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Born In The U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen

Born In The U.S.A.

Bruce Springsteen

1984
3.69
Rating
28403
Votes
1
3%
2
10%
3
27%
4
35%
5
25%
Distribution
Genres: Rock Styles: Singer Songwriter, Soft Rock, Pop Rock

Reviews (page 9 of 13)

I like the singles on this probably my favorite is dancing in the dark. Maybe that makes me basic. I’ve never been a huge Bruce Springsteen fan, but this is enjoyable enough. If I had to listen to a Bruce Springsteen album, it would probably be this one. I know that that true Indie choice is Nebraska, but I just find it too depressing.

Not my favourite era of Springsteen but still a great album full of classics

loved!

Iconic, however much of the same.

Solid but too American for me (even though the title track is not as patriotic as it sounds). I prefer a couple of the derivatives of this in Sam Fender and The Killers. Dancing In the Dark is an all timer though.

Bruce sounds like he's constipated throughout. If you really listen to lyrics as well, almost makes me wonder if this guy likes too young of ladies. Creepy. Music itself American Rock, somewhat decent.

Lots of classic songs here but like just about every other Bruce Springsteen there's also a lot of filler

Fine good not for me

I kew a couple of songs but Is not my favorite

Born In The U.S.A. was previously one of those songs for me that's overplayed at events or stores that I'd just tune out it was even playing. That was until I found it had a deeper meaning behind it if you actually pay attention that gave me a new found respect for the song. Despite that, I wouldn't say I would really want to play it in my free time and I feel pretty similar about the album. Solid project especially at the time, but not something I'm personally gonna reach for when I wanna listen to something. Bruce has a great voice and there's some catchy melodies, but I'm not much in the audience this record would garner. All this though I can say does not apply to Dancing in the Dark which is a great tune and easily my favorite here.

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band held a long, tight grip on the charts (both at home and abroad) with Born in the U.S.A., the album which launched Springsteen to a totally new level of stardom. his previous full-length, Nebraska, gave his typical working-class subject matter a decidedly downtrodden mood, in stark contrast to the optimism his songs' characters had displayed, even in the face of stark adversity, on previous records. Born in the U.S.A. brings the E Street Band back to give these themes an even deeper dissection, but you'd almost never know it by the way it sounds. my mom, a Springsteen lifer since The River, remembers this era of his fondly, but I've always had some slight misgivings about this album in particular. this was Springsteen's entry into the pop fold, a musical direction which some long-time fans of his (and even The Boss himself) have expressed pretty serious reservations about in the years since. for me, it's not hard to see why; the huge, gated reverb on the snare drum, the omnipresent slapback delay on Springsteen's vocals, the dated synth tones (take a shot every time I mention those in a review), and the tinny mix are all hallmarks of 80s production that I think are better left in the past. the E Street Band are as tight a unit as ever, of course, but I think they've made albums together—both before and after Born in the U.S.A.—which present them in a more timeless state. there's also the fact that, despite the anti-Reagan, anti-war, pro-working-man angle being arguably even stronger than ever (most notably embodied on the once-widely-misunderstood title track), Springsteen's image was turning into that of a muscular, all-American patriot. there's a dissonance between his visual/musical presentation and the songs themselves, particularly in terms of subject matter; it's embodied most prominently with "Working on the Highway", a song about a man who skips town with a child bride that sounds like a dance party. to his credit, Springsteen scaled back pretty much immediately after the Born in the U.S.A. promo cycle finally got finished, disbanding the E Street Band for a while and repositioning himself outside of the mainstream pop field, continuing to explore increasingly mature themes while bucking trends almost entirely. those albums might have sold far less well, but they certainly come off as more honest. I definitely don't dislike Born in the U.S.A. by any stretch of the imagination; after all, any album that gets seven singles to chart in the U.S. top 10 has to be hitting on something! and, yeah, there's no shortage of Springsteen's usual earworms on display, even if the songs themselves are far less complex than on previous albums. God only knows how many times I've gotten "Glory Days" or "Dancing in the Dark" or "I'm on Fire" stuck in my head since I first heard them as a kid. I just find myself butting up further and further against the production and arrangements as time goes on. decent 6/10.

3/5. I admittedly am just not the biggest fan of this specific Springsteen album, but there’s still enough good songs and strong storytelling here to where it’s an enjoyable experience overall. There is of course the title track “Born in the USA” about the struggles of returning Vietnam veterans, which for decades now has been misused at Republican rallies as a patriotic anthem despite it not being one. But I honestly do not like the song very much at all, I find the production to be a bit much and Springsteens vocals are a bit grating to me on it. In terms of the singles I prefer “glory days” and “dancing in the dark.” the production of the album is probably its biggest setback in general for me, it just suffers a bit from that 80’s over-production that I’m not the biggest fan of.

A quintessential summer album. That being said I was often bored.

There’s so much Elvis and Johnny cash in his sound. Only knew the hits off this record, enjoyed it a lot more than expected. Not totally my cup of tea but great songwriting and very listenable. I understand why he’s so beloved. The energy and upbeat vibes of the whole album are in complete contrast to its narrative and subject matter which is fascinating, and maybe explains why so many people misunderstand the title track.

I don't really understand this concept. I guess it's good.

I get the appeal, and I really enjoyed some of these songs. But overall, it’s just okay to me.

Like is just a case of making the most middle of the road generic stuff to appeal to a large swath of people?

I have never been a Springsteen fan, I respect his work, but it has never connected with me. This is probably my favorite album I've heard from him so far, I liked the first couple of tracks and the last couple of tracks. But the middle of this album is a real slog. High 3.

Lo sentí como una mezcla de pop-country y de soft-rock / rock. Este álbum fue bastante bueno. Bien escuchable.

by no means a Bruce hater but this one just doesn't do it for me. what was once such a fluid, agile band feels flat and staid, and many of the lyrics here don't land. have also always thought the Boss sounds just awful on the title track, such a strained and ugly vocal from a beautiful voice. do love Dancing In The Dark - that "my clothes, my hair, my face" lyric has more feeling than much of the record - and I'm On Fire, which is a genuinely perfect song, so good that i'm bringing the record's rating a whole star up from what i planned on giving it

not bad

didin't blow my mind but ok for the deade

Springsteen goes near-full pop in this upbeat trucker album, but the lyrics blast a nostalgic disapproval of the US' negligence towards its people, a still-relevant commentary on the patriotic American denial of its reality – cheerfully in decline.

An album I find easier to respect than to really like. I don’t like the musical mix all that much…too much saxophone for example. Bit there are some strong songs on here.

3 a great album but it’s not his best

Un álbum que creo que los que más lo disfrutan son los gringos (posiblemente Magas). Pero Glory Days está muy buena, Dancing in the dark también lo da y No surrender y born in the USA son entretenidas

I didn't properly listen to this album since I can't for the life of me listen to Bruce Springsteen. But I did like I'm on Fire.

It’s way more nuanced than the 80s sheen suggests and it’s a good album. It’s not his finest work, but it’s still well worth a listen. 3

The lyrics and storytelling are all there but I don’t think it’s as sonically consistent as some of his other albums. Still a solid play through. Likes: Born in the USA; Cover Me; Working on the Highway; I’m On Fire; Dancing in the Dark

its good.. its not that good. wouldn't search or listen to any of his other songs tho tbh

esta bueno d fondo not muyy fan

Born To Run In The U.S.A. Still not really my thing, although did really enjoy My Hometown right at the end (the 7th of 7 singles from the album!)

I’ve never been a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen’s voice but I actually liked this album more than I thought I would. Probably not something I’ll play again but it had a solid message I can appreciate.

Springsteen isn’t really my thing. I get the appeal, tho.

Only familiar with the singles, so listening to the whole thing was good. It’s a solid 80’s rock album. It’s a lot glossier than his other output, I’m not sure I liked it more than his earlier albums but it was still enjoyable enough. It made for a good drive home from work.

yeah was good nothing amazing. a few tracks i really enjoyed but im not sure id listen to the full album together again…songs a bit similar?

Great classic old school sound with some standout songs and guitar work.

A nice complete package of an album. I went in expecting total boomerbait but it was honestly quality the whole way through. Enough hits sprinkled in, songs mesh well while having enough variety, no complaints. I'm On Fire fuckin kills it as well 6.7/10

No es su peor álbum, así que punto a favor

si on me fait écouter une fois de plus du springsteen je deviens sourde je pense

Darlington County is kinda fun. Born In The U.S.A. is ofc well known. Downbound train is good. No Surrender is good. Dancing In the Dark is fun.

ngl I thought this was a single not an entire album the title track rocks as hard as it ever did (I know it's a protest song) Cover Me also goes hard Darlington County almost sounds mythical in an American way but I don't know how sarcastic it's being you can hear the 50's nostalgia they had in the 80's through Highway and I'm not sure how much I like that i have no idea how I'm On Fire is as popular as it apparently is album gets a bit repetitive by the end Dancing in the Dark still sounds very eighties, which I mean, it came out in the eighties my hometown sounds pretty meh, just padding out the runtime overall hit or miss album, starts off pretty strong then comes back and goes away in waves

I realize that this is extremely backwards, but as someone who has never been into Bruce Springsteen, a lot of this just hit me like a dated, somewhat corny version of The War On Drugs. I’m sorry, I know that sucks. I’m uncultured.

Bangin American tunes

Good album, bruce simply not one of my guys. Any time he gets repetivie it drives me a little crazy but there are some undeniable songs on here regardless

Boring

It's a solid record, and an important record of 80s suffering, but for the most part the derivative rock and roll tunes don't do much for me, and clash with the album's lyrical tone.

Overall a good album but some songs weren’t that good

It is good and I appreciate it for that, but Bruce has never really moved me apart from the big tracks.

3.5⭐️/5 03.03.2026

Re mid

I literally said to myself last night I'm due for another Bruce album. Well I got the big one and it's alright.

Это что-то культурное, нежели музыкальное Это лирика, простой рок под гитарку про Америку Без отклика

it was the boss

Never really been a fan of Springsteen, not sure listening to this album really changed that. I think the 4 songs I've heard before are probably the best ones on the album. It's a perfectly decent album. I would never put this on but i'm glad I finally listened to it.

3.5. The mix is so telly and full of reverb, I woukd probably rate an acoustic version higher. Some really strong songs. But too many songs at the top of his vocal range.

Good album but you only need on Bruce Springsteen album on this list.

Buen disco tiene súper clásicos

A good album, I liked Born In The USA, Downbound Train and Dancing In The Dark the most.

alright I guess. I listened to it so im proud

Neither loved nor hate it.

Best Bruce Springsteen album with some rather memorable hits. I'm on afire might be one of the most interesting songs in his catalogue. And then there's the cover. Iconic.

For what amounts to THE American album, I'm disappointed. There are only two good songs: Born In The USA and Dancing In The Dark. Wait, I'm detecting a trend here. Otherwise, the lyrics are shallow and the musicianship is lacking. Those two songs get us to 3 stars, and I wish it was better.

It's a good album. Ultimate road trip jam. That's really all I have to say about it. "Downbound Train" and "Dancing in the Dark" are the favorites.

Not his best work, but it does a job.

I’m not a great lover of Springsteen. Dislike that some of the works from this, ‘born in the USA’ in particular, have been co-opted by nationalist movements which isn’t Springsteen’s fault and misses the nuance of the songs. ‘I’m on fire’ is good but the rest of the album is fairly forgettable and not ages brilliantly well, musically fairly solid though.

not my vibe

Not my favourite Springsteen album but a couple of really great tracks.

Somewhat appropriately I was driving down the middle of the road as I was listening to this album. A few decent tracks but somewhere on a venn diagram between rockabilly, blues and country is not somewhere I particularly want to be.....

Solid stuff

This is SO close to being great but something isn’t clicking. I’m sorry, Boss.

Favorite track(s): Born in the U.S.A., Cover Me, Dancing in the Dark Heard before Previous rating: 6/10

This list has taught me I don't like Springsteen as much as I thought I would. Starts with a classic, less interesting after that. Samey anthems in a 80s sheen. 3 Heard before? Yes Owned: No 48/210 (22%) Will I get: No

I do think Bruce Springsteen holds his own special corner of folk rock. I guess you could call it urban blue collar folk? Either way, it's not something for every day but it has its place.

Baseball. Coca-Cola. Bald Eagles. This album. Classic.

His rock anthems are bangers but the ballads are just way too wimpy!

All the Hits on this record. Bruce is a nice guy and is saying and doing all the right thinks in this dark days. The music is pretty boring to ok. Fav: Dancing in the dark

I can feel its cultural significance even if I can’t really relate to it

Imagine having the confidence to have this voice and actually become a singer, and succeed.

Can’t fucking stand to listen to the title track. Had about a million people ask me to play this guys shit over the years, no every time. Definition of a 2/5 Probably a 4/5 after 10 beers in a hoedown Also a pedophile No surrender kinda slaps Glory days too… Shit the back half is great 3.5/5 Wow dancing in the dark is better than I remember

Mr. Americana. A serviceable rock and roll band. His music just never moves me emotionally. I went to one of his concerts a few years ago and he puts on a great show. Very enjoyable. And I just love the guy. He's a wonderful spokesman for what's good about this country.

nije tolko zzz kao prošli (nebraska), al je i dalje malo seljački na američki način. što ne znači nužno da je loše, al meni nije niš posebno, eto. znam da je naslovna pjesma kao satira il štaliveć, al i dalje je seljačka i jedino je refren glasovno jasan, pa naravno da će je danas pjevat na političkim skupovima. moram izdvojit stvar "bobby jean" koja mi je bila vrhunac albuma, dosta bolja od ostalih, a nije ni sljedeća "i'm goin' down" loša. generalno druga polovica spašava album

Didn't realize all the songs I knew were from this album

3 out of 5. I see why this is so popular and is higher up over Born to Run for me.

2/11/26 Nice sound but kinda repetitive. 5.5/10

Classic rock/country rock album. Already know 4 tracks! Born in the USA is such a good song Ooh, Cover Me has a good hook and rythym. Darlington County so similar in feel to Born In The US it's a bit underwhelming Working On The Highway is a bit kitsch, more Meatloaf than The Boss Gets samey around mid-way Music is generally lacklustre - production? Only really hits you when Springsteen gives it his all like in Born in the USA Best (new) track - Cover Me 3 stars, sorry but a lot is dross and a few good tracks carry it.

Muy "samey", las canciones suenan casi todas igual, muy similares entre sí. Dancing in the Dark es tremenda, igual que las 3 primeras, pero ya para Working on the Highway se hace mega repetitivo. Lo lamento Bruce

Bit of a mix of all-time classics and duds.

Good songs, a few anthemy songs

Woo woo america rock, (even if the lyrics are anti-america)

There's a reason things become corny, I'm sure I would have been psyched to listen to this when it was new. I do still like Dancing in the Dark, but even if I hadn't heard any of the other ones before - they all sounded like something I had.

I hate to say it but I kinda found this bland. It's not that I didn't enjoy it and I can absolutely appreciate how iconic it is, I just wasn't blown away by anything, but that could simply be a symptom of over saturation.

There is a very distinctive Midi, Guitar, Piano and Saxophone sound to this album that really describes Bruce Springsteen's music. It is a big rock sounds that feels less aggressive than other rock artists. There are three massive hits on this album Born in the USA, Dancing in the dark and Glory days. Only one of which I feel that I have heard enough. The content of this album feels like it is very much focused on reflecting on past days. I can see why this album is very popular with men of a certain age as it could be the soundtrack to a montage of any number of men's lives. The only thing that worries me about this album is just how many times Bruce refers to "Little girl"s. But I assume this is him reflecting on his youth when he was age appropriate for these girls. (3.250)

Ei lemppari mutta on tällä hetkensä 3/5

Not my jam.

Listening Notes THE pop rock record of the 80s Standout Tracks "Born in the USA", "Cover Me", "I'm on Fire", "I'm Goin' Down", "Glory Days", "Dancing in the Dark" First time? Yes Will it go into your rotation? Not my deal but not mad if it's on

I think this album was ruined for me by how ubiquitous it was when it came out. On listening again it's got some fine songs which for me are taken down a notch or two by too much bad 80s synth.

Bit too much country for me but catchy and enjoyable listen I enjoy im on fire and no surrender as i listen on. The second half seems more promising I liked the deceptive intro on glory days Dancing in the dark is very good Second half was better than first, bit too basic sounding for my taste but some good tracks

Pretty boring peppered with a few solid gold classics.

I think I’ve heard the singles too many times

A couple of classics in there, and I've always loved the song I'm on Fire, but overall it's not my cup of tea but I can see why people love his work

Highlights: Born in the U.S.A., Cover Me, Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark Lowlights: I'm On Fire The faster songs work a lot better for me. The major songs are still extremely topical to this day. Don't think I could daily drive any of these songs but if they came on I wouldn't switch em.

Highlights: - … Born in the U.S.A. - Dancing in the Dark

Animado, dançante. Mas, é muito comum. Acho que é mediano.

Surprised that I knew almost every song on this album

Themen des Albums teilweise wieder aktueller denn je und an sich klingt alles auch ganz okay. Ich glaube Springsteens Stimme ist am besten, wenn er richtigen Country singt, statt 80er Pop Rock. Trotzdem nichts dabei was ich wahrscheinlich jemals wieder freiwillig hören werde. Höhepunkt(e): Im On Fire Tiefpunkt(e): Working on the Highway Rating: 5/10

Storytelling ist top und er hat sicherlich seine Berechtigung in der Musikgeschichte, aber auch hier wieder I mean it’s alright just overrated as fuuuuck

Nice of Bruce to cover blink’s “down” cheers la

Good, but now is not the time to be proud of America

the music is good, just not my taste. i liked darlington county and my hometown

Can't stand his voice on born in the USA song

Hmmm, ok. Nikol nism neki ful poslušala, poznam ta najbol znane komade, kar so I guess trije s tega albuma? Kar 7 singlov z albuma, k ma 12 komadov. "Born in the U.S.A." je prvi in prvič gledam zraven besedila in, glej ga zlomka (fak, koj slovenščina nagravžen jezik), it's ironic! Kar mi ga čist mal naredi ljubšega. Hm, naslednji štirje so mi aggresively American sounding in zelo 80s rock - prou ne bi moglal bit bolj of the time and place. Že skor mal country vajb. Zadnji od teh, mi je še najbl všeč ("Downbound Train"). Po pa pridemo do "I'm On fire", k mi je pa poznan in všečen že od prej. Kratk, simpl, efektiven. Naprej gre pa po istem kopitu k prej. Presenet me sam "Glory Days", bl zato, k komad poznam, ampak nism vedla, da je od Brucea. O, lj, " Dancing In the Dark". Ugh, zj sm vidla, da je to moj 100. album. Mal disappointing.

Love I’m on fire, but that’s about it. Bruce is power, but also too repetitive

It’s a classic album but I’m not much of a country fan

Big selling hit album from the boss which catapulted him to the top league of artists

I’m torn on this album because on one hand there are some songs I really like, but everything else is just super forgettable. 3/5.

Stands the test of time, but not more than that.

Tres rolas wenas

Pretty good songs on it but nothing I would listen to from start to finish

I think this is going to be the peak of albums I really wanted to like more of this list. I was primed to love this and I did not. It was just kinda good to me. I'm On Fire and Dancing in th dark are incredible though. Born in the USA remains my second favourite song to be wildly misinterpreted as pro America by chuds while being virulently pissed off at America of the era.

Very pleasant. Good vibes, easy to listen to. Made me feel quite energetic and yearning for line dances.

Buttcheeks in the USA

The album is too sonically stagnant for me. Each song sounds like an SNL legally distinct parody of itself. Didn't have the lyrics to get deep with it either. Nebraska >>>> This

Bruuuuuuccccccceeeeee Ssssssppppprrrrrriiiiinnnnnggggssssssttttteeeeeeennnnnn! Good album full of classics, I would have liked a bit more energy, but iconic non the less. N 35

A classic for a reason and what classic rock is all about imo. Some sweet hits, but for me no hidden gems. Goes between earnest/believable and corny/put-upon at times. But thru it all, those classics ring as loud today as they did years ago.

What can I say? Love Springsteen! Brilliant artist. But this is my least favorite album from him. I understand its importance, but this is one from his catalog that could be left off the list.

This reminds me of happy family memories on the boat and lake. Like old family videos. His voice annoys me slightly but it sounds really good on I’m on fire. That’s such a good song. Ok I feel like this album runs at the end credits of a movie about friendship and family.

It is 100% Springsteen. As per the usual, I like the actual lyrical content more than I like the fangless and approachable sound, but to each their own.

Not bad, not my favorite music. I know that Springsteen's messages are nuanced and he seems to be a good person, but I find it difficult to separate this music from conflicted feelings about patriotism and US imperialism at the beginning of 2026. Just not what I want playing in my head these days. I'd rather have someone screaming at me or hitting me with some atonal nonsense. Wish it was Tom Waits. Curious to see how Springsteen's older stuff hits if it comes up soon. Probably a 4-star album that I'm giving 3 because of feelings

great album, but i can’t stand “born in the usa”. i hate that song.

includes the two tracks everyone knows - Born in the USA and Dancing in the Dark - the rest of the album is very middle-America.

There's some hits in this album for sure, and I liked some of them. I probably need to re-listen to the album again before I form a full opinion about it.

oooh oooh oooh im on fire... what a masterpiece

there were a few songs that i liked, but wasnt in love with most of it. although, this did point me in the direction of a few new springsteen songs that i enjoy now

Good but not great. All the songs sound the same and are broadly about the same subject matter, but, to Bruce's credit, it is a formula that works, not least because he is maybe THE authoritative voice on working class American life in that era. Dancing in the Dark is a perfect song

Growing up as a non-American influenced pretty substantially by American media, listening to this album was pretty strange. Somehow, it managed to simulate just a tinge of nostalgia for a time in the US I've never experienced first hand... which is a little special in my opinion. That being said, I would never really listen to this kind of music on the regular.

Pop. I'm on fire and Dancing In The Dark are fine. I was born far from the U.S.A.

dancing in the dark temon, el resto del album se m ha hexo bola usa susmu3rtos

I like the music. Not a fan of Bruce’s voice. Good songs to do karaoke I guess

Mid. Just ordinary white music - rock Not so interesting to hear Altho, I only listened to one or two tracks😶‍🌫️

An uninspiring album, unfortunately. The lyrics, while subversive at times, can't be enjoyed thoroughly behind the bombastic, yet dull arrangements. Perhaps I could enjoy Springsteen's less radio-friendly output.

I guess I liked it. but also I fell asleep while I was listening to it

I honestly just felt bored listening to this. I loved the general pro-working class and antiwar themes, but I felt like the album as a whole was lackluster. The hits are great on their own. The album simply isn’t diverse enough for me to enjoy it.

On my way to kill the yellow man.

Not my thing

Not my thing I guess. I know everybody loves it and reviewers give it tens (fives here), but it's a 3 for me.

Solid album. Straight forward songs done well. Nice reminder of how many good songs are in this album.

3 stars for this one. Didn't mind it.

Bruce definitely has his formula that he sticks to to make hits, but it undeniably works. I appreciate the working-class themes present on the album, and still get a thrill whenever his songs are used in "patriotic" rallies. The lyrics aren't exactly subtle. Still, I find this album sounds a bit repetitive and gets pretty stale near the end. On an unrelated note, artists need to stop using ass-in-jeans album covers, it's very overplayed at this point.

That was exactly what I expected. If you grew up in the 70s-80s in middle class America, wanted to listen to music that said something and was still a “bop” this was your jam.

Again, he's just too earnest for me. Too much synthesizer. I admire him, but I don't love his music.

Nostalgique, old man qui pense a son passé, regular people, felling like home bizarrement

I feel very conflicted about this album. Half is good with important lyrics and half is just full of infinite mentions of wanting little girls that look young and pretty... And this guy was almost 40. No thanks.

This was enjoyable to listen to and I definitely need to again to get like a proper vibe of it. I loved the combo of guitar and 80s sinth but there were no songs that stood out to me as in id go back- so I should probably re listen but overall it was solid but not my favourite but like I didn't dislike it you know

There are a lot of well written songs on the record including the title track. I’m allergic to the production, but I grew up in the 80s, so there’s baggage with that sound. I think it’s mostly the snare I’m reacting to? I’m on Fire is probably my favorite track and I don’t think it’s an accident that the production is very different on that track, so I’ll won’t question the implications of the lyrics. It’s western music, and I like it. Dancing in the Dark leans into the 80s fully and that works pretty well, too. No Surrender would sound fine next to Thunder Road. The production on I’m Going Down is different too but that song sucks.

I'm a Springsteen fan, but this has never been one of my favorites. Tough for me to separate how I feel about many of these songs' quality from how their ubiquity during my college years made me sick of them. I'll take them in turn. Forgive the length. - Born in the USA: great song but I can only listen to the live version. On this one, drum monotony strikes again, and there's nothing musically interesting about the last several minutes. Live version (on the 3-disc compilation that came out a little after this) adds a lot of oomph and some screeching guitars that are very welcome. - Cover Me: okay song, not quite as overplayed - Darlington County: great song. Why wasn't it a single? Sounds like something from the River. - Working on the Highway: So-so. A little too much forced yee-haw for my taste. - Downbound Train: The one song I had to hear again to remind myself what it was. It's okay. Like a rocked-up outtake from Nebraska. Nits: (1) Calling a train "downbound" seems weird. (2) Bruce says "mister" too much. (3) I don't like the keyboards. - I'm on Fire: good track. Points off for the creepy little girl/daddy thing, which Bruce's lyrics have always had too much of. (He's not alone in that, of course.) - No Surrender: great song; I don't need to hear it anymore. - Bobby Jean: maybe the best on the album. - I'm Going Down: boring. - Glory Days: objectively a good song, but I'm heartily sick of it. Can't decide if the "speedball" lyric deserves points off; it's so bizarre I almost like it. - Dancing in the Dark: great song, and I can still listen to it and enjoy it, but I've always hated the monotony of the drum track. - My Hometown: kinda boring downbeat end to the thing. All adds up to a 3.

Solid songs, solid band with a mix of meh. All in all it good but not amazing.

Not a bad album, just not my thing.

I can finally say I’ve listened to a whole Springsteen album all the way through. I can see why white dads love this album so much. Dancing in the Dark is the stand out track.

Helt greit

I can see why people love Bruce Springsteen. It sounded like a good album, but just not my type of songs Cover Me and Dancing in the Dark are best songs 4/10

This album gave from a raging republican, ended up being from a progressive LGBTQ rights activist. Fun listen but maybe not my kind of music. Maybe if I'm a blue collar white man in my next life... Saved (3/12): - Cover Me - Downbound Train 🔥 - Bobby Jean

Even though I don’t know much ’80s music, this album somehow feels familiar. I only really knew Born in the U.S.A., yet the other tracks have a strange kind of nostalgia to them, as if I’d heard them somewhere before. And I really do like his guitar tone.

I liked it so far. Guessing the 1001 community will love it 3/5 but probably will land at a 3.5

Dad never liked him

My fourth Springsteen album and after the previous three all gaining five stars the perfect streak ends. It’s definitely not terrible, there are some really good songs on here but also some quite forgettable ones too. Unlike say a Nebraska or Born To Run I probably won’t rush to revisit this after today. Top Track - My Hometown

Yeah .. a few sing along classics … it was fine 🤷‍♀️

good but too american tbh 🦅🇺🇸

Booooorn in Somerset, I was, BOOOOOORN IN SOMERSET. As such, I don't really get this. It's not bad, I just don't get it.

Some classics and a strong album overall.

Okay yeah obviously a classic record. Listening to it with intent gave me a fresh perspective. I didn't realise how politically loaded the namesake hit is. Also some of the "romantic" songs are kind of predatory (lyrically). Sonically, well...not my fav sounds. Too 'eighties'. Also some pretty rough-around-the-edges guitar and vocal performances that I haven't noticed before.

Deeply embedded in American culture, but far from the best Bruce record. I'm a big fan and probably won't spend much more time with this after revisiting. Check out the live stuff if you're looking for a way in.

A little bit of love for Born in the USA, the Viet Nam vets, the rusty belt, Rambo... It was a hit when I was 13... yet the overall sound of the album is to dated, to much synth... almost painful to hear. 3 only because of love for the Boss.

Love the big hits, some other decent ones, the rest kinda just blended in with my work day

I’m not a Bruce fan, but this is his classic album

The title track here is probably the worst track on the album; it's such a dirge. The rest is okay, I guess, but I still fail to see the appeal of Springsteen. Low three.

Lots of hits!

Never liked the song born in the u.s.a. This is really samey. I love I'm on fire. In No Surrender the cadence of the voice is really Dylan-esque to me. I'm going down really picked up at the end uh? Glory days is annoying me a little bit. Well I don't know what to rate this.

Great album. Full stop.

stranger things vibes

Great songwriting, more grounded and topical than I thought it would be. Good guitar playing. The man can't sing.

Not bad at all, but it doesn't surprise you at all. Nonetheless, Bruce Springsteen is a great musician

- bruce on kyllä kova jätkä - suurin osa tän levyn biiseistä ei iske kasuaalille bruce enjoyerille kuten minä, mutta kovimmat styget on sit kans kovia

It's a Springsteen album, so the songwriting and lyricism are strong. It's a shame that most of these songs are wrapped in a layer of some pretty shitty 80s production. I don't care much for the washed out synths and super loud snare on the title track, and the vocals on it are quite rough too. It's a very overrated song to me. Darlington Country has some pretty tacky country-esque sounds and an annoying chorus I don't like too much either. I feel kind of similarly about Working on the Highway and I'm Going Down. There's a few more songs where the drums sound kinda bad and the guitars a bit artifficial. The album is not totally bad tho. Downbound Train is kind of an underrated song, the production feels more organic which I like a lot. I'm on Fire is also more stripped back, not the most unique song but still quite good. Dancing in the Dark is super popular but actually deserves its hype, such a good song. I feel like this albun would work well in an acoustic setting seeing how much I like Nebraska, or maybe seeing some of these songs live. As is, the potential feels kinda wasted.

I had heard Born in the USA, Glory days, and Dancing in the dark before. I don't love Bruce Springsteen but this album was okay.

Never been one of my favourite Bruce albums. The production has always felt too sleek and it overshadows the actual songwriting, most notably on the title track.

Am I a hater? Here comes the Boss' biggest album, and I just. Don't. Get. It. His voice just removes me from enjoying this, his lyrics I guess are good but they aren't resonating. I enjoy Dancing in the Dark but does that just make me a normie? Nothing excites me, I'd have to reach to describe the redeeming qualities, and it's probably more than likely that this isn't for me. Sorry Boss, but you'll likely be my lowest rated artist

Better than I remember, still can't bear the title track.

This is more musically my style than Nebraska, but just like... It's not really something I'd listen to anything from independently.

Struggled to rate this because while I really just did not enjoy a lot of it, there are some undeniable BANGERS, especially in the back half.

It's not quite a style of music I enjoy much, but damn if he doesn't drop some heat here and there. Love to see the same excellent storytelling that Nebraska had in a more lively context. Standouts: Cover Me • Bobby Jean • Dancing In The Dark

too american for me, his voice annoys me

BRUCEEEEWWW

mostly fine. title track is the best by a mile, cover me is good. glory days is a song i would be content never hearing again

Lilstenable.

A great country rock album from before the genre was quite so... country rock. A surprisingly melancholy album, speaking to a small town image of the country that was on the decline, noticeable even 40 years ago. Favorite track was Bobby Jean

I was 8 when this came out, very much into all things big that came out of the US of A (As were my friend group)! I loved I’m Fire (with no regard to its meaning) and I think it’s the best on the album. I was into Born In The USA but over time that has diminished significantly and I can’t stand hearing it anymore.

Like a lot of Springsteen's stuff, I am just indifferent to most of it. Dancing in the Dark is a tune, but the rest just kinda happens

Not really my thing

oh wow no way a white man in the 80s singin about little girls

I’ve never really gotten Springsteen to be quite honest. Springsteen isn’t bad but he isn’t great enough to be hailed as a legend and this album further cemented that fact for me. There’s some good tracks on here such as the famous title track but the rest sort of just takes a backseat in my mind. It’s good but not great. Best track: Born in the USA Worst Track: No standout lower quality song

This is an iconic album. It’s nearly flawless. Love this album!

While I appreciate and applaud what The Boss stands for (the working man, equal rights & opportunities, etc.), I have never been a fan of his music. His musical style and voice is just not for me. That said, this album is pretty good. His biggest hits are on here and are far and away the best songs, as the rest of the tracks are just sorta there. I did enjoy the lyrics that went over a lot of boomers’ heads, like how the government is mostly bad and will throw you aside (‘Born in the USA’), and that you’re a loser if you peaked in high school (‘Glory Days’). On the strength of the hits, this is a solid 3/5 for me; liked it, didn’t love it.

Honestly thought I’d love it but other than the titular song, glory days and dancing in the dark, it was largely boring

There’s some decent tracks on this album, but then you’ve got some very sleazy anthems like “Born in the U.S.A.” which have been shoved down our throats for the last 40 years. With that being said, I’ll just leave the review at that.

Det er Bruce, du vet hva du får. Ikke min kopp te, men grei gubberock.

His most popular record, and yet the four albums preceding it are easily superior. When compared to that incredible run of records, this feels like a forgettable victory lap.

its a shame americans took the title track of this album and made it about patriotism rather than what Bruce is actually is saying. I don't think it's his best work, but it's still very good, The River for me is the best Bruce Springsteen album

Wasn’t bad, wasn’t great. Still wouldn’t consider myself a Springsteen fan.

I enjoyed a song, but I don’t like the synths in 80s music. I can understand why it was a hit of an album, just not my cup of tea

Quelques sons sympa, mais assez répétitif. Ou alors j'étais juste pas concentré, je sais pas. 3/5

Couple bangers, rest are pretty meh.

(3) patriotism: yes

Pretty good. High points are high, but some of it is mid.

Sind schon ein paar gute Lieder dabei, aber das Genuschel im Gesang ist nicht immer meins.

Some belters in here

Bruce really isn’t my generation. But he’s my mom’s, and she’d be upset if I gave him anything less than a 3

Feel inclined to rate this higher for his huge influence on music but this doesn’t grab me particularly. Undeniable hits but nothing massively standout.

probably the best Springsteen cd on this list so far, i enjoyed it

I feel compelled to rate this higher because of popularity, but it doesn't quite clear the bar for me. It's John Mellencamp-esque

I didn't find this as grating as I normally find Springsteen. It seemed a bit more generic/poppy of an album than some of his others, which may have helped me get past it being him. I also knew most of the songs already. I guess that made it easier to tune him out a bit. I actually liked the last section of the album the best, which is surprising to me since I thought I'd be over it by then. The songs I liked most were I'm Going Down, a song that was completely new to me, and Dancing in the Dark, one I know very well. I didn't really think any of the others were bad, either. That said, I don't really see what the mass appeal is for Springsteen and his music. I find it mostly fine, but nothing special. The way people love him, I would expect something more than I ever get from his albums. I'm reminded of an international student I had as a college roommate who was obsessed with "the Boss" and left school to follow his tour for a week. I didn't get it then, and I still don't get it now, 15 years later. Along with that, I usually get pretty tired of him after listening for more than a few songs. In all, I thought it was a solid/good album. I still didn't love it, but I liked it more than I expected going into it. Overall: 3.2/5

If you have seen my other reviews you know I am not impressed or interested in Bruce Springsteen. I’ve never really cared for his voice and I think a few of his early albums are overrated. BUT, and this is a big one, this album is pretty much untouchable. Like I could say how sick I am of these songs that I’ve heard all my life, and I could complain about how it’s definitely more pop than it is rock. But it wouldn’t stop the fact that this album is a non stop massive hit machine. I’ve literally heard every single song on this album at some point or another because the album is that prolific! I can concede the fact that if my star rating was based of off success and pop culture relevance this album would deserve a 5. I think my absolute favorite part of the album is actually the widespread misunderstanding about the title track song. Like when I see people singing that song patriotically or using it for like a war propaganda type video, that’s hilarious. Like the song is very clear about how it feels about life in the US and yet people just won’t listen. But regardless, I think my biggest problem with the album is that I just find it to be like almost a joke. I’ll explain, if you look at Bruce’s other albums his persona is very clear but it’s more subtle and nuanced. This album is like if he was trying to parody himself. Every aspect of his songs sound like he’s almost making fun of how he is being seen, and it just totally backfired and it just made people double down on how they saw him (which you could easily point out is true because that is literally what happened with the title track, the true meaning of that song is lost on far too high a number of people). But seriously this album is like a best of or a greatest hits album. I’m sure you have already heard it honestly.

You can always tell what the name of the song is without reading the title with Springsteen

meh, just normal rock and roll. nothing too special. I’m too young to think this is revolutionary :/// in the sense that I’ve already heard a lot of musicians that did music like this but better. It’s like the first phone it’s good but there’s better now

Better than Coldplay

Hey, enjoyed it more than I expected. Listened to the lyrics and was genuinely surprised. eg. the title track used to make me cringe as a non-american tween/teen but it is not what it seems.

Gritty and tough vocals. I appreciate his passion. How does his voice not constantly hurt though? Lol. I like some of the melodies. I know he’s seen as iconic to many people, and this is good, but not my fave.

I've always understood The Boss's role in the history of rock music but never been a fan. Unfortunately, this album, as iconic as it is, does little to change my mind about him. The hits on this album are still fantastic but the songs outside of those hit are just ok and nothing to write home about.

I prefer the tracks that are less upbeat. Personal favorites were I'm on Fire and Downbound Train.

Iconic album, full of hits, but not in my window.

This album stands up surprisingly well. I've heard nearly all the tracks over the years, but never as an album. Nostaglia is what I feel most. Was it a simpler time? Yes. But are some things still the same? Also yes.

Not bad. Probably won’t relisteb

It was alright, but nothing remarkable about it.

This one was a favorite quite a ways back. I have some Springsteen LPs, including this one, but never got any CD reissues of Springsteen. I was surprised a little how my revisit listening differed from my recollection of it. I remembered it as a rock album. It now seems like a songwriter's album. No solos to speak of on the whole thing, just support for the songs and the lyrics presented in them. The sonic range was limited, for the most part, with the exception being a subtle nod to disco in the production of "Dancing in the Dark." No truly standout melodies, but the lyrics, nods to his musical heroes (e.g., Buddy Holly) and subtleties of Springsteen's delivery really flesh out the austere frameworks of these songs.

Born in the U.S.A. 3.5 Cover Me 3.3 Darlington County 3 Working on the Highway 2.8 Downbound Train 3 I'm on Fire 2.7 No Surrender 3 Bobby Jean 3.1 I'm Goin' Down 2.6 Glory Days 3.4 Dancing in the Dark 3.2 My Hometown 2.7 Score: 3.025

Pretty good

Solid. I don't always feel this American but I can't deny it's quality.

This seems like its a book of his poetry mixed with several jams he and his band had kinda put together? Like in a way these feels less like songs and more like several vamps. I couldnt hear all the words though and i feel like a lot of his magic is there. That being said i did cry during the last song so ill give you that one, the boss!

Torn, really love Im on Fire and Cover Me but the rest doesn't do it for me

Good ole union music.

It’s good

Classic 80's radio rock from a musical icon. Not my cup of tea, but I wouldn't mind a relisten every once again again.

memories of growing up

Born in the USA and Dancing in the Dark are definitely the bangers but overall did enjoy the vibe of the rest of the album and might listen to it again

The boss! I enjoyed this- obviously knew born in the USA & dancing in the dark but the rest of the album was enjoyable but didn’t stick in my mind

I truly expected this to be a country album just hearing the name and looking at the cover. So when I found out this was a rock album, I was very pleasantly surprised. I thought this was quite good. It started to lose traction about halfway through, but it was still a fun listen.

I'm more a fan of Bruce Springsteen the person and songwriter than I am of almost any of his albums. Nebraska, Born to Run, and *maybe* the Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, are his 5-star albums. Everything else has some great hits and some not great material. This is a massive album and you can hear how much of a hit it was but damn some of the songs really grate especially toward the end. I've always hated "Glory Days," for instance. Still a must-listen (#201).

Something between a 3 and 4 for me as it leans on a couple of singles but doesn't strike me much otherwise

literally America but good

A reputação deste disco o precede. Frequente qualquer lugar que discuta música popular e você verá pessoas falando sobre este álbum. Além disso, não consigo nem imaginar o quão ubíquo este disco era nos anos 80 quando Springsteen havia infestado as paradas de sucesso. Mas eu ouvi este álbum estando completamente separado de tudo isso, não tendo vivido a época de dominância popular destas canções, e sem saber nada de Bruce e sua carreira. Boa parte desta obra são canções animadas, do tipo que faz você querer aplaudir no ritmo. Bater o cabelo pros lados igual aqueles filmes de sessão da tarde. O conteúdo lírico às vezes foge disso, e causa um certo espanto. É interessante, mas não me prendeu por completo. Primeiramente, não amo a voz de Springsteen, e sonoramente, as canções não são 100% do meu agrado. Mas mesmo que todos os elementos técnicos deste álbum não tenham sido completamente apreciados por mim, há algo bem cativante aqui dentro. Quando se foge um pouco das lentes da sessão da tarde, você acaba enxergando um mundo mais introspectivo e bem mais interessante em algumas dessas faixas. Até musicalmente elas ficam mais interessantes quando pintadas nessas outras cores. São essas partes deste disco que eu verdadeiramente gostei, e imagino que eu vá gostar bastante dos outros discos de Springsteen onde este lado é mais salientado. Veremos mais pra frente… 3/5

Not his best album but there are a lot of good songs on this one

Good but I think it’s often repetitive but I love Bruce Springsteen personally

Real Americana, fun to listen to even if I can't relate to it.

Ei se syyttä jo tämän legendaarisen albumin kannen näkeminen saa Born in the USA:ta soimaan päässä kolmea päivää putkeen. Kyllähän nämä biisit ovat tarttuvia! Jokin Springsteenin äänessä ei kuitenkaan miellytä minua, mikä tekee kappaleiden kuuntelemisesta välillä raskasta. Tykkään kuitenkin aikakaudelle tyypillisestä rokista, jota tämä edustaa hyvin. Albumi pysyykin tyylilleen ominaisena koko ajan olematta kuitenkaan yksitoikkoinen. Hiteiksi nousseet Born in the USA sekä Dancing in the Dark ovat mielestäni, ja arvattavasti, ne albumin tarttuvimmat teokset. Ja onhan tuo levyn kansi vain hieno!

three really strong songs that vastly outshine the rest. The title track, I'm on Fire, and Dancing In the Dark are all beautiful songs. The rest are kinda take it or leave it.

It‘s the only Springsteen album that I have listened in its entirety before. It still is not for me. The title track and „Dancing in the dark“ are powerful songs, but overall too less is happening over the course of the album. I almost get annoyed by the repetitivness of the drumming, until „Dancing in the dark“ washes that thought away (side note: I enjoy the almost drum-computer-like drumming on e.g. The war on Drugs records - there the drumming feels like a necessary anchor to hold everything together; on „Born in the U.S.A.“ it feels like a pure byproduct). I like the boss‘s voice but overall the record invites the listener to much to just sway to it… Highlights: Next to the two mentioned tracks, I liked „Downbound train“ and its sligthly more nostalgic vibe. One reason might be that there is less drumming here as well ;)

Proprio americano!

Again, nothing too special for me, although I did enjoy this one more than White Light. My favourite song is probably No Surrender, but it was fun rediscovering a few iconic songs (aka 2, because I don’t know more) on this album.

So hard to hear fresh, and separate it from the conversations of America - it's use at rallies etc. But I can see why it's been coopted - it feels biiiiiig, approachable.....American. Odd - considering how much I love Sam's Town - but that doesn't sit well with me. Perhaps the 80s bombast, the prototypical American stories, but there wasn't enough ambiguity, mystery for me to get excited, or want to listen again.

Ive long had a vendetta against Bruce Springsteen, but I think it's mostly just for the humor factor. His songs are generally not my favorite, but they are definitely skillful and emotionally charged. Plus I appreciate the comentary on the US this album brings. Overall- good, but not really for me

Born in the U.S.A. is a mausoleum in amber: one among many monuments to the moment when rock, bewitched by the gewgaws of its new electronic arsenal, embalmed itself. The gated drum - a thud convinced of its own eternity - is shackled here to synth patches of such queasy translucence they might have been run off an Amstrad printer. Even in 1984, this sound carried its own built-in nostalgia: a glossy cousin to The Boys of Summer, Walk of Life, and Young Turks - all already looking backward. Like mosquitoes in amber, some ideas were dead before they were trapped; others froze mid-buzz. Springsteen’s American characters were already stuck, but here they’re idealised and nostalgised, pinned in place forever. It’s a supposed celebration of working-class life with no tangible celebration. Even when they dance - in the dark, no less - it’s joyless, as exhausting as a Depression-era dance marathon. The title track is a case in point: two steps, no direction, just like the lives it describes. It sounds like a clever idea, but it’s no idea at all. A I chord followed by a V chord is not minimalism; it’s idling. A few tracks - Dancing in the Dark, I’m on Fire - flutter briefly alive when encountered on the radio, but back in the LP’s running order they’re smothered by the same synthetic and philosophic mulch. Of course, all the mixing desks were powered by glutaraldehyde then. Somewhere on an American AM nostalgia station, The Boys of Summer, Walk of Life, and Springsteen’s own Glory Days run in endless concatenation. It’s not fun. It’s motorway hypnosis in FM form. Henley aches, Knopfler goofs, Springsteen grimaces - but at speed, all faces blur. All bugs look the same once smashed on your windscreen. Who’d want to listen to so much of this depressing music? The War on Drugs, apparently. They did a reverse Jurassic Park, taking the DNA from this dinosaur rock and ending up with a buzzing, irritating sound like a mosquito. 2.5 I was out in the car yesterday afternoon listening to this album when something unusual happened. I was driving through Lurganure village between Lisburn and Moira and came up behind an estate car and after a few seconds of following it up the road a child’s hand emerged from the back window clutching a mini Northern Ireland flag (the Red Hand - not the football flag). Flegs are nothing unusual at all of course, least of all in Lurganure village, but the experience of seeing it fluttering in the wind from the window of a car I was following was striking. A couple of seconds after this happened ‘No Surrender’ started playing. I ended up behind this car listening to that track all the way up the Moira road. I don’t know what it means but it’s bound to be some sort of message from the Ether isn’t it? ‘Blood brothers in the stormy night with a vow to defend/ No retreat, baby, no surrender’ Jesus Christ, I thought, Springsteen really is the voice of the experience of the common man everywhere. I don’t know what to say about Born in the USA a day after doing The Joshua Tree. I think that sequencing certainly works in Springsteen’s favour. The drumming on this album - unremarkable on previous listens - struck me as absolutely brilliant this time. That guy can, literally, play the drums. And although the keyboard sounds on this record are much worse, and much more dated, than the keys on Joshua Tree - the terrible keyboard voices are part of the core of the musical identity of this record. Dancing in the Dark stands as one of the great terrible keyboard records in my mind, alongside Walk of Life; I absolutely adored both songs when I was a child and still have a soft spot. I enjoyed hearing this today. 3/5

A handful of decent songs. I thought I would like it more than I did.

casi que me dan ganas de tiro3ar una escuel4

Would I sit down and actively listen to this record ever again? Probably not. Would I mind, if someone put this record on. Most definitely not. I mean, Born in the U.S.A. is quite the collection of popular songs, but it all seems quite vanilla to me - or maye more akin to the Chernobyl TV Series "not great, not terrible".

понравилась только денсинг ин зе дарк.

Wasn't very impressed byt his album, of course had the righteous selfnamed song born in the USA. Fell asleep listening to this one.

#DÍA 17: 1001 Discos Que Hay Que Escuchar Antes De Morir (English Translation Below) Un clásico como un castillo, eso es innegable, pero no es para mí la verdad. En general el Heartland Rock y la voz de Bruce Springsteen no conectan demasiado conmigo. Puede que lo tenga demasiado ligado a un sentimiento estadounidense y yo no es que sea muy de allí… No obstante puedo admirar el talento innegable, ya sea como cantante o como escritor, del artista. Es un álbum sólido y que en general flojea poco, así que si eres fan de este sonido seguro que te engancha con la primera escucha. Es un sonido muy ochentero, con una batería metida en una catedral y con unos sintetizadores que ciegan con su brillo. Es imposible ignorar el single principal, Born In The U.S.A., cuyo mensaje anti-guerra de Vietnam ha sido bastante malinterpretado en general, pero es una canción muy sólida de Pop Rock. Destaco puntos como la expresividad de la voz de Springsteen, sobre todo en Cover Me; la estructura más cercana al Folk de Downbound Train o I’m On Fire, que pilla por sorpresa que canciones sin estribillo fuesen tan exitosas en su día; y Bobby Jean, un homenaje bastante emotivo al exguitarrista de The E-Street Band. Por lo demás, pienso que el álbum se queda muy estancado en un sonido, sobre todo instrumentalmente y en la segunda mitad pierde bastante mi interés, aunque pueda valorar que las letras sean sinceras e interesantes, como Dancing In The Dark o My Hometown. En fin, ojalá me llegase más el sonido general del disco, pero me resulta algo aburrido, no pienso que alcance la energía y el júbilo que pretenden desprender muchas de las instrumentales, por eso quizá me hayan gustado más los temas más íntimos de sonido. Favoritas: Born In The U.S.A., Cover Me, Downbound Train, I’m On Fire, Bobby Jean, My Hometown Menos favorita: No Surrender #DAY 17: 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die A classic like a castle, that’s undeniable—but to be honest, it’s not for me. In general, Heartland Rock and Bruce Springsteen’s voice don’t really resonate with me. Maybe I associate it too much with a very American sentiment, and I’m not particularly connected to that… That said, I can still admire the undeniable talent of the artist, whether as a singer or as a songwriter. It’s a solid album that rarely falters, so if you’re a fan of this sound, it’ll likely hook you from the first listen. It has a very ’80s sound, with drums that feel like they were recorded in a cathedral and synthesizers that shine blindingly bright. It’s impossible to ignore the main single, Born in the U.S.A., whose anti-Vietnam War message has often been misunderstood, but it’s a very solid Pop Rock song. I’d highlight things like Springsteen’s expressive vocals, especially on Cover Me; the more folk-leaning structure of Downbound Train or I’m On Fire, which were very successful at the time even if they didn’t have a chorus; and Bobby Jean, a rather emotional tribute to the former guitarist of The E Street Band. Beyond that, I feel like the album gets a bit stuck in one sound—especially instrumentally—and the second half loses my interest quite a bit, although I can still appreciate that the lyrics are sincere and interesting, as in Dancing in the Dark or My Hometown. In the end, I wish the album’s overall sound resonated with me more, but I find it somewhat dull. I don’t think it reaches the energy and joy that many of the instrumentals seem to aim for, which is probably why I ended up enjoying the more intimate-sounding tracks more. Favorites: Born in the U.S.A., Cover Me, Downbound Train, I’m On Fire, Bobby Jean, My Hometown Least favorite: No Surrender

Still not sure about Bruce. Mostly find this very hokey but then he will still absolutely slay every once in a while, with the likes of Dancing in the dark. This is probably peak 'The Boss and his 4 hour gigs' era. Personally I wouldn't want to stick around anywhere near that long. But hey, he's a big figure

Somewhat of a banger

ROADHOUSE - Darlington Country - I like the bit where they go sha la la la (Dancing in the Dark slaps. Music video on Top of the Pops 2 with the staged Courtney Cox dance is a defining moment) It sounds like Bruce Springsteen. I guess that's why it's on this list. Would I play it again. Maybe. Will I forget that I might play it again? Probably

he's a good storyteller/songwriter, but his voice just grates on my after a few songs. overall, an ok listen & (unlike SEVERAL others albums recently) I understand why it's on the list. 3.5 stars

Yankee Real Classic

Some of the first songs I heard from Bruce Springsteen growing up. Enjoyed listening to them again!

Some high spots

DAD ROCK, sounds, tastes and smells like the 80s. Undoubtedly some great songs, but hard to believe this followed up Nebraska. Two albums that are rather far apart... still, better than other Springsteen albums I've listened to.

Never really been a Bruce Springsteen fan, but there are a couple of fantastic songs on this album. I particularly enjoy the fact that the Americans have adopted the song “born in the USA” which is ironic considering it’s about the Vietnam war an how the country failed the veterans who returned from the war. Would listen to a couple of tracks but not the whole album again

*Dripping with Americana delight. Fave track - Dancing in the Dark RATING - 7.5/10

Well... It's pop rock, right? It's, fine. I dunno. I wouldn't choose to listen to this, but I might add it to my vinyl collection and not object if someone else chooses it during a gathering. It's iconic. I'm not exactly sure why, but, whatever

not bad!!

Not a fan of the big sound on this one but it’s a good album overall

Never got the success of this guy, but this albums is alright.

Bruce Springsteen is a cool man, I love that man. I've never been a fan of his music tho, but... I must admit that Born In The USA has its moments! Great one, Bruce!

No me ha desagradado. Puede que eso se deba a lo que me tocó ayer, porque nunca pensé que diría eso de un disco de Bruce Springsteen. Tiene un buen puñado de temas conocidos y otros que, a pesar de no destacar demasiado se dejan escuchar. 3/5

It's been a great week this time. However, "Born in the U.S.A" is the weakest of the albums. It's still good compared to albums from other weeks. "No Surrender" is the best from "Born in the U.S.A". It's better than most of the singles from the album. 3 stars for "Born in the U.S.A".

Meh, stabil rock men trökigt