Springsteen Nashville Countdown Day 19: “Born in the U.S.A.”
I’m sure this will elicit a groan or two but keep in mind: I’ve only seen 1 Springsteen show and these are songs I haven’t heard. “Born in the USA” isn’t my favorite Bruce song but I like it and I’d like to hear it live with the full band… just once.
I swear I’m not trying to annoy certain readers and friends when I tell you that Born in the U.S.A. was released June 4, 1984, the summer between 4th and 5th grade for me. I mention it because it’s my excuse for not knowing the title track was not so much a patriotic anthem so much as a scathing protest of Vietnam and Reaganism. It wouldn’t be until much later that I became a Springsteen fan so for years I never gave the meaning much thought.
I remember listening to this song on my crappy portable Emerson AM/FM/Cassette unit (boombox isn’t even a remotely accurate description of this box) in my upstairs bedroom in Bettendorf, Iowa, straining my vocal cords as I sung along (badly) with this song. It was such a forceful song! There was an intensity and an energy in this song that was infectious, which is another reason why the actual meaning of the song was completely lost on me. The arrangement is probably as responsible for it being misunderstood as my youth.
24 years later, I understand the message of the song much better.
24 years later, this song has a new relevance and resonance. The Vietnam War and the tragic struggles of so many Vietnam veterans continues to cast a long shadow over this nation.
24 years later, our country is once again at war and young men and women are returning to a nation that feels a bit lacking in the domestic tranquility department. History repeats itself. Did we learn anything from those experiences? Did we grow at all from the tumult and pain? Some lessons are too important to forget. Maybe we need a reminder.
Setting aside the politics — which isn’t easy to do with a song like “Born in the U.S.A. — this is an adrenaline-drenched song that can fill an arena like few can. While there will be some who are “over” this song, I wouldn’t be at all disappointed to hear it.
Filed under: Tags: Bruce Springsteen, Nashville Coundown
What? No Bobby Jean?
Well, for starters I’ve heard “Bobby Jean.” You didn’t read the rulebook, Mr. Boyd.
Second, only songs will be selected for my countdown.