“Born in the U.S.A.” was the seventh studio album by Bruce Springsteen, it was released on June 4, 1984. A critical and commercial triumph, it found Springsteen marking a departure in his sound.
30 years ago Wednesday, Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In The U.S.A.” was released. the album had 7 hit singles which was an unheard of feat for a rock album, and this was released during the wake of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video,it went on to win a whole new generation of fans . During the span of their 17 month tour in 1984 and ’85, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band sold out Giant’s Stadium 6 times, and could have doubled that. For a decade they had the reputation as the best live band, now millions were seeing it.
Just about every song on the album was a chart topper and 10 million copies later most are still live staples to this day. For example the title track “Born In The U.S.A.”, which President Reagan infamously manipulated during his ’84 presidential campaign obviously without having a clue as to what the song was even about. Also “Glory Days”, “Dancing In The Dark”, and personal favorites “I’m on Fire” and “No Surrender”, which almost didn’t make the cut until guitarist Steve Van Zandt convinced Bruce otherwise. He brought American heartland rock to the mainstream which allowed greater success for artists such as John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, and Bob Seger.
“Born In The USA” was a departure from his normal book-like story albums with more of a grab bag of songs, some recorded during “The River” sessions and some, like Born In The USA, during the “Nebraska” sessions (that version can be heard on the box set Tracks and album 18 Tracks).”Born” was a follow up to “Nebraska”, a dark acoustic solo album built on snapshots of middle America
As for that iconic cover, some people thought it depicted Springsteen urinating on the flag. According to his book Songs denied it: “That was unintentional. We took a lot of different types of pictures, and in the end, the picture of my butt looked better than the picture of my face, that’s what went on the cover. I didn’t have any secret message. I don’t do that very much.”
Truth is with “Born In The U.S.A. he became a pop culture institution, with people still dressing up as 80’s Bruce for Halloween. But he has remained as true to himself as a musician of that caliber could be, I mean he’s still playing with the same group of friends he did with in the 70’s and 80’s and that’s saying something. Still pushing himself and the E Street Band lyrically and music wise, is still gaining popularity around the world and continues to put out as Steve Van Zandt said “unnecessarily high quality” albums and songs.
As of yet there has been no announcement for a deluxe reissue as with previous albums, but “Born In The U.S.A. Live: London 2013″ was released as a bonus DVD with High Hopes on Amazon.
While the predecessor, the dark and acoustic “Nebraska” featured songs of pessimism and isolation, Born in the U.S.A.’s lyrics expressed signs of hope in the daily fight of the standard American in following the American Dream, a new feeling complemented by synthesized arrangements and a pop-flavored, radio-oriented sound that helped Springsteen to extend his popularity and appeal to mainstream audiences.
Ronald Reagan, during his 1984 re-election campaign, tried to coast on the rising popularity of Bruce Springsteen and Born in the U.S.A. :
“America’s future rests in a thousand dreams inside our hearts,” Reagan said at a stump speech in Hammonton, New Jersey. “It rests in the message of hope in the songs of a man so many young Americans admire: New Jersey’s own Bruce Springsteen.”
Has a song ever been so misunderstood? Maybe if he heard the following version he would have hesitated…
Born in the U.S.A. is not so different from Nebraska, it told stories of the same struggle, but this time it was set to a faster rhythm and accompanied by electric guitars (and The E-Street Band in top form). I played it a lot when it came out, bought all the singles (7 of them reached top 10!). Got the Maxi- single vinyl box and then the CD. These days I’m streaming the album on Spotify but the music is the same and it reminds me of 1984 every time I play it. Maybe it’s the production (those terribly sharp drums) or maybe it’s just a strong 1984 reference for me.
It took a while before I understood the seriousness of the lyrics, the songs where so happy or anthemic. I understand why Reagen made his mistake.
I still like the album, . When I do put in on the record player it always amazes me, the strong songs, the playing and the full force rock’n roll. Live , the songs shine even brighter!
They have been lifted up and sound thunderous in concert. Springsteen has embraced their anthemic nature and their happy feel in his live shows. He is not ashamed to give us a good time and to let us shout along.
The Fat Angel Sings 