Bruce Springsteen

Born in the U.S.A. is the seventh studio album by American rock singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on June 4, 1984. A critical and commercial triumph, it found Springsteen marking a departure in his sound. While its 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 ordinary 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. The album was supported by an enormous commercial campaign that helped create several hit singles, as well as remixes and music videos.

Born in the U.S.A. was the best-selling album of 1985 in the United States (and also Springsteen’s most successful album ever), selling 15 million copies in the U.S alone, and 30 million worldwide. The album produced a record-tying string of seven Top 10 singles (tied with Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814) and also a worldwide concert tour (the two-year Born in the U.S.A. Tour) that was a success. The album was lauded by most critics and is often considered one of Springsteen’s finest albums (Rolling Stone magazine rated it the 86th-greatest album of all time, his second on the list) along with his 1975 breakthrough, Born to Run. The scathing condemnation of the title track is often misinterpreted as a patriotic anthem as a result of the repeating chorus. Its cover (a close-up of Springsteen’s rear in front of an American flag, photographed by Annie Leibovitz) became an iconic image of the era.

All songs written by Bruce Springsteen.
Side one

1. “Born in the U.S.A.”   4:39
2. “Cover Me”   3:27
3. “Darlington County”   4:48
4. “Working on the Highway”   3:11
5. “Downbound Train”   3:35
6. “I’m on Fire”   2:37
Side two

1. “No Surrender”   4:00
2. “Bobby Jean”   3:46
3. “I’m Goin’ Down”   3:29
4. “Glory Days”   4:15
5. “Dancing in the Dark”   4:00
6. “My Hometown”   4:34