Born In The U.S.A.

Coming back from Nam and being laid off from the factory has never sounded so good! An album full of singles….. literally, they released 8. The moment that Bruce’s stirring dirge balladry met 80’s production values and went stadium with snappy gated drums and synth pads that make this nostalgia bomb the absolute banger it was, is and always will be. YEAH!!! 💪🏼 4.7

Fantastic record. Lots of energy and bangers but also love how you can scratch beneath the surface if inclined and really delve into the lyrics which are quite in contrast to the upbeat music.

Great album. Classic stuff.

A consistently great album. Working on the Highway and I’m Going Down are my personal faves. It also has the obvious hits of Born in the USA, Dancing in the Dark and Glory Days. It’s pretty stacked

I got to see Springsteen and the E Street Band on tour for this album back in 1985 at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Phenomenal album and phenomenal concert!

This album was inescapable when it came out. Other than the videos I never listened to it, a much younger me was into heavier music so I was diametrically opposed to keyboards. This is nowhere close to my favorite Bruce album but man, it plays like a greatest hits collection. Listening to My Hometown and getting the goosebumps, dude has a real talent for writing 'Everyman' songs that hit you right in the feels.

10/10

increíble, consistente, completo, muy yankee e icónico 10/10

Awesome

****Spoiler warning ***** Born in the USA is not a pro-American song.

Love this album, have it on vinyl

full of bangers

Great album that I used to not really appreciate. Any album with a single that becomes an anthem for the very thing it is criticizing gets a 1 star bump for me

that s fucking good

Yesterday was the 42nd anniversary of the release of Born in the USA. I can still recall the excitement I felt at the time, running out to the store to grab the album and listen to it for the first time. Dancing in the Dark had already been released as a single, and I loved it, but also it sounded so different from what we were used to with Bruce. It had been four years since The River, his previous rock record. Nebraska came in 1982 and it was so different, so my anticipation for a return to a rock and roll sound was even more heightened. I played it over and over that first day and absolutely loved it. I enjoyed all of the songs and each one became a favorite in some way upon listening further. A couple of months later I saw him live for the first time and it was the greatest concert I'd ever been to, and still is to this day. Shortly after that, however, the album was taking on a life of its own and it was everywhere. And everyone was talking about Bruce. And as time passed and seven of the songs became hit singles, I grew very critical of the record and began to actively avoid playing it. For years after I was disappointed when one of the songs would be played live, except for Downbound Train which was always my favorite. When this came up today from the generator I had very mixed feelings. I hadn't listened to the full album in years, but the last time I did I kinda enjoyed it again. As always, I try to listen as if I'm hearing it for the first time, and I wasn't certain I'd be able to do that today. From the beginning of the title track I was hooked. I didn't sing along and just listened. And I found that I absolutely loved it again. Every song has a different sound, even though they all have that 80's feel. I could hear the fun they had recording it and It all popped for me as it did back on June 4th, 1984. There wasn't a single song I felt like skipping, and I again knew why this thing became the behemoth it once was. Lyrically it's relatable by just about anyone who's ever struggled in life. And musically the band is just kicking it. Every one of the band members has their chance to shine, and they do. I can't even say which songs were standouts, as they all were in one way or another. Welcome back Born in the USA!

How does that not get 5 stars? He is The Boss for a reason

He’s “the Boss” for a reason.

There's not a bad song on this album. Springsteen's band is tight and he has a gift for speaking to working-class struggles without coming across as overly preachy. The worst thing about Springsteen is when he attracts fans who chant "USA! USA!" while completely missing the point. This album is a breath of fresh air after being assigned Steve Earle (aka Temu Springsteen) the other day.

Great

Wild how an album could be this good and contain none of my 10 favorite Bruce songs.

The Boss firing on all cylinders. As a kid I fell for the fast ones—Cover Me, Working on the Highway, No Surrender, Bobby Jean, I'm Goin' Down, Dancing in the Dark—these days I'm On Fire

Album 39/1001. Listened 6/2/2026. Absolute perfection. No notes. Can listen to this forever and not get bored.

Phenomenal album. Great songs from start to finish. I love the rawness of his characters and the heartfelt lyrics. The production values are insane too.

What an iconic album. So many hits and such a great theme. Truly show the ups and downs of being an American and American life.

Absolute banger of an album. Bruce does no wrong. The title track is legendary of course, but two of my other favorites of Bruce's are here: Dancing in the Dark, and Glory Days. If you somehow never heard Bruce before, this is a great showcase of some of his finest work.

w/o this album, that is no _nebraska_. also, it’s a damn fine album of 80s pop rock. while I greatly prefer _nebraska_, this is a second perfect album by Bruce

One of my favourite albums of all time. I throughly enjoy this top to bottom any time I listen.

Whatever your personal views of Bruce may be and there are many “takes” on Bruce both as an artist and as a man, it is hard to deny the place that this record holds in American culture. The archetype of midwestern rock n roll and the hardest working band in music with legendary 3+ hour sets, this New Jersey native and working class champion defined the genre on this record. The songs are catchy, meaningful and for large slice of Americans indecipherable as the title track’s inappropriate use in many America first events belies knowledge of the songs true meaning. For me, the record doesn’t really resonate but I recognize the incredible musicianship and the heart behind the songs. My favorites are not the hits. Working On The Highway which reminds me of Rank and File and their cowpunk sound, Downbound Train where I can almost believe that Bruce was working at a car wash, and My Hometown are in my opinion the best songs on the record. Perhaps it’s because the others are overplayed. Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark, I’m on Fire and Born in the USA are undeniably great songs. There is likely little dispute that there are no bad songs on the record. Sure, time has made some of them sound cringey at times but that is probably because the dressing hung on this record because of the complicated relationship people have with Bruce more so then with this record. 5/5

I hated "Born in the USA" so much when I was younger that I didn't give Springsteen a chance until someone made me listen to Nebraska. Then, I only liked that one album for a long time. Now, I appreciate several of his albums, and it's amazing how many amazing songs are on this album that are very different in feel from "Born in the USA." "I'm on Fire" could fit in with Nebraska. "My Hometown" is similar though not quite as good. I also think "Dancing in the Dark" is a greaty pop-rock song.

Honestly not the 5/5iest of 5/5, but it's just a banger after banger after banger album. "Dancing in the Dark" is one of my favourite songs of all-time, "Glory Days" is fun, "Cover Me" is a great rocker, "Born in the U.S.A" is some good '80s political stuff, "Downbound Train" is cool, and stuff like "My Hometown", "No Surrender", "Working on the Highway", and "Darlington County" are all fine album tracks.

My favourite Springsteen album. Not one filler.

Top album, from a top musician

Iconic

The boss!

A classic

Elsk elsk elsk.

So freaking good

love this

If any Bruce Springsteen albums are a 5, and I think they must be, then it's this one. BOOOORN IN THE USAAAA, I screamed relatably as I coasted down the A34 towards Oxford. Yep, still slaps.

Bruce is a king

not bad, kinda fun, lots of weird samples

Great album and takes me back to my youth.

Faves: I'm on Fire Dancing in the Dark My Hometown

Baustelle, Gerstetten, Deutschland. Könnte ein Best-of sein.

Bruce divides opinion but to me this is a great album full of great songs, an easy 5/5. I can see from some reviews that there are, even now, people who don’t listen to the title track beyond the title.

Interesante álbum de rock mi favorita es cover me

never knew how many of his hits I knew, pretty solid album

"he could throw that *speedball* by ya'.." i'm here to state that's absolutely not a term that's ever been used in baseball parlance 4.5/5

Great songs, great artist

Classic

A banger then, a banger now. Five stars for a classic.

How ironic I listen to this the day HE texts me about our dog. This is a seminal album for a reason

I had written a whole review on each song, and IT DID NOT SAVE SINCE MY TABS CLOSED for ABSOLUTELY NO REASON, but i will try to recap the songs i remember: Born in the USA : gosh i am in awe and in fear of the state of Bruce Springsteen's vocal cords after hearing this masterpiece. Awesome song though. I hope his vocal cords are okay. Darlington County (and Glory Days): Reminds me of the road trip my dad, brother and I made when we moved to Texas and we passed through Ohio, Kentucky, Oklahoma, ect... but make it 80s!! Also reminds me of the last night and the day of before we moved and a few friends came by to help clean and load things in the car in a hurry. No Surrender is the ultimate training montage song man, its fire! Going down: 'I'm going down, down, down...' pretty catchy! i feel like I've heard the tune before. Maybe in another song? Bobby Jean: As a person who grew up moving a lot, this song relates to me a TON, whether in the romantic context or not. Dancing in the dark: This and Made to Run are the only Bruce Springsteen songs I knew beforehand! I LOVE this song, especially for running or getting ready. My Hometown: Feels like the happy, calm parts of a movie where no one is really doing anything, just basking in the sun on a lazy summer day, or the sunset on one's face.

Am really enjoying this. I've heard his hits, but never really listened to his music at large. The other songs seem to just be an extension of the hits. Great songwriting, probably misunderstood at the time, but in these times most of these songs hit hard. Definitely "working man's tunes"

Top!

I really enjoyed this, and didn't think I would. Obviously I know born in the USA and glory days, but every track was good and also knowing the standing of Bruce Springsteen and his values his lyrics are even more poignant.

I know we’re supposed to say that the people who think Born in the USA is a flag-waving anthem haven’t listened to the lyrics, but I think on some level Springsteen wanted to have his air-punching, MTV-conquering, stadium-filling cake and eat it with this album. And fair play to him, he totally pulled it off. (Also, you know how Todd Rundgren said he always thought Bat Out of Hell was a Born to Run parody? No Surrender suggests the influence went both ways.)

zu gut um nur einen song auf die 1001-favoritenliste zu setzen.

Ein absolutes Highlight!

A fantastic and powerful album.

Love Bruce. Bobby Jean my fave song

Amazing album. I forgot what a great record that is...

Famously good album, what can you say?

One of my top 25 LPs. The Boss is one of America’s top song writers. Nebraska is my favorite.

Another album that takes me back to late 70’s mid-80’s and the start of New Wave. A new era for R&R. I still enjoy this LP.

Great follow up album to Nebraska! Bruce is a true American artist. This is in my 25 LPs.

Gran album, con históricas canciones

Comme j'en discutais hier avec Steph, comment ne pas respecter l'homme qui tient tête à Trump / ICE? Tant qu'il y aura Springsteen et Jack White il y aura de l'espoir.

J'ai expliqué à Paul que la toune titre c'est un masterclass rythmique: chaque levée de mesure (les temps 2 et 4) sont marquées fortement et chaque 4 mesure il y a un fill de drum. Je lui ai aussi fait remarqué que le riff de keyboard dure 2 mesures et est répété invariablement sur les 4min30. Mis à part les hits, j'ai bien aimé l'intime I'm on fire. Parfois, je trouve qu'il marmonne un peu trop, mais on va dire que c'est sa signature.

Encore une fois, Bruce c’est 5 automatique. Pas mon préféré mais il contient quand même ma chanson préférée, Dancing in the Dark, qui fut mon « first dance » à mon mariage en version voix et piano. J’adore aussi Downbound Train, quoique je pense préférer la version de Kurt Vile, qui vaut le détour. Hier ça m’a donné le gout de réécouter Born to Run. Je crois que c’est celui là son Magnum Opus, même si c’est Born in the USA son meilleur vendeur.

The song "born in the U.S.A made me feel very American. Surprised to know this is pop and not country music. Love it though

I listened to this when it first came out and I was in the 8th grade. It truly moved me and I’ve never forgotten it.

Finally! This is the third Springsteen album I’ve been assigned, and the first that I think is 100% worthy of this list. So many bangers on this album - too many to list. Even the songs I haven't listened to hundreds of times are good. Yes, he does sound like he sings with marbles in his mouth occasionally, but you can't deny that he's an amazing songwriter. (5)

A tour de force

Born in the USA is a fabulous album opener. I really like the way this album highlights both the beauty of American life and the issues with the American nation. It also feels like it covers growing up and learning how to experience your emotions. I loved Cover Me,Im on Fire, No Surrender, Glory Days, and Dancing in the Dark. While there were some songs I didn’t personally relate to, I still got the story. Also, Bruce Springsteen is incredible and performed for us at No Kings Minneapolis March 2026. 5 stars album, 5 stars guy.

Dude the boss i swear must have some kind of special connection with God. I keep thinking of that video of him clapping his hands. Keep the snare on 2 and 4 and keep yelling about home and the problems in your country

The Boss!

9.0./10 Close to a perfect album for me... I remember a ton of songs were released as singles

At first, it was like that... Then the buzz

Great songs from a great time in my life!

I mean. It's real good.

la primera canción que justo le da el nombre al álbum no me gustó nada, en cuanto al álbum en general después está bueno, me gusta mucho la voz del cantante, es muy original y también el piano que suena en casi todas las canciones, lo usa con sintetizadores (???o como se llama?) dejando de lado la primera canción las demás me gustaron, tienen una onda mezclado con country copada. mis preferidas fueron i'm on fire y dancing in the dark (el piano va como piña). todo muy ochentoso. puntaje?? un 9

Duh!

I had a complicated relationship with Bruce Springsteen. Born In the USA is the album that essentially introduced me to Springsteen, as it came out when I was 10 years old. I liked Born In the USA and tolerated Dancing In the Dark, but I loved Glory Days. However, as I grew up into a dumb punk, I decided Springsteen was old people music, like Steely Dan, and I decided it sucked. Come around to my late 20s, maybe early 30s, and I realize I’m an idiot and Springsteen is a genius, and I love him, at least the early years up to Born In the USA. Steely Dan is also genius. I still haven’t really listened to the album all the way through, but maybe one time. The albums before Born To Run are all brilliant. So, I’ll be listening to this album for the first time since becoming a huge Springsteen fan, though I see they released seven singles off of the 12-track album, and I know each of them from the radio. Track 1 is Born In the USA, and I was like Ronald Reagan’s people back in the day, except I was 10 and they were grown-ups, and I thought this was a patriotic song. Turns out it's about a man who served his country in Vietnam and came back home to nothing. It seems to me that Born in the USA’s message is that the USA may be a great country, but not for all of us. Some people just can't seem to reach out and grasp the American Dream, or are held back. As for the music, that synthesizer is really screaming. This album is probably the most accessible and mainstream of Springateen’s catalog. It's a pop record and not a rock record, really. Or at least that's what my good friend Wikipedia told me. Track 2 is Cover Me and I love this song. It's a little less synthy. The guitar stings give me a B.B. King vibe. Great guitar solo in the middle of the song. Bruce is asking for a lover to protect him from what's going on in the world. If he had his druthers, he'd just stay in the house with his woman and the whole world could go to hell. I think we've all felt like that sometimes. This is a rock song. Track 3 is Darlington County, and I'm not sure I recognize it right off. It does have the same vibe as Glory Days. Now this is an E Street Band track. This could easily have been on any of the previous albums. I love Little Steven Van Zandt’s backing vocals. He and Keith Richards are the greatest backing vocalists alive. Hell yeah, a sax solo from Clarence Clemons. You can tell they're having a great time recording this song. It doesn't even feel like the previous songs. My favorite on the album thus far. Track 4 is Working on the Highway, and it's another less poppy track. It seems most of the songs without a pop sheen weren't singles, only Glory Days. This song sounds like a Buddy Holly song, a pure 50s rocker about a guy working for the State highway department and dreaming of more. Well, that something more turned out to be an underage girl, and now the guy is working on the highway in a prison camp. There's a little humor to it, at least there would have been in 1984. Track 5 is Downbound Train and it starts off just sounding sad. It's about a man who loses his job and his woman and now he's lost. The guy can't seem to move forward. It's a sad song. The band uses a synthesizer on the song, but it adds to the feel in my opinion. Track 6 is I'm on Fire and I've always hated this song. No idea why. It just didn't appeal to me as a kid. There's not much there there. There's a synth, acoustic guitar, percussion, and Bruce singing. I can appreciate it more now, but it's still not my least liked song on the album. Track 7 is No Surrender and it opens like an Elvis song. I have no memory of hearing this before. It's just a good rock song about two dudes who quit school to make it as a rock and roll band or bust. It’s another American Dream that even when it comes true it doesn't quite work out as you think. It's been said that Springsteen didn't really like the level of fame this album pushed him to, but he couldn't stop it if he wanted to at that point. Track 8 is Bobby Jean. It sounds like an old school E Street song, but you can hear those synths sneaking around in the back. It's very tinny to my ears. This song is really sad. It's about losing touch with a real close friend. The friend is gone now and you had no chance to say goodbye or know it was the last time you'd see them. The song doesn't make it sound like his friend died, but you can't really tell if it's a boy or a girl he's singing about, either. Clemons has an amazing sax solo at the end. I was kind of blah at the beginning, but by the end, it really moved me. Track 9 is I'm Going Down. I've heard this song behind. Not my favorite. Let's see if anything changes. I gotta tell you, I like it better than I remember. Again, Clemons's sax solo adds to it. I'm shocked as to how much I read about this album being more pop. A lot of the songs on this album are probably more accessible than Springsteen's usual work, especially the album before this one, which was Nebraska, but they still sound like the E Street Band. Track 10 is Glory Days. I love this song. It's a sad one, too, but the music is so fun it always makes me happy. The lyrics are about people who fall back on talking about their glory days because they’re sad about how their lives turned out. OR at least that's the way I take it. Nostalgia is fun, but not when you're a full-time resident. Track 11 is Dancing in the Dark, and all I can think about is Bruce and Courtney Cox dancing like nerds on stage. Super pop, super synthy, but it sticks in your head. The song is about a dude who is bored and hates his life. A few critics believed Springsteen was talking about his creative process at the time, maybe it had gotten to boring or predictable. Maybe he was stuck and needed to find a new way. Maybe this led to a more pop sound for him. Track 12 is My Hometown and it's about a lot of hometowns moving through the 60s into the 80s. Especially the end of the industrial age in many hometowns, where everyone could find a job at the plant. Another song about how the American Dream that was born in the 50s has changed or been warped over the decades. It's another sad song, though this one has the sad music to go with it. I'll admit, I really changed my mind on this album. I never sat down and listened to and read the lyrics. I still wouldn't put it above Born to Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town, or The River, but I do think it was his and the E Street Band’s last great album. I also think it's a must listen. Springsteen captured a moment in time with this album. I felt it as a 10-year-old, but I couldn't articulate it the way he did.

Never got in to Bruce much but now I might have to

god bless america

10/10

Perfect. No notes.

Best Track - "Dancing In The Dark"

Geiles Album gespickt mit bekannten Hits. Irgendwas zwischen 4-5. Am Ende gab der Gewerkschaftsbonus den Ausschlag.

One of the more misunderstood songs of all time is the namesake of this album. It's tragic that the problems in this album are still felt today. What a classic.

I may be biased since I grew up in a Springsteen household but this is such a brilliant album. Hit after hit. Rating: 5.

Better roll the windows down for this one

already love this album so this was a great pick, really fun album, i think everyone should listen to this multiple times in their lifetime

Absolutely loved it

Good duh 7/10

5/5 best bruce such an american album

Classic

Was surprised to find this was something of a cohesive yet eclectic concept album.

Absolutely iconic. Not necessarily a musical masterpiece, but his voice and lyrics really carry the album. Born in the USA and Downbound Train are my favorite.

it's got this real infectious and pervasive american romanticism that i get pretty attached to. it's wrapped in a flag, scrappy and cool and stained with motor oil, grody and hypocritical, a little pathetic and so proud. i think all the played-out hits still hit, the sleeper hits hit, and the skips are still solid. I'm On Fire is really lovely, might be worth a star on its own

With this album, Bruce Springsteen’s butt delivers the crushing death blow to all britpop forever. Total American victory 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Setting all the obvious hits aside, No Surrender/Bobby Jean/I'm Goin' Down is one of the greatest unsung sequences in rock and roll history.

40 years later and every song still feels perfect and new.

Absolute cinema

boss. i hadn't listened to this one before but it's really excellent. great album, so well formed it sounds easy. "Darlington County" was the standout that I hadn't heard before.

one of the Great Albums! star spangled and all!

Masterclass

Heartland rock-perfeksjon. Litt artig at dette kom dagen etter The Suburbs, da albumene deler samme tematikk. Top 3: Downbound Train, My Hometown, Dancing In the Dark

It doesn't reach the heights of "Born to Run", but Bruce's frustration rings poignantly even still.

This album must played on the radio for 2+ years, every hour, every day. Still great.

Classic

The Boss's best album.

Incredible album no skips fully converted me as a fan goes up a level after downbound train all bangers

Må vara lite slitna låtar och det andas lite mycket 80-tal över produktionen, men det är också ett E-street band i hög form, otroligt låtmaterial och mycket Springsteens.

BOrNNN IN THE USAAAA.

Not my favorite but much much goodness

4.5/5

I introduced the biggest Springsteen fan I've ever known to the love of her life in our college bar sometime in the early 2010s. in some ways it has been fun to be alive

When to listen: feeling nostalgic, patriotic, NOT patriotic, like the Jersey girl I am. Know this album very well and knew it would be 5 stars.

No. 373/1001 Born in the U.S.A. 5/5 Cover Me 4/5 Darlington County 4/5 Working on the Highway 4/5 Downbound Train 5/5 I'm On Fire 5/5 No Surrender 5/5 Bobby Jean 5/5 I'm Goin' Down 4/5 Glory Days 4/5 Dancing In the Dark 5/5 My Hometown 5/5 Average: 4,58 Awesome album. My personal highlights are Dancing In The Dark and I'm On Fire. But all songs are at least great. It's a no skip album.

10/10 me ENCANTA este álbum, además me hace acordar mucho a mi infancia y bruce springsteen en general me recuerda a mis viejos así que siempre es un placer escuchar este discazo

Now THIS is an album

Loving it, since 1984.

It's a fine example of good old American rock and roll

“They're closing down the textile mill Across the railroad tracks Foreman says, "These jobs are going, boys And they ain't coming back To your hometown”” I could talk for hours about Bruce Springsteen. I could talk about what his music means to me personally, I could talk about the sociopolitical commentary and how it relates to the era it was written, and I could talk about how it still resonates today in the context of the last ten years of American culture and politics (and I will do the second two). But, if you strip all of that away, Bruce Springsteen is plainly and simply exceptional at writing and performing Rock ‘n’ Roll music, and “Born In The U.S.A.” is some of his finest work. It is rip roaring throughout and the playing from the whole band is so tight. None of the songs outstay their welcome and it is paced exceptionally. The album has been wonderfully produced but still comes across as so raw and genuine. I could not recommend it to fans of any genre of rock music enough. Something which has always set Springsteen apart from others attempting to do similar has always been the saxophone. It brings a smile to my face every time The Big Man pipes up and Springsteen famously had a wonderful relationship with him that really shines through. The title track has been so misappropriated as a simplistic nationalistic anthem that it has almost made recommending The Boss to those unfamiliar with him a bit of a struggle. This frustrates me because if you take even a cursory scan of the lyrics you will glean that it is a despondent song lamenting the treatment of Vietnam War veterans by a country that they were supposedly fighting for. The song is in part borne out of an encounter Springsteen had with Ron Kovic, the author of “Born on the Fourth of July”. Springsteen had just finished reading the book and was invited by Kovic to a veteran’s centre to meet some of the soldiers who had returned from Vietnam. What Springsteen saw and heard that day led to him writing “Born In The U.S.A.” to raise awareness and protest against the way America treats its veterans. It is this kind of authenticity that I think makes Springsteen’s songwriting so compelling. There is a theme here that runs through Springsteen’s whole discography of a strong faith in the American experiment and what it should have been. Springsteen is constantly writing about the struggles of ordinary working American people and their efforts to get their slice of the dream that was promised to them. In doing so he finds his music squarely at odds with the powers that be in The States and that certainly hasn’t changed since 1984 when “Born In The U.S.A.” was released. When authors such as Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote on such subjects the resulting books were granted the label of “The Great American Novel”. Surely then this makes “Born In The U.S.A.” The Great American Album. Despite all the above it is of note that Springsteen is a draft dodger and has made no attempt to hide it. He addresses this in his “Springsteen on Broadway” concert film. He recalls musical mentors from his hometown signing up and fighting, and he recalls hearing of their deaths. As a result when his time came he did everything he could as a scared kid to avoid going. If we’re being honest who can blame him? He was successful and escaped the draft. In the film Springsteen says he often thinks of who went in his place in a moment that seems tinged with guilt. “Because someone did.”

After the fourth Springsteen entry on this list we finally found a winner. If half stars existed this would be a 4.5 for me. I’m rounding up in hope that the gods take that as a sacrifice. Lets move on from Bruce.

Probably in the top 5 most iconic albums of the early 80's. It's Americana that isn't shoved up it's own ass. It's regretful and analytical and solemn and wild. I don't even truly care for Springsteen's music as a listener but I respect the hell out of what he did here. Culturally, the fact that it flew so far over the heads of the jingoistic crowd boggles the mind. Bruce has ever been on the side of kindness, the worker, the family, the dream of what America could be and not the feckless nonsense we are sold. This album is also extremely well-paced and varied.

# Born in the U.S.A. (1984) - In-Depth Album Review Released on June 4, 1984, **Born in the U.S.A.** represents the commercial and artistic apex of Bruce Springsteen's career—a paradoxical masterpiece that married the darkest thematic content of his songwriting with the most accessible, radio-friendly production of his entire catalog. This album didn't just dominate the charts; it fundamentally altered how American rock music could function as both mass entertainment and social critique. --- ## The Production: Polished Rebellion The sonic architecture of *Born in the U.S.A.* was revolutionary for Springsteen. After the stark, solo-acoustic **Nebraska** (1982), Springsteen and the E Street Band, working primarily with producers **Jon Landau** and **Chuck Plotkin**, crafted a sound that was unapologetically contemporary. **Key Production Elements:** - **The Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer** became the album's signature voice—most notably on the iconic opening riff of the title track, which Roy Bittan improvised after Springsteen demonstrated the song on acoustic guitar - **Max Weinberg's gated reverb drums** created that massive, explosive '80s drum sound that defined the era - **Bob Clearmountain's mixing** provided the glossy sheen that made these songs jump out of car radios The recording process was notoriously meticulous. Springsteen spent **two years** and cycled through nearly **100 songs** before finalizing the tracklist . "Dancing in the Dark" alone required **58 mixes** before completion . This perfectionism paid off commercially—the album produced **seven Top 10 singles**, a feat matched only by Michael Jackson's *Thriller* and Janet Jackson's *Rhythm Nation 1814*. --- ## Lyrical Analysis: Darkness Beneath the Gloss The genius of *Born in the U.S.A.* lies in its **deceptive packaging**. The album pairs "lively pop-rock sound with lyrics about discarded veterans, jailbirds, dying relationships, loneliness and ennui—not to mention sexual frustration" . ### The Title Track: Misunderstood Protest Anthem "Born in the U.S.A." remains one of the most misinterpreted songs in American history. With its "bombastic synths and stadium-ready sing-along chorus," it "almost defies you to try to grasp its meaning on first listen" . The lyrics tell the story of a Vietnam veteran who returns home to find "nowhere to run, ain't got nowhere to go"—a "stinging indictment of a country willing to turn its back on its own citizens, even those that fought for it" . The song fooled conservative columnist **George Will**, who praised it as patriotic affirmation, and **Ronald Reagan's** advisors, who tried to appropriate it for the 1984 reelection campaign—apparently only listening to the chorus . ### Narrative Arc of the Album The album functions as a concept record about **broken American promises**: - **"Downbound Train"** – A *Nebraska*-style narrative of economic collapse and lost love, where the protagonist loses his job at the lumber yard and his woman to another man - **"My Hometown"** – Springsteen's most explicitly autobiographical song, documenting the racial violence and industrial decline of Freehold, New Jersey - **"Glory Days"** – Bittersweet nostalgia that mocks the very sentiment it expresses - **"I'm On Fire"** – A minimalist masterpiece of repressed desire, with "catchy yet creepy" undertones - **"Bobby Jean"** – A farewell to Steve Van Zandt (who had temporarily left the band), capturing "the bonding power of rock" with "mature sentiment" that understands the past "as a thing to be cherished as well as something to move on from" ### Lyrical Peak This album arguably represents Springsteen's **lyrical peak**—striking "a good balance of direct sentiment with loftier themes in the background, without the more self-conscious wordplay that characterised his earlier work" . "No Surrender" contains perhaps the album's most perfect line: *"We learned more from a three-minute record baby, than we ever learned in school"* . --- ## Musical Architecture: Pop as Trojan Horse Musically, *Born in the U.S.A.* expanded Springsteen's palette while maintaining his core identity: **The Synthesis of Influences:** - **"Dancing in the Dark"** – "Possibly his best pure pop song" with a "strong groove tethered to that driving synth pulse" and "woozy, late-night feel" - **"Cover Me"** – Dance-rock that uses "language usually reserved for the heat of battle" - **"I'm Goin' Down"** – A bar-band blues that sounds celebratory while documenting romantic collapse - **"Darlington County"** – Boogie-rock that masks a story of futile job-seeking The E Street Band performs with **restrained power**—Clarence Clemons' saxophone provides emotional punctuation rather than dominance, and the rhythm section creates that signature "big" sound without overwhelming the songs. --- ## Themes: Reagan's America Under the Microscope The album examines **"the many contradictions of Reagan's America"** : 1. **The Betrayal of the Working Class** – Veterans discarded, factories closing, towns dying 2. **The Tyranny of Nostalgia** – Characters trapped in memories of better times 3. **Sexual and Economic Frustration** – Desire and desperation intertwined 4. **The Myth vs. Reality of America** – The gap between patriotic rhetoric and lived experience These were the same themes Springsteen had explored since *Darkness on the Edge of Town*, but here they were "put in a blender" with pop accessibility . --- ## Cultural Impact and Influence *Born in the U.S.A.* transformed Springsteen from a rock critic's darling into a **global pop icon**. The album has sold over **30 million copies worldwide** and spent **84 consecutive weeks** on the Billboard 200. **Immediate Impact:** - The **"Dancing in the Dark"** video (directed by Brian DePalma featuring a then-unknown **Courteney Cox**) played on MTV "at the top of every hour" - Springsteen became a stadium-filling phenomenon, with the subsequent tour cementing his reputation as one of rock's greatest live performers - The album proved that **socially conscious rock could achieve mass commercial success** without compromise **Long-term Influence:** - Demonstrated that synthesizers and traditional rock could coexist - Influenced countless artists to package serious themes in accessible forms - The album cover (Annie Leibovitz's photo of Springsteen's backside in jeans against an American flag) became one of the most iconic images in rock history --- ## Pros and Cons ### **Pros** | Aspect | Assessment | |--------|------------| | **Songcraft** | Contains some of Springsteen's most perfectly constructed songs—"Dancing in the Dark," "I'm On Fire," and the title track are flawless pop compositions | | **Thematic Depth** | Manages to be both commercially accessible and intellectually substantial—a rare achievement | | **Production Innovation** | The synthesizer integration expanded rock's sonic palette without sounding dated (mostly) | | **Narrative Cohesion** | Despite the singles-heavy nature, the album maintains thematic consistency | | **Emotional Range** | Moves from desperate loneliness ("Downbound Train") to exuberant friendship ("No Surrender") to creepy desire ("I'm On Fire") | | **Commercial Achievement** | Seven Top 10 singles proved that quality and popularity weren't mutually exclusive | ### **Cons** | Aspect | Assessment | |--------|------------| | **Over-familiarity** | The ubiquity of the singles has somewhat dulled their impact—it's hard to hear "Dancing in the Dark" with fresh ears | | **Production Aging** | Some of the drum sounds and synthesizer tones are unmistakably '80s, which may alienate listeners seeking "timeless" production | | **Misinterpretation Risk** | The very accessibility that makes the album great also enabled its widespread misreading as simple patriotism | | **Filler Perception** | While tracks like "Working on the Highway" and "Darlington County" are solid, they don't reach the heights of the singles | | **Loss of Mystery** | The album's success made Springsteen a celebrity, which arguably diminished the "everyman" mystique of his earlier work | --- ## Verdict *Born in the U.S.A.* is a **triumph of subversion**. It smuggled complex social commentary into suburban homes through the Trojan horse of pop hooks. The album's central irony—that its most patriotic-sounding song is actually a cry of despair—mirrors the larger American condition it documents: the gap between appearance and reality, between what we're told to feel and what we actually experience. While some purists prefer the unvarnished *Nebraska* or the epic scope of *Born to Run*, *Born in the U.S.A.* represents Springsteen's most complete synthesis of **artistic ambition and popular reach**. It proved that rock music could be smart, sad, sexy, and successful simultaneously. The album doesn't just document Reagan's America—it remains a vital document for understanding America itself, then and now. **Essential Listening:** "Born in the U.S.A.," "Dancing in the Dark," "I'm On Fire," "Downbound Train," "My Hometown," "No Surrender"

9.5/10

Ok this was 1000x better than the movie… in all seriousness, this was an incredible project from start to finish. The beauty of this 1001 project is it puts these artists reverence into perspective. I never knew why people loved this man and that was due to ignorance of his work but now I understand. This was well crafted, the arrangement on Bobby Jean was chef’s kiss. Downbound Train is my standout with I’m Goin’ Down being a close second. Great start to the day!

For me, the biggest hits like "Born in the U.S.A." "Glory Days," and "Dancing in the Dark" are marred by 80s synths and glossy production, but then there are others, like "Downbound Train" and "I'm On Fire" where the production is fantastic. "Downbound Train" in particular is interesting because I've been recently listening to the Nebraska-era versions, and this one is much superior to those. I just wish they woulda used pedal steel or something instead of synths. Overall, the songs come through and they're consistently as good as the singles. 4.5 rounding up.

Obviously

Good stuff

An absolute classic. There is not a weak link on this record. Springsteen at his peak. From the album cover to the opening notes of Born in USA, this record grabs the listener immediately and demands attention. The storytelling and stirring music keeps the listener captivated. A true cohesive work. Springsteen paints pictures of working class Americana and the pursuit of the American dream. He sings of passion and despair. Throughout it feels so authentic, In addition to the great songwriting and unforgettable anthems, the album also boasts exceptional musicianship, not just from Bruce, but the whole E Street Band. Easily one of the greatest records ever.

The Boss! This album has so much to really like on it, especially for someone like me who likes a lot of heartland rock (ala John Mellencamp). What's interesting to me is that there is more variety than I was expecting. The title track is a great, great song, even if it is often a misunderstood anthem. Regardless, the driving nature of this song is fantastic and a great way to kick off this album. That's quickly followed by Cover Me, another excellent tune that has a ton of energy, which best reflects who Bruce is. The album then wanes a bit for me with Darlington County and especially Working On the Highway. Wasn't a big fan of either of these. Both felt a bit like filler to me. Back on the right side though with Downbound Train, one of the songs on here that I hadn't heard before which I really enjoyed. Interesting dichotomy between how this song is constructed (generally up tempo) and the theming (more depressing). I'm On Fire is different than just about everything else on this album and really shows some of the diversity I quickly mentioned earlier. Another great track. No Surrender, Bobby Jean, and I'm Goin' Down are all solid rock tracks. Nothing amazing, but all good tunes in their own right. Wouldn't seek them out separately, but also wouldn't skip them as I listen to the album in totality. Glory Days is an amazing nostalgic track that we have all heard tons of times. What's amazing is how well this holds up, which can't be said for some songs, especially from the 80s. It's every bit as good as the first time I heard. An excellent listen. Dancing In the Dark, for me, is Bruce's best song. Yeah, I know, others will pick various others from his catalog for different reasons, all probably more reasonable than what I think. I just love how this is constructed: the driving drums, the energy he brings to it, Clarence Clemons sax at the end, all of it. Is it relatively simple? No doubt, but that's what makes it great, as it allows more room for Bruce to dominate at the front of it. My Hometown is an interesting way to end, given what had preceded it. It's a bit somber, but it still hits. Frankly, this isn't a cover-to-cover listen for me, which means I am squarely at 4.5 stars again, like I was for the Iggy Pop record I just reviewed yesterday. That said, going with 5 because of the impact this album had on the music landscape, how successful it was (30m+ sold!), and the fact that I ended up downloading more than half of the songs into my personal library.

Woah-oh-oh-oh he’s a working class man —— Another all-time great album. A little hard to get past all the “little girl” references these days, but I’m willing to overlook this time around. Also can’t believe I’ve spent my whole life loving “Cover Me” and never once realising it was The Boss.

One of the few Springsteen albums I think I’ve actually listened to as a whole, excited to give it a proper listen again as it’s been a long time. Springsteen is great because the serious lyrics behind his songwriting here are accompanied by the most mainstream pop inspired rock and roll music. It’s filled with hits and great songs but the sound is very “dad rock” at times. But it’s all very good. You get these deep great tracks on the first side like Cover Me and Downbound Train and I’m On Fire. That more serious sound is Springsteen at his best. Like No Surrender is the perfect example. It sounds like a pop song but the story being told through the lyrics is so great. As a whole it’s really good. You get to the second half and it’s just well known classics like Glory Days and Dancing in the Dark. But something about that overly 80s pop sound behind a lot of the songs makes me like it a bit less. I’ve been giving a lot of 5s, this might be a notch below at a high 4, but it’s hard to argue against a 5. It’s all so catchy and the storytelling really elevates it all. Seems like would be a very easy re-listen.

80’s rock staple

For me this is Springsteen's fourth or fifth best album but still excellent. 5 stars or A.

Always a classic!

Onhan se hemmetin hyvä. Antaakko vitonen, siinä kysymys. No toisaalta, osasihan mies kirjoittaa näin meneviä ralleja näin synkillä sanoilla. olkoot.

Super!

The Boss! Loved this album back in the day as much as I love it now.

A true classic that catapulted the Boss into superstardom. Listening to this record is to appreciate the rich storytelling he brings to his songs. It's also interesting that the chorus to a song about a dispossessed Vietnam veteran could be stripped of its meaning by people who only hear "Born in the USA" as an anthem of pride. The songs on this record are heartbreaking ("Downbound Train", the title track), full of desire ("I'm on Fire"), funny ("Darlington County," "Glory Days").

I haven't listened to this album all the way through since high school. It hits different now. There's a reason he's The Boss.

Underneath some of the big sound 80s flare is an absolutely brilliant album with incredible song writing. I’m Going Down, Cover Me, I’m on Fire, Dancing in the Dark are all timers. I prefer the demo version of Born In The USA but other than that this album is pretty much perfect.

Este disco se lo compró mi hermano mayor cuando salió, yo era muy joven y no tenía paciencia, así que después de la primera canción lo intentaba pero me aburrían las siguientes canciones. Y lo bueno, o lo mejor de este disco está al final. Además de «Born in the U.S.A.» y «Working on the Highway» creo que las cuatro últimas canciones son de lo mejor que tiene: «I'm Goin' Down», «Glory Days», «Dancing in the Dark» y para terminar «My Hometown». Un disco grande de un gran artista.

I know the lyrics to several of the songs on this album, and knew nothing of some of the others. Just a full album of bangers.

I've heard about Springsteen's legacy so it's exciting to be listening to his music at last. You know what? The lyrics for Cover Me are pretty touching. Working on the Highway is messed up. Kinda wondering whether this inspired Coheed somewhere along the way as their darkest tracks always have an upbeat kick to them. Downbound train is sad. I know I'm on fire!! What a voice! Overall, I liked the rock and pop mix on this album. I'm really glad I listened to it, but it's not music that speaks to me, you know? But as I was on the Spotify page, I saw a new Springsteen song had just dropped: Streets of Minneapolis. That song and the way it moved me makes this album a solid 5: Springsteen is a good egg.

Didn't want it to end, loved every second!

No notes. Perfect mid-80s album.

01) Born in the U.S.A. - 10,0 02) Cover Me - 10,0 03) Darlington County - 8,5 04) Working on the Highway - 9,0 05) Downbound Train - 9,0 06) I'm on Fire - 10,0 07) No Surrender - 9,0 08) Bobby Jean - 9,0 09) I'm Goin' Down - 10,0 10) Glory Days - 10,0 11) Dancing in the Dark - 10,0 12) My Hometown - 10,0 TOTAL: 9,54 (95/100) Current ranking: 20/806

Great stuff

At first, it wasn't easy to listen to Springsteen when the U.S. is falling apart, but once I got past that this album helped me remember what I love about the country and what I know it can still stand for. I'm on Fire, and all its various covers, have a very special place in my heart and soul - what a love song that depicts so perfectly longing and passion. This was a breath of fresh air today. Certainly one of Springsteen's best.

It’s his best sounding record. Almost sounds live.

Up there with Metallicas black album on the top 3

I hate the US right now but 9/10

An epochal disc…defined the first half of the 80s.

Don’t even joke lad.

The boss is the boss for a reason

This is such a good album its crazy. No skips, and while the quality is a little lower at songs 2, 3, and 4, all the other are so damn good, you forget it completely. Americana, country, pop, and rock. Tools all used masterfully by The Boss. This album gets a ton of praise for being the songwriting being very down to earth, and I wholeheartedly agree. That is a huge part of the charm of this record.

amazing album

Classic album, no real skips on the album

this is a classic. any music played by my father is like music passed on to me–nothing seems to NOT be good.

The boss never lets me down. Great rock with strong thoughts attached.

I have a lot to say about this album, not just because I am from New Jersey. First off, I still am of the strong belief that unless under very specific circumstances, like Devo, synths and keyboards suck and songs would be better without them. Anyway, to me this album exemplifies realizing your adulthood is shaped by broken promises you were taught to believe in combined with coming to terms with navigating a home that is no longer welcoming or home. It makes me think about driving around my hometown around 2008/2009 visiting from school, still feeling the aftermath of 9/11 and the following wars, coupled with major economic uncertainty. This is one of the few records I can say I just feel. Plus it's kind of funny people completely miss the point and think these songs are upbeat and all 'merica!

all time fav.

So excited for this one! love Bruce Springsteen since I would listen with my dad when I was younger. My favorite part is how Born in the USA is literally a protest song but so many republican politicians took it as a national anthem, just how ironic I love it! Really amazing album, my favs were I’m on Fire and I’m Goin Down.

i’m tired of people saying bruce springsteen is overrated, this album is amazing, almost every song is great and is one of the best albums of the 80s

Arguably one of my favorite rock albums ever. Such a strong 1-2 punch to start the album. The final 7 songs would be an elite album on its own, as well. The sound is killer, the sense of place in each of these songs makes you feel like you’re there. Hits notes of nostalgia without it being overpowering. Easily my first 5 star album.

Great record. Filled with hit songs

I don’t know what I could say about this absolute masterpiece that hasn’t been said. One of the best albums of all time.

An album filled with hits! I actually never realized all these songs were on the same album. This really deserves to be in the top 1001. This is my first 5 star rating since I have been doing this. The Boss!

definitely gonna be a classic for me

Absolutely peak

All-round top 100.

Sure it's all over played but man when it hits

Classic Springsteen. Americana at its best while also protesting America. Brilliant.

I'm from the town that Bruce sings about in the last track of this album. Everyday going to school, I'd pass by the textile mill that he mentions closed down. Since then, it's been converted into some low-end apartments. The Boss has always been a big deal in our town, so it's apparent that I've had an early connection to him for a while, but it was only this past year that I got to sit down and listen to some of his albums for the first time. There's so many hits on here. It really blew me away the first time I heard it, and the love for it has only grown ever since. I'm On Fire is one of my favorite songs of all time, and five of the other songs are certified classics. What a grand album.

I mean....soooo many hits! This is Bruce at his best!!! This album is fantastic. "No Surrender" and "Working on the Highway" are both sooooo underrated songs. Liked Songs: "Born in the U.S.A." , "Cover Me" , "Darlington County" , "Working on the Highway" , "Downbound Train" , "No Surrender" , "Bobby Jean" , "I'm Goin' Down" , "Glory Days" , "Dancing In The Dark"

This is a nearly perfect record. Every single was a top 10 hit and still gets regular airplay. The tour was monstrous. This is one of the biggest records ever made.

I remember this album being huge when I was in high school. Springsteen toured Australia on the back of it and broke every record for consecutive concerts. Live he is unparalleled. I’m a big fan but hadn’t listened to this album in many years. I put it on today and was instantly transported. What a fantastic album with so many layers. Love it.

Two things about this are true: It's a 5/5 Despite being a 5/5 it's not Bruce Springsteen's best album

On va directement commencer par le visuel, parce que c’est là que l’embrouille démarre. Une paire de fesses moulée dans un Levi's, un t-shirt blanc crasseux, une casquette rouge fourrée dans la poche arrière, le tout sur fond de rayures rouges et blanches. L’image est tellement forte, tellement saturée de symbolisme américain qu’elle en devient presque pornographique. En 1984, Springsteen n’est plus le poète urbain un peu gringalet de "Born to Run", c’est devenu une montagne de muscles, un ouvrier stéroïdé prêt à soulever le monde. Et tout le monde est tombé dans le panneau. Ce disque est un paradoxe ambulant, c’est un album qui s’est vendu par camions entiers (30 millions d’exemplaires, bordel !) à des gens qui n’ont probablement jamais écouté les paroles. Musicalement, c'est une machine de guerre conçue pour les stades, polie par une production typique des années 80 qui aurait dû mal vieillir mais qui, par miracle, tient encore la route. Textuellement ? C’est un film noir, c’est le script d’un drame social où tout le monde finit fauché, seul ou en taule. Prends le morceau titre, "Born In The U.S.A.", c’est sans doute le plus grand malentendu de l’histoire du rock. Ronald Reagan a voulu l’utiliser pour sa campagne, pensant que c’était un hymne à la gloire de l’Amérique triomphante. Quelle blague. Écoutez ce que le mec raconte ! C’est l’histoire d’un vétéran du Vietnam qu’on a envoyé se faire trouer la peau dans une jungle lointaine et qui revient pour se faire cracher dessus par l'administration. "Sent me off to a foreign land to go and kill the yellow man". C’est d’une violence inouïe. Mais comme Max Weinberg frappe sur sa caisse claire comme s’il voulait défoncer un mur de briques et que les synthés hurlent la victoire, le message passe crème. C’est du génie subversif : faire chanter le désespoir du prolétariat par des républicains en goguette. Mais réduire cet album à son hymne d'ouverture serait une erreur criminelle. Ce qui frappe, quand on réécoute le disque d’une traite, c’est à quel point il est compact. Douze titres, sept tubes planétaires, c’est un best-of à lui tout seul. Il y a cette tension permanente entre le son — brillant, claquant, radio-friendly — et le fond. "Dancing in the Dark", par exemple, le clip nous a laissé l’image d’un Bruce souriant qui invite une gamine (Courteney Cox) à danser. Mais écoutez le texte "I check my look in the mirror, I wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face". Le mec est au bout du rouleau, il se déteste, il s'ennuie à mourir dans sa ville de ploucs. La musique te donne envie de sauter partout, mais les paroles te donnent envie de te pendre. C’est ça, la magie Springsteen : transformer la dépression existentielle en fête populaire. Et puis, il y a les moments où le masque tombe. "Downbound Train", putain, quelle chanson. Probablement le truc le plus triste jamais gravé sur vinyle. Pas de fanfare ici, juste une rythmique qui traîne la patte et une guitare qui pleure. C’est l’histoire d’un type qui avait tout — un job, une femme — et qui perd tout, petit à petit, inéluctablement. La description de sa vie dans un taudis, avec le sifflet du train qui lui rappelle ce qu'il a gâché, c'est du Zola électrique. C’est le lien direct avec "Nebraska", l’album précédent, sec et acoustique. Sauf qu'ici, la misère est habillée de lumière. On ne peut pas parler de ce disque sans évoquer la tension sexuelle qui s'en dégage. "I’m on Fire", dm.eux minutes trente de pure angoisse libidinale. Un beat minimaliste, une guitare en sourdine, et Bruce qui murmure des trucs limites malsains. "Hey little girl is your daddy home...". On est sur le fil du rasoir, entre le désir brûlant et le prédateur nocturne. C’est moite, c’est lourd, c’est incroyable. Ça tranche tellement avec le côté "bon pote" de "Glory Days" ou "Darlington County". D’ailleurs, parlons-en de ces morceaux plus "légers". "Glory Days", c’est l’hymne des bars PMU à 2 heures du matin. C'est beauf ? Oui, totalement mais c'est assumé. C'est la lucidité cruelle du temps qui passe. On regarde dans le rétro parce que devant, c'est le mur. Bruce raconte ces histoires de lycéens devenus des épaves avec une tendresse qui t'arrache le cœur. Pareil pour "Working on the Highway", un rockabilly joyeux pour raconter... l'histoire d'un mec qui finit aux travaux forcés pour avoir détourné une mineure. Encore une fois, le contraste est saisissant. Tu tapes du pied en écoutant l'histoire d'un type qui brise des cailloux sous le soleil. Et puis, il y a "No Surrender" l'hymne à l'amitié, au rock'n'roll comme religion. "We learned more from a three-minute record, baby, than we ever learned in school". Cette phrase, elle devrait être gravée au fronton de tous les magasins de disques. C'est notre credo, à nous les rats de discothèques, les collectionneurs de vinyles, les obsédés de la note de pochette. C'est pour ça qu'on écoute de la musique, pour apprendre ce que l'école ne nous apprend pas : comment vivre, comment aimer, comment tenir le coup. Il faut aussi saluer le E Street Band car sur cet album, ils sont monstrueux d'efficacité. Ils ont sacrifié leurs jams interminables pour servir la chanson. Roy Bittan aux synthés (le son de l'album, c'est lui), Clarence Clemons qui place ses interventions de saxo comme des uppercuts chirurgicaux. Tout est carré, millimétré, c'est de l'artisanat américain de haute précision. L'album se clôt sur "My Hometown". Après avoir fait danser l'Amérique, Bruce l'assoit sur une chaise et lui met le nez dans son caca. Le racisme, la fermeture des usines, la ville qui se meurt. "Main street's whitewashed windows and vacant stores". C'est un constat d'échec amer, on est loin du patriotisme aveugle. Le cycle se ferme : on est né aux USA, mais est-ce qu'on peut encore y vivre ? Alors oui, 5 sur 5 et c'est inattaquable. C'est l'un des rares albums de l'histoire qui réussit le grand écart parfait : satisfaire l'exigence artistique et conquérir le grand public. C'est un disque qui capture une époque, une humeur, une nation, tout en parlant de sentiments universels : la solitude, l'envie de fuir, la nostalgie, la rage de vivre. Certains puristes préfèreront toujours la noirceur de "Darkness" ou la fougue de "Born to Run". Ils ont tort car "Born In The U.S.A." est le sommet. C'est le moment où Springsteen a cessé d'être un chanteur pour devenir un mythe. C'est brut, c'est puissant, et quarante ans après, ça n'a pas pris une ride (ou alors, juste ce qu'il faut pour avoir du charme). Si tu n'aimes pas cet album, c'est que tu n'aimes pas le rock ou pire, que tu n'aimes pas la vie.

Don’t let the triumphant-sounding synths that kick off Born in the USA fool you, this is perhaps the bleakest album that has ever achieved such massive levels of success. It’s a collection of tales about dying towns, deindustrialization, job loss, broken relationships because of not having work, the kinds of villains who live and prey on the margins. There are flickers of hope here, though it never seems to work out for anyone. Personally, though I like Springsteen, the bombastic 80s production values of this album turned me off and I’ve preferred other of his albums to this one; I’ve been missing out because this is a phenomenal album, and the sound of it works here (even if it ends up sounding dated now) because it gives it a subversive edge. Springsteen is one of the greatest songwriters of all time, no question.

THE BOSS THE BOSS THE BOSS THE BOSS

people think this is a patriotic album, but it’s a critique on the american dream. his music feels like it’s a part of my dna

love, a fav

Didn't know what to expect when listening to this, but I end up being surprised at the end! Quite a catchy album!

HOLY BANGERRRRRR 9/10

ARE YOU KIDDING ME

Bruce at his very best. He should tour the album

I don’t think I’ve ever listened to this whole album all the way through but I knew most of the songs obviously. Great album.

All American album. First complete listen and it was awesome. Many iconic tracks and great guitar and vocals along with some cool electric piano/organ parts

This album sits at a strange crossroads: universally recognizable yet frequently misunderstood. Born in the U.S.A. may have been packaged in 80s bombast and churned out radio hits like a machine, but underneath the sheen is one of Springsteen’s most pointed and humane bodies of work. It’s a protest album wearing a headband, a critique smuggled inside stadium anthems, and the contradictions only make it richer. The title track is the obvious example—famously misread—yet the whole record hums with the same tension. Bruce writes about people quietly losing ground: the veterans displaced, the workers discarded, the dreamers squeezed by a country they’re trying to believe in. And he sets all of that to songs so sturdy and melodic that you could build a highway on top of them. The run of hits borders on surreal: “Dancing in the Dark,” “Glory Days,” “I’m on Fire,” “No Surrender,” “My Hometown,” “Cover Me,” “Darlington County.” Most artists would call it a career if they wrote one of these. Springsteen put them all on a single record like it was nothing. What elevates the album beyond cultural artifact is how deeply lived-in these songs feel. There’s sweat, longing, stubborn hope, and the sense that Bruce isn’t just observing these lives but carrying them. Even when the production edges toward glossy excess, the emotional impulse stays grounded, almost humble. Listening to it now, decades later, the thing still hits with unnerving clarity. The themes haven’t aged; the country hasn’t changed as much as it pretends; and Springsteen’s voice carries the same wounded defiance it did in ’84. Iconic isn’t even the right word—this album is practically part of the national nervous system. For me, this lands firmly in the five-star tier. Not because it’s flawless, but because its impact, craftsmanship, and emotional truth are impossible to deny. This is Springsteen at his most accessible and still somehow at his most pointed. The rare blockbuster that earns every bit of its legend.

Ah, classic album and another with lots of fine memories.

Each track is top notch. Enjoyed it as much now as when I first heard it back "in the day"

It's not my favourite Springsteen movie but it's probably his best in terms of general appeal. Every single track here could be a single. Just fucking brilliant.

I'm sure nostalgia influences me a bit, but this is a great album.

LOVED this. Will be returning

Whatever whenever wherever. He’s the Boss for his classic tunes. Always a pleasure and a treasure in my opinion.

I love this album.

This doesn't quite scale the heights of Born to Run, but I love this album. only one or two weak songs, and some of the lesser played songs are my favorites. This is going to sound like a crappy country song, but Bobby Jean reminds me of warm summer nights hanging outside with college girlfriends

ANOTHER 5 FOR BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

I’m not a Bruce fan but this was a great opportunity to listen to an album in whole. Other than the obvious title track that everyone knows the story of and a few radio singles, every single song on this album is very strong. I didn’t expect it to hit me like it did.

Classic Springsteen. Deserves 5* alone for the right-wing nutters who he confused over the supposedly 'patriotic' title track, which is really anything but. It's packed with great songs aside from that though - Glory Days, Bobby Jean and No Surrender are some of my other highlights. His writing is incredibly evocative at it's best as it is on Born in the USA

Not my favorite Springsteen album, but it's a classic for a reason. It's worth the price of admission just for I'm on Fire and Dancing in the Dark, not to mention Cover Me. 9/10

Big fan of Bruce and for many years, this was my favorite of his releases.

A Classic

Good

One of the great albums of all time.

5/5 album man

I've been trying to come up with a reason not to give this a five, and I honestly can't

Born to Run: I've never been too fussed on Bruce Springsteen and even after listening to this album before and watching the recent biopic that came out, it didn't awfully change my mind. However, for whatever reason this listen was different and i am a huge huge fan. Cameron Winter’s cover of “Dancing in The Dark” for that Xbox ad is better though…

An absolute classic. It has all the elements of a country album, but just frames them so perfectly as a rock anthem.

I've liked this album a lot; it has many great songs and flows really well. It felt really rapid for me, so cohesive (without being bland or repetitive) and interesting. There are songs that I felt less enjoyable but, yet, they didn't get me off this album. I won't say it's perfect but it's a solid album, a very solid one. And, of course, one I will listen to more.

Nobody does “Heartland Rock” quite like the Boss. He paints a beautiful picture of working class America. Any of the songs on this record could have been singles, so it’s no surprise that 7 of them were. An album for life.

Pure, raw emotions

Great start to finish. I have a lot of nostalgia for this one but it holds up to a relisten and then some.

Bruce will always get 5 stars from me, he’s my fucking idol. Think this has come at a good time as I recently watched Deliver Me From Nowhere, and hearing the pomp of B.I.T.USA after Nebraska hits differently now. It’s also an excellent social commentary of Regan’s America. Not my favourite Bruce record, but again, he’s never made a bad record to me. Highlights are “I’m on Fire”, “Bobby Jean” and “My Hometown”. BRUUUUUUUUCE!!

This album by Bruce is a 5

Hall of Fame album from one of the greatest. 9.1/10

This album sounds like denim, motor oil, and quiet despair disguised as stadium rock. Everyone hears the anthems — fists in the air, fireworks in July — but if you actually listen, it’s heartbreak wearing a red bandana. Bruce wrote songs for the working class and accidentally made them catchy enough for the people doing the crushing. Rating: 4.8/5 Short Review: Blue-collar poetry hiding in a jukebox; an American dream album that knows it’s a nightmare. Favorite Track: “I’m on Fire” — whisper-sung lust that feels like a fever breaking in slow motion.

This is one of those albums that's so good it makes me sick. It has everything. You have the inexplicable dance track, the classic Springsteen working class misery, the highs, the lows, the melancholy reflection on a life passing by you...the only thing I hate is the really ugly snare drum on there. This album is like a whole town distilled for your listening pleasure. I enjoy this album every time I hear it and I always discover something new.

*The* Classic Bruce!

Tämä on tähän mennessä näistä eniten kuuntelemani levy. Tätä on jo kasarin puolesta välistä asti tullut silloin tällöin luukutettua. Erinomainen kokonaisuus, eikä levyllä ole yhtään huonoa biisiä. Täyden kympin levy, mikä viimeistään nosti Brucen kaikkien tietoisuuteen.

Classic songs

It's been a while since I listened to a Bruce Springsteen record on this journey, and, given the limelight on Nebraska with the recent biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere, I'm due to revisit that one. I bring that album up specifically because both it and Born in the U.S.A. were workshopped around the same time. Bruce opted to release Nebraska first as an artistic statement, and, after a break from touring, worked on the second album with the E Street Band. Right out of the gate, the sonic tone on this one is starkly different from Nebraska. Prominent guitar riffs and snare drums, blaring synthesizers, simple chord progressions, and earwormy hooks; this record truly tapped into the zeitgeist of 1980s heartland rock. Sure, it's admittedly cheesy, but I can't help but be moved by these tunes. Bruce and company still knew how to reel people in with a good hook or two, while also incorporating a few minimalist ballads with "Downbound Train", "I'm on Fire", and "My Hometown". Though just because there's more pop sensibility on display, this record is not lyrically toned down from Nebraska. If anything, Bruce continues to focus on working-class characters and their struggles. From the treatment of Vietnam War veterans on the title track, the maintenance of a romantic relationship amidst PTSD woes on "Cover Me", the runaway man who gets arrested and forced into labor on "Working on the Highway", the laid off worker whose wife left him on "Downbound Train", the uncontrollable lust on "I'm on Fire", the desire for friendship in "No Surrender" and "Bobby Jean", the ravaging of time as former high school colleagues face their demons on "Glory Days", and the failure of the American dream epitomized on "My Hometown", the imagery and themes that Bruce tapped into paint a darker side in trying to make a living in this country. All the while, there is still a desire for more, particularly captured in the upbeat "Dancing in the Dark" as Bruce vents out frustration with writing songs that please people. I cannot deny how exceptional Born in the U.S.A. is as a record that has withstood the test of time. This was the album that launched the Boss into stardom and popularized American heartland rock, and it is justified in that legacy.

Classic. It’s one of those “I know every song” album

Just in time for the Springsteen movie (that focuses on the creation of Nebraska), I am given the album after it. Undoubtedly his most iconic record, Born In The USA sees Bruce go full superstar mode without sacrificing what made his music appealing. The record strives on nostalgia and catchiness. The band's all there and they sound happy. I can especially point out when Bruce yells out "BIG MAN" to signal Clarence Clemons to a solo on Darlington County. But while Bruce may sound as confident and electrifying than ever, I know that he was going through hard times between the end of The River's cycle and the release of this album. Dancing In The Dark highlights that frustration with himself along with an instrumental that makes you want to move side to side. I hear a lot of purpose in these songs and I feel that the mega-success it got was well deserved. It's a shame that people still misinterpret the title track to be a patriotic anthem when it's not, but hey, it's a great song and a damn great album (8/10, 5/5 on this scale)

Bruce at his Bossiest. Dumbed down and bigger and sexier sounding but not losing any of the gravitas he came in with on Nebraska.

I went into this listen with a very critical ear, and came out thinking it’s an undeniable statement. The opening chords to every track put you in a place or a mood so effectively I noticed. The upbeat pop tone of the music set to the very real world subjects is amazing as well.

Hits all around. This is a unanimous classic, though it is great it didn't blow me away in the way I feel like it's reputation warranted. 4.6 outta 5

De Baas levert drie kwartier strakke rock uit de binnenlanden van de USA en het was allemaal zo hitwaardig dat er zeven singles van getrokken werden. Wat kan je er verder van zeggen, het lijkt allemaal zo simpel om keer op keer raak te schieten met je muziek, maar als er iets blijkt uit deze 1001 albums, is het dat het er meestal naast gaat. Bruce lukt het wel, met een niet te stoppen energie rammen drums, gitaar en orgeltje de stem van de Baas naar precies de plek waar hij wezen moet. Hatseflats.

Ik heb bij 2 eerdere albums van Bruce al het woord iconisch laten vallen. Maar dit is weer zo'n plaatje dat absoluut in de lijst der iconische albums zit. Een van de bestverkochte albums aller tijden, een hoes die veel mensen herkennen. Vanaf de eerste noten weet je dat dit een anthem van de jaren 80 is. De bombast spat er van af, samen met de bekende drumcomputers. Ik ben meer fan van de 70s Broes, voor die albums heb ik een 5 gegeven. Maar uiteindelijk kun je dit album ook zonder enig probleem een aantal keer achter elkaar opzetten. Er zit tempo in waar nodig, maar er zijn ook momenten van bezinning. En het eindigt met Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark en het prachtige My Hometown. Dan moet ik toch, ondanks dat dit misschien niet in mijn persoonlijke top van Broes album zou komen, tegen alle logica in, toch moet ik dan wederom op die 5 sterren drukken. Want het is gewoon steengoed.

Classic.

I love 1001 Albums because without it, I would have never known that Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg sang backup on Cover Me! Anyway, this isn't even the best Bruce album and it is still a 5.

This album is packed full of hits that are main stays in the setlist for years to come. I compare this to Metallica’s Black album, this is what sent Bruce even further into the stratosphere. He was already huge but this made most mainstream people fans.

Full disclosure. I'm not a Boss fan. At all. But wow, I really have to give props to this one and give it 5 stars. It's that good!

Born in the U.S.A. is not just one of the greatest albums of all time. It is probably in my top three albums ever, and it is my go to record whenever I need something to lift me up. I must listen to it at least five times a week. It is an easy five out of five, right up there with Born to Run for me. The album is packed with incredible songs. The title track is one of the most powerful protest songs ever written, and still widely misunderstood. It sounds huge and anthemic, but the story at its heart is devastating. Bobby Jean, written for Steve Van Zandt, is a beautiful reflection on friendship and loyalty. I’m on Fire is pure atmosphere, simple, tense and unforgettable. No Surrender feels like the anthem of my upbringing. Then you still have Dancing in the Dark, My Hometown and Glory Days. The depth on this record is ridiculous. What makes it even more remarkable is that it followed Nebraska. From stark acoustic storytelling to stadium sized rock songs, and yet the emotional weight never disappears. Favourite track: The entire album. It is all brilliant. Least favourite track: None. Every song feels essential. Album artwork: An iconic cover and one of the most recognisable images in music history

More synthpop than most 80’s synthpop records

HINOOOOOOOOOOOOO

PILAAAA

I've listened to this before and know it well. But what a fucking great album is this, every song is such a banger.

Iconic, atmospheric, and maybe even a little homoerotic.

My favourite Springsteen album.

Better than I remember. A classic

One of the essential albums from the Boss, with a still-impressive 7 top ten singles. He embraces the hope but also explores the contradictions of American life circa 1984.

I probably wouldn’t have guessed at the start of this Springsteen odyssey that my favourite album of his would, in fact, turn out to be the most obvious one. But it’s the one that plays out most like a Greatest Hits - and that’s not just because a lot of his greatest hits are indeed on this record, but because all of the other tracks sound like they could be singles, too. This feels like the album where Bruce really nailed writing a pop hook (Dancing In The Dark) and learnt the value of musical restraint and concision (I’m On Fire), complementing tauter, flab-free versions of his usual working class Americana anthems.

Great album of Americana songs.

Great album

Another banger Springsteen album. Definitely his biggest, most well-known album. It's primarily arena rock, but every track is great. My personal favorite is "I'm Going Down," but there really isn't a weak spot in the whole album.

Iconic. Even though it’s been derided as more pop than rock, this was the album that made me a Bruce Springsteen fan. I loved every song when it came out and I still know all the words 40 years later.

Such a familiar album - hard to view it as groundbreaking because I know it so well. Deep cuts are better than headlines

One of Springsteen's best. Songs by the working man for the working man, without ever feeling like they're lowest common denominator. No skips.

The boss

an iconic album. so many great songs and how good is the E street band.

Absolute rock perfection

THE album. Like possibly album of all time. Like the title track AND I’m On Fire AND Glory Days AND Dancing in the Dark?! Plus all the others! Genuinely iconic. GOD I LOVE BRUCE. Also if I had three wishes one of them would probably be to make every American who thinks Born is a patriotic anthem like all those yahoo redblooded gunslinging trash people to ACTUALLY READ AND UNDERSTAND the lyrics and their meaning because it might be the most misused song in history! Bruce is NOT FOR YOU. Comprehension skills, idiots! Anyway, as I said, perfect album. Perfect. And I absolutely NEED to see him play live next time he tours Australia and I’m really hoping that’s soon.

A masterpiece. And I’m not just talking about the boss’s backside adorning the album cover. Bruce and the E Street Band deliver an epoch. Bruce’s poetry and declaration of being “Born in the USA” has confused faux patriots into utilizing an anti imperialist, anti-American war machine song as a backdrop for campaign rallies many times over. The artist has swindled those to sing along about shooting the “yellow man” down with a sense of nationalistic pride that they ought to be ashamed of. And that’s a beautiful thing. There’s so many great songs here and the boss is dear to my heart. Perfect.

Solid blue collar stories. I don’t know that I’ve ever sat down and listened to this, glad I did.

I have this album in my collection. Springsteen is a great artist. This album is straight rock ‘n’ roll. A good album to always have around. This album is an example of why Springsteen is the Boss.

I'm a huge Bruce fan, so of course this is getting 5 stars. What an album from start to finish, so well written and crafted. Love it. Highlights: "No Surrender" and "I'm Goin' Down"

This album is always great to listen to.

This album suits my overall vibe more than I care to admit.

It’s Born in the USA, of course it’s 5 stars.

So many great songs on this album!

This is like a greatest hits album.

Great album. One of his best. Glory days a highlight.

yup

So many hits. An obvious 5.

Like Sean, I have a bit of internal resistance to Bruce. I think its because my mom is from New Jersey and talks about it like its the most interesting place in the world, like being from NJ makes her interesting somehow, and in the back of my head Im still just like: you're talking about New Jersey right? That strip of highway that exists only to feed New York City? Part of it might also be the line in 'I'm on Fire' where he wakes up with sheets 'soakin' wet.' I dread that line for the whole song. I know he's talking about waking up in a cold sweat. Just say that. I don't want to think about you pissing yourself. Still, after all these years he's worn down my resistance. Born in the USA is probably the last great American protest song. Dancing in the Dark rocks. The boss is corny sometimes, but he's still the boss. Always loved Goin Down - thanks to Pat for that Vampire Weekend cover rec. Thats gonna be on rotation for a while. I think it's between the Boss and Bob Dylan for best American songwriter of all time. Both are somewhat playing a character. Neither of them would be in my top ten favorite musicians, but can't deny the clarity and urgency of their perspective.

Big big fan of this album. Outside of revisiting the hits (God damn, Im On Fire is a great tune, but that Daddy reference is awful), I liked Darlington County and Bobby Jean this time through. Generally speaking, all of these songs arent super special, but they feel super organic/authentic. Maybe its the way the drums sound or Bruce’s natural feel for a cadence. It all sounds like a band that youd hear on a perfect summer night at a small town festival. Rich “Americana”

Right as I hit play on this album on my drive home from work, Born In the USA starts up at the stoplight, and a guy with a black cutoff shirt and a red bandana rides past me on a bike, looking like just like Boss. Had a good laugh to myself. I know Bruce is not universally loved in this group, but I will always be a fan. So many great memories seeing him and listening to him over the last 20 years with my dad and different groups of friends, including most recently with Chad. This isn't my top Bruce album in terms of favorite songs - the big songs like Born in the USA and Glory Days are two of my least favorite in the catalogue, and the ballads are good but not my top. That said, it's still a really great set of songs. No skips, but my favorites are I'm On Fire and I'm Going Down (Vampire Weekend cover of this song is on regular rotation too). Reading that many of these songs were recorded during the Nebraska sessions, and carry on some of the themes of that album. Also, had no idea Annie Liebowitz did the cover photo!

5/9

Hell yeah bruce

Listening to "Born in the USA" I feel compelled to dig deeper. I want to know more about a single lyric, a song title (Where is Darlington county?), an interpretation or concept (how did the narrator in Downbound Train end up "on a railroad gang"). This is a testament to great songwriting and storytelling- Springsteen makes you want to buy in, and the E-street band seals the deal. There is a polemical part of me that hears the album as just simply "whitewashed" Americana. Is it true? I don't think so. Art imitates life. BITUSA tells the stories of life. Springsteen and the E-street band make sure that you feel it, not just hear the stories. I think this is what makes it one of the greatest albums of all time.

Amazing! Springsteen rocks!

Famously dark and ironic, tho seldom understood by its biggest apostles, Born In The U.S.A. explores American folklore from a place of resignation. Following the stripped-down bleakness of Nebraska, the Boss decided to be just as bleak, and in many ways, just as bare, albeit w/ production that at least offers a semblance of the upbeat. But even that's not entirely true - tracks like 'Downbound Train' and 'I'm On Fire' are thoroughly minor-key anthems. Indeed, one of the major themes of the record is boredom, or as the modernists would have it, ennui: go ahead and check out the lyrics to 'I'm Goin' Down,' 'Glory Days,' 'Dancing In The Dark.' But in the special way Beckett never leaves you bereft, Bruce roars 'no surrender' and means it.

The boss! Cover me and down bound train were fun new discoveries

Springsteen was a hit machine with this album, which addressed the struggles of the working man and social and economic decay.

better album than the one hit i thought of

After The River, Bruce Springsteen turned away from Rock and, instead, spent his time back in his roots of Folk with Nebraska. He had, however, some unfinished business. If you view Born to Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town, and The River as a play in three acts, we find our young protagonists living in a gritty world, yet full of hopeful enthusiasm (Born To Run), followed by crushing reality (Darkness on the Edge of Town), and finally painful disillusionment (The River). With Born in the USA, we get a fourth installment that finds our protagonists now grown up and learning to cope with disappointment and life in general. We see them working a blue color job but remaining upbeat (Working on the Highway), dealing with their PTSD (Born in the USA), a weekend out of the city looking for girls (Darlington County), resistance to hopelessness (No Surrender, Dancing in the Dark), and reminiscing about the old days that now seem better than they did at the time (Glory Days). Born in the USA is an iconic album of the 1980s. It captures the sense of worry but resistance common at the time. It also spurred more hit songs than any other Springsteen album and made him the darling of MTV. It's not his greatest album - I'd argue for Born to Run or The River for that - but is a close second. Very close. Note: A lot of politicians use Born in the USA as walkup music at rallies. Both Presidents Reagan and Trump did this. Neither bothered to listen to the lyrics or get permission from The Boss. If they had, they would have realized it's not the jingoistic, patriotic song they were hoping for. Instead, it's a critique of what war does to people and how politicians use the armed forces for strictly political aims. It's an indictment of the USA, not a celebration.

scale: 1 - instaskip, 2-meh can be skipped/reaches point to skip, 3 -nothing wrong/easy listen/not seeking out, 4 - would listen to again, 5 - must listen "saying the name of the song early scale" (SNSES) Will be accounted for when I can remember. Born in the USA: 5 Cover me: 4 Darlington County: 4 Working on the Highway: 3 Downbound train: 5 I’m on fire: 7 No surrender: 6 Bobby Jean: 5 I’m goin down: 5 Glory days: 6 Dancing in the dark: 6 My hometown: 4 5. No doubter.

Born in the U.S.A. - 5.5 Cover Me - 4 Darlington County - 3.5 Working on the Highway - 3 Downbound Train - 3.5 I'm On Fire - 5.5 No Surrender - 5.5 Bobby Jean - 4 I'm Goin' Down - 4.5 Glory Days - 5 Dancing In the Dark - 5.5 My Hometown - 4.5

Kyl tää vitoseks kääntyy. Ei o paljoa täytebiisejä

On se pomo! Kova levy, jossa tähdet oli asennossa ja soundit kohdillaan. Paljon radiosoittossakin kuultuja hittejä.

Love it. Own it.

No B.S. Son sus Glory Days, está claramente on fire, bailando en la oscuridad en su hometown, in the USA.

Actually when I finally listened to this last night I decided this album is amazing.

This isn’t my favorite Bruce Springsteen sound, the synths and the drums sound especially dated, but this is heartland rock after all so thats kinda the point in some way I guess. This album spawned 7 singles which is absolutely wild, Springsteen was still on top of the world at this point. The bookend tracks for each side of this record are highlights. Opening with the title track is a great move. I know it’s been overplayed and misunderstood but I absolutely love this song as a story of how fucked up America can be to those it claims to honor most. Side 1’s closer is I’m on Fire. This is probably in my top 25 songs of all time. The hushed, tense vocals and instrumentation is so good. This song is creepy and I love it. Then we have the two bookends of side 2. No surrender kills live I’m sure and my hometown is classic Bruce on some classic Springsteen topics. Both very good. Going into this record I think I knew about half the songs already and going out I think those hits are still my favorite tracks although I really did like No Surrender and Bobby Jean on the second side and Downbound Train on the first (very The River of him). I can’t ignore how bad that one song of him going sha lalalala all over it is - Darlington County. Every aspect of that track is boring to bad. This has to be a 5 for me, even with its flaws this record is just an absolute force. I would still go see Springsteen today. Classic 5/5

By the skin of its teeth a 5 for the all time bangers. Otherwise very good 4 level. He is the boss for a reason.

Bruce is truly something else. The man has a way of speaking directly to your soul and eliciting feelings through your body.

BRUCE FOREVER

Perfect combination of stadium ambition and artistic integrity. Despair has never sounded so good.

Great album. Born in the USA, Cover Me, I’m on Fire, No Surrender, Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark, My Hometown are my favorites from the album. Solid listen through - most songs are great, everything is listenable.

this album is 4.5 for me i love the storytelling, absolute bangers

This is one of the first albums I remember owning because I wanted it. I had the cassette and wore it out. Some great albums can be called masterpieces, this one is more of an achievement. Bruce set out to make a big album and it ended up being so much bigger than I'm sure he even thought. There's really not a weak track here (Working on the Highway is my least favorite, but it's not really bad). Standout Track(s): Bobby Jean (one of my all-time favorite songs), Downbound Train, My Hometown

I’m on fire changed the world as we know it