Copy that sparks change

I first bothered to listen to Bruce Springsteen when I was 17. I had little previous knowledge of his work, the glossy 80s keys melody of ‘Dancing in the Dark’ was the extent of my Springsteen experience. I had been working in a village pub all summer saving money, washing dishes in a desolate part of the pubs kitchen known only as ‘The Hole’. Something about his championing of the sun burnt, calloused hand working man of the American mid-west resonated deeply with me. My calloused hands however, came from too much time having them soaked in fairy liquid cleaning the gravy off of discounted OAP lunch plates. In my defense I was also sun burnt, but all credibility is lost when I say I was not sun burnt whilst tarmacing Nebraska’s dry desert roads. In reality it was from not heeding my mums advice and used factor 15 instead 40 when taking a leisurely bike ride down to the river. So how can Springsteen’s pivotal album have had such a profound effect on me and so many others?

Born in the USA was released on June 4^th 1984 to immediate success. It was the seventh studio album for a man whose fans call him ‘The Boss’ and has sold over 27 million copies world wide. Although still early in the decade Born In The USA was Springsteen’s third album of the 80s. Produced by Chuck Plotkin and Jon Landau the album was recorded in a number of sessions at the legendary Power Station studios, New York in which Springsteen recorded over 80 original tracks. Preceded by his defining folk album Nebraska, Born In The USA is a stark contrast and acts as a landmark change in his sound. It is far from the understated dark and brooding nature of Nebraska. Springsteen’s long-time collaborators and seven-piece ensemble, The E Street Band provide the force behind the record creating a power reminiscent of Phil Spector’s wall of sound.

Born In The USA kick-starts with its namesake. Immediately you are exposed to the iconic synth melody and Max Weinburg’s booming snare like a petrol engine revving and raring to go. Pulling off you are launched head on into the record. It’s not long before you are greeted with Springsteen’s gravel tone voice for which he has become so famous.

‘Born down in a dead mans town’

Born in the USA is one of those powerful songs you come across once in a while. It provokes such imagery, it can make you smile, laugh or roll the sleeves up on your white t-shirt like the man himself. After 4.40 of one of the 20^th centuries most recognisable songs you reach ‘Cover Me’. Originally a track written by Springsteen for disco icon Donna Summer but deemed to valuable to give away by producer and manager Jon Landau ‘Cover Me’ keeps the pace set by Born In The USA. Very soon into the record it becomes apparent why The Boss is classified as ‘Heartland Rock’. The likes of ‘Working On The Highway’ and ‘No Surrender’ are filled with Springsteen’s hopeful lyrical style and talk of small town America. Their big riffs and clear rock ‘n’ roll influences blend with the more subtle hints of Soul and Blues. It is a clear product of Springsteen’s environment and experiences. However, the record does have its darker moments. ‘Downbound Train’, ‘I’m On Fire’ and ‘My Hometown’ solidify the emotional connection with the listener and exposes us to the tender side of his writing style. The pace slows, just for a moment to cleanse the pallet and recover from the relentless exposure to that wall of sound. You have to be prepared for the record to take off again it can catch you off guard.

Commercially and critically the album was a success. It bought more attention to the already popular New Jersey born icon but the record has more depth than the shining 80s synthesizers let on. From its name and catchy hook you would be forgiven for thinking that Born In the USA is an all American anthem, brash, in your face and ready to wave the stars and stripes. This is definitely not the case. Although its release came nine years after the end of the Vietnam War the track reflects feelings of disillusionment and grief felt by many Americans over a desperate and costly war. Springsteen drew on his own experiences of loosing friends in combat and poor treatment of veterans to write the song. Even US presidents have fallen foul of this deceivingly bitter classic. Born In The USA propelled The Boss into the stratosphere and secured his place in music history. Any artist who, in 1988 can take to a stage in front of 300,000 East Germans and leave with them screaming Born In The USA deserves that place in history.