SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 46:00 Min.
Born in the U.S.A. is Bruce Springsteen’s seventh studio album. It was released on June 4, 1984, by Columbia Records. This twelve-track album was recorded from January 1982 through March 1984.
Track Number: Run Time:
- Born in the U.S.A. 4:38
- Cover Me 3:26
- Darlington County 4:48
- Working on the Highway 3:13
- Downbound Train 3:35
- I’m on Fire 2:37
- No Surrender 4:01
- Bobby Jean 3:46
- I’m Goin’ Down 3:30
- Glory Days 4:15
- Dancing in the Dark 3:59
- My Hometown 4:34
REVIEW:
Born in the U.S.A. kicks off with a brash anthem describing a soldier adjusting to life after the Vietnam War. Springsteen is able to identify the flaws in the United States while still calling it his home. Add a phenomenal performance on the drums by Max Weinberg, and there’s a reason why it’s Springsteen’s trademark tune.
Cover Me is an unimaginative love song, but it works for what it is. The third track, Darlington County, is one of Springsteen’s “story songs,” as two boys go cruising from New York to Darlington County. It’s closer in spirit to his 1980 album The River, but it gets the job done. Working on the Highway is an upbeat, 60’s style track about a middle-class road worker. It’s catchy but ultimately forgettable.
Downbound Train is easily the most underrated on this set. It follows Springsteen’s classic “working man who falls out of love” formula, but it still remains one of the better songs on Born in the U.S.A. The sixth track, I’m on Fire, is a simple but very catchy tune. It’s one of Springsteen’s best-known and most covered songs of his career.
No Surrender is another song that strays away from rock and draws closer to pop. It’s another song that’s hard not to sing along to. Bobby Jean shows a man reminiscing about his relationship with his old girlfriend, Bobby Jean. It’s a solid track, with a great sax solo by Clarence Clemons. Track 9: I’m Goin’ Down, is a repetitive piece that isn’t anything special.
Glory Days has ‘The Boss’ reflecting upon his younger years. It’s consistently considered one of the best songs from Born in the U.S.A. and is definitely worth a listen. The album’s most successful track would be Dancing in the Dark. It’s likely the most complete song from Born in the U.S.A., with its use of synthesizers, drums, saxophone, and its face-paced tempo.
Born in the U.S.A. closes with My Hometown. It’s a sad look at someone’s hometown that has fallen victim to racial and economic despair. This final trackcaptures the essence of Springsteen’s overarching message of what it’s like to grow up.
Born in the U.S.A. was Springsteen’s breakthrough into mainstream media, as his album mixes traditional rock with a more contemporary pop sound for the time. It has become Springsteen’s best-selling set and is arguably his best work.
ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
