Born down in a dead man’s town
And the first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that’s been beat too much
'Til you spend half your life just to cover up
Probably one of the most iconic rock openings in history. If you ask most people what they associate with Springsteen it’ll likely be this song, and this album. I know it’s the album of his I’ve listened to the most by far. Born In The USA is one of those songs where it’s impossible not to absolutely crank it when it comes on, whenever and wherever you are. Of course the lyrics are deeply cynical and the song is used for ill-informed political purposes (like how Killing In The Name Of is often used by people who only hear the “fuck you I won’t do what you tell me!!!” part), but that doesn’t stop it being a jam, and enriches the meaning and impact of those massive drums and Bruce’s massive presence.
The amount of absolute HIT singles off this thing is insane. Born In The USA, I’m On Fire, Glory Days, Dancing In The Dark, Cover Me, I’m Goin’ Down, My Hometown. Even the ones that aren’t singles are near perfection. There isn’t a bad song on this album and you can tell it’s meant for massive stadium shows, the band is on point and Bruce’s lyrics are fire as ever. The only songs I don’t really jive as much with are Darlington County and Working On The Highway, but that’s a minor gripe, they are still great songs. Darlinton County is partially saved by the big man’s sax, a common theme on lesser songs. It actually sounds like it should have been on an early album, like Greetings.
I’m On Fire is one of my favourite songs on the record. I see that it’s a leftover from Nebraska, and it definitely has the same sparse nature and razor edge to some of the other songs on that album. That little guitar riff in the background and the sound of the drums tapping along, along with the echoey background noise makes the whole thing sound very dreamlike. Love Bruce’s little "whoo whoo"s at the end too. What lyrics there are are great:
Sometimes it’s like someone took a knife, baby, edgy and dull
And cut a six-inch valley through the middle of my skull
At night, I wake up with the sheets soakin’ wet
And a freight train runnin’ through the middle of my head
No Surrender has a fantastic chorus and hook, and the drums and the rest of the band sound massive on this track. I’ve never paid that much attention to the lyrics until now, but I really do like them. I often forget about this song for a while then find myself singing the hook out of nowhere. Bobby Jean is in the same category; I forget about this one a lot then I listen to it and I really like it, especially the sax (noticing a theme in my reviews? I absolutely stan Clarence Clemons).
'Cause we made a promise we swore we’d always remember
No retreat, baby, no surrender
Blood brothers in the stormy night
With a vow to defend
No retreat, baby, no surrender
I’m Goin’ Down has a ridiculously catchy hook. The organs on this one and the driving, smashing drum really carry this song. 
= 10 in this song too. Another one where it sounds like a love song or something more upbeat, but it’s about a relationship falling apart. Wouldn’t be surprised if someone’s used this for a wedding dance.
I pull you close now, baby, but when we kiss, I can feel a doubt
I remember back when we started
My kisses used to turn you inside out
I used to drive you to work in the morning
Friday night I’d drive you all around
You used to love to drive me wild, yeah
But lately girl you get your kicks from just driving me down
Down, down, down
Glory Days is another personal favourite, actually probably one of my favourite Springsteen songs period. Most everyone has that feeling of nostalgia for “the good ol’ days” and Bruce capitalizes on that big time. Love the personal feeling of this song, feels like something that could be set in any small town anywhere, where everyone knows everyone else for better or worse. The music clip is Bruce and the band performing at a bar, and the song definitely evokes that feeling. Like many of the songs on this album the drums sound huge, and really drive the whole song along.
Glory days well they’ll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl’s eye
Glory days, glory days
“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.”
― Andy Bernard
Dancing In The Dark I think is another of Bruce’s most well known songs; I think most anyone you would ask would know this song. This thing gets a lot of radio play and for good reason. I think everyone’s felt the feelings of frustration that Bruce expresses in this song, like life is passing you by and you’re just getting nowhere, especially with creative projects. As well as this there are themes of struggling with your self-identity and self-worth. I’m not going to quote any of this song because no lyric on this song is wasted, this is basically a perfect song.
Yet another personal favourite, I never get sick of this song. The passion in the lyrics, the synthy guitars and thrumming bass, the driving drums, the progression and variance of the music and the fantastic storytelling. It’s like a three-course-meal of a song. Love it.
My Hometown is depressing as hell, and I’m sure it’s a story that’s been played out across America dozens of times in dozens of small towns. No more jobs, no more hope, nothing left to stick around for in this place your family has lived in for years. The last line is crushing:
I’m thirty-five, we got a boy of our own now
Last night I sat him up behind the wheel
And said, “son, take a good look around
This is your hometown”
I found this quote about Springsteen’s massive commercial success from this album interesting as well:
As Born in the U.S.A. became a massive commercial success, Springsteen expressed his thoughts on his growing fame in a 1984 interview:
Yeah, there’s a change [in me]. [Being a rich man] doesn’t make living easier, but it does make certain aspects of your life easier. You don’t have to worry about rent, you can buy things for your folks and help out your friends, and you can have a good time, you know? There were moments where it was very confusing. […] I don’t really think [money] does change you. It’s an inanimate thing, a tool, a convenience. If you’ve got to have a problem, it’s a good problem to have. […] Money was kind of part of the dream when I started. I don’t think…I never felt like I ever played a note for the money. I think if I did, people would know, and they’d throw you out of the joint. And you’d deserve to go. But at the same time, it was a part of the dream.
At the end of the day everything about this album is iconic, right down to the album art (didn’t know this was an Annie Leibovitz photo). This is America, or at least part of it, enshrined in music form, and one of the best rock-and-roll albums of all time.
10. No retreat, baby, no surrender.
