Shane’s Music Challenge: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – 1975 – Born To Run

Shane | 6 February 2014 | Reply

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – 1975 – Born To Run
6/10

I won’t be popular, in the week that The Boss hits town for three shows (the first was last night, and we’re going along tomorrow), to cast any kind of aspersions upon Springsteen’s greatness, especially one of the albums which made his name… but to me, Born to Run is a good but not great record, despite a couple of great moments.

Of course, the title track is a classic – that’s a given. “Tramps like us – baby we were born to run.” It don’t get no better than that – it’s arguably the best, most vibrant and evocative song he’s ever written.

Of the others, notably Thunder Road is pure blue collar, salt of the earth, songwriting, and She’s The One could be the musical blueprint for the 1983 movie Eddie & The Cruisers (the soundtrack of which was supplied by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band).

You have to remember that Born To Run was only Springsteen’s second album, and he was in the process of finding his feet as a captivating songwriter that could tap into the heart of the average American Joe – but he wasn’t completely there yet. Born To Run and Thunder Road hit the nail on the head, but the rest drag a little.

Best Bits – The title track, Thunder Road and She’s The One. I can do without the rest.