Reviews (page 4 of 13)
I was born in 1981. My siblings are 7 and 11 years older than I am. This album was pretty much the soundtrack to my growing up - but I didn’t really realize the importance of Bruce Springsteen on the world until I was a teenager. I read The Boss’s autobiography a few years ago and was surprised to learn that this was the album that really cemented him as a legend - so profound are his albums that preceded this one. But I get it. This album capitalizes on the promise of his 70s music while ushering him into a new era. It’s hard to think of him in the same light as similar monoliths like Madonna or Prince since they are all so different, but Bruce is really keeping rock and storytelling alive here. There’s a reason he’s considered one of the best and it’s all over this album. An all timer.
A good ass-album (desperately checks to see if anyone else in the reviews made this joke) I feel like such a fake fan when I say I like this a lot more than Nebraska. After all, Nebraska’s stark, spooky folk tunes seem more up my alley than this fist-pumping album rock. But I love it. Seven singles released, and I believe that even the lesser-played “Working on the Highway” and “Bobby Jean” could have easily been hits as well. See what being raised on ‘80s AOR does to a developing brain? 5 stars HL: "Dancing in the Dark", "Working on the Highway", "I'm On Fire", “Bobby Jean”, “I’m Going Down”, the title track February 7, 2024
Holly Molly this is way better than I expect when I saw the title, I was expecting another folktale/country album but no! This was GOOD there were a lot of good songs so I believe this deserves a 5/5
Probably one of, if not, the most American album there is. And being unbiased, this still might get the 5 when I thought it couldn't. The album doesn't have the emotional feeling of Darkness, but it still packs a punch.
what in the world this album is so good. My mom used to listen to Bruce all the time so I have heard it but never really listened. Did not expect to cry to Born in the USA.
One of the best albums of all time. The only flaw I could think of is that the production has a little 80's cheese at times (specifically with the keyboard tone,) but that's not enough to diminish the amazing songs. 10 out of 5.
Tengo ganas de beber zarzaparrilla (bud light), comer tarta de manzana y trabajar en un taller que huela mucho a diesel
Por fin un album que merece la pena estar en esta lista!
I’m not sure why, but I’ve never really listened to Bruce Springsteen, and I assumed the genre of this album would have more or a classic rock feel. But omg it’s so 80s pop and I love it.
Lleva toda la vida conmigo. 5/5
Born in the USA.... mein Einstieg als Rock-Liebhaber. Einfach nur gut. Das echte American Feeling
Yes, it's been overplayed for the last 20 years but it's definitely a 5.
One of my favorites of all time.
"Born in The U.S.A." is the seventh album by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. It was recorded with the E Street Band and with Chuck Plotkin and Jon Landau producing. The music has tighter songs being brighter and more pop-influenced with more prominent synthesizers. The album was recorded over two years with Springsteen writing over 80 songs. The lyrics of the songs on the album explore themes of disillusionment, patriotism and personal relationships. Commercially, the album was a massive hit reaching #1 in the US and UK and had wide-spread critical acclaim. The keyboard melody and drums start the album opener "Born in The U.S.A." The band kicks in and we have very much an anthem of a song. Of course, this song was widely misinterpreted as pro U.S.A. when in reality it was about the difficulties of returning working-class Vietnam vets. Outstanding drumming by Max Weinberg. "Cover Me" was actually written for Donna Summers. A shared keyboard/guitar melody. What is the song about? Springsteen looking for money by having people cover his songs? Vietnam vet PTSD? I don't know but a pretty good song. Synths and clock-ticking beats highlight the more melancholy "I'm on Fire." The protagonist wants a girl who is already with somebody. "No Surrender" starts the second side which is one of the best album sides in rock history (in my opinion, of couse). This song was almost not included on the album since Bruce couldn't finish it. He knew it was the best song on the album (and it is) and was finally convinced by guitarist Steven Van Zandt. The drumbeat, the rolling piano and "ohhhh's" begin the song. The band and Springsteen play this with such urgency. I've always interpreted this song as "don't give up" and I'm sticking to it. The vocal chorus "ohhhh's" end the song as well. And right on the heels comes the more melancholy "Bobby Jean." Keyboards, synth and the big man on the sax drive this song. A farewell to Van Zandt as he was to leave the E Street Band. Guitars and the sax highlight the sixth single "I'm Goin' Down." A prominent bass also. Frustration in a deteriorating relationship. The mood switches to upbeat in "Glory Days." Reminiscing about the past and baseball. The band is having fun. Towards the end of the album recording, producer Jon Landau challenged Springsteen to write a hit single. The next day Bruce came back with "Dancing in the Dark." Synth melody. Great sax. And yes, I did have a crush on Courtney Cox because of the video. Interestingly, the album closes with the subdued "My Hometown." Bruce gets nostalgic looking at the past which included racial violence and economic depression. Sometimes, it's challenging writing about an album you know so well. What helps is that by taking notes, you kind of listen to it differently which helps somewhat. And what can you say about this, other than it still sounds great and some of his lyrics are still relevant today. The band's energy is something you notice right away. They are in full flight and I can't think of them sounding better on any other album. The songs rotate between anthems and more melancholic ones. The use of keyboards and synthesizers is very prominent compared to his other albums. The highest of recommendations from me.
10/10
So good
Listening to this as an adult hits harder than it did when I first heard these songs as a kid - I get it now. Its themes of the working class, aging, American politics, and relationships feels like a hard look in the mirror. I wasn't expecting to be moved by this album since I was already familiar with several of these songs, but experiencing the album in its entirety made me weep. It's a depressing album, but I love The Boss for giving this to us.
Such a vivid snapshot of working class America. So many champion the song "Born in the USA" as some patriotic anthem, when it's such a scathing rebuke of the true America. I heard this album so much as a kid, I still know most of the lyrics to most of the songs. This was an interesting revisit.
Hell yeah!
A great album with lots of hits from my youth.
I’m glad I was sent this album.
I loved this a lot more than I thought I would. The themes of the album being about living a hard working, blue collar life had a lot of sorrow and frustration of dealing with tough circumstances interspersed. Each song feels like a separate story of the experience of the dark side of the American dream and the struggles to find a basic level of content. Lyrically, he can be just a tad verbose, but, overall top-quality thoughts and ideas.
wonderful, classic stuff. Brought back good memories.
Great album, loaded with all American nostalgia of my youth that makes me want to hop into a Chevy Camaro after a summer legion double header and go crank a case of natty lights down by the moontower
It’s perfect mix of rock and pop, high and low culture. The platonic form of excellent middlebrow art. Always a blast to listen to. THIS WAS WRITTEN BY AI
Fantastic. Love this album
Wow! I remember loving this when if first came out and on a listen 35 years or so later, it is still an awesome album. From top to bottom, it has great songs that speak to the time of the album and still resonate now. I could listen to this anytime and love it.
A classic
Excellent
Apparently Springsteen is very polarizing, which baffles me. This album was my first experience with him, I was 14. I like his rough, shouty vocals and the heartland rock anthems. Born to Run is probably my favorite but this is a solid second. 4.5/5.
Oh, Bruce
Historical record
This was my 3rd Springsteen album and I am still didn't even hit first 100 mark. I did not care for the first two and I expected this one to be the same story, apart from the few songs I already knew. Turns out this is just a straight bangers only records and I am on the verge of giving it 5 stars. Did not expect that....
Brought back a lot of memories. Great album of the time.
Captures the quintessential American experience of the 80s by tackling themes of changing working-class identity, patriotism, and disillusionment - the album reminded me of a folk-ier Billy Joel with nothing but hits.
Great
Great listen
Such a strong album from start to end. The drums run through each song like a heartbeat.
Born in the USA - Great opening to an album, iconic. Reminds me of Camp. Great tune, never properly listened to Bruce before so excited for this album! Cover Me - Enjoyed this one. All very American. Darlington County - Reminded me of Is this the way to Amarillo. Liked it a lot though fun song. Working on the Highway - WILL NEED TO RELISTEN Downbound Train - Great song, want to listen to the lyrics. I'm on Fire - BANGER! Enjoy this song a lot, lovely lyrics. No Surrender - What an opening. Yeah, liked this one thought it was very fun. Bobby Jean - Lovely sax, piano and singing. Fave song that I'd not heard before. I'm Goin' Down - Quite cool, sounds like Wagon Wheel a bit which is a shame. Glory Days - Another classic, maybe I know more Bruce than I thought! Dancing in the Dark - I knew this one too! Wow, Bruce Springsteen has some great tunes. Know Dad loves him maybe I do too. This is a great song with great lyrics. My Hometown - Nice finish to a great album. Took me on a journey.
Brings back great concert memories from the 80s!
Classic rock. Well-known hits.
Ausgezeichnetes Album mi passender Mischung aus Rock, Pop, Country und Synthy. Neben den Mega Songs “Born…” und “I’am On Fire” glänzen auch andere Titel wie “I am going down”. Tolles Gesamtwerk.
Some really great songs and really enjoyable overall
What a way to end 2023. At one point I wasn't that keen on Bruce. Then I rolled onto a good old-fashioned, salt-of-the-earth, american highway in a much too large, american build Ford and I just had to surrender myself to the synths and the pounding of that 80's snare drum.
Is it too much? Obviously! Is it too American? You bet! Are we better people because of it? Hell yeah!
A lot of all-time classics on one album. One of my first albums - 40 years ago
“Born down in a dead man's town The first kick I took was when I hit the ground You end up like a dog that's been beat too much 'Til you spend half your life just coverin' up Born in the U.S.A I was born in the U.S.A I was born in the U.S.A Born in the U.S.A Got in a little hometown jam So they put a rifle in my hand Sent me off to a foreign land To go and kill the yellow man Come back home to the refinery Hiring man says, "Son if it was up to me" Went down to see my V.A. man He said, "Son, don't you understand" You’re a complete idiot if you think this song is patriotic at all. Also, Dancing in the Dark is always a bop.
Musikliste 2024
Great album, songs for a generation.
This is a fantastic album and one I grew up with. A real piece of Americana.
This album is iconic. Love it. Favorites are I’m in Fire and glory days.
Great album
takes me back in time with some great memories.
Classic
a whole lotta hits on this born in the usa cover me darlington county no surrender bobby jean i'm goin down glory days dancing in the dark
Mega!!!!!!!
It's a goddamn perfect album in the same way Purple Rain is a goddamn perfect album. Every song sounds like a hit because they either were hits or would have been had they been released as singles. Imagine getting a vinyl album you could put on without having the urge to get up and skip over songs. We were so spoiled. The only debate is whether this album or Born To Run is the best of The Boss. It's close. Born To Run is the better title track, really the quintessential Springsteen song. But my gut leans more towards this one, and it surely has everything to do with the fact that I was 14 years old in 1984 and just discovering The Boss, thinking he was some middle aged white man who worked at an auto shop during the day and played snall clubs at night, where he'd spot a young Courtney Cox out in the audience before she became famous and invited her up on stage to do the white man's overbite with him. Sometimes it's as simple as pointing out that you can't start a fire without a spark to cement your legend.
This is literally the first record that I ever bought with my own money. I was in 4th grade and saved up from odd jobs around the house and for my parents' businesses and bought it from some fundraising effort at my grade school that I somehow associate with the Scholastic Book Fair - did they sell records through that, too? Either way, it's been one of my favorite albums since I was 10 and quite obviously gets a 5.
Great album
A true classic. Can listen to it over and over again without feeling bored. Bruce is bringing the spring. Or so I hope.
This album is packed with great songs and I never get tired of listening to it because as the years go by there’s always another song that becomes a new favorite. Of course the title track and “Dancing in the Dark” take all the attention when you first hear it. But after a while, “I’m Going Down” became my favorite. It was the song I would always put on BBQ and party playlists. Then I went through a period where I realized what a quietly powerful song “I’m on Fire” is. And today while I was driving to work, “No Surrender” hit me in a way it hadn’t before. I blasted it loud and jammed out. Great mix of styles on this album. There are country rockers, soul-influenced tracks, hard rock and touches of synth. But it all comes together as one distinct, cohesive whole. On other albums, the E-Street Band is loose and wild but I’m not sure they’ve ever been as tight and focused as they are here. On another note, I paid attention to the lyrics on the song “Born in the U.S.A.” for the first time in a while and it really deepened my appreciation for the song. I knew it criticized war and our treatment of veterans but the words resonated with me today. Honestly, all of these songs have such a strong emotional undercurrent. Great songwriting and fantastic delivery from the Boss.
Never heard of this guy before but the sound is cool. Just kidding, I'm from New Jersey! I don't think I've gone a week in my life without hearing a Bruce song. And I don't think I could ever get tired of Bruce. I think that's a testament to the wall-of-sound recording where there are layers upon layers upon layers and even after dozens of listens to a song you can still find new things that surprise you. Subjectivity aside, these songs are just good. They have great structures, great vocals, social-commentarying lyrics that don't annoy after time (and are also unfortunately timeless..), they make you move, and are so good that anyone of any age could listen and enjoy. I wish this was the album for the week and I had a week to write about it. I think this is one of the best American albums of all time and the concepts are timeless and will live on for a long time. Definitely one of the most important records of modern music.
Molto piacevole da ascoltare, si sente proprio l'american dream in queste canzoni. Non so dire se sia stato rivoluzionario, sicuramente ci sono diverse canzoni molto conosciute, anche da ascoltatore non assiduo. Non mi stupirebbe sentirle come colonne sonore. Sorprendentemente vario anche il comparto strumentale, gli arrangiamenti li valuto in maniera molto positiva. Si merita un secondo ascolto per selezionare con attenzione nuove aggiunte a soft work, chill macchina e ai preferiti. Sarebbe un 4.5 stelle, ma sarò gentile e ne metterò 5
A great album
9/10
It’s insane that Dancing in the Dark might not be in the best half of songs on this album. Strong five stars.
Easy five stars. Love the Boss.
This is a great album, especially when you actually listen to it and realize that almost the entire album is critical of the conservative right wing pro military groups that idolize it. 5/5
Growing up in a time where Bruce Springsteen had already achieved icon status, it's hard to avoid having a feeling that he is overrated. However listening to this album instantly paints a vivid picture of life in a small town during the 80s. Truly a staple of "heartland rock", and definitely an album that deserves to be revisited time and time again.
I have such great memories of listening to this with my Dad all the time when I was a kid.
I heard this man live!!! Amazing album. I have it on vinyl too!
Still good going on 40 years old. It reminds me of being a kid when the music was everywhere. I'm on fire is still a cheesy song.
Not his best album (that'd be "Darkness on the Edge of Town"), not his breakthrough album (that'd be "Born to Run"), but probably his most iconic... A track list that plays like a greatest hits (12 songs, 7 (SEVEN) singles), and contains one of my absolute favourite Springsteen tracks (that'd be "Bobby Jean"). Just a near perfect album...
Good trip back down memory lane. Very listenable either as a background or focal point.
Classic album. Bruce takes you on a journey in this album of the times. Just great rock and roll.
My God how I love Axis: Bold as Love! Click bang, what a hang, your daddy just shot poor me And I hear you say, as I fade away We don't have to wait till tomorrow
This album was everywhere when it was released and soared into popularity right away, and I enjoyed it so much back then. I still enjoy it now. Great songs, and to my ear, a really nice blend of two very broad and overlapping genres (rock and pop) with all sorts of other influences in there. Sure, it was so ubiquitous in the mid-80s that it was sometimes a little much, and I always cringe when nationalists/supremacists scream along to "Born In The U.S.A." without any sense of what the song is about (hint: it's neither a nationalist nor a supremacist song in any way, shape, or form), but that's not the fault of the band or the album. Great stuff.
For the longest time I had The River as my favorite Bruce album. After listening to this twice today I remembered just how incredible this album is. Easy 5/5 for me
Springsteen. Vinilo.
Man I remember when this Album hit I was a kid in high school it was on the radio everywhere
Not quite the breakthrough it was then, but still powerful after almost 40 years.
Wow! What a great album! Not surprising giving the iconic nature of its cover. Top to bottom great songs that just make you happy to hear. This is one I will be revisiting again in the future over and over.
I love the song Dancing In the Dark 🤗
Not Springsteen’s most cohesive album, but probably his best collection of great singles.
The boss is the boss for a reason
I mean this is the peak of Bruce isn't it? Every song is well known and the hits are high. Even the less known stuff are bangers. Flawless album.
I love that album!!
Never listened to this end to end. OK maybe I am starting to get what the big deal is.
THE BOSS.
Classic album bringing back memories of the 80's!
every song was a banger Top Tracks (of which there are many): 1) Dancin in the Dark 2) Glory Days 3) Born in the USA 4) Cover Me 5) Darlington County 6) Downbound Train 7) I’m On Fire
Amazing!!
Star ratings suck.
Classic americana, most powerful snare drum of the 80s.
Hard to deny an album that spawned seven singles. These songs are now weaved into the American experience. The title track has almost become unlistenable given how overplayed it is, but still fascinating for how misunderstood it still is. To me, the perfect song on the album is Glory Days. There is nothing more American than a song about baseball and broken dreams. I’m on Fire is Bruce’s best Roy Orbison impression, a song that has rightfully graced many a film soundtrack. As with much of 80s music, Dancing in the Dark hasn’t aged so well given the synths, but it is still a well spun pop rock tune deserving of its megahit status. I’m Goin Down may be the most underrated of the singles, with 50s drive-in romance nostalgia driven by a solid backbeat. The five songs that weren’t lucky enough to be singles are all at worst decent filler, but at best they’re well written vignettes of working class wit. There’s a lot to dissect in this album, but overall it’s a clear classic.
I can hear some influences from Rolling Stones, Eagles and The Doors but still managing to bring a Midwestern Rock feel. I mean, cmon, it’s the BOSS. You’ve got 12 great songs that you’re gonna love. My favorite is ~I’m on Fire~. I can listen to this song all day. You’ll find urself strutting or whipping ur hips back n forth Throughout the album. Don’t hesitate, drop the pin to the record. 5
The boss
WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY BLASTING THOUGH THE BEDROCK
I can't begin to express how much I love this man's music! So many great albums, but this one just might take the cake. What is there to say that hasn't been said already? Bruce and his band sculpt a great album which mixes rock, pop, soul, funk, all while taking some inspiration from the synths that were heavy in use those years. It feels like such a cohesive band effort, everyone gets a chance to shine. I applaud Bruce for his long and varied body of work. But if I had to pick one, I think it would be this one! 9,5 out of 10
I didn't grow up with an appreciation for The Boss and still don't quite understand his popularity but I can certainly enjoy his talent and most of his music. The title track was the first song I played for either of my children, because, duh.
Today's record was the third by Bruce Springsteen that I've gotten so far in this generator (the first two being Born to Run and Nebraska), so apparently we are going in some semblance of chronological order. This record came right after Nebraska, and marked a genre shift to radio friendly pop rock. This album was a hit machine, with seven singles released out of the twelve songs on the record. Songs such as Glory Days, Born in the U.S.A, and Dancing in the Dark became classics, and are among Bruce's most well known works. Overall, this was a fantastic album today. All killer, no filler. I enjoyed it so much, I listened to it twice. I will absolutely listen again. Favourite songs: Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark, Born in the U.S.A., I'm Goin' Down, Cover Me, Working on the Highway, Downbound Train, Bobby Jean, Darlington County, I'm On Fire, My Hometown Least favourite songs: No Surrender 5/5
Just AMAZING from top to bottom, one of of the greatest albums of all time
Cracking album. Still sounds as good today
Это охренителтный альбом, который подарил мне чудесное настроение на весь день. Особенно понравилась песня Born to U.S.A: чувствуешь такую безудержную силу в ней, желание оказаться в Америке только растет. В альбоме почти каждая песня - хит. Именно это делает пластинку бомбической.
This is my favourite Bruce album. I have his Greatest Hits in the car, which I significantly prefer due to The River containing some excellent songs (one of my top 10 songs ever is The River), but Born In The USA contains so many hits. I think that's it, the album is pretty much banger after banger. Outside of the more well-known ones, I really like Cover Me and My Hometown. I'd really like to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band live. Twice he's played close to where I was living, and twice I was unable to go. So disappointing.
Obviously one of the best album by the boss with so many great classics on it. 'I'm on Fire' might be my favourite.
I absolutely adore this album, my godfather loves The Boss more than anyone and I've picked up his penchant for him.
I cannot deny that the guy can write a song and absolutely knows his audience. I would say every tune is a crowd pleaser. There’s not one filler/dud track on here. I can definitely listen to this, without any adverse feelings, can sing along happily and understand the poignancy. Can’t fault it really.
great album !!
Classic/10
One of the best rock albums, period. Its absolutly stunning. The boss, its pure brucy bliss. Other Bruce albums may have songs I prefer but there is not one on this that I dont like. 10/10 “You’ve just seen the heart-stopping, pants-dropping, house-rocking, earth-quaking, booty-shaking, Viagra-taking, love-making, legendary E STREET BAND!”
The Motherload
Such an iconic album.
just a nice ride down a sunny road with bruce
I've listened to this album probably a hundred times. I love each song.
Look bruce isn’t really one of my top artists or anything (I’ve even gave one of his albums a 2) but this is just great there’s not a bad song 5/5.
Unpopular opinion but I’m Going Down is my favourite Springsteen song.
Very good stuff. Lots of big hits and lesser known hits, but this really packs a punch. This type of songwriting with a message is pretty hard to do well but he nails it. Also gets some points for nostalgia for sure, but I think I'm mostly being objective here.
It's very difficult to listen to this album in 2023. It made perfect sense in 1985. Even five years later and the world had changed. It's best approached as a document of the times. Skip the album title opener. It's a powerful song, but so deeply misunderstood. I love the idea the millionaire rock star living the blue collar dream. But Bruce somehow gets away with it. There's some great fun to be had here: Darlington County, Working on the Highway and Glory Days - a song that I relate to more with each passing year. I'm on Fire was a very odd choice for a single. It's very haunting. Dancing in the Dark is great for Dad Dancing. My Hometown is a wonderful album closer, and a hint as to what was to come.
BRO WHAT ABSOLUTE 7 STAR HOLY SHIT THIS IS SO AMERICAN FIRST KANYE THEN FUCKING COMMON???? AND THEN SPRING STEAM????? THIS GENERATOR IS A W ON GOD HOLY HELL
ESSE DISCO É BOM DE MAIS!!! NUNCA FUI TRISTE!!! 10/10
Classic. A bit overplayed but hard to deny its influence
I enjoyed this more than I wanted to.
absolute classic. dancing in the dark is 100% my favourite
STUK beter dan darkness
Fantastic album from start to finish, didn't get repetitive as I thought it would. 5*
Thought I’d find it cliche and dad-rocky, but just banger over banger. Closest I’ll get to the levels of freedom our humble neighbours over the pond get
Own on Vinyl
His best album! Legendary one!
Solid album from start to finish
An absolute triumph from the Boss. There has arguably never been a sequence of albums so contrasting in tone and sound as Born in the USA and its predecessor, but I’ve been lucky enough to have them both on this project in the last week and they simply serve to demonstrate just how good Springsteen’s songwriting could be. No question, the title track lends itself to jingoists who completely miss its satirical edge. You can’t blame Springsteen for that. You can argue that off-record, his political posturing could be a bit more coherent. I would say that what bugs me is not so much that he’s too radical. Rather, he isn’t radical enough. Nevertheless, back to this record. The production is pompous and totally extravagant. It’s a calcified relic of 80s excess. But underneath some of the superficial fluff lies the thing which elevates Bruce Springsteen above your average pop star. There’s a heart and sincerity in his work, and an energy from the E-Street band which is totally invigorating. There are anthems, and then there is the title track. One of the greatest tunes ever written in my opinion. Any cartoonish optimism is tempered by a bitter sense of reality in Springsteen’s character work, and it results in an emotional concoction which carries this record effortlessly. I listened to this about 3 or 4 times before reviewing and I must emphasise that I had never heard it all the way through beforehand. “No Surrender” (another track open to misinterpretation , though admittedly only in Glasgow) is a personal highlight for me. But if I haven’t made it obvious enough so far, this album is deservedly in the conversation about all-time greats (warts and all). So that’s two consecutive perfect scores for Mr. Sprinkles. Never thought I would say that.
Easiest 5/5 so far.
Yea, straight fire.
Full marks. No notes. Every track an absolute banger.
This is a great album. It took me a little while to get into Springsteen, mostly because I misinterpreted a lot of what he was about based on the title track of this album. When I was younger I incorrectly thought this was a pro-America, jingoistic rallying cry. I also didn't grow up with his music in my house. I have a good friend who is a massive Springsteen fan and would play this album a lot at the restaurant we worked at and it really turned me into a fan. It's not my favorite of his albums but it's really strong songwriting and all great songs. Standout Tracks: Born In the U.S.A., Darlington County, Working On The Highway, Downbound Train, I'm On Fire, No Surrender, I'm Goin' Down, Glory Days, Dancing In the Dark
The boss. What can I say? Ett av mine favorittalbum fra en av mine favorittartister
Springsteen’s ass wowed us all. Are you a soulful and contemplative singer songwriter of the people whose struggling to find the recognition and wide public appeal you seek? Put your ass in some jeans and stick it on your next album cover! Instant success! Seriously though, this album is an unstoppable juggernaut of Springsteen hits. It may not be what The Boss feels most proud of in terms of showcasing his songwriting talents, but damn if it doesn’t slap the whole way through. Dancing in the Dark will always be an upbeat but aching favourite of mine for all time. That song alone merits a 5 star rating, but again, the whole album fucking rocks. Quality stuff, this is the high watermark of 80s rock n roll.
I first listened to this album a few years ago, and felt neutral about it. In the years since that first listen, I’ve become a naturalized US citizen. Maybe there’s something in the water but I loved it this time. I can’t find it in me to give this anything less than 5. It’s too good. “I’m On Fire” has been one of my favourite songs for years and this album deserves a 5 based on that alone. Who knew becoming a US citizen was all it took to have an appreciation for The Boss?
Hidden Gems In this Album, rather enjoyed it
Good album
Bunch of bangers
9/10 yeah it's pretty great.
10/10. I love this album. The way that Born in the USA and My Hometown bookend the album elevates the rest of the songs, bringing out their themes of loss of innocence in a changing, America. Musically, I think there's a lot to be said for Born to Run being Springsteen's best work, but this album is definitely my favorite.
Love it always!
Best Bruce album. Best tracks aren't the obvious choices. But Dancing in the Dark and I'm On Fire are peak Springsteen for me.
An album which starts with one of the most misunderstood songs in popular music and never lets up the pace. Springsteen is an essential American voice , exploring the myth and reality of this country’s ideals and giving dignity back to the working class.
LP
Having read about the history behind the songs, and listened to it from a young age (mother had bought the cassette) this will always hold a place in my heart. Just a classic through and through
5/5 One of the classics from my era. Start to finish it is amazing. Favorite song: My Hometown
Brilliant. Clear and obvious influence on The Killers, and pretty much all stadium rock. I never knew how many singles were from this one album - 6 out of 12 tracks charted!
Not one bad song on a legendary album
Good album
5/5
I once had the pleasure of seeing Springsteen play the whole of this album and it was incredibly good. What a great record. Best song of many is Hungry Heart
He's just so sincere, and so quintessentially American, so masculine. It's not hard to believe that this is one of the best selling albums of all time. Delivered by anyone else, these songs might seem like a joke. But not coming from The Boss.
I'm a pretty big fan of The Boss in general, and I love many of his albums, but I think this may be his best. It's one of those instances where an artist's creative and commercial zenith were one and the same. He had refined the sound of his band to a well oiled machine by this point, and also honed his songwriting to a fine edge - losing his initial flowery Dylanesque poetics almost completely, trading it in for an incredibly refined and nuanced directness. Every song is an anthem of one kind or another, often misinterpreted as some kind of patriotic chest thumping heartland rock. I implore you to read the lyrics to "Born In The USA." It is one of the most emotionally complex pop songs you will ever hear. The music does such an incredible job of sweeping you up in these catchy sing alongs, that you often don't even notice that the lyrics are often telling a very different story. This album covers such an incredibly rich emotional territory, like a book of short stories about the contemporary blue collar life of its time. Capturing the essence of that experience in what I believe to be an honest, or at least authentic, way.
Like it. On fire heat
Bellissima la prima. Bruce Springsteen è Capitan America. Ha un tono più allegro del solito, almeno dal punto di vista musicale. Anche quelle che seguono mi piacciono tantissimo! I'm on fire altro capolavoro, che gioca sul tono più sommesso e tranquillo. Scende un po' dopo questa, ma di nuovo Dancin' in the dark è un altro capolavoro... Come dicevo l'album ha un tono più allegro, ma nel pieno stile del Boss; bellissimo!
Powerful straightforward 1980ies rock n roll. Whith a great poet screaming his soul out off his chest. Love it!
Can't start a fire without a spark
Damn, stone cold classic. Now that we've had a handful from the Boss I feel more comfortable calling this his best. It's got great, legendary hits and some fantastic deep cuts too. American heritage rock, no frills. I adore the title track, if only for being the most misunderstood song in the history of this country. Patriots from sea to shining sea chanting and fist pumping along (hot dog in hand) to a song about the Vietnam War as a trap that ensnares a young troublemaker, kills his friend, and ruins his entire life (which was never great to begin with). AND THAT'S ONLY THE OPENER! There's depth in so many directions, look at "I'm On Fire," one of my favorite love songs ever. Not really a sacred or comforting love, but one that's crawling under your skin like a disease, waking you up in the middle of the night. I'll never forget the use of that song in the movie "The Hunter," truly haunting stuff. I didn't even mention Cover Me, Glory Days, or DANCING IN THE DARK? This is basically a greatest hits. Man, I love this album. I loved it before relistening today, but now I can say I *five-star, 10/10* love it. Favorite tracks: I'm On Fire, Born in the USA, Dancing in the Dark, Cover Me, Glory Days, Downbound Train, No Surrender, Working on the Highway. Album art: Iconic. Looks like an ad for Levi's or something, that's how well-constructed this is. Worn jeans, a beat up hat, white shirt, a working man's ass in front of the stripes of the American flag. Again, like the title track, it's patriotism writ large in a way that's obviously meant for critique, but dammit it also gets the patriot in you fired up because it's red white and blue. Duality baby, we love it. 5/5
Still the boss
Top 3 best albums ever: 3. David Bowie: Let's Dance (even better if the movie version of Cat People had been included) 2. Madonna: Like A Virgin (version with Get into the Groove) 1. This album: perfect as is.
I’ve never considered myself much of a Bruce Springsteen fan, but I get why this was such a monster album. It’s amazing and I loved the whole thing.
If you had asked I would have denied ever hearing this entire album, but I’m pretty sure not only have I heard it, I even remembered some of the song order. Fantastic album. Classic Bruce.
One of my all time favourite albums
Great album
Outstanding and memorable.
Wow. This is I think the best album we've had of the 230 odd that I've reviewed so far. Never listened to this start to finish before, and it's mindblowingly good. Energy, pathos, a really interesting window into a side of America that I don't think anyone's captured as well as he has (definitely not musically). Was umming and ahhing about buying tickets for his Hyde Park show this summer, but so so glad I did it now! 5/5.
Classic.
One of the popular reviews on this site for this album says "After listening to the album I ate at a McDonalds, read a Ronald Reagan biography and punch a commie in the dick. MERICA!" and I love that so many people and politicians can not quite piece the album's themes together and still enjoy it. A great vignette of American stories. Also highly recommend Dessa's cover of 'I'm Goin' Down' || I don't have anything more unique to say, but I really appreciated this quote from the wiki by Marty Karas: "a quintessential pop album that was also a perfect distillation of the anger and bitterness seething beneath the surface of Reagan-era America."
Classic Bruce. Although I do prefer some of his earlier albums
not my favorite Springsteen album, but it's hard to deny how classic and epic it is; lyrically meaningful, sonically digestible, rock n roll
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Born in the USA, Cover me, Working on the highway, I’m on fire, No surrender, Glory days, Dancing in the dark, My hometown
Dad Rock Essential
Smack in the middle of an incredible (unprecedented?) run of eight 5-star albums to start his career, the production may sound occasionally dated but it’s a sequence of absolutely expert songwriting and performance that has kept stadiums filled ever since.
So I'm some bloke who is a mix of South African, Austrian and now living in NZ . However when listening to this I feel as 'American' as apple pie from the Mid West . I start singing the next song on the album before the current one is done - it can only be a strong 5 for me.
Classic
Great album!
Instant classic, I forgot how much I enjoy the song I’m on fire
The BOSS! So many bangers on this album. Not sure what more to say. Bruce is a great mix of like Petty, the Stones, Johnny Cash, and everything else that's good about music.
An iconic album. Many tracks still get regular air play on stations with rock and maybe even oldie formats. In this exercise of listening to all these albums this is the first album I could say I already knew pretty well. Still it’s amazing to hear how many great songs there are. Cover Me rocks. Farmington County is super fun. My Hometown is heartbreaking. So much of these songs mourn a loss of something I’m not sure I ever knew. In part it’s the dream that’s been lost. And somehow Bruce turns that into a party.
I know I love this album more than most. Part of it is nostalgia, this was an album that came out when I first started to enjoy and understand music. Also, I think this album was an island of roots rock in a time of synth pop, New wave music and rising hair bands. Great album!
It's not my fave style of music, but I also can't really fault the album. Fave track: Dancing in the Dark 5/5
A very rare genuine 5star album. Barely puts a foot wrong at any stage. Absolutely cracking stuff - I just can’t work out whether if forced to choose one of his id have this or Tunnel of love
Fantastic album
5/5 From start to finish it is one great song after another.
Springsteen. Vinilo.
This is the album that launched Bruce into the stratosphere. It rocks. It tells stories. It has so much heart. It has "I'm On Fire," which must be one of the greatest songs about desire that's ever been written.
Questionable lyrics but great choons. Listened about 6 times loved it
A classic
This album spawned so many singles and hits, but I think I liked them better before I became aware of the album Nebraska. I liked the latter's rawer sound and sometimes all the synth and E-Street band accompaniment on this album makes it sound a bit cheesy. Like Cover Me; now as I listen, the lyrics are a bit cheesy and the accompanying music feels almost too dance or synth sounding. Darlington County, Working on the Highway, and Bobby Jean (a bit less so) also felt that way - feels overproduced or like everyone is trying too hard to sound catchy. That being said, the album still has many great songs. Glory Days and Dancing in the Dark are still great tunes despite all their pomp - you can't not rock along to those songs. And though I didn't know No Surrender until now, I also liked it a lot despite its pomp. Other songs are a bit more reserved - not necessarily stripped down like on Nebraska, but not forced. Of its singles, I'm Goin Down and My Hometown feel that way. Ditto for Downbound Train, which I didn't know before. And then the title track and I'm on Fire (the best on this album) are still absolute classics. Both have fantastic lyrics - complicated, disenchanted, fiery. Born in the USA is delivered with such ferocity and yet mixed emotion, while I'm on Fire is haunting. Both give you the chills, for different reasons. It is not a perfect album, but it's still damn good.
cool
I'm really not sure how anyone could not appreciate Bruce Springsteen. I saw him on the Born in the USA tour and he did not disappoint. Of the five-album span starting with Born to Run, then Darkness on the Edge of Town, The River, Nebraska and finally Born in the USA, this is probably my least favorite, and yet it's still a 5 star album. Classic.
Strong, strong start with the titular song 'Born in the USA,' which is great for reasons that most people unfortunately don't realize. A scathing review of America and its policies, the lyrics hit hard and are where the song really shines. It's the kind of song only Springsteen can sing, and he does it so well. Then the album keeps it going with 'Cover Me:' catchy and high energy. And actually, high energy is what I'd call the majority of this album. It's pretty impressive how he manages to keep the beat and spirit going throughout, even when he gets to a song like 'Downbound Train,' which slows things down a bit. Some songs are just certified hits, like 'Glory Days' and 'Dancing in the Dark.' Ultimately, it's not as fantastic as his 'Born to Run' album, but 'Born in the USA' is still an amazing album that solidifies Springsteen as a lyrical master whose voice is perfect for his words and themes.
This album is remarkable from beginning to end. Each song can be a hit. The themes are classic Bruce, production is perfect, his voice is on fire, pun intended, and the band crushes it as always. A top 10 album of the 80s. I doubt this cannot be enjoyed at least a little by everyone. One of my favourites.
Damn there are some really good songs on this album. From beginning to end might be The Boss's strongest effort. The only criticism I could levie is that on some songs the 80s production can sound somewhat dated. Still 5 🌟
I don't care if he "sold out". I do like commercial, top 40 stuff. And this one checked soooo many of the boxes.
They are not all my favorite songs... i like the darker quieter aspect of Bruce, so I'm on Fire, Downbound Train, I'm Goin' Down are the most interesting to me. I was thinking this was going to be a "4" , but there's just too many amazing tracks, finishing with 4 bangers in a row.
This album is iconic for so many reasons it's hard to do a comprehensive review. Let's just say that I feel like this album is a "must listen"
Bobby jean sax solo still slaps after all these years
02/09/2022 + Classic summer rock. + Absolutely LOVE "I'm On Fire" - such a surprising song with unexpected vulnerability. + Packed with other classic singles that stand the test of time. Really, really great stuff here.
Fiiiiiiiire
I’m a simple man. I hear the boss I vote five stars
Wonderful. Could do with a remaster.
Fucking fantastic!
OG America's ass. Postoje umjetnicka djela koja savrseno docaravaju osjecaje i atmosferu nekog vremenskog razdoblja, a ovaj album je to ucinio za Reagansku eru, rast neoliberalizma i ostatke Vietnamskog rata. Pripizdine, nezaposlenost, zgodne cure, zgodni momci, nezaposleni zgodni momci koji love zgodne cure u pripizdinama, globalizacija, ratovi, veterani i stari prijatelji su teme koje je Bruce usavrsio i doktorirao i zato bilo koja osoba na svijetu moze izvuci nesto za sebe iz njegovih tekstova. Upari to sa good ol' american rock'n'roll-om i dobijes ovaj album. Ima taj neki svoj flavour di mu grandioznost glazbe moze utisat poruku teksta i zato je tema albuma, a osobito pjesme born to run, nekada i ironicno krivo shvacena. Ali, bar meni, to samo pridonosi atraktivnosti albuma. Samo se razbacujem s peticama.
Excellent album all throughout with tons of great songs and probably peak Bruce, at least from a general popularity perspective. Tons of hits. 10/10.
What a great album, so many good songs, so many hits. Very enjoyable to listen too.
Great album, the first one from my run that I'm adding to my regular listening collection. Good to finally listen to some Springsteen - I'm a big Killers fan and their lead never shuts up about how much he loves Bruce. Best Songs: I'm On Fire, No Surrender, I'm Goin' Down, Dancing in the Dark
It was great
Love it
Not the triumphant, blindly patriotic collection of anthems you might expect. Lyrically very introspective about America's rich tapestry and broad range of lifestyles and opportunities.
My personal favorite boss album. This is everything great about him. Hardcore Americana lyrics with soulful sax solos. His singing still has its flaws but this album not only rocks but has some great ballads too. It’s excellent. 9.0/10
One of the easiest 5s so far.
There are a lot of Springsteen's best songs on this album, and it marries the joy of some of his biggest hits with the emotional weight of his slower albums.
The archetypal blue collar rock album. Infectiously enjoyable. With a title track that humiliated US politicians who only read the title.
He Bossed it.
He's not called the Boss for nothing.
Excelente disco
One of my favorite albums of all time
Classic, at least 8 great songs on this album.
Brilliant album, a collection of great songs
Perfect
Great 1980's era Boss stuff. "Born In The USA" that so misunderstood Ronald Reagan Theme! is an amazing track as is "Downbound Train" Poet to the people is Brooooce! "Glory Days" is some song too and of course the Courtney Cox Dancing on the video for "Dancing In The Dark" is legendary. In My Collection already.
They didn’t call him the boss for nothing. This is the masterpiece!!
23rd November 2021 Listened on the record player while working before we went to this weird bubble instillation in green Park. Bake off final win for guiseppe. Nothing to say. Perfection.
That's great
3 absolute classics with some lowkey bangers sprinkled in there. Easy 5 star
Born In The USA - Niet alleen de titel van een album, maar ook van een heel bekend nummer, zelfs bekend van de 2 Live Crew. Ik was meteen nieuwsgierig naar het album, en wat een fijn album is het! Allemaal leuke liedjes, ondanks dat er toch niet heel veel nummers zijn die er echt uit springen voor mij. Naast de bekende hits is voor mij de verrassing mij: "No Surrender" *****
Classic rock is classic. Some of it more classic than others.
Gute laune ami rock. Einige Lieder kannte ich schon
I’d forgotten how good this album is! Who can resist a spontaneous dance party when dancin in the dark come on
Not a bad track. pre-MAGA without the vitriol.
The perfect album about the United States. Shame the ideals that Bruce wrote about have been perverted in the 37 years since this was released.
Bruuuuce!
This is pertnear a greatest hits album on its own. Five all-time classics. Damn.
When Bruuuuuuuuce turned this album in, his manager, Jon Landau told him he needed a single for the radio. He went back and produced that single - Dancing in the Dark and an additional six more would be released. Every single record was a top-ten hit. You can't argue with this and you can't argue with Bruce because he is the Boss.
Excelent. Almost a perfect album.
A departure from his earlier works and a more pop feel album than was heard from The Boss than before this. Very accessible, very 80s, this is a great album to dip into his works.
The boss.
Defines the 80s!
Bought this at age 13 when it came out. Gets compared to Nebraska or The River all the time as they were contemporaries but this is not those albums. This is "mainstream" Bruce reaching out to his widest audience ever and nailing it. "Bobby Jean" is a lamentation of a girl he used to know that still hits that yearning feeling all these years later. A favorite.
Not my favorite Bruce album, but still heads and tails above most.
It's the Boss!!!
First track makes you want to take on the world. Good from start to finish.
Great album. Some very good deep cuts below the title track like Darlington County, No Surrender, and I’m on Fire. Downtown Train and My Hometown are the only duds to me.
The Boss!!! Amazing album. An all-time favorite.
Been ages since I listened to this, but it still holds up. Very 80s, and yet still classic Springsteen.
Kann da nichts besonderes dran finden, aber die Musik ist der Hammer!
Was soll ich sagen... Das einzig negative wäre, dass es halt der Gipfel der Popularität ist....
Not 100% my kind of music but I have no criticism to make. This is a great album.
Eines der besten Alben aller Zeiten. Obwohl es ja teilweise breitbeinig und stadiontauglich ist, ist es nie peinlich. Und die Geschichten, die erzählt werden, sind autentisch über ein Amerika der Arbeiter ohne, herablassend zu sein. Mega! I am on fire.
The Boss does stadium rock. Best Tracks: Born In The U.S.A., I'm On Fire, Dancing In The Dark
An essential album for sure!
The boss
Classic of classics. Still relevant, still magnificent rock anthems
Supreme
Yo creo que cuando menos me cae mal Estados Unidos (el concepto?) es cuando sus músicos, cineastas, entertainers pues, toman la delantera. Este disco me emociona mucho, me hace creer en los gringos (?). La voz de Bruce me gusta bastante y acá creo que todo tiene un espíritu rockero, pero al tiempo se siente que ya hay una voluntad pop, o sea que todo mundo pueda escucharlo y sentirse a gusto; no sé cómo más explicarlo. Me gusta el hitazo "Born in the U.S.A.", "Darlington County" tiene mucho espíritu gringo igual y las otras favs "I'm On Fire", "I'm Goin' Down" y "Dancing in the Dark". 10/10
Excellent album j’ai adore. 4.90
So many classic jams on this album.
I can't help but feel like Bruce is a bit cheesy, maybe it is just how much his songs are played. Still, I can't deny this album 5 stars. There are at least 5 epic songs on here.
Summer classic baby
Classic Bruce
Packed with classics. The title track, I'm on fire, no surrender, glory days, dancing in the dark, my hometown. One or two weaker tracks but overall brilliant
A classic!
Epic
Great album, timeless, love it.
Perfection.
boss
The boss! So good
Some songs i knew on there.
Initial post listing ranking: 8/10 Type of music / Reminds me of: Mom, Jean, old guy, AMERICA Thoughts: Wanted to rate it worse than it was. It won me over by the end. Really good and if I'm in the mood this would hit really hard. This album really really nails the style and does not deviate from it the whole album. This is a true "Album" in every sense of the word. Just pick a style of music and sticking to it. If you want that style then listening to this album cover to cover is a treat. Favorite Track: I'm On Fire (his voice is so good dang)
This is a more varied album than I thought it would be. Never been a big Springsteen fan, and this is a great album.. but its not for me. Whatever it is where some people connect with this deeply, I don't have it. I wonder if he's got any more abstract songs. These seem to be very "I did this, we saw that, then this happened" style songs.. these rarely hook me, unless I can really discern a deeper meaning. The meaning of these is right up front. I can hear a little Bowie in here though. And some Silver Bullet Band. Elvis Costello, Neil Young. I think I'd rather listen to those artists. I don't know why. The themes around the right-wing turn of the country from 75 -> 85 are clear, and I appreciate that. Not whiney or preachy. Interesting to hear the concerns from 40 years ago, and think about the current emergency. All the same themes, magnified and transformed into a killing floor. I think I give this album a 4. Its clearly great and special, and meaningful. No songs skipped. I'm glad I finally listened to it. But, not for me. I can tell it is very much for some people, though.
merica. paar bangers paar echt ass
Listened
classic album, lot of good hits, easy to listen to.
Really good album. Full of strong tracks. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to it.
Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: No Surrender and Cover Me Date listened: 20/06/26 Listen when: Drive with Dad Wow I liked this A LOT more than I thought I would. And he's a really great guy who's vocal about issues in America according to his wikipedia? Makes me love it even more.
I’ve always been something of a Springsteen hater for whatever reason. Maybe I heard too much of Born to Run when I was younger, but this album deserves its time in the sun- especially this close to a dubious at best celebration upcoming for the country’s birthday. I hope our glory days haven’t passed us by yet.
While I've never listened to this album front to back before, this is definitely the Springsteen album I'm most familiar with because of the number of hits that are on this album. When it came out, you couldn't turn on the radio or MTV without hearing one of these songs. And despite the meaning of "Born in the U.S.A." being misinterpreted for years by a lot of people, you still can't see a 4th of July fireworks show without hearing it. I'm just not a huge Springsteen fan. But, this is one of those albums where you have to be objective rather than subjective. Is it my thing? No. Does it belong on the list? Absolutely. I think Springsteen's music either resonates with you or it doesn't, but you can't deny his impact and the impact of this album on American culture.
5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background
- best opening ever... totally a classic.
No denying the opening track hits like a freight train- however if he was such a good artist why does he need to keep going back to that formula for so many tracks on the album. It ended up feeling repetitive even though the tracks were good and there were some great tracks in between the ones that felt like ‘born to run’ mark II. ‘Downbound train’ and ‘I’m on fire’ as well as ‘dancing in the dark’ all getting turned up. I’m just not entirely sure what all the fuss is about personally and I’ll probably get hate for that but I guess that’s the power of music. Best track- ‘I’m on fire’ Worst track- ‘I’m going down’ 7/10 Ok so a refresh and this is a first on this journey- I have listened to the album again this morning and it’s hit that little differently and I whacked it up a few notches and actually maybe I misjudged based on the feeling of repetition and therefore after second listen I’m Going to bump up the score to 8.5/10
Classic and iconic album.
Pretty good album had a lot of bangers. Definetly felt like the USA.
You can tell how successful an album is when you know most of the tunes having never listened to it before. But It's only when listening to it from start to finish that it struck me how simplistic and repetitive Bruce Springsteen songs are. It doesn't seem to have done him any harm though and it's an album i'll listen to again.
The album that introduced Bruce to the masses. Love so many of these songs.
Bunch of classics, can't go wrong with most of the album.
Amazing 80’s rock! I only knew a few song sin the album, but the new were unbelievable too! This has definitely been a big influence on American music and probably more! I’d recommend Born in the U.S.A, Cover me, Downbound train, I’m on fire, Glory days, Dancing in the dark and Hometown
It's one note. But its a very good note. I wish 'I'm on Fire' wasn't so creepy
The inclusion of this album on the list does not surprise me in the slightest
its fine!
Bruce has been both good and bad on this list, and this album is definitely a good one. It’s possible I’ve heard this album in full as a kid, but I definitely don’t remember it well. Enjoyable listen
Well...the boss...not really my thing but nice songs.
Like the piano, drums are basic yet fun to listen to, not a lot of crazy bass fills/riffs but most had really great bass, well dynamics
I'm a little biased because there's a lot of nostalgic memory with this album. When I was 8 years old I remember hearing it on the radio. Just good old classic rock and roll piano bass drums classic songwriting.
The most up beat, down beat album I’ve heard. Knew half the songs just from being alive when this was released. Not a big Bruce fan but I have to hand it to him here.
Classic. Summer vibes with the windows down.
Like most albums I’ve heard from the Boss, it has some really high highs, and a bunch of songs that are fine (and I’m sure are amazing live), but I would be skipping if I listened again. Still overall pretty great.