Born To Run

This album defined the Boss. Every song is well placed on the album. Great cover to cover.

Superb album. Amazing and conscious songwriting coupled with Springsteen's emotion-heavy vocals and the explosions on tracks like Born to Run and Jungleland are incredible. Only flaw I could point out is that the instrumentation is sometimes not the most interesting . 4.5/5, rounded to a 5/5.

Epic

Classic Boss

bruce is the fuckin man baby

oowee

This is the album that got me into Bruce.

Easy peasy.

Iconic and awesome!

A nice amount of saxophone and piano

"Screen door slams, Mary’s dress waves..." I don't know if there is a more evocative opening couplet in rock music. From the start of "Thunder Road" to the end of "Jungleland", Born to Run is cinematic and the movie is populated with well-drawn characters into whose lives and struggles we dip for 5 minutes or so. The songs are little vignettes, from the faded lovers of "Thunder Road" to the optimistic but doomed protagonist of "Meeting Across the River" there is a lot going on behind the lyrics. This the fourth Springsteen album on the list for me so far, but it could just as easily be the only one. Not that the others are not good but this one is perfect, perhaps the most perfect of rock albums, and I'm not a diehard Springsteen fan. The band is excellent especially Roy Bittan whose solo piano opens the record and is a key part of many other tracks. And Bruce deserves huge recognition for his guitar playing which is incredibly good throughout. The horns are fantastic, not only Clarence Clemons's sax, but the horn section arrangements too - just listen to the perfect recreation of the Mar-keys horns on "Tenth Avenue Freezeout"... Musically there are influences from rock and roll, Motown and Stax soul reviews, doo-wop, and "Born to Run" itself is the ultimate use of Spector's Wall of Sound in a rock idiom. I love this album. Some will argue Darkness On The Edge of Town, but I don't think Bruce ever bettered this.

oh bruce... where do i begin... + Meeting Across the River

Classic untouchable gold

Born to Run is Springsteen’s leap from local hero to myth-maker, and it sounds every bit like someone swinging for the fences. It’s grand, romantic, and bursting with that restless energy that only comes from being young, broke, and dreaming big. Every song feels like it’s trying to capture the whole American experience in a single breath—Thunder Road and Jungleland especially, with their winding stories and cinematic scope, are practically novels set to music. The production is dense, almost overwhelming at times, but it suits the album’s larger-than-life ambition. The E Street Band brings a wall of sound that somehow never drowns out the emotion behind it, and Springsteen himself sounds desperate, determined, and utterly alive. It’s a record full of drama and heart, and even decades on, it still feels like a bold, urgent call to chase something bigger than yourself. An all-time rock essential.

Classic Bruce Springsteen record. Just for "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" it won my heart !

Classic, rating is based partially on nostalgia and context

Well... starting strong. For the first one of these, one of my absolute favourite albums of all time. As a kid who played classical piano and felt left out of all the rock bands, my mind was opened. The Boss is a god. Roy Bittan most definitely is The Professor. Clarence Clemons and that signature sound could move a mountain. Jungleland to finish, are you kidding me?! This album to me is resignation to the loser in us but at the same time achieving perfection despite it. Through grit, talent, and just being true to your lot in life. It sticks to my being and something I try to remember to emulate, if not in sound then in spirit.

An easy example of an album that isn't always to my personal taste, but clearly deserves 5 stars. There's nothing wrong with it. Songwriting, musicianship, energy all excellent, and it will always be a classic. Just because I like skinny guys in eyeliner doesn't mean I can't appreciate Bruce, and it's just as well, as my husband and son worship at his temple, so I've seen him live a few times. Bruuuuuce.

Fantastic album from start to finish

komisk gode vibes. Kæmpe banger

Wall-to-wall bangers! Glad for at listen ikke har glemt dig, Bruce!

not even in my favourites from the Boss but it's so so good. love the piano jingling along in tenth avenue freeze out. plus the storytelling in Thunder Road and Jungleland

Typically great stuff from the big man

Storytelling, always love to see it. Every song on this album tells its own individual story, so it’s not a concept album per say I appreciate the lyrics and everything here, all of it worked really nicely, If I had to critique, the only thing I would say is I actually wish this was longer, which is something I don’t say often, but maybe it’s a good thing it isn’t longer, because this is another no skip album for me. Favorite Tracks: Backstreets, She’s The One, Meeting Across The River, and Jungleland.

Unbeatable

american classic, what a youthful album it brought a smile to my face, hard not to give it a 5

My favorite of the Springsteen album!

I mean, what’s to say? The sound is big and unique- very few sax solos in the Classic Rock Pantheon, you know- Bruce is great at his marble-mouth singing, the eponymous song is iconic.

Classic.

One of the greatest albums of all time. I can't stress how great it is. No skips, strong top to bottom, "Thunder Road," "Backstreets", "Born To Run", "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" all legendary. Clemmons' saxaphone is absolute fire. Amazing.

My favorite Springsteen album!!

Can I give it a six?

Hey, my dad’s back!!!! Had very much hoped to see Born to Run in 2025, which is 50 years old this August ❤️ Bruce and the E Street Band locked in with Born to Run. Yes, of course, that sax is dissolving—particularly on Thunder Road and Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out and Born to Run and She’s The One and Jungleland. But credit goes, too, to the piano and the guitars and the drums and even the strings … The total effect is cemented with that HOF album cover and testament to lifelong friendship—rest in power, Clarence Clemons!! To quote my favorite book, High Fidelity: “in Springsteen songs, you can either stay and rot, or you can escape and burn.” Born to Run sets itself ablaze. I, too, self-eject when I hear the opening chords of Thunder Road. I am Bruce and I am Mary and I am Wendy and I am 18 in a swaying dress and yes, let’s blow this popsicle stand! I walked down the aisle to Backstreets. Then walked out of the wedding ceremony to Jungleland. So you get it. Thank you for a wonderful morning, Bruce, and see you back here for Born in the USA! (Or Tunnel of Love, you never know with Rolling Stone …)

I'm not sure I've ever listened to this album from start to finish, but I gotta say, it's pretty perfect. Tight, cohesive, with bangers woven throughout. The live version of Born to Run will always be far superior, but as a first song in the album, it works really well. Found all other songs musically interesting and layered. BRUUUUUCE.

Before: TRAMPS LIKE US, BABY WE WERE BORN TO RUNNNN. Love Springsteen but only know the big hits from this record. Was so excited to see this come up today <3 Standout tracks: Born To Run Backstreets Least favorite tracks: She's the One Standout lyrics: "You work nine to five and somehow you survive 'til the night." - Night "Terry, you swore we'd live forever taking on them backstreets together." - Backstreets "Remember all the movies, Terry, we'd go see? Trying to learn how to walk like the heroes we thought we had to be" - Backstreets "Together, Wendy, we can live with the sadness, I'll love you with all the madness in my soul" - Born to Run During/after: Loved the horns in Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out; they were very Springsteen to a magnitude that I hadn't really heard previously. Backstreets stood out to me because it really brings that feeling for me and I'm just a sucker for nostalgia. She's the One was my least favorite on this album. I can't put my finger on it, but there was something about this track that just didn't jive with me. Jungleland was a cool ending, very American Pie-esque. Overall, I really really enjoyed this record. The first half of this album is a bit stronger than the second half, but Jungeland was a great ending. I love the horn incorporation throughout and I think it adds a beautiful nostalgic jazziness that lends to the feel of this album. My favorite thing about this record isn't necessarily the instruments, the vocals, or the lyrics, but just how it feels. Reminds me so much of being a teenager and a time that I can never go back to. It's fun and brings back fond memories while also being melancholic and makes you long for something that you can't get back. Based on how it makes me feel alone, I have to give this record a 5/5.

Amusingly, I had The Rising yesterday. This is such a great record, with fantastic horns, backup vocals and keyboards. Side note: it's well worth checking out the Frankie Goes To Hollywood cover of Born To Run.

Massive

This album is absolutely sublime. It's perfect. Such an encapsulation of brilliant songwriting, musicianship, production, and the time period. Even though Jungleland is 9 minutes long, I don't mind it because it is so well done. I love this album so much.

Heard it before, in fact Bruce is smiling at me from a vinyl record on my shelf as I write this. One of the best albums of all time, the album that made me fall in love with Bruce's music. Each song is a spiritual experience 5/5

This is a killer...just light and cheerful rock music, suitable for 0~80 years olds and above...there's a thing called universally good music and it's someone like Born to Run. I just like everything in this album, the music makes me happy, and that's a 5/5 for me .

already listened lol, loved it anyhow

This album rules. Probably my favorite of Springsteen's. The hits are his best ones to me, and the deep cuts all have merit. Good job, Mr. Springsteen.

Kedvenc/Favourite: Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out Bámulatosan jó volt, egyszerűen úgy éreztem nincs rossz dal az egész albumon. Biztos vagyok benne, hogy hallottam már, de nagyon éleveztem, hogy most szántam rá elég időt, és egyhuzamban újrahallgattam. Szükségem van rá lemezen. It was amazing, I just felt like there wasn't a bad song on the whole album. I'm sure I've heard it before, but I'm really glad I took the time to listen to it again in one sitting. I need it on vinyl.

Best one

Yeah I have heard it. 5 Star.

One of my Favorites.

Совсем не привычное нам исполнение рока и фолка, более мелодичное и мягкое, в стиле 80-х

Classic album, classic cover and huge hits throughout, a definite Top 1001 selection. Radio staples "Thunder Road", "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out", "Born To Run", "She's The One" & "Jungleland", that's a lineup if you appreciate rock n' roll. You can still hear all these songs 50 yrs later, that's staying power! "Born To Run" has 395M listens on Spotify! "Thunder Road" has 154M. That's popularity. Like his sound or not, he's influential, popular, still getting listens and this album has the staying power & impact on music that a T1001 album should have.

Love this album. No skips.

Great album

YUP! one of the best pieces of american music ever produced. I would shit myself if I saw bruce live

One of the best albums of the Boss. Tenth Avenue Freeze-out is an underrated gem in the discography of Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band.

Yes I will listen to BORN TO RUN! I WILL DO IT!

A true classic

The best. Roll down the windows and turn it up loud kinda music.

Masterpiece - loved it thru and thru.

This is my favorite Bruce album. It capsulizes all of the energy of his songwriting and performance and is solid from beginning to end.

this is one of those albums that i've put off listening to for so long because i knew deep down when i finally did listen to it i would love it so much that i'd become obsessed with it. and i was right!! i liked Bruce before, but now i understand why people are paying upwards of 300 dollars to see him in concert. this album is ELECTRIFYING, it makes me want to dance and cry and scream and get in my car and drive off into the night on the open road until the sun comes up. the songwriting and arrangments and performances are all just absolutely phenomenal- there is so much discourse in music about authenticity, which i've always thought is silly, but what i finally realized today while listening to this album is that most of the time when a person says they love an artist because of their authenticity what they really mean is that they love them for their earnestness. Bruce doesn't have a particularly great singing voice, his melodies and lyrics are good but not revolutionary, but the thing that sets him apart and elevates him to such an iconic status is the way he (and the rest of the band) perform these songs with such 100 percent hand-over-heart earnestness. he MEANS that shit!!! and because he means it we feel it too, and THAT is the magic of this album.

Barroom pianos, jazzbar sax, soul arrangements, and clean classic rock guitars all combine for a huge cinematic sound that's full of restless yearning. They're really great at building tension and energy. The vocals are direct and earnest with powerful delivery and a distinctive voice. Some incredible hooks and catchy little melodies. It's one I have come to appreciate more over time, but still more recognize as good than really love.

Raised in NJ and never listened to it. Bout time.

About as good as it gets. Simpsons: Yes

genuinely fun, and the type of album to win a championship to

The Boss! Difficult not to like this album. It has an honest and raw appeal to it. Must admit, I've grown to like Springsteen more and more as I get older. This album was generated on the same day as the Trump inauguration (2025) And a timely reminder that we should all listen to what the Boss has got to say from time to time. Born to Run sandwiched between Thunder Road (great opener) and Jungleland (even greater closing track) is the makings of a master piece. It would be disrespectful to the Boss, as a true working class poet, to give this anything less than a 5!

I'll give it five stars because it is certainly a timeless classic, at least in my mind. Not quite my cup of tea, but I will definitely listen to it again in the future.

I put this on while cooing dinner for my self and, for the first time in a long time, listening to this was all I did while eating. This is close to perfect! Amazing songs, touching lyrics, great performances and arrangments that are far more sophisticated than what they get credit for. No fillers, just 39 minutes of the best possible Americana you can imagine. I am very mad about Bruce Hornsby not being on this list, but this almost makes up for it.

A fun listen. Instrumentals and production was great.

Actually insane. Some of the best storytelling ever

Yeah, this is genius.

TOP 10 and it’s not 10th

A great album well crafted and richly orchestrated. There is a dedication to theme but plenty of variation. Each song a short story.

Really excellent album with a number of standout hits and full of great tracks overall.

Great album

What can you say about this one. Incredible musicians and songwriting.

It’s the stuff of what legends are made and if you don’t get chills when the climax to Born To Run hits, I think they should take you off the life-support machine. I never noticed before the love affair that this album has with the girl groups of the 60s like The Ronettes and The Chiffons. I think that’s what makes this album Springsteen’s best.

Gute Laune pur! Super zum aufstehen

Great songs, great sound

8 fantastic and unique songs, I would listen to this entire album any time.

7/1001 The Boss’ breakthrough, but more importantly his happy album. Born To Run is straight up a hoot from start to finish. The album starts pretty chill with Thunder Road, which also sets the mood for the whole affair pretty decently. Bruce Springsteen made a party album of fun, intelligent and bombastic songs, who all flow together with one single musical identity without straying to far from said identity. The album culminates with the grandiose Jungleland, which fits Born To Run to perfection. The album lacks any sort of standout track - the closest being the title track - but that, I would argue, is a testament to the sheer quality on display. The only dip in quality would probably have to be Meeting Across the River, but it’s nonetheless still an excellent song. Not a bad way to start the new year with one of my favourite Bruce Springsteen albums. 5/5

Difficult one. 45 years ago there's a good chance I'd tell you this was my favourite album. My musical tastes have changed (a lot) over the years so that would no longer be true. Still, this album remains "special" to me although I rarely listen to it. It is one of the very few that I've owned on vinyl, cassette tape, CD and hi-res digital download. I know all the words. Before listening to it for this exercise, I did think "mmm... which headphones would 'Born to Run' sound best on?" and got a little-used pair out of their case. That says 'something'. Despite my rule of thumb that "it's all over for a rock band as soon as they add 'strings'", I'll defer to my teenaged self, he knew more about rock and roll than I do, (the young always do) and for the sake of the memories I'll give this 5/5.

Rocking… a massive sound, heartfelt lyrics where the ordinary and mundane becomes fantastic and romantic. This is an utter classic and still sounds amazing. Top tier.

the boss mode

About time we got to this album. No notes.

I wasn't prepared for how much I love this. I'm a bit of a sucker for piano-lead rock, but throw in the saxophone, great vocals (which I was expecting, 'cus Springsteen), and fantastic production, and this really hit hard. There's just not an inch of fat on it. "Springsteen envisioned the songs taking place over one long summer day and night." - what a frickin' day that must've been!

One of the best album ever

great album

Достойно

Hits in so many different ways; arena rock anthems, story-telling gems, and simply, great track curation. It doesn't matter the speed or tempo of the song, Springsteen and the band are purely evocative, in the most generous sense.

One of my all time favourite records

It took some time but the anointing of Bruce Springsteen as the new savior of rock and roll had come to fruition on Born to Run. With little to no space or sound wasted, this seminal album was what Springsteen and his E Street Band needed as the push to sell them to the big time. Baby, were they born to run...

Top tier dad rock

More great bruce

Hell yeah. Five! Five! Five!

Steven Van Zandt's sound and Bruce's incredible narrative and melodic talents as a songwriter. Has there ever been a more impressive debut album?

Bruce becomes 'The Boss' and starts to put on the straitjacket to stadium fame that he eventually tried to escape. You don't have to be from a shitty town in the US to understand the songs here - this is everybody. The overblown production is perfect here - just a little more and it could've been parody. A true classic album in every sense of the word. Best Tracks: Thunder Road; Backstreets; Born To Run

Simply put, one of the greatest albums of all time. 1. Thunder Road: Is it the greatest intro song of all time? Maybe. I just want to point out how amazing the piano is throughout the entire album. This song has the potential to make me cry. 2. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out: A really good song that never fails to make me happy. I’m definitely not a huge Springsteen fan, and the voice here is on the edge of too much (which is one of my biggest complaints of his), but it succeeds in being a fun jaunt. 3. Night: Just a great Springsteen song. These songs are less than 3 mins, and yet they feel like they are so much longer; and I don’t mean that as a criticism. These shorter songs still have lyrical density that can be exhausting (in a good way). 4. Backstreets: More amazing piano; the intro is killer. Probably my (second) favorite chorus on the album. 5. Born to Run: it’s crazy that this song is only my third favorite song on the album, and yet is still one of my favorite songs ever. It goes to show how great this album is. Some amazing saxaphone playing (obviously) and perfect Springsteen isms that make it so unique and inspired. 6. She’s the One: This used to be my least favorite track and (along with track #7) a skip on the album. I have come around to this song and have come to enjoy its buildup to more crazy sax. 7. Meeting Across the River: Although this song has probably been relegated to least favorite on the album, it is still a great piano ballad that feels like the calm before the storm that is Jungleland. 8. Jungleland: speaking of: this might be the greatest song of all time. Rarely can I get so emotionally invested in a song- on of the only other songs I can think of is Runaway. Both of which use the extended length of their songs to portray powerful emotions. For jungleland, every instrument is unbelievable; the piano, the hints of organ, the sax, and of course the voice. This is Springsteen’s best lyrics and the best piece of Americana music you will find.

If I listed my top 25 artist- Bruce may or may not make the list, would truly depend on the day. But I have sang along at the top of my voice -usually buttered up- to most of the songs on this album. There are times it hits just right.

Hey Saxy! 4.6.

A classic. It's like looking at an impressionist painting. Personal enjoyment: 5/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5

I am from New Jersey and grew up on this. My review should mean nothing to you.

The easiest 5 I’ve given any album on the project so far. This record changed my life when I was around 15 years old. And each time I return to it, some of that immense energy and intrinsic magic remains. Born To Run is a rock and roll opus. From the spirit to the instrumentation to the absolutely blissful sequencing the record features, Born to Run is a perfect album. This is the sound of youthful exuberance meeting time-hardened frustration. Open-ended opportunity meeting disappointing dead-ends. If you can find me an album with stronger bookends (as songs themselves and as representatives of an album’s themes) I would be pretty impressed. Thunder Road and Jungleland are two absolutely perfect songs. Two of the best songs written by Bruce Springsteen or anybody. Thunder Road opens the story with a heart full of hope, a gust of wind blowing our hair back and making us believe anything is possible for the people documented in this song. What’s more is these people aren’t kings and queens, they aren’t world-traveling rock stars, they aren’t from another planet. They’re ordinary people from an ordinary town with families and things they are proud to claim. But they want more. Springsteen embodies this character most in the song’s final lyric “It’s a town full of losers and I’m pulling outta here to win”. Bruce, himself, was fighting for his professional music life at the time. Born to Run is famously a “make-or-break” album and the last chance the E Street Band was given to deliver a hit to Columbia Records. That powerful, frantic energy can be felt all over Born to Run in the best way possible. And nowhere more palpably than on Thunder Road. Jungleland closes our story with a similar energy and similar characters living their lives how they choose, in bands, in bars, in gangs, in cars cruising down the coast of New Jersey. At around 10 minutes long, Jungleland encompasses so much spirit and so many different dynamics. There’s a rock section, an epic Clarence Clemons sax solo that can bring tears to my eyes, and finally a soft but brazen outro where Springsteen flexes absolute poetry to put an end to the lives these characters live, in calamity or daily platitudes. When the swirling crescendo takes us to the album’s close, you know you’ve just listened to a classic. Born to Run is the sound of poetry in motion. This is the sound of life unchaining its leash. Lights camera action.. and go. The world is yours for the taking or the breaking. 10/10

I said in my review of Blonde on Blonde that Springsteen was the first to really make that album’s attempts at a Rock Big Band work. Born To Run is the fruition of that, and it’s amazing just how coherently all of these influences come together. Born To Run isn’t my favourite Springsteen record, that would be the darker and admittedly flawed Darkness On The Edge Of Town, nor is it his best artistic statement, which would be Nebraska. What Born To Run has going for it is, much like Hendrix’s Axis: Bold As Love, it’s Springsteen’s most perfect work, flawlessly constructed and executed that flows as a full story throughout it’s 8 tracks from the small beach towns of New Jersey to the epic cityscape of New York, encapsulating the hopes, dreams and disappointments of it’s characters with humour and sympathy

I love ther versality, the Sound and the musical components

I’m from Jersey. I was raised on this stuff.

This is one of the greatest albums of all time, for sure. Excited for a full listen-through. 1. Thunder Road. One of my favorite songs of all time. What else needs to be said? 2. "Tenth Avenue Freezeout" - an awesome song. I never get sick of hearing it. Jammy, rollicking, fun. Great lyrics. 3. "Night" - not as familiar with this song, but I like it! It's slower, but Bruce has that deep and guttural tone going in his voice, which I really dig. 4. "Backstreets" - this album has...almost every one of his really big hits. 5. "Born to Run" - what a phenomenal title track. Of course this is what he called the album. it's fucking perfect. A+, no notes. 6. "She's the One"

I am biased. Springsteen has to be one of my favourite artists. I consider this quintessential Americana (I don't know if I'm using that term correctly). I'm a kid from a Southeast Asian country, but this makes me want to put on blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and form a union.

Probably two of the best lead off songs for side A and side B ever. Thunder Road starts off the album with a lot of energy and power and Born to Run brings side B back to that level and then out to the stratosphere. It’s hard not to sing along to either song no matter how many times you have heard them. Tenth Avenue Freeze Out is a strong track 2 but then we have Night. That song is a mess. It’s like they took the loud part of Thunder Road and just did the entire song at that level. The lyrics get lost in the mix and there aren’t enough dynamics to keep my attention. Backstreets is better but the outro goes too long in my opinion. Probably works well live but as a studio recording it felt to me like they didn’t know how to end it. Born to Run, as mentioned before, is a fantastic side B lead off. In the age of streaming it works as a great pick me up after the last two songs as well. She’s The One has some great piano and nice sax work. Meeting Across the River doesn’t do much for me. Jungleland is a nice closer. It has a lot going on including violin, piano and a great sax solo. A fitting end to a fine album.

Heard it. Own it.

loved it, he's iconic

I mean, it rules.

Best kind of dad rock

Still an absolute classic - when you’ve got a hatful of songs that are comparable in quality to the title track, you’ve got it all. The album Springsteen said he wanted to make so that everyone would remember him. Job done, Boss.

I've listened to this album thousands of times. For many years, It was my fave album. No need to listen to this one. 5/5 stars.

Every song is 5 stars

Con una producción mayor a la de sus dos primeros discos, Born To Run situó a Springsteen en el firmamento de los grandes de todos los tiempos. Su sonido es grandioso gracias a la superposición de capas de guitarras, voces, teclados y percusión, siguiendo la clásica idea de Spector con su muro de sonido. Además, están las magnificas canciones escritas por el boss, con un arranque, "Thunder Road" magnífico. Una canción sobre la libertad y la búsqueda de oportunidades en la que un joven invita a su chica a dejar atrás la vida que siguen y mirar al futuro. Y desde luego está la canción que da título al álbum, una de las que más me gustan de toda su discografía (y mira que hay donde elegir). En ella una pareja de amantes anhelan dejar atrás sus pequeñas vidas en una pequeña ciudad para asaltar el futuro, utilizando la carretera como metáfora de vida. El disco completo es una maravilla, con "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out", "Backstreets", "She's te One" o la buenísima "Jungleland" a la altura de uno de los mejores discos de rock de todos los tiempos.

A passionate triumph of music!

So hard to rate an album by Bruce-especially this one-he's so tightly woven into childhood memories I can't possibly be objective. Love him our Dad loved him - once he went to 6 of the 10 shows Bruce was doing at the Brendan Byrne arena <3

Awesome

Disco esencial. No hay más que decir. Darle al play dejarse llevar por el jefe y su banda. Otros discos de 1975: Down by the Jetty de Dr. Feelgood, debut de AC/DC, Physical Graffiti de Led Zeppelin, Wish you were here de Pink Floyd, That's the Way of the World de Earth, Wind and Fire, Young Americans de D. Bowie, Dressed to Kill de kiss, Rubycon de Tangerine Dream, ABBA de ABBA, Diamonds & Rust de Joan Baez, Zuma y Tonight's the Night de Neil Young, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy de Elton John, Main Coruse de Bee Gees, KC and the Sunshine Band de KC and the Sunshine Band, Love to Love You Baby de Donna Summer, Another Green World de Brian Eno, Ommadawn de Mike Oldfield, Radio-Activity de Kraftwerk, Horses de Patti Smith, A Night at the Opera de Queen, Crisis? What Crisis? de Supertramp, el directo de Bob Marley...

The Boss! Always better with The E Street Band

Yeah, no shit it's good.

Snjór úti og BTR á fóninum. Veturinn er mættur og ég fílaða. Platan er nottla meistarastykki. Einstaklega gott sound og heildarmyndin er til staðar. Bossinn er með þetta. 5.5 stjörnur.

Þvílík plata, þvílíkur gleðidagur. Allt geggjuð lög hvert á sinn hátt, frábærir textar. Klassííkerar sem eru flestir enn stór hluti af tónleikaprógrammi hans. 50 stjórastjörnur.

9/10. Bruce Springsteen captures a feeling of americana in this album. Born to run is my favorite song in it, but the whole album is very complete and definitely will stand the test of time.

Love that sax

Hell yeah

Truly one of the best ever. Just a start to finish masterpiece.

Amazing. Simply amazing.

Album 547 of 1001 Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run (1975) Rating : 5 / 5 Another great one from Bruce. I'm partial to him, so there is that. Some tracks are stronger than others but the album, as a whole, is a great listen. Vocals are strong, good guitar work, a slamming sax solo...and as always, great songwriting.

I assume the choads who don't give this a 5 like Radiohead.

The only Boss who never disappoints ;-)

Thunder Road kicks of this album with nostalgia and heart. The title track is one of the greatest songs ever written. Just a great album throughout.

Is there a weak song on here? Maybe one - is there a brilliant track? At least four. The title track alone gets it a five.

An album so good and so definitive that Bruce has been ping-ponging back and forth between trying never to make a second Born to Run and always trying to make a second Born to Run. Pretty good problem to have, tbh.

There's gotta be a German word for the rush of excitement the opening riff of "Born to Run" makes you feel, right?

Classic Rock n Roll

Still great. Listening to the full album for first time in years, I was surprised by the strength of piano throughout the album. One often thinks of Springteen as guitar and horns.

This album is brilliant. The only blemish, for me, is "Meeting Across The River." It just doesn't capture the magic that every other song on the album does. From the sprawling "Jungleland" to the Bo Diddly "She's The One" to all the classics. Springsteen was on fire — lots of joy, lots of muscle, great story songs, killer performances. The E-Street Band is as fired up as he is.

It’s hard to listen fresh when an album is so iconic and seared in your brain. I started out really disliking Bruce Springsteen. Raised in podunk South Jersey where everyone loved Bruce, I took any action to rage against the status quo. When I hit college that changed. When I heard Andre sing Bruce I was able to appreciate the brilliance again.

### **"Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen: An In-Depth Review** "Born to Run," Bruce Springsteen's third studio album, released in August 1975, represents a pivotal moment in the artist's career. It propelled him from being a critically acclaimed but commercially modest singer-songwriter into a full-fledged rock icon. The album's combination of ambitious lyricism, layered production, and thematic depth helped to shape the trajectory of rock music in the late 1970s. In this review, we'll explore the album's key components, including its lyrics, music, production, themes, and overall influence on the genre. --- ### **Lyrics** The lyrics on "Born to Run" are among the most celebrated in rock history. Springsteen, often referred to as "The Boss," captures the spirit of youthful yearning, rebellion, and the quest for freedom with poetic eloquence. The album is filled with vivid, cinematic imagery that brings to life the struggles and dreams of working-class America. 1. **"Thunder Road"** opens the album with the line, "The screen door slams, Mary's dress waves," immediately creating a sense of place and character. Springsteen's use of vernacular language makes the listener feel like a participant in a narrative rather than a distant observer. The lyrics tell a story of escape, of two people desperate to break free from the constraints of their small-town lives, filled with romantic yearning and a sense of urgency. 2. **"Born to Run,"** the title track, is an anthem for those seeking something greater. It encapsulates a longing for liberation, with lines like "Tramps like us, baby, we were born to run." The song captures the essence of the American dream, seen through the eyes of those on the margins. 3. **"Jungleland,"** the album’s epic closer, paints a vivid picture of urban struggle, telling a tale of love, crime, and shattered dreams in a city landscape. With its complex characters and richly detailed setting, it stands as one of Springsteen's finest lyrical achievements. **Pros of the Lyrics:** - Springsteen's writing is deeply empathetic and connects with a wide audience, blending the personal with the universal. - The album's lyrics are packed with metaphors and references that evoke a sense of place, time, and emotion, making them both specific and timeless. **Cons of the Lyrics:** - For some, the lyrics may come off as overly earnest or sentimental, relying heavily on idealized notions of freedom and escape that may seem naïve or dated to contemporary listeners. - The narrative style can occasionally feel sprawling and unwieldy, with some songs containing dense imagery that might overwhelm casual listeners. ### **Music** Musically, "Born to Run" is ambitious, combining rock, folk, jazz, and even orchestral elements to create a sound that is both expansive and intimate. 1. **Arrangements and Instrumentation:** The album features the full power of the E Street Band, with its layered arrangements and diverse instrumentation. Clarence Clemons’ saxophone solos add a soulful, dynamic element, especially on tracks like "Jungleland" and "Thunder Road." Roy Bittan's piano work provides a melodic backbone throughout the album, while the guitars of Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt are powerful yet restrained, adding texture rather than overwhelming the compositions. 2. **Melodic Complexity:** Songs like "Backstreets" and "Meeting Across the River" showcase Springsteen’s ability to construct complex, multi-part melodies that build tension and release, mirroring the emotional arcs of the lyrics. The title track "Born to Run" is a rock anthem that combines a wall of sound with a driving rhythm section and catchy hooks, designed to be played loud and felt deeply. 3. **Dynamic Range:** There is a considerable dynamic range across the album. From the quieter, more contemplative moments on "Meeting Across the River," with its jazz-influenced arrangement and haunting trumpet, to the full-throttle rock and roll of "Born to Run," the album covers a broad spectrum of moods and styles. **Pros of the Music:** - The album is musically diverse, blending different genres into a cohesive rock sound that feels fresh and expansive. - The use of the E Street Band's talents allows for a richness in sound, creating memorable hooks and engaging musical narratives. **Cons of the Music:** - Some critics argue that the "Wall of Sound" production style can feel overwhelming or cluttered, with too many layers competing for attention. - A few of the songs, such as "Night" and "She's the One," while energetic, do not break new ground musically and can feel formulaic compared to other tracks on the album. ### **Production** The production of "Born to Run" was notoriously arduous. Springsteen and co-producer Jon Landau worked painstakingly to create the album’s distinctive sound, which aimed to evoke the grandeur of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound while still retaining a rock and roll edge. 1. **Sound Design:** The production creates a dense, textured sound that is lush but not overproduced. Each instrument is given space to shine, from Clemons' saxophone to Bittan's piano to Springsteen's own guitar work. The album was recorded using multiple layers of sound, often with numerous takes to achieve the desired effect. 2. **Mixing and Mastering:** The mixing of the album is notable for its complexity. There is a constant interplay between instruments, with some moments featuring a subtle interplay of sounds, while others present a full-throated blast of music. The mastering emphasizes a clean but powerful sound, allowing the album's many elements to be heard distinctly while maintaining a cohesive sonic landscape. 3. **Use of Studio Techniques:** Techniques like overdubbing and reverb are used extensively to create a sense of space and depth. For example, on "Thunder Road," the use of harmonica, piano, and saxophone gives the track a layered feel that unfolds gradually, creating a journey-like listening experience. **Pros of the Production:** - The production gives the album a timeless, almost cinematic quality, enhancing the storytelling aspect of Springsteen's lyrics. - The balance of clarity and complexity allows for an engaging listening experience that reveals new details upon repeated listens. **Cons of the Production:** - The long recording process led to moments where the production can seem overly labored, losing some of the raw energy that defined Springsteen's earlier work. - Some listeners might find the production too polished or slick, preferring the grittier sound of Springsteen's other albums. ### **Themes** The themes of "Born to Run" revolve around escape, redemption, and the pursuit of a better life. It is an album that captures the essence of the American dream but also reflects its complexities and contradictions. 1. **Youth and Escape:** "Born to Run" explores the theme of escape from a confining environment. In "Thunder Road" and "Born to Run," the characters are constantly on the move, searching for something more meaningful beyond their current circumstances. 2. **Dreams and Disillusionment:** The album does not shy away from the harsh realities of life. Songs like "Backstreets" and "Meeting Across the River" explore themes of betrayal, disillusionment, and the consequences of choices made in pursuit of dreams. There is a persistent tension between hope and despair, a recognition that the quest for freedom is fraught with obstacles. 3. **Urban Landscape:** The city is a recurring motif throughout the album, serving as both a setting and a character. It represents both the promise and the peril of modern life, a place where dreams can be made or shattered. **Pros of the Themes:** - The thematic depth gives the album a literary quality, making it more than just a collection of songs but rather a cohesive artistic statement. - The themes are universal and relatable, appealing to a wide audience across different demographics and generations. **Cons of the Themes:** - The recurring theme of escape can feel redundant across multiple tracks, potentially limiting the album's narrative range. - Some might argue that the focus on youthful yearning and rebellion lacks nuance, favoring grandiosity over subtlety. ### **Influence and Legacy** "Born to Run" has had a profound influence on rock music and popular culture. It cemented Springsteen's status as a major force in the music industry and set the stage for his subsequent success. 1. **Impact on Rock Music:** The album influenced countless artists with its blend of rock, folk, and soul elements. It helped to rejuvenate the rock genre during a time when it was being challenged by punk and disco, showing that rock could still be a powerful and relevant medium for storytelling and social commentary. 2. **Cultural Significance:** "Born to Run" became a touchstone for American culture, embodying themes of freedom, rebellion, and the pursuit of the American dream. It is frequently cited in discussions of the greatest albums of all time, and its songs have been covered by numerous artists, further solidifying its place in the pantheon of rock music. 3. **Springsteen’s Career:** For Springsteen, "Born to Run" was both a breakout and a defining moment. It established him as an artist with something significant to say and with the ability to reach a broad audience, paving the way for his future success with albums like "Darkness on the Edge of Town" and "The River." **Pros of the Influence:** - The album’s influence extends beyond music, contributing to broader discussions about the American experience and the power of storytelling through song. - It remains a relevant and powerful piece of work that continues to inspire new generations of artists and listeners. **Cons of the Influence:** - Its iconic status might overshadow other albums in Springsteen's discography that are equally deserving of attention. - The album’s reputation can sometimes create unrealistic expectations for first-time listeners, who may not immediately connect with its style or themes. ### **Conclusion** "Born to Run" is a landmark album that showcases Bruce Springsteen at the height of his creative powers. Its rich lyrics, dynamic music, and layered production combine to create a work that is both timeless and specific, capturing the hopes and dreams of a generation while resonating with listeners across time. While some may critique its production choices or find its themes overly romantic, the album's influence and legacy in rock music are undeniable. It remains a quintessential example of how music can articulate the complexities of life, making it a classic that continues to be celebrated nearly half a century after its release.

10/10. Masterpiece, front to back. Thunder Road is one of the best songs ever written.

This is one of my personal ten or so favorite albums of all time, so it’s an obvious 5 stars from me. I can’t add much that hasn’t already been said, but for my money it has at least two of the greatest songs ever recorded (Thunder Road and Born to Run, and Jungleland has an argument too). For all its superlatives, from Clemens’ perfect sax solos to the meticulous “wall of sound” production, the greatest attribute of the album is Bruce’s songwriting. It’s a masterclass of storytelling through song: if you’re not moved to take on the world by Thunder Road or Born To Run, moved to smile by Tenth Avenue Freezeout, or moved close to tears by Backstreets and Jungleland, check if you’re alive. Bruce has had at least 3 masterpieces, arguably more like 6, but in my opinion this will always be his best. It’s on the short list for greatest rock album of all time, and arguably the best record ever produced in America.

okay I'm convinced. I listened to it twice. I still don't really care for "Thunder Road". I actually liked "Meeting Across the River". That + "Jungleland" (also rly good) is what made me want to start over and give it another listen. Also. Is there some kind of musical property that makes something feel nostalgic even though you weren't there? Or do we all just think heartland rock is nostalgic because it's what our parents listened to while being nostalgic? Nostalgiception.

Thunder Road Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out Backstreets Born to Run She's the One Meeting Across the River Jungleland

Born to Run is a masterpiece of modern music, and arguably just one of Bruce Springsteen's masterpieces. This is the third of his albums, and the first to find significant commercial success. With Born to Run, his third album, Springsteen displayed the range of talents that have made him one of the most influential figures in modern music. Springsteen voices earnest narratives in his lyrics, and tells vivid stories about the day-to-day challenges of life. His compelling stories suit his rich, expressive voice. He's supported by the E-Street Band, with strong keys and and even stronger saxophone player. Their guitar and piano centered, R&B based rock became one of the central elements of modern popular music.

Springsteen. THE MF GOAT. That's all.

The Boss and the E street band. What else is necessary for the perfect album?

I am not really a Bruce fan.. he seems overplayed and over rated. I grew up in NJ, while he became "BRUCE" - there was some growing pains, but I gave to say, this is a really rounded album. The lyrics are still personal and deep, good music, and great sax from The Big Man. regrets that I have to give it a 5. Credit fue.

Masterpiece

Avoided The Boss because I used to be a classic rock hater but started listening mid-pandemic and have been a huge fan since. Now I’m a hater of all of the modern day bruce-alikes.

I mean come on

We’re running out tonight to case the promised land.

A masterpiece from the boss

One of the best albums of all time One of the best openers and best closers in Thunder Road and Jungleland. Everything in between is superb too

me when America me when guitar me when ambient trumpet thing

Classic. Every song. One of the top 20 complete albums.

Born to Run might genuinely be the best song of all time

Still great

Cmon. Obviously.

I can not remember whether or not I listened to Born to Run in full (60% positive that I did), so for shits & giggles I put on something I’m 100% sure I’ve never heard before: The Wild, The Innocent & the E Street Shuffle (1973). Though slightly rougher-edged, it has a lot of the exuberant performance & anthemic choruses as heard in, say, the song “Born to Run”. Now about the *album* Born to Run: Let me be clear. I think my favourite Springsteen is the arena rock that is Born in the USA (unless I'm depressed, then it's Nebraska). However, I do love this album quite a lot. "Thunder Road" never used to be a song I really cared for, until a year or two back where something switched and now it's basically a never-skip. Unless classic rock radio kills it again. HL: "Thunder Road", "Night", "Backstreets", "Jungleland", "Meeting Across the River", the title track July 20, 2024

The emotions run deep in this album, and so do the layers of sound. I kinda love Bruce and the storytelling in his songs. There’s a comforting nostalgia to his style of rock and roll. I dig it!

Amazing

I was kinda busy yesterday and was worried I wasn’t going to have time to listen to an album, so I was desperately hoping it was going to be an album I was already familiar with. And I got probably my favorite album of all time lol. An album I’m likely listened more to than any other! Two Boss albums in three days!!! I’m loving it!!!

Fuck it, 5 stars You had me at "Roy Orbison sing for the lonely" I'll never be a Bruce kind of guy. I'll never refer to him as "The Boss" (I mean I don't dispute it, I just won't use that term), and I'm not going to pay a fuck ton of money to see him live. But this album is a Got Damn masterpiece, I'll tell you what

The springboard of an epic career which was cemented with this 70s masterpiece.

FUCK YES!!!! BRUCIE BABIEEE

eight perfect songs. a masterpiece

Excruciating almost perfection.

This album is perfect

Before: baby we were born to ruuuuun After: hwoah!

Absolutely fantastic 6/5

Solid album. Good mix of African rhythms and American southern rock/pop.

Good album.

S.C.C. (Stone Cold Classic)

All time classic, one of the most evocative albums ever written with unreal lyrics. Bruce's best

There are artists and albums that you have to be a grown-up to listen to. This is one those albums. You'll appreciate it more as a mature person.

A nearly perfect album

If this isn't 5 Stars I don't know what is.

Amazing.

Great album, huge fan of the Boss

Crack band. Crack songs. Springsteen is the best of the post Dylan songwriters. Shut up he is. Ah, what would you know? Born to Run is an anthem - a song that unites in its criticisms of American capitalism. Springsteen understands that the system could work but it’s been taken over by crooks, by shysters, by scammers. The everyday worker gets screwed. You can run. You can’t hide. There is redemption out there somewhere. There must be. There has to be. He puts all this in a vista that is mythic in its vision. It’s an America of small towns. Of broken dreams. Of disappointment. But in there is a little hope. And that’s the magic of it. Growing up I got Springsteen. The cars. The long endless roads. The dying towns where once was promise but now was despair. Central West NSW could be Wisconsin. Or Tennessee. Or Virginia. Sheer poetry, wrapped in Dylan, Motown, The Who, Woody Guthrie, Nashville and Pete Seeger. And a crack band. Did I mention the band? PS - that telecaster is why I play a telecaster.

Epic feel good music. His stories capture the jearning , the love, the pain , dilemmas and pain of youth and transitions, and yet also the hope, struggles and shares passion and anthems like ever have. He found a way to pump a whole crowd and he hasn't stopped. A gift a talent and always a joy. (He is a stadium filler and anthem singer and made songs if the generation for decades, he speaks to us, Plus his range and abilities show best on other epic albums Nebraska and Ghost of tom Joad, arguably)

The first Springsteen album I owned was his second release, The Wild, The Innocent & The E-Street Shuffle(1973), which I bought from the Australian Record Club. It’s still my favourite. I then bought his first album, Greetings From Asbury Park(1973), also from the A.R.C. I loved it almost as much. Then came the big wait for the follow-up, which was Born To Run(1975). I was in my last year at Newcastle Uni, sharing a unit in Charlestown with three mates, & I bought it the moment it was locally released from a record bar in Charlestown. He had me from the opening lines of Thunder Road : “The screen door slams, Mary's dress sways Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays Roy Orbison singing for the lonely Hey that's me and I want you only”. Listening to Springsteen’s lyrics on these early albums is a bit like watching The Sopranos (how ironic that future Soprano actor Steve Van Zandt would join Springsteen’s band soon after this album hit) or even The Jets in West Side Story. Tenth Avenue Freeze Out, Jungleland, Meeting Across The River - I still love these songs. This is still a great album to play.

Great album!

Top

Why make hour long meh albums when you can make a 40 minute perfect album

Classic!!

Some of the reviews on this made me question whether some people even like music or not. This is a masterpiece for me, pure passion from front to back. No weak tracks but 'Jungleland' especially is just genius, that song could be twice the length and I would still ask for more.

great albums of hits

After 800+ days of not getting that much Springsteen, we’ve now had three albums in about a month. I feel like I may have been a little harsh on the previous two (Nebraska and The Rising) but they really weren’t his strongest moments. Born to Run, on the other hand? An absolute masterpiece

One of Springsteen's Biggest and arguably his best this album is jammed full of some of his biggest songs, Thunder Road, Born To Run, Backstreets, Tenth Avenue Freeze Out are all fantastic and classic Bruce Springsteen Greatest Hits. But it's Jungleland that stands out for me the closing track is pure Springsteen story telling at its best but it's "The Big Man" Clarence Clemmons that steals the show with that beautiful Sax solo.

Masterpiece. 5

One of the easiest 5's I've given out lately. I was familiar with his hits but never listened to an album before. Both the music and the lyrics are fantastic; I loved every song

Thunder Road, Backstreets, Jungleland, and the title track - one album with 4 all-time classics. She’s the One and 10th Avenue are no slouches either. I don’t often go all the way through for a listen, but this one has been on my heavy rotation for decades. Hats off to the Lead Man!

Springsteen's greatest achievement. Heartland Rock will never produce something as enchanting as Born to Run. The density of the production reveals a new instrument every time I re-listen. This time around, the bass play from Gary Tallent blew me away. It’s positioned wonderfully in the mix and often serves as the songs’ melodic core (very similar to Eric Judy of Modest Mouse). Get some good headphones and really listen for it on Backstreets and Born To Run especially. Two theses bookend this album: in Thunder Road screen doors slam, dresses wave, and the protagonist abandons his hometown in the lonely cool of dawn. In Jungleland we find our hero trapped in The City, his own dreams gunning him down. Thunder Road gives us The Man too big for his upbringing. A headstrong man of dreams, ambitions, and style. Jungleland tears that apart. Along the way, from Thunder Road in Hometown, USA to the mythical city akin to a jungle, the Man learns the price of his ambition. He fights in shootouts on Tenth Avenue. He works all day to meet his girl and ignites the highway at night. He spends summers getting wasted with her, trying and failing to hide his past from her and his love from rival street gangs. He despairs that he isn't anything special, that he'll never be like the heroes on the screen. But still, he's different, he was born to run, he's found The One. Until he goes across the river, to the Jungleland. He does worse and worse things, and loses himself in that city he thought would make his own. And then the city claims him for itself. What did he really escape from? Where was he born to run? Was losing it all worthwhile? I don’t know. Neither does Bruce. As he writes at the end of Jungleland, the poets aren’t the ones suffering the consequences of what they’re writing about. The characters in their stories are who suffers. Tonight in Jungleland, someones dreams will die alongside them. This album is the closest we as the poets will ever get to knowing what that feels like. While we stand back and let it all be. “A screen door slams. Mary your dress waves...” “There were ghosts in the eyes of all the boys you sent away...” “So Mary climb in. It's a town full of losers and I'm pulling out of here to win!” “At night sometimes it seemed you could hear that whole damn city crying.” “Baby this town rips the bones from your back. It's a death trap. It's a suicide rap.” “The highways jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive” “Someday girl, I don't know when, we're gonna get to that place where we really wanna go and we'll walk in the sun...” “The midnight gangs assembled and picked a rendezvous for the night. They’ll meet ‘neath that giant Exxon sign that brings this fair city light. Man there’s an opera out on the Turnpike. There’s a ballet being fought in the alley...” “Beneath the city two hearts beat...”

Great

This is one of those albums that I gave a chance to it because a girlfriend loved it. Glad I did. Lyrics and music bring back some great memories.

Absolute classic. Written so brilliantly. Incredible production too

Five stars just because 1) Bruce Springsteen and 2) "Born to Run". Simple and short.

Well, isn’t this an amazing gem.

50,000,000 fist-pumping Middle-aged East Coast white guys can’t be wrong! Earnestness, poverty, and broken dreams never sounded quite so sexy.

Bruuuuuuce! Long may The Boss run!

POETRY GUSTO VISION LAYERS ORGANS SAX ARRANGEMENTS CRYSTALS REALITY.. BTR climaxes like 3 times 🤌 BOSS!

Overplayed for sure and one of his I don't listen to very often anymore. However it's such a fantastic record, great songs, incredible production and just some great rock and roll.

I’m an unashamed fan of this record and It’s unabashedly melodramatic gritty scenes of hope. Springsteen’s vocals are perfectly matched and tuned to stories and music.

great album! I find as I get older that I really enjoy Springsteens work. If I checked this out 15 or 10 years ago I would've passed on this but damn if this man cant write a good song. With a unique energy and voice he throws himself into everything he puts on this album.

Today is my wife’s birthday so luckily this album is an easy one. Bruce Springsteen is the best and this album kicks ass. Amazing saxophone solos. Bruce is just shouting lyrics with so much passion and emotion. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I'm a sucker for a big rock anthem. And none are bigger than Born to Run. Roll down the windows, turn the radio up, and sing along loud as you can.

Like a big, warm, emotional hug.

Not actually listened to this before but that was really good. High energy, fun, interesting, very listenable.

In any conversation about “great American songwriters,” it’s easy to say Springsteen belongs at the fore of that conversation along with Dylan, Lou Reed, Paul Simon, and (maybe to an only-slightly lesser degree) John Hiatt.

Three great songs spaced out, with good and okay songs in between, led to three full listens yesterday. 4 stars for the music and 1 for the balance.

I'm not a Bruce Springsteen fan but I will not argue that this is a solid album with some epic songs. A 4.5 rounded to 5.

This album kicks ass. His best, in my opinion. This album does a great job building to it’s climax in Born To Run

Tramps like us....

It’s a classic

just wrap your legs 'round these velvet rims and strap your hands across my engines

Totally great. Really like the production, I can hear him very well and yet all the instruments are in the foreground and sound good. The beginning of Night sounds very similar to the beginning of Born to Run, but generally the songs are pretty distinct. Love Bruce. He has a podcast with Obama?? 9/10

Some goated songs, the rest is also very good

I'm a sucker for storytelling in music and this delivers in spades. I can understand the hate for Springsteen's mumble mouth, but this album is a verified classic for a reason. Great stuff.

She’s the One is in my top five of his songs.

Born To Run is an absolute masterpiece to be honest. It's incredible that this is 50 years old next year, but when you create a timeless sound from stories that are simultaneously timeless themselves but also very much embedded in and defining an era, that's where the magic is. There's not a bad song on here, but there are some of the best of all time. The title track is an obvious highlight as a rollicking ride that was, I think, the inspiration for Bat Out Of Hell, there are so many similarities and I love both but this is the original and definitive. The first two songs are beautiful tone setters, Backstreets is a terrific underrated track where the piano comes into its own and that pained vocal searing through, then Jungleland is an all-time top five single of mine (I can never really pick a definitive #1), I don't care that it's overproduced as a song or a record, it's stunning, evocative, emotional, restrained, pained, arrogant and everything else in between. Springsteen is music's best storyteller and this is his magnum opus. One of the easiest 5s I've given in this, might be the best of them all.

Another great album from the Boss. Don't think it quite matches up to Born In The USA for me, but it's got that same raw storytelling to it that somehow feels very specific but yet timeless and placeless. Thunder Road is a cracking opener, then it's all about the build up to and come down from Born To Run. There isn't a bad track on it, it moves between moods and styles. Only small critique is that it gets a bit self-indulgent in places - definitely has a slight whiff of Meatloaf - but that doesn't stop it getting a 5.

Bruuuuce!

Classic

The Boss remains a pretty singular artist all these years later.

An all time favorite. Its just always so good

https://i.gifer.com/6ekB.gif

Hits perfectly with every listen (I listened like five times yesterday so)

Reasonable people can disagree whether they 'like' or 'love' this album. But if you find yourself in the 'hate' camp, that is where we part company, my former friend.

The man didn’t write songs. They were stories. This album is one incredible story after another. Even the Rat would approve

An amazing time for music and for living. It was really something and this was the music playing. One of the all time best albums nostalgically

Now we are talking. This one is not far from being a perfect album. A moment before bruce became the fame monster he is today he made this one. It's magically grand yet intimate. Great songs all over where Bruce shines as an amazing composer as well. Beautiful.

Oh wow! This album is 50 next year. It is still a yardstick and still sounds great.

His best album, some will argue. I won’t.

5

Springsteen's pretty goated that's all I'll say

Classic Sprinsteen .....

Best

Yeah, Born to run... wird nie langweilig und verliert nie seinen Schwung.

Just a great album, perfect length, bookended by absolute killer songs in "Thunder Road" and "Jungleland" and it feels like the whole album tells a story. Sure it's not an impeccable production, but its a history alerting tour de force by this debuting classic-era E Street Band line-up. Timeless, and AMAZING live.

This is what dad rock should be. Stirring, joyous and a lovely time every time you hear it. Boss up 🙌

Classic

Brilliant!

Excellent !

Brilliant album. Had a copy, now long gone, when it was first issued.

This one took me two tries - I listened at first and felt like it was overblown and sounded a bit homogeneous. However, I gave it a second go and hearing more of the lyrics contributed a lot to it. It's a very liberating album, and a ton of fun. I grew up with Clarence Clemons as one of my idols on the saxophone, and I still love his solo on Jungleland. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that the Brecker brothers played on this album as well. I think the deeper cuts on this still don't stand out enough for it to be a 10 for me, but it's strong at a 9/10. Favorite Songs: Thunder Road, Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, Born to Run, Jungleland No least favorite songs

So. Much. Energy.

Have listened to this probably 1,000 times by now.

Jungleland is my favourite Springsteen song and for that I give this a 5. The album has Murica dive bar somewhere mid Atlantic vibes. A jug of beer with your spaghetti and meatballs while you watch the band play after a hard day in the docks or something. Also bonus points for looking so cool in the album cover, despite having the piano and sax more prominent in the songs.

There is no album that has made me feel like this before. This is such an amazing album. It uses the vocals, piano, bass and saxophone to PERFECTION! Maybe I am a little biased because I am a saxophonist myself, but those sax parts were absolutely Magical! I loved every song on this album. Each one is a 10/10. But I especially loved the closer, Jungleland. Mentionable songs are Thunder Road, Backstreets, Born to Run and Meeting Across the River. Of course, all of the other ones are still amazing. What more can I say? This is a wonderful album! I hope there is more Bruce Springsteen on here!

Westside Story, for the visually impaired 5/5

One of the best

The best.

Knew a few of these songs before I listened to the full album. The whole thing is just bursting with energy, will be returning to this one later.

This was a great album will now have to go look for more by him.

Another great album. This is better than Born in the USA in my opinion. I'll have to listen to this more. 5/5

Genial! Volle Punktzahl!

Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Thunder road, Night, Born to run, Backstreets, She’s the one, Jungleland

This is his best album

This album feels deeply personal to me. As a 90s kid, I was into the grunge scene big time. I loved it. Everything about that time was brilliant. It was new, and exciting, and angry, and it fucking slapped. We all felt like we were part of something, even if it was just a collective love of music & baggy clothes. But, in truth, it was albums like "Born to Run" that truly spoke to me. The moment I heard, "The screen door slams, Mary's dress waves" my ears perked up. This song grabbed me by the collar, jumped into my earholes, and set up permanent residence in my soul. Then when Bruce hit me with, "Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays", and I was mesmerised; instantly a fan for life. "Thunder Road" was a staple of mixtapes & burnt CDs throughout my youth. Last year it was my most played song on Spotify. It's not just my favourite Springsteen song, but it might be my favourite song full stop. The way Bruce delivers "Roll down the window, and let the wind blow back your hair" still chokes me up to this day. The subtle shaking in his voice suggests a little sadness or anxiety as he projects a vision of youthful optimism. The contrast is beautiful. I sing that lyric full blast while alone in my car and, more often than not, my eyes full up. "Thunder Road" is a perfect song. I grew up in a small harbour town in Newfoundland. A dying town due to the Cod Moratorium and lack of industry. A shit hole, basically. I was eager to leave from an early age and "Born to Run" was inspirational to me. "It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap. We gotta get out while we're young" felt like he was speaking directly to me. Songs like this emboldened my inner vagabond. This 8 track album is a masterpiece. It's fucking timeless. Powerful music supporting an expert storyteller. A generational talent at his best. 10/10. Plus, the album art is iconic. Does anybody personify Rock & Roll better than Springsteen? I don't think so. Legend. 👍👍

I was fully prepared to not like this as much as I used to. I haven’t listened to it in several years, but it’s still great. Can’t say I’d like it if I didn’t have a nostalgia for it, but here we are.

A classic. Already in my library. Every song is amazing

Classic start to finish. Almost perfect. 4.5

this is the one that kicked off my love for rock music. I know it inside out and have worn out at least 3 x copies. I had just turned 16 and just played it continually. I passed on old copies to younger folk in the hope they would discover the same joy that I had found. It really is that good. Perfect sleeve and printed lyrics too. An easy 5.

Really liked this album!

Delightful chiming throughout. Haven’t listened to this in ages and it is So.Good. First five, couldn’t be anything other than a five.

B O S S

Classic

This is about as close to a perfect record as anyone can produce. Not a misplaced note.

just a great album, front to back. of course, i've listened to this one countless times and know it back to front. the only song on here i am always iffy on is 'meeting across the water' which never has really landed for me. but the rest of the album is just balls to the walls great, that it easily overcomes that one blip. it's a classic for a reason!

Kanonskiva.

Classic album

Bruce has so much energy and it’s incredibly infectious. I find it very difficult not to get sucked into his little New Jersey world. Every song is a bop and every other is a Springsteen classic. I have nothing bad to say at all. It has range and originality all complemented by The Boss’ unique voice. Fun shit. 5/5

Wow what an album. 8 songs and 4 all timers (Thunderoad, ten ave freezeout, Born to Run and Jungleland). In 40 minutes no less!!

Meh, then I was BOOORRRN TO RUUUUNNNN

Fuck it, ik doe het gewoon. 5/5 voor the Boss! Opener Thunder Road is geweldig en de opbouw van de nummers daarna naar Born to Run vind ik gewoon heel gaaf. Backstreets is een hoogtepunt. Jungleland is een magische plaatafsluiter en heel eerlijk: ik smul gewoon van de swingende E-street band en de saxofoon solo's van Clarence (shout-out). Het nummer Born to Run 'an-sich' heb ik nooit zoveel mee gehad en ik begrijp niet dat het nummer op de B-kant staat, juist door die opbouw ervoor. She's the One (ik kreeg Meat Loaf-vibes) is eigenlijk het begin van de deel 2 van het album. Tevens zwakste nummer van de plaat. Blij toen die was afgelopen, zeg. Absoluut geen perfectie, maar mocht de pret niet drukken! Noem me een boomer, dadrocker, Meat-loaf-versteher, 'murican' of bruce-boy. Ik ga er gewoon voor: 5/5. Highlights: Thunder Road Backstreets Jungeland

This is a great album!

bruce serving cunt until the end of time

The Best.

One of the greatest collections of songs on one album, ever.

Took me back to my college days!

Backstreets, Jungleland, tenth avenue freeze out Such a great album

*****

I discovered "Born to Run" in full back in 2015. It's still the Bruce Springsteen album I know and love the most, partly down to limited knowledge of his wider discography and partly down just how bloody good this one is. "Born to Run" comprises eight vast, epic songs driven by the pounding hearts of America's 1970's youth, channelling Phil Spector's wall of sound into rock, folk and Americana. Springsteen's intention was to sound like Orbison singing Dylan songs, produced by Spector (as a side note, this makes me think he'd have been an incredible addition to the Traveling Wilburys. Imagine…). The characters in these songs are constantly trying to break free: from their tired old streets, their dead-end jobs, their broken hearts, their own narratives within the lines of these songs. Just try not to feel pumped up by album-opener "Thunder Road", the desperation of the two central characters ready to cut themselves away from their "town for the losers", "running out tonight to case the promised land". It's such a basic rock and roll concept, but I don't think I've ever heard it expressed so purely and earnestly as I have here: the cathartic saxophone coda is enough to send me into the stratosphere. And then of course, there's "Born to Run", with its iconic guitar line, pummelling snare, and its "highway jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive". Goosebumps every time. The other heavyweight, closing out the set, is "Jungleland", the final track and a miniature epic. Damned are the critics who might argue Springsteen's songs are shallow and repetitive: this one has a symphonic piano intro, colossal instrumental scope, multiple movements within it, all set to rich, vivid and heartbreaking storytelling. By the time the shimmering piano coda is done, the dream is over. The rest of the tracks are a little less transcendent, but are still endlessly enjoyable. I never used to care for "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out", but on return it's a terrific tune which makes tremendous use of the brass section. "Backstreets" boasts some of the most fluent piano work on the record, with a gut-busting build-up towards the end. "She's the One" and "Meeting Across the River" veer more towards the subdued side, but they're a very astute change of pace from the full-throttle material in the first half of the record: high-octane thrillers don't go all the way. Altogether, "Born to Run" is such an triumphant and joyful sounding record that I was surprised to read that the recording process was a laboured and joyless effort. Production lasted for ever eighteen months as Springsteen obsessed over every note, rewrote lyrics midway through sessions, changed personnel, managers and locations, and threw the original acetate into a swimming pool in frustration. He must have been an absolute nightmare to work with, so it's a good job he redeems himself with an absolutely all-time-great record.

Great album, great artist, great music. Springsteen live is even better - compared to the studio albums. In combination with the E-Street band -> wow! For sure: 5stars

I really love most of Springsteen's early stuff, and Born To Run is no exception. Just an absolutely fantastic record from start to finish, and the opening and closing songs bookend the album perfectly. My favorite songs are probably "Thunder Road," "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," "Backstreets," and "Jungleland," so basically almost the whole album. I don't think there's a song on here I don't at least somewhat like. Overall just amazing stuff here.

Thunder Road - Okay Harmonica! Always loved a harmonica. Nice song like this, upbeat bit of fun, cool piano. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out - His voice is ridiculous, what a guy. Could see myself being a Bruce fan! I likeeeeee this album so far. Bit of fun Night - Big chords, sounds like another song but I cannot think for the life of me. Again, vocals are just !!!!! Backstreets - Bass is wicked on this one. Want to listen to the lyrics he's singing more. ooooo key change! Great tune. Born to Run - OFC I KNOW THIS ONE. Feel like I'm in AMERICAAAAAAAAAA She's the One - She is the one and this album is the one. One of the coolest songs I've heard on this album a day journey. Meeting Across the River - Weird, saw Eddie next to the sea last night, so kinda the same thing. Chill, love the piano and the sax. Super relaxing song, could listen all night long. Jungleland - Lyrics feel very American, love shit like this. Barefoot girls sitting on the hood of a dodge, what a line, so America.

Quintessential Bruce! He’s bringing the heat, he’s bringing the intense songwriting and storytelling combo that makes him magical, and he’s peak 70s sexy before his big 80s rock hard butt revival. Loves it!

Track 1 (Thunder Road): I like the piano and harmonica in the intro. There is a great drum fill at roughly 3:50. Overall a good opening track. 7/10 Track 2 (Tenth Avenue Freeze-out): The horns are a nice addition. A bit repetitive but in a good way. Definitely more jazzy then Thunder Road. 8/10 Track 3 (Night): I love the intro the guitar and drums work well. I like the lyrics. Shortest song on the album and so far a pretty good one. The ending fade-out is great. 8/10 Track 4 (Backstreets): The intro is a great instrumental piece. I really like the yelling vocals during the chorus. Definitely feels more of an anthem than the other songs on the album so far. The great guitar solo adds to the song further and it has a great tone to it. The lyrics are probably the best part of the song and the piano adds even more to it. 9/10 Track 5 (Born To Run): The drums on this album are really good and it goes into this song with a great drum intro. Even more anthemic than Backstreets. I find it interesting that there isn't a true chorus to the song but there is a hook that basically repeats at the end of each verse. The vocals getting more intense as the song goes is an interesting choice. The lyrics are amazing and very inspired and unique. 8/10 Track 6 (She's the One): I like the bass and the piano riff stands out. The electric guitar kicking in is a surprise but it really fits and it adds to the tension of the song. The backing vocal adds a depth to the song. I like the guitar and drums at the end of the song. 8/10 Track 7 (Meeting Across the River): It opens with a haunting trumpet that is great. The vocals in the beginning sound truly sad. The piano adds an extra degree of emotion on top of the vocals and lyrics. I realize it is about an upcoming drug deal and the song sounds kind of hopeless. Probably my favorite song so far. 9/10 Track 8 (Jungleland): I like the instrumental in the beginning and it transitions into a really good piano riff. When the guitar kicks in it definitely adds to the song. I believe the lyrics about the city referred to as Jungleland are a look upon crime in major cities and how the poor are treated. The long instrumental section is a nice touch, I like how it starts to wind down and goes into a lone piano until the vocals rejoin but in a much more tender way. The vocals start to yell and the other instruments then the vocals start going into a more conversational tone. 9/10 Whole album ranking: 8.5/10

Awesome!

Enjoyed all the songs, felt like the last one went longer than it should’ve

Pretty close to a perfect record. I had so much I wanted to write, I listened to this several times over the weekend, but at the end of the day I just enjoyed the hell out of it. Even the tracks I wasn’t as into have incredible lyrics and a great sound. Yeah it came out a long time ago, but it transcends any kind of classic rock sound. Bruce’s music will forever be relevant for as long as Rock in any form is appreciated. Top tracks: Thunder Road, Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, Night, Born To Run, She’s The One, Jungleland

Okay this is so freaking good. I need to know who this wendy is. Imagine having bruce springsteen write "together wendy we can live with the sadness i love you with all the madness in my soul.... WOAAH"

Say what you what about Bruce, but my guy feels! Every song has so much passion and love in it, it’s honestly shocking. Born to Run along is enough to give this a 3 if every other song sucked, but every other song is just so great I have to give 5

It's a weird album cover, no? I mean we're all just used to it as one of the more famous albums in history - not really a bold statement - and I know you're supposed to unfold the LP to reveal Clarence but it just kinda looks ridiculous in the post-vinyl era (wait now we're in a/the post-post-vinyl age which is actually translated into: "What was once sold new at $7.99 is now $43!"). It's a great picture for sure when you see the whole thing, but damn - poor Clarence got merely one elbow and half of his ass on the display shelves. Unfair. As a teen in the 80s I thought Bruce was hopelessly uncool - Born In The USA my ass, man that sucked - but I did like him as a kid and rediscovered this one after my anti-classic rock rebellion and well shit who was actually the uncool one in the end? Best part: the middle section of "Born To Run" - headphones reveals more than you ever heard in the back of a station wagon. Intentionally great flow to the entire album, too. Clear beginning/middle/end. I'm not a member of the cult of Bruce but this is awesome. Duh. 9/10 5 stars.

Gotta love Bruce!

This is similar to the Eagles for me, in that they're both firmly in the "dad rock" category in my mind (Spotify is recommending I listen to a "Dad Rock" playlist with Springsteen's face on the cover). It does not feel particularly cool today as a result, but screw that. It's good. It's popular for a reason, it's fun and relatable and interesting enough. It's definitely a bit generic at times, but so what. "Born To Run" (the song) still kind of slaps even if you're hearing it for the thousandth time. I'm curious to see how I like his other albums. This is his first one that got big and it's actually fairly short and tight (39 minutes). This feels about right to me, with really not that many low points (only 8 tracks). I feel like I might tire of his stuff, but this was solid (though a slight bit weaker on the back half). As expected, it's piano-heavy with the horns on a lot of songs. It works, and it's not overly formulaic at this point in his career. A few high points with "Born to Run", "Thunder Road", "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out". Random thought, but he almost sounds a bit Elvis-like on "She's the One". Probably just the deep voice, but this is the first time I'm hearing it. Favorite song: Born to Run Other: Thunder Road, Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, Night, Backstreets, She's the One, Jungleland 1/7/24 (we've probably crossed the date line by now, so it's not breaking my one album per day rule)

Thoughts before listening: One of the greatest albums of all time. Not a weak song on this album and includes Springsteen's 2 most iconic anthems in Thunder Road and the title track. Review: This album just hits so hard right out the gate with Thunder Road. I love the imagery in this song (and the album as a whole for that matter) where Bruce paints a picture of idealistic youth when a car means freedom and running away with the love of your life is the only thing that matters in life. Bruce's talent is in portraying the ultimately mundane hopes and dreams of the everyman in a way that makes it seem like the most important story that's been told. While the lyrics are the star here, the album wouldn't be the classic it is without the music that accompanies the words. The piano and sax take the lead and create an epic sound that adds to the drama of the lyrics. When a song like Jungleland slows to a crawl and then builds back to the "down in Jungleland" peak, it's being driven by the power of these instruments. Easily a 5 star album.

What can you say. Bruce is a legend. Some of the best music he made, on this album. Unique voice, legendary singer.

If aliens came down and asked “what is rock and roll?” I think a good place to start would be to play the song “Born to Run.” I’m not saying it is the best rock song ever. I’m not saying Bruce is the ultimate rock artist (I’m not even that big of a fan) but that song - and arguably this album - is just about pure of a distillation of rock and roll as you can get. Motors as euphemism about sex and talking about freedom felt while driving (or sex). The sound of it. Everything.