BORN IN THE U.S.A.
Up there as one of the greatest albums of all time, it was released on June 4th, 1984. You know what I think would have been even cooler? If it was released a month later on July 4th, USA day. Born in the USA was release on the date the USA was ‘born’ itself. That would have been symbolic.
The album was recorded over a two year stretch. Bruce had plenty of song ideas - some say The Boss wrote 70 or 80 songs during that time. But, when it came down to the last day of recording, the producer said to Bruce. “We need one more song.” Obviously Bruce was a bit pissed, but he went home that night and came back with a gem of a song. One of my favourites, DANCING IN THE DARK.
A last minute addition turns out the be a number one hit!
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| The E street band |
I think it helped that he added a little of the 80s sound to it. You know, a little electronic synthesizer sound. Made it a little easier to dance to than his previous music that had a folkier sound to it.
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| Bruce Springsteen adds more keytar |
We all know the famous 80s dance from the video of DANCING IN THE DARK. That cheesy arm swaying by Courtney Cox is iconic. Apparently that was the inspiration for the Carlton dance from Fresh Prince of Belair…in other words, dorky dancing!
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| The Carlton dance |
The cover was also very, of the times. Tight ass, worn in jeans, his white shirt…obviously the red and white stripes in the background all add upto the American flag. Born in the USA. You can make the easy connection there.
Apparently Bruce picked this picture b/c he thought his backside looked better than his face. Ouch.
The songs on this album took this US theme and ran with it. Songs about the state of the States, Unions, unemployment, tough times for the poor seemed a little radical for the times, but seemed to be a turning point for this kind of rock. Helping similar artists like Tom Petty or John “Cougar” Mellencamp, who had similar kinds of lyrics.
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| Born in USA album was made in China! |
I wouldn’t take any of his song titles literally, I’M ON FIRE was not about him being lit up and burning. It was about love, a love song.
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| Bruce Springsteen - I'm on fire |
DANCING IN THE DARK was also not about turning the lights off and dancing around, that sounds dangerous. It was about ‘coupling’ I believe.
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| Dancing in the dark is dangerous |
MY HOMETOWN, was not about Bruce’s hometown. It was about a generic small town that anyone could have grown up in. Bruce was actually born on a tree called Long Branch, in New Jersey somewhere. I’m guessing an oak tree b/c they can have big branches.
GLORY DAYS, well that was about the glory days, but not Bruce’s real glory days. It was about a made up guy, unnamed. Possibly Spruce Bringsteen.
I think the only song title that was actually true was BORN IN THE USA. As I said earlier Bruce was born in New Jersy on a long branch in an oak tree.
MORE 80s MUSIC and SPRINGSTEEN MEMES
