as if the writer is pandering to find commercial success through nationalism and country hick imagery. The reviewers who claim every song is a classic must be from the backwater, Bible Belt.
#boomermusic
I was in college in NY when this came out and to be honest, never cared for Springsteen. I've heard all the songs on this album many times, but never intentionally. I expected to tear it up. Well, I guess I've mellowed a bit over the years and have grown to find some appeal in some of it... but not all. The song Born in the USA is a monotonous chime of carousel sounding tinny keyboard which seems to never end. There isn't a single bridge in the entire song. I still think it's crap. Much of the songs are similar, but I found myself enjoying two songs in particular: Cover Me and Dancing in the Dark. Good, relatable songs which make you think about when you were there yourself. I think that's Springsteen's strength: His songs are relatable to the average Joe and he often finds beautiful imagery and metaphors to describe situations which we may not have thought about in a long time, but the songs stir up relatable memories. Anyway, the quality of the music on Born in the USA is marginal- not even close to Born to Run, and it lacks sophistication. I give it a 2, which is twice as good as I expected.
Heard of the guy, not the album. 80s rock. First song (born in the USA) is annoying/repetitive. Another boring 80s rock album. 2/5.
Meh, I mean who doesn't like to listen to Born in the USA on Fourth of July, but the rest of the album, was too country sounding for me. Dancing in the Dark and I'm on Fire were the only 2 other songs on there that I'd heard. 2 stars.
there are some very good songs on here but overall it just ain’t my thing.
Not a fan of The Boss
Not for me. I like Dancing in the Dark and Downbound Train but nothing else really. I’m surprised people still don’t understand the lyrics of Born in the USA. I will say that the lyrics are very evocative, I see a whole world in the songs but it’s not a world I want to be a part of.
never cared much for the boss. even given that this is not one of his i care for much
Schon ein angenehm sentimentales Album und musikalisch genau das was man erwarten würde. 2,5
downloaded 8,10,11. wouldnt listen to the album again its not me
Never liked bruce. This did nothing to change that.
Cheese.
Surprisingly sounds like Boy & Bear on multiple tracks. Have already heard 2 or 3 songs a million times, probably didn't help. Title track was one of my least favorite probably because of that. Dancing in the Dark, I'm on Fire, Downbound Train all were ok. 4/10
No thanks. There are no musical sections to any of these songs. No changes, no interludes/bridges, just cheese phrases from Americana and bah bah bahs. Anyone who listens to this fool is a braindead slob. It is better than captain beefheart though
Just learned this genre is "Heartland Rock." Really not feeling it, found myself skipping quite a few songs. Might be too patriotic as well tbh.
Commercialised, bland, simplistic and forgettable country-flavoured rock music with a lot of very similar songs. But it is not he type of music that is completely unlistenable so I'm giving it a 2.
I'm On Fire and Dancing In The Dark aside, this is pretty rubbish and sounds like it could have been generated by an AI after hearing Born To Run. Not good
I really loved this song... when I was 5. The title track is famous but unimaginative. No other songs are noteworthy, album is boring. There were much better albums in 1984.
Classic American rock.
Very samey and repetitive
men, only needed the title track
mulm
pretty guff I'll be honest. Best thing about it is dat ass on the album cover
I can see the appeal to others, particularly on songs like Dancing in the Dark that run a tad poppier, but I get hung up on not liking the vocals. The songwriting is very interesting but the sound is not my bag.
I receive the Fifth Bruce Springsteen album on the list, the most famous one, I guess, and the worst! Maybe worst is too strong a way to think about it, but it was kind of disappointing to listen to it. Despite the title song, the others are just ok.
I just don’t like Mr Springsteen
'murica
Obnoxious. Some tracks are listenable and I get the whole meaning behind “Born in the USA” but my mind instantly goes to overweight beer-drinking rednecks listening to that song.
Feels like some old man stadium rock. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, no not at all, just not for me
Koffor har eg hørt nesten alle sangane fra før
Like a rust belt party. 2.4
I never understood the hype on Springsteen. I was hoping I’d get it after listening to a full album, but nope. Still not a fan. Listen again: probably not Purchase for my collection: I own it (inherited lol) Favourite Song: cover me
The thing that pisses me off the most is Glory Days. I hate it so much so I can’t believe it is one of the hits off of this album. I’m on fire is so creepy.
It's not really for me. Songs get bland and repetitive quickly
You just have to be American to enjoy Bruce Springsteen, I guess. Regular dad rock - nothing bad, nothing offensive, but nothing that would stick in my mind either.
I just don't enjoy Springsteen's vocal tone and how every line ends in mush mouth. The whole 80s country rock thing just isn't for me and any song that uses the phrase "little girl" while talking about being "on fire" for her gives me the MAJOR ick. Dancing in the Dark is a good song though
Nah. Dancing in the Dark is fun though. 1.5/5
This does nothing for me, although I can see / hear why people like Bruce and identify with the lyrics. I do feel like he is shouting at me most of time though. Enjoyed Dancing In The Dark more than expected. Maybe partly due to familiarity but it does stand out as a great tune and lyrics next to the others here.
Dancing in the Dark and I'm on Fire are cool, but the rest is blatant nostalgia porn. Blech.
Until now the only Springsteen album I was familiar with was "Nebraska", which I thought was stellar, perfect for Springsteen's biting commentary. This album came next in his discography, lauded by fans and critics as one of the greatest albums of all time. It did not live up to the hype. Lots of people describe this album as "Electric Nebraska", since most of the songs on it were recorded during the Nebraska sessions, later re-arranged with the E-Street Band. It's loud, poppy, anthemic, and completely juxtaposed by its lyrics of hardship and injustice. Except it's not. When it comes to Springsteen, taking on such an 80's pop sheen and becoming more overproduced than Atari's "E.T." hurt his style. The title track is great. "Bobby Jean" is a jam. But most other songs don't really hit that mark. And don't even get me started on the cheeseball-fest "Dancing in the Dark", overplayed to high hell on MTV with his other songs. Hell, you can't even dance to it very well (unless you really feel like doing an archaic version of "The Carlton" to the dancefloor's dismay). Overall, if you're a Springsteen fan or just hate Ronald Reagan (guilty as charged, lol), you'll love this album. But it is also very much a product of its time, and sorely in need of a remix that does away with all the bloody synthesizers.
Well made but not my style at all, it was hard to listen to.
:/ downbound train isn't awful
My least favorite Bruce lp Been a fan since 74, have most of his stuff, but this one I can do without The title track is one of the most misunderstood songs But not his best overall
Melodías tan mecánicas y brillosas; letras tan pueriles; y gritos lo suficientemente estridentes como para hacer de la masa cerebral una sustancia informe, y poder hilvanar con ella una alegre disposición al tedio.
Wow, seven top 10 hits from this album! It’s a sure thing right? Nope, this is probably the Boss’ most commercial album so it doesn’t appeal to me at all. This is far too redneck and Murican heartland for me. Give me Born to Run or Darkness on the edge of town instead any day.
Sorry Boss. I'm not really into it in general. It feels way too broad rock n roll and I just don't think it's for me for the most part. 'No Surrender' has got something about it and 'Dancing in the Dark' is a real air-punching tune.
Too much Bruce Springsteen
This is what I expected Bruce Sprinsteen to sound like. Super cheesy and a bit lame. I'm not a fan of this. Fortunately, I found other Springsteen records on this list to be much more interesting and enjoyable. Rating: 2/5 Playlist track: Born in the U.S.A. Date listened: 05/01/23
I can only take Bruce Springsteen in small doses. One song on the radio, fine, but after a few it all starts sounding the same to me and I just want him to stop yelling in my ears. Also, not too happy with having Born In The U.S.A. stuck in my head for the rest of the day..
2.4
I’m a big boss fan, but I never liked this album. I just played it for the first time in years & it hasn’t improved. There isn’t a track on it that I ever got off on. I loved his 70’s output but there are a bunch of his lp’s since then that just didn’t do it for me. This is one of them.
I never got Bruce. His records just don't grab me (exception: Nebraska). I know his songs resonates for a lot of people, but they don’t for me. I think most of his material is, for me, a bit overworked. I listened through, but, honestly, it washes over me every time and I am unmoved. While Born to Run is a bit more focussed than some of his previous Wall of Sound-esque production, the songs are perfectly engineered to go over gangbusters in a stadium show. A lot of credit for the sound should probably go to Bob Clearmoutain’s mixing, which is designed to make the records pop on the radio. Bruce really owns that kind of stadium show (from what I hear), but it's not my cup of tea. This record is bar-band rock and roll, dumbed down and polished up suitable for radio play and stadium sing-alongs. This is not subtle. The lyrics are often clichéd and bombastic, the riffs simple and repetitive. The sparkling sheen of synthesizers and overly-processed drums updates the essentially 60s rock and arrangement, down to the cheesy sax solos. The drum sound offends me so much: the leaden, synthetic beat of this album is heavy on the rock, but squeezes all of the roll out of these songs. I struggle with the lyrical content; Richard Williams in Q magazine described the title track as trying “to bury the anti-war message of Born In The USA beneath an impenetrable layer of clenched-fist bombast". This was, in his view, "downright irresponsible." I find it hard to reconcile his ostensible criticism of Reagan-era America and its treatment of the faux-working class character he portrays (a character based on his fathers and others around him, but not himself, as he freely admits in his Broadway show), with the triumphant presentation (which is easily and often confused with jingoism). Many of the songs have the most ridiculously stooped, lowest common denominator lyrics. “I’m on Fire” is probably the most interestingly arranged song on the record, but a bit creepy. This record strikes me as faux-working-class bellowing over bombastic production, punctuated with unnecessary saxophone solos. At least he has cut down on the mumbling that mars his earlier records.
Not really my thing
I've heard all these songs so much, it's difficult to listen with a fresh perspective, but I really tried to. The lyrics are powerful and provide an interesting commentary on the social climate of the time. I wish I could get over Springsteen's strained vocal performance and uninspiring musical arrangement because I think the songwriting is brilliant.
"Boomer: The Album"
The sleepiest goddamn rock album I've ever listened to. 2/5 at best.
Corny.
Bruce is good but idrfw this album
It’s got a few tunes it’s got some filler - it’s not something I’d go back to.
Aldri vore fan av Springsteen Men var på konsert med han ein gong for mange år sidan for nokon ga vekk billettar Er fortsatt ikkje fan 3
While definitely not my typical album, there's no denying that Dancing in the Dark and Born in the USA are incredible Hits
I'm On Fire and Dancing In The Dark aside, this is pretty rubbish and sounds like it could have been generated by an AI after hearing Born To Run. Not good
First listen: 1- boooorn in the usaaaaa (not first time hearing this song obv) 2- very 80s 3- darlington? 4- ugh 5- 80s ballad 6- the guitar is good in this one. Actually i like the instrumentals best. Lyrics are meh. Wack fade out ending. 7- wait i am enjoying this song a lot. Best song on the album so far. 8-piano nice 9-i have heard this song before too. I think maybe is going down down down down 10-oh i know this one too. Got sick of listening to it
+ Born in the USA (3 STARS) + Cover Me (3 STARS) + Darlington County (2 STARS)-- sounds like forced country. Reminds me of RDJ's "Man Like Me" + Working on the Highway (2 STARS) -- Tf is this Jerry Lee Lewis? Hot Patootie Bless My Soul + Downbound Train (2 STARS) -- I like the guitar and background, but his voice is obnoxious + I'm On Fire (2 STARS) -- Boring + No Surrender (3 STARS) -- I'm a sucker for nostalgia + Bobby Jean (2 STARS) -- Meh. Didn't sell it for me + I'm Goin' Down (1 STARS) -- Yuck. Very repetitive. + Glory Days (3 STARS) -- I think I knew this one. Decent chorus + Dancing in the Dark (5 STARS) -- a bop + My Hometown (2 STARS) -- Meant to be warm and fuzzy but too boring OVERALL: 2.5 STARS
Meh. The ‘America’ ness is a bit heavy handed for me. Couple of decent tracks.
Struggled a bit with this listen. It's certainly of a time and has an energy I wasn't able to connect with. However I'm on Fire is still an excellent song.
I know this record from the singles which are all hot fire. Listening to the whole thing makes it clear why it's considered his best record.
Man I hated this album when it came out. As a teenager in the crap-center of the horseshit Reagan years, yeah all I needed was more jingoistic bullshit (gee, sadly familiar...). Of course...nevermind that it actually wasn't jingoistic at *all* but that didn't stop the yahoos from using it OH SHIT BRUCE HAS A RED GD HAT IN HIS POCKET IT ALL MAKES SENSE (no it doesn't). Also nearly every song was played on the radio and MTV all.the.goddamn.time. Millions of others can corroborate this. I was wanting my Police/Rush/Van Halen not this. Also and I only realized this years later - this album made me *think* I hated Bruce Springsteen. But i didn't, and don't. As a little kid I loved Born to Run and most of his other late 70s work, so this threw me off the scent for years until I willingly rediscovered him. But do I still hate the album? I don't. But I also don't like it and never will. It's repetitive (that title song riff good god man, you couldn't have at a minimum written a middle 8 to call it off for half a minute?) as hell musically in every song, bombastically boring, at times too pop, at times too country. All too simplistically upbeat for my taste - I prefer the darker or more majestic Bruce, and not the lyrics - the music. If I had to choose personal high points, "Cover Me" isn't nearly as bad as I recalled and has a particularly killer guitar solo; "My Hometown" is a nice ballad. I didn't mind a re-listen today but I realized it was mostly because it was nostalgic and really threw me back to my early teen years. But it's just not an album I like - even if I'll absolutely admit it was arguably the biggest rock album of the last 40 years (to my chagrin). 3/10 2 stars.
Most tracks sound like they're background music to the closing credits if a rom com. And I don't mean that in a good way. But - I will say that Dancing in the Dark and Bobby Jean are very good songs that would make those closing credits pretty damn great.
No i wreszcie wylosowalo album z ktorego kojarzy sie pana Springsteena, a moze nie albumu co bardziej openingowe traku tytulowego, sama plyta jest z 84 i jest siodmym studyjnym krazkiem w jego dyskografii, tak jak poprzednie albumy nagrywana razem z E streetowa banda, a jak popularne traki to przeciez nie przypadkowo caly album jest utrzymany w konwencji popowej muzyki rokowej, wiec standardowe granie, ktore mozna puscic w radio polaczone z opowiesciami Springsteenowymi o zwyklych ludziach i ich problemach, oczywiscie na kanwie hamerykanskiej, wiec bedzie o weteranach, zmywaczach, hajlejowcach, czy ludziach bez roboty, nie zabraknie tez problemow sercowych, a to wszystko na upbeatowych kawalkach, ktore maskuja w pewny sposob przekaz liryczny opowiesci i w ten sposob je sprzedaja, bo kontentem lirycznym plyta nie rozni sie tak bardzo od ciemnosci na skraju miasta czy poprzedniej w dyskografii nebraski, a jednak brzmi zupelnie inaczej, 12 trakow na 46 minutach przynioslo panu brusowi trzy najpopularniejsze traki spotifajowe, wiec zalozenia albumu byly wykonane, stworzyc cos sluchalnego, a jednak nadal z tym samym charakterem co poprzednie krazki w dyskografii, bo pisanie o ludziach i myszach jest jak dla mnie czyms co charakteryzuje pana Springsteena, nawet bardziej niz charakterystyczne skillsy gitarkowe, ktorej na tej plycie najlepiej slychac na downbound train, ktory takze jest najmniej popowa kompozycja plyty z ktorej czuc bardziej nebraske niz born in the usa, dlatego tez idzie na plejke, obok utworu tytulowego, ktory i tak nie jest najpopularniejszym kawalkiem albumu, bo jest nim dancining in the dark, ktory brzmi prawie jak synthowa banda z tymi klawiszami, a jakos nie moge go z niczym skojarzyc
If you like the thing that Springsteen does then you'll fucking love this album. If you find it a tad boring and a well done trope then like me you'll think this is bang average. Stonewashed.
Nooit helemaal gedraaid, best leuk, maar erger me wel echt kapot aan die slechte teksten van die baas... vandaar de 2!
I thought I would enjoy this more but the overly synthetic 80s synths undercut all the fun boppy tracks that springsteen came up with, aside from the title track where they create a clever juxtaposition between the shining, proud synth line and the cynical nature of the lyrics. I prefer his heartland rock stuff over this by a lot.
ROOOOOĐEN U ZAAAGREBUUUUUUUU. A ti Bruce moš odjebat opet, al ovaj put je bar 2 jer imaš slušljivih na ovom albumu.
This is the third Springsteen album I've had, and the third strike he's gotten. I sincerely hope we don't get a fourth.
God Bruce, it's rough. So bland across the board. A few songs I enjoyed, but mostly the sound of everything I dislike about classic rock.
ugh. I'm sorry. I just don't like this music. I don't know why. It seems boring? I know i'm a huge minority. I'll never know if I actually just don't like popular stuff. But nothing except dancing in the dark catches my attention but like, there are covers of that song that I think are absolutely beautiful and almost chilling and when he sings it i just do not get that at all.
Confirmed the Boss isn’t for me. I do like “I’m on Fire” though.
Kinda repetative.
It feels sacrilegious to say, but I don’t really like this album. It of course has some timeless bangers. But, I’m not one for lyrics, for me they rarely make a song, and if they’re the only thing going on, it usually loses me. The simple looping guitar riffs and drums, with earnest but rough vocals, doesn’t do it for me. Highlights: Born in the USA, Dancing in the Dark
Ugh. Does anyone like Bruce Springsteen, or is this just the album men listen to to feel closer to their estranged fathers? Solid meh.
This album is what comes to mind when I think about musicians in the '80s adding synthesizers to their music simply because it was the thing to do at the time and having it just fail miserably. I don't like Bruce in general, but the production on these songs makes this whole record feel particularly disingenuous and superficial.
Flaccid
Not a fan
Quite one dimensional. Like he is straining constantly. I hadn't much of it before, I imagine I won't here much of it again in the future! All comes across as quite dated - musically and lyrically. Saved from 1* by Dancing in the Dark.
Exhaustively boring safe boomer rock
I get tired of Bruce Springsteen's raunchy and screamy vocals quite fast, though I can't deny the lovely irony of Born In The Usa becoming a patriotic anthem despite it being meant as an anti-Vietnam message. The rest of the record is mediocre, the lyrics are extremely sappy and dumb, and god, I can't get over how annoying Bruce's singing is. 2/5.
i don't like this album but i'm on fire changed my life so idk how to rate this
This was just "okay" to me. Some of the songs sound like "what old people listen to at the bar" to me. Of course, I'm sure the music I love will be that pretty soon.
Not a great fan of Brucie Baby.
Music was pretty good, but the lyrics killed me. If I could give half stars, I'd rate it 2.5 because I felt it was overwhelmingly average
So repetitive! Not a big fan, very proudly american and theatrical I'm on fire is p good tho, my fave
Big, commercial Boomer rock. I finally listened to this album all the way through, and I never have to again. Still, can't knock it too hard - it's got "I'm on Fire" and "Dancin' in the Dark."
4
Booooooringgggg
Meh
Definitely made for a specific audience, which is not me. Some tracks actually made me laugh. The back half of the album shows a little more artistry, though, and I enjoyed a couple tunes.
Great songwriter but it's not for me.
It is what it is
Has it ups... but not the hugest Springsteen fan.
Not jiving with this at all - the compositions are repetitive and at times cheesy due to overusage of the 80s synth sound. Narratives are a bit lifeless.
Overrated
Meh 1.5/5
hated
nope
Langweilig, kann absolut nicht relaten, nicht meins.
not my thing
I cannot stand this guys music.
couldnt get thru it, abusive ex loved it too much lol
can't stand him
Not gonna lie, i hate Bruce Springsteen
tedious.
Over-rated, over-hyped, over-cooked. Please, go away. 1
Not my thing. Didn’t like his vocals and all the songs bored me. Nothing standout about the album at all.
Pffff…
As soon as I heard the melody of the first song I knew I wan’t going to like it. I’m open to a lot of music genres, but this type of rock sounds very country to me, which unfortunately does not satisfy my musical palette.
yeah, no
idk boring not my style. nothing moved me, not the melodies, not the instruments, not his singing. after listening i could not tell you which song was which, except for born in the u.s.a (the catchiest one). ble
Boo. This kind of crap music is the worst. 2 thumbs down. Would give zero stars if I could.
1st few seconds, already h8 it. rly repetitive. js hootin n hollerin💔 at working on the highway. still boring. im on fire - ??? wtf r these lyrics? kinda icky if u ask me. im goin down only relatively ok song so far. still dont like it. 2 songs left, cant w8 til its ovr boring boring boring didnt like it
mid at most
i hate bruce springsteen
Je déteste ce style de musique 1*
dd
Firstly I dont care what he is saying or how profound it is. Its just so dull. The "hits" are even worse as well which is where my confusion comes. This is a commercial success but I cannot fathom this in musical terms. The more exciting the music the more generic, repetative and strained it all becomes. They shared the space with U2 in the 80s and another giant of the time. Well they can keep them both.
top 3 - My Hometown, No Surrender, Glory Days. I’ve listened to this before and I tried to get into it but I just couldn’t. Springsteen seems like a good guy outside of his music from what I’ve seen.
had to turn it off after "Hey, little girl, is your daddy home? Did he go away and leave you all alone? I got a bad desire Oh, oh, oh, I'm on fire"
Generic country/pop album, not my thing at all. Only song I enjoyed really was Cover Me. All others were a bit of a bore. 1.5/5
The tedious sound of a millionaire trying to be working class. Stadium rock.
Im sorry I just dont like bruce Springsteen dont hurt me
Springsteen es demasiado aburrido y predecible, hay algunas melodías buenas pero no siento que tenga algo nuevo o entretenido si no eres gringo
Bruce, I'm bored. Favourite track: Dancing In The Dark
I’m on fire is a pedophile song
didnt like
Trieft förmlich von hirnlosem Patriotismus bei dem Album was sonst mid af ist.
ass
not my type of music idk i think it’s something that Dean Winchester might listen, but not me😭
Let’s start by saying I hate Bruce Springsteen. It’s all started in the 1980s when he consumed way touch of my time as a young teen by being played too much on MTV and radio with this awful album. It continued into my adult life when he acted like a privileged spoiled baby ranting about the great country that has provided him with the most gifted life a human could live. So this was painful to listen to. And hopefully will be the last time I ever have to hear it in my life.
Cute little album
No fucking way my dad listens to it instand bad album
Not for me
Не моё время
Bland American guff. Not a redeemable feature about this album
Absolutely not my cup of tea. I ain't american nor is this the type of country I'm used to. Too loud. Too lazy. Too shouty. This is my first album of his too so this was not the best gateway experience.
On this album, the song Cover Me feels like a hidden gem … which says a lot. The whole thing is insanely hard to sit through, pure 80s rock essence. Those big « shalalala » choir parts make me want to puke. On top of that, the lyrics about the miserable lives of American masses are sometimes just pathetic. The few good vibes here and there don’t save it for me. And that sax… nope.
That was the most stupid album so far. Felt like a dumb american waving for Trump or some fascist across the world. Redneck vibes. I know that it want to express the identity of united statians, but goddamm, is this all? It would be like brazillians singing something like "i like soccer and samba, now i,ll go to the beach with some money get some bitchs". Very stupid.
This album was played to fucking death when it came out. Can’t listen to it ever again!
this is the first album so far that i couldnt finish. praying i never hear this again 🤲
This list is turning into day after day of famous and familiar albums I would never want to listen to.
mi sta antipatico
Not the vibe
I ... just can't with this album. Everything about it I am disliking: the production, the mastering (whatever is up on Spotify is garbage sounding), the style, etc. The lyrics themselves aren't terrible, and I understand why this album is popular, though its title track is very much not seen for what it is: an anti-war song. Having given it a listen it absolutely revealed to me where Arcade Fire gets some of its arena/anthemic inspiration from, though: Springsteen.
a large portion of this album feels like rehashing one song with minor variations (compositionally, not lyrically)
Boooo
Da Baws
This is the antithesis of the music I enjoy. This album is not for me, and I didn't like any song from it at all.
Supongo que es un disco para escuchar disparando mientras manejo un Camaro a 100 hamburgesas/pie cúbico
Just so sleepy and droning on.
Fuck the Boss. trump-loving shitbird motherfucker.
Really hate this.
Just what we needed: Ol' Bruce still sounds like he's singing while taking a dump, but now that dump is drenched in 80's reverb. But wait - there's more: every song consists of the most predictable melody repeated ad nauseam with no development of theme whatsoever and not a single note or rhythm to challenge the ear. Even when Bruce decides to branch out and attempt more challenging genres than regurgitated two chord American folk slop, it ends up being a pale, pathetic, plagiaristic imitation (see the rockabilly of "Working on the Highway"). But generally, this album is about as basic as music can be - essentially what would happen if you wrote music for people who don't like music. Lyrically, this sounds like ChatGPT being asked to write the least self-aware doggerel possible. The first two Springsteen albums on this list got 1 star for being a blackhole of creativity and this makes it a trifecta. 0.5/5.0: Unlistenable
Despite having been there at the time, I’m not a huge fan of the 80s. The tinny drumming and synth that kicks off the title track just makes me unutterably miserable, so even though I’ll allow it’s not the paean to America I had thought it was as a kid, it still sounds dreadful. That keyboard riff is so repetitive and strident I want to chew my own face off. And then Glory Days goes and does ‘da da DA da, da da DA da’ which just drives me insane. It’s like Dire Straits’ execrable Walk of Life but somehow worse. Anyway. I liked Cover Me. But not much else. Friends tell me if you see The Boss live you get it, but this is not live and I did not get it.
I’ll never know if this was ever a good album or not, it was senselessly beaten to death on the radio. As a result of that, I will never listen to a word of it.
I automatically hate any music that makes people stand in place and clap over their heads. And that’s what I’ve seen every time Born in the USA is played. No thanks
the atmoshere this whole album is just annoying
Bruce Springsteen is trash
hate it, bored, dont like his sound. soz! dancing in the dark isnt awful though x
Boring
This is the 94th album I’m rating. Don’t remember listening to a song on this but I’m sure I have because it is just too popular not to. Adding to my Playlist - Darlington County, Working on the Highway, I’m on Fire, and Bobby Jean. Not Adding to my Playlist - Born in the U.S.A., Cover Me, Downbound Train, No Surrender, I’m Goin’ Down, Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark, and My Hometown. Born in the U.S.A. - I for some reason forgot I listened to this which is crazy because it is so unbelievably overplayed. Cover Me - The worse Cover Me. All in all I liked 4/12 songs. This is very overrated.
Load of shit
0, literally worthless
My stomach dropped. I can’t do this. I am not strong. I am not a blue collar steel mining car manufacturer or whomever the evil monsters behind Bruce Springsteen believe they were marketing to. First thing is first. Every Bruce Springsteen song I’ve ever heard is a reason to intentionally destroy your own eardrums. They have a rhythm that will encourage you to bash your skull into rebar until you can vote republican or whatever. Secondly, I already know it’s beer commercial music. I will TRY to listen for criticisms of blind patriotism or anything of substance, but I have a feeling I’ll be straining my ears beyond their meagre capabilities. Don’t cry for me, I’m already dead. No. I can’t do it. My bones are attempting to leave my flesh husk. Please shut up. Music for people who are dumb, but not charming. Beer belly bigots with a penchant for adultery. Take a drink every time he mentions USA and maybe you can pass out before you have to hear that horrible riff one more time. Oh buddy we’re getting’ wild now. Oh yeah here’s some blue collar cosplay. Whoever writes for him writes one riff for each song apparently. Besides his vocals, this one is just sad. It sounds like his retirement tour and this is his PRIME? There is nothing happening here. There’s the riverboat organ. This is also just an interpolation of the first song. Why are you looking for work on the 4th of July? What the fuck is this? Please explain these lyrics. This is mad libs for morons. Let me break it down. We’re driving in a car✅ New York City ✅ Rock N’ Roll ✅ Come on baby ✅ Little girl you’re so young ✅ SHA NA NAs ✅ This is a parody of a parody that isn’t funny. I would pay Bruce Springsteen ticket prices to have this erased from my memory. 50’s fetishization. It’s more blue collar mad libs. It’s not even incisive or knowledgeable about the people it’s pandering to. “Hey you’re uhh workin’ on the highway.” I know you losers uhh do something to build the highways. You’ll eat this shit up won’t ya.” And the problem is, THEY DO. Oh boy. More of this? How are we not seeing through this? “I had a job, I had a girl.” Man, I used to be able to say I haven’t heard this song. We’ve all had hard times Bruce. I thought he was working at the car wash, now he’s got a cushy railroad job? Big union man. Disgusting. You SHOULD be on fire. Much in the style of those self-immolating monks. What the fuck are you talking about here? “Hey little girl is your daddy home? Can he do to you the things I do?” If you’re not talking about providing meals and housing for a minor, then this song gets the pedophilia stamp of disapproval and we move on. It was only a matter of time. Pack your lunch tin up and wear your sweat stained shirt or whatever. We’re going to catch a predator. That’s right folks I am here at this 1950’s cosplay diner owned by a major corporation. We have sent multiple direct messages to one “flaglover69” posing as a 16 year old girl. He has agreed to meet us this afternoon. Bruce! Great to see you. Please have a seat. Uhh this bit really has nowhere to go unless I riff off of the title being “no surrender.” If I insinuate I want Bruce to commit suicide by cop, then I might lose my, until now, untarnished credibility. *LOUD BURP* Is this about a guy? He never mentions. I don’t care, nor would I be surprised considering this guy’s sweaty industry fetish; however, I do know a revelation that this is gay would SHATTER most of the fans of this music. And that would be worth all the five n’ dime soda pops in the free world. Bruce Springsteen plays on the freefall to hell. Horns blare, shattering eardrums if you had known that feeling in life. Regeneration and destruction of tissue as you fall to the lower circles. Molten smog peels your flesh and the screams you can’t control choke your lung’s ambition. Lights flash messages indecipherable. Your life of misery fades from memory. The scars forming on your dessicated vessel the only reminder of your once mortal self. Become one with the fires of the void. Hell becomes all you know. Slave in fire. I peaked in high school and was also a bully who probably did something insane like try to kill a nerd. Hey. It was the 70’s!!! One riff that sucks, repeated over the predictably dumb lyrics of a true neanderthal. Return him to the primordial soup. Hey AI. Write me a song that can accompany footage of an election bus driving through middle America. Uhh no, this is too boring. No wait, it’s too bad. Why did you use this horrible horn? Ah well. AI thankfully can’t create anything a human could. For better or for worse. Oh yeah buddy. I can feel the pandering coming like a wave of vomit. That initial vocal killed me. Wait pause, let me write the song. I WAS YOUNG, TIMES WERE SAFE, EVERYONE WORKED HARD, WE DROVE A CHRYSLER, I GREW UP, I ROCKED OUT, MY MOMMA DIED, I HAD MY FIRST BEER, I VOTED FOR REAGAN, I DEMATERIALIZED INTO A CAULDRON ONLY TO BE REFORMED BY A CRYPTIC CABAL INTO THE ULTIMATE PANDERER FOR THE VOTING POPULACE IN THE LARGEST POPULATION CENTRE IN THE COUNTRY. How close was I? If you’ve ever worked a job, if you’re from a place, if you’ve ever felt an emotion; this should be an insult of the highest order to you. This should hurt like somebody is attacking your family. I don’t often say this, as I believe all art is valid, but this is created so cynically, that I don’t think it qualifies as an authentic piece of music, heaven forfend a piece of art. If you like this, you need to reevaluate your direction on this plane of existence. Observe something genuine. You haven’t thought hard enough about anything. I beg the creators of this site to open up the option for zeroes. For now, since I have to give it a 1, I hold one middle finger up towards this enemy of human creativity. Burn in the fires that your manifest destiny has engulfed the world in. 0 HIGHLIGHTS: Here lies the bloated corpse of the American Dream. Rotting inside a gilded sarcophagus, emblazoned with a Chevrolet hood ornament.
Not the boss of me
Awful, DNF, wouldn't relisten
I...I just don't get it
Truly awful.
No. Just no.
Bruce just never did it for me.
Ain't no boss
Jao jebeni sner idi u kurac odmah na prvu. Stalno serem po tome, ali jače je od mene. Ovaj zvuk snera u meni izaziva isti onaj osjećaj koji kod nekih ljudi dođe nakon što vide ili čuju kako netko grebe noktima po ploči. Život bi mi bio ljepši da to ne čujem i da tako ne reagiram, ali neke stvari u životu ne možeš birati Jedna od stvari koje mogu izabrati je da u potpunosti preskočim ovaj album, ali neću bit toliki lakse i natjerat ću se doći makar do pola albuma Evo me na četvrtoj pjesmi bez ičega lijepog za napisati osim da mi je nejasno kako je on ikad postao tako velik. Zbog pjesme I'm on fire ga treba zapalit, prljava pedofilčina bez glazbenog ukusa. Mogu ga zamisliti kako pjeva hrabrim američkim marincima prije nego ih pošalju u svijet da šire demokraciju i slobodu. #MAGA Mislim da sam dosta komentirao, čista jedinica bez imalo oklijevanja