Definitely one of my life’s greatest tragedies is the fact that the first time I became familiar with Bruce Springsteen was through Eric Church’s dedication song, “Springsteen.” Granted, it’s an incredible country classic that takes me back to summer’s lifeguarding at the pool and driving “my old [sarge green] jeep” around my small hometown. However, Eric Church is for another day because today we’re talking all things Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen.
The Boss’ seventh studio album was released in June of 1984, which was definitely perfect timing. I don’t know if it’s the American flag and blue jeans on the album cover or the summertime essence of the songs, but this album was meant to be listened to during warmer days. From January of ‘82 to March of ‘84, Springsteen produced 80 songs which got dispersed between Nebraska and Born in the U.S.A.. He even described the songs on Nebraska to be more intentionally organized and the latter to be more of a hodge-podge of songs. Regardless, Born in the U.S.A. received a 17-time Platinum Record by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has stood as one of the best-selling albums of all time (22nd). In 2003, Rolling Stone named it 85th in their “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”
Now that you probably believe the hype behind the album, let’s talk about the hits Springsteen gave us with his dangerously husky voice. “Dancing in the Dark,” written overnight, was the first song on my first ever “oldies” playlist from high school. It was immediately followed by Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, and Fleetwood Mac. Talk about a crazy lineup. I would genuinely dance around my room to the playful drum beat and scratchy vocals of this great song. It almost didn’t happen. Springsteen was burnt out from song-writing when Jon Landau, his producer, forced the Boss to write one more song for the album because he believed it still needed a promised hit-single. The thought that they ever doubted Born in the U.S.A giving them a hit-single is crazy, especially when it featured songs like “Glory Days,” “Cover Me,” and “Born in the U.S.A” all in one album. But who cares, that doubt gave us “Dancing in the Dark.”
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark.
Springsteen writes all about his struggles of being forced to write and perform for everyone else, while he just wants a release from it all. He needs inspiration to spark a fire and create the music we all love, yet depicts himself as a gun that we control. Ironically, “Dancing in the Dark” was his highest charting single, won a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance, and earned the Best Stage Performance at MTV Video Music Awards (the video even featured Courtney Cox before her fame). Talk about a song. This gun was hired, fired, and lit up the world.
Another notable favorite of mine from the album is “I’m on Fire.” Debby Miller from the Rolling Stone claimed that the last two songs on both sides of Born in the U.S.A are what made the album so good. Boy was she right. The synthesizer, the light drum beat, Springsteen’s vulnerability, and the guitar strums of “I’m on Fire” influence a shoulder rock over my body whenever I listen to it. Yes, maybe the song is about his lust for a married woman, but he’s on fire so we have to let him have his way. As his fourth released single from the album, it reached top 10 in the US Billboard charts. Artists like Johnny Cash, John Mayer, and Awolnation have all covered it. It’s 2 minutes and 35 seconds of chill, and I appreciate it.
As a relatively recent Springsteen fan, inspired by “The Greatest Night in Pop” documentary by Netflix, I was drawn in by his artistically scratchy vocals and attractiveness. But WOW, he is so much more than the ass on the cover and a handsome face. His commentary on blue class working and his life at the time are genuine and deserving of all kinds of praise. The Boss knew what he was doing by giving us Born in the U.S.A.
Rating: 8/10
Top 5 Songs:
- Dancing in the Dark
- I’m on Fire
- Cover Me
- My Hometown
- Bobby Jean
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_in_the_U.S.A.
https://genius.com/Bruce-springsteen-dancing-in-the-dark-lyrics
Iz FM 
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