Born in the U.S.A.

Born in the U.S.A. is an album by Bruce Springsteen, released on June 4, 1984 (see 1984 in music). In contrast to his previous album, the critical favorite Nebraska, Born in the U.S.A. featured anthemic, bombastic songs more similar to his earlier material, beforing his breakthrough with Born to Run.

The title track, "Born in the U.S.A." is one of Springsteen's more well-known songs. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a patriotic song; it is a song of protest telling how Vietnam veterans were looked down upon by the public after returning home from the war.

This has not stopped politicians (such as Ronald Reagan) from attempting to use it as a campaign theme song. Springsteen has never given permission to do so.

Among Springsteen fans, Born in the U.S.A. is usually perceived as a weaker effort than they had hoped for. One exception is "I'm on Fire", which has endured as a fan's favorite and been covered by performers like Johnny Cash.

The popular song "My Hometown" is a loosely autobiographical tale about a young man living in southern New Jersey, in an semi-urban wasteland riddled with racial tension, crumbling buildings and degenerate neighborhoods.

Track Listing

1. Born in the U.S.A. (Springsteen) - 4:39
2. Cover Me (Springsteen) - 3:26
3. Darlington County (Springsteen) - 4:48
4. Working on the Highway (Springsteen) - 3:11
5. Downbound Train (Springsteen) - 3:35
6. I'm on Fire (Springsteen) - 2:36
7. No Surrender (Springsteen) - 4:00
8. Bobby Jean (Springsteen) - 3:46
9. I'm Goin' Down (Springsteen) - 3:29
10. Glory Days (Springsteen) - 4:15
11. Dancing in the Dark (Springsteen) - 4:01
12. My Hometown (Springsteen) - 4:33

Singles Chart Positions Billboard:

 1984	Cover Me	        The Billboard Hot 100	                No. 7
 1984	Dancing In The Dark	The Billboard Hot 100	                No. 2
 1984	Born In The U.S.A.	Mainstream Rock Tracks	                No. 8
 1984	Cover Me	        Mainstream Rock Tracks	                No. 3
 1984	No Surrender	        Mainstream Rock Tracks	                No. 40
 1984	Cover Me	        Hot Dance Music/Club Play	        No. 11
 1984	Dancing In The Dark	Hot Dance Music/Club Play	        No. 7
 1985	I m On Fire	        Adult Contemporary	                No. 6
 1985	Born In The USA	        The Billboard Hot 100	                No. 9
 1985	Glory Days	        The Billboard Hot 100	                No. 5
 1985	I m Goin Down	        The Billboard Hot 100	                No. 9
 1985	I m On Fire	        The Billboard Hot 100	                No. 6
 1985	Glory Days	        Mainstream Rock Tracks	                No. 3
 1985	I m Goin Down	        Mainstream Rock Tracks	                No. 9
 1985	I m On Fire	        Mainstream Rock Tracks	                No. 4
 1986	My Hometown	        Adult Contemporary	                No. 1
 1986	My Hometown	        The Billboard Hot 100	                No. 6
 1986	My Hometown	        Mainstream Rock Tracks	                No. 6

Personnel

• Bruce Springsteen - Bass, Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals, Producer
• Clarence Clemons - Percussion, Saxophone, Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
• Roy Bittan[?] - Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards, Vocals (bckgr)
• Bob Clearmountain - Mixing
• Danny Federici[?] - Organ, Piano, Glockenspiel, Keyboards, Vocals
• Jeff Hendrickson - Assistant Engineer
• Ruth Jackson - Vocals (bckgr)
• La Bamba - Vocals (bckgr)
• Bruce Lampcov - Assistant Engineer
• Jon Landau[?] - Producer
• Bob Ludwig - Mastering
• Chuck Plotkin[?] - Producer
• Richie Rosenberg[?] - Trombone
• Bill Scheniman - Engineer
• Toby Scott - Engineer
• Billy Straus - Assistant Engineer
• Garry Tallent[?] - Bass, Horn, Vocals (bckgr)
• Steven Van Zandt[?] - Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals, Producer, Harmony *Vocals
• Max Weinberg - Drums, Vocals (bckgr)
• Zoe Yanakis - Assistant Engineer
• John Davenport - Assistant Engineer
• Annie Leibovitz[?] - Photography
• Andrea Klein - Art Direction, Design, Cover Design