Born in the U.S.A. (1984) Songs Ranked

Submitted by TenthAvenueFreezeOut on Fri, 12/11/2009 - 09:14
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  3. Album ranked #3 of all.
  4. No Surrender - Track 7 of 12
  5. Born in the U.S.A.'s strongest song and the true epitome of everything Bruce and the E Street Band stand for in their unrelentless pursuit to keep playing. The urgency is limitless but it's the weaving of incredible performances that impresses me most, particularly the bending electric guitar in the solo. Of all of the Boss' songs, this has the absolute best attitude embracing all forms of motivation. The acoustic version on Live 1975-1985 gives a better impression of the subtext than the studio one.
  6. Glory Days - Track 10 of 12
  7. Immediate happy pill. This unleashes unknown nostalgia of a time never lived and a place never visited, but seems to make it all feel worth it. Glory Days is by far the E Street Band's ultimate jamming song, since this one has no underlying subtext of sorrow as it reveals the joy of times gone and that to come.
  8. Born in the U.S.A. - Track 1 of 12
  9. The infinite power in this song can never be stifled by naysayers, whether they interpret it as patriotic or not. Regardless, the patriotic nature is irrelevant, for this is more about something tragic Bruce regularly contemplates - Vietnam veterans returning home to find that it has changed completely. This a song which flows through the head to the point of disorientation, no matter how many times you listen to it. Absolute awe.
  10. Dancing in the Dark - Track 11 of 12
  11. Probably the most accessible and deservedly popular Springsteen song, of which, if someone did not judge him from the above song then it will be for this. It is a very superficial song but it's also a 'forget all your troubles and just move to the music' song - and the best and most iconic use of synthesizer. A common theme in this album is masking various pain and truths with upbeat music, this one for being in a relationship where you don't really know where it's going. Effortless genius.
  12. Bobby Jean - Track 8 of 12
  13. One of my favourite ideas and minor experiences of Bruce's - describing merely a brief relationship with someone but having to have it cut short (I imagine a male and female pair of 16 year olds, but it may be his adult self with Steve Van Zandt), this being the true extent of a friendship before its exhausted, having the full impact anyone could ever possibly have, but still left hungry regardless. Irresistible piano riff and vocal work compliment the context perfectly, any live version being as good as the studio one.
  14. I'm On Fire - Track 6 of 12
  15. While on the surface it appears to be about the protagonist's desire for his girlfriend, it's actually masking how he inherited his father's aggression, the burning rage setting Bruce on fire and perhaps ultimately destroying his relationship with his girlfriend. One of the many highlights of Born in the U.S.A., the passionate version from Live 1975-1985 captures an apt mood for the song.
  16. Working on the Highway - Track 4 of 12
  17. It sums up the purpose of Bruce's image and logic in the regular working class guy dreaming of a better life but then realizing the truth that it will be abruptly halted. The instruments however, are having the time of their lives as is most evident in the Live 1975-1985 compilation.
  18. I'm Goin' Down - Track 9 of 12
  19. Addictive. While it is quite a depressing topic on a relationship burning out, it makes use of every availble moment to contradict itself - as this, is an uplifting and comforting song.
  20. Darlington County - Track 3 of 12
  21. An apt summary of the entire album and what it represents as Bruce tastes and savours his last moments of youth devoid of responsibility. This is the E Street Band having fun and that's all I want.
  22. My Hometown - Track 12 of 12
  23. Sombre but proud. It's a beat out of step for the album as it doesn't inflict much involuntary movement (aka dancing) but instead only takes on many of the social commentary themes of most of the other songs, of which it learns. It gives Born in the U.S.A. the type of aftertaste of adventure.
  24. Cover Me - Track 2 of 12
  25. It feels too dark for the rest of the album but that's only because of the mental paralysis of the music. The kind of song that gets the heart racing regardless of how you feel or where you are and satisfies the urge of noise.
  26. Downbound Train - Track 5 of 12
  27. At first it's mistakable for other various artists but then becomes so immersive you lose track of time completely.