Bruce Springsteen-Born In The USA

Born in the U.S.A is the album that catapulted Bruce Springsteen from popular popstar to megastar and cultural icon.
The album’s title song is one that has been used countless times by politicians who try to use it as an anthem, without being aware that it is in fact a bitter diatribe by a Vietnam Vet whose country forgot him.

It was this song that made Bruce Springsteen the star he is, and turned him into “The Boss”. This is an album that produced 7 top ten singles and stayed in Billboard’s top ten for 84 straight weeks.
It’s an album that people can relate to, as the songs are strictly about Springsteen’s struggle as a hard-working blue collar type of guy. While each song seems to be about American pride and fulfilling the American Dream there is much more to it. It is in fact more about the American Dream letting him down and tales of desperation, unfulfilled and a corporate America that doesn’t help the little people.

While the title song "Born in the USA" is a rock anthem, and typifies the whole album with it’s sense of American Pride, it actually refers to America turning its back on its Vietnam Vets. It questions why Vets 'fought a war he didn’t understand only to find his country didn’t want him back'. That despite his risk taking, America gives him nothing back in return.

The whole album is very much a pop album, and Springsteen displays some of his best pop writing style ever on this. “Dancing in the dark”, “Bobby Jean", “Glory days”, and “No surrender” are fine examples of this.

But as mentioned earlier there is a darkness behind these pop songs.
“Dancing in the dark” is about a man who wants someone down and out and who needs someone to help pull him out of the darkness.“Glory Days” is about what life used to be, and examples of people watching their life slipping away as their dreams pass them by.

Despite all the darkness behind most of the songs, there are also songs that really add hope. “My hometown” is about a song about a man raising his own son, and reflecting on what his life was like and the hopes he has for his child.
“No surrender” says that no matter how hard life is, music can save you if you believe in it enough. Even though nearly everyone on Springsteen’s album either ends up in jail, out of love or still struggling, these themes are so upbeat you can’t help but love this album.

The music is infectious, and it’s easy to see why it did so well. Not many people have the skill to make the most depressing songs into number one pop hits.

Springsteen is simply at his best on this album and again, this is one of the essentials that should be an any music nuts collection.

Even after 24 years, it is still, without a doubt, Springsteen's best-selling album, and one that is still a strong favourite of mine.

I give this 5/5

Buy Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A here
Bruce Springsteen's Official Site
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