'' is the seventh studio album by
Bruce Springsteen , released in
1984 (see
1984 In Music ).
In contrast to his previous album, the critical favorite ''
Nebraska '', ''Born in the U.S.A.'' featured anthemic and radio-friendly arrangements and 1980s production incorporating Springsteen's first use of
Synthesizer s and the
Phil Collins drum sound. It spawned a record-tying seven hit Top 10 hit singles in the United States, and is by far the best-selling album of Springsteen's career. It was also a critical success, being voted as the best album of the year in ''
The Village Voice '''s
Pazz & Jop critics poll.
''Born in the U.S.A.'' was the first
CD pressed in the United States for commercial release.
"Dancing in the Dark" was Springsteen's first major hit single; its up-tempo synthesizer riffs introduced a new element into his sound, and its accompanying
Music Video helped launch the career of
Courteney Cox , who appeared in it. The video was directed by
Brian De Palma . It used
Synthesizers and had more
Syncopation than usual for that artist. Even a
Remix was made for it, by
Arthur Baker . It made it to #2 on the
Billboard Hot 100 . It was kept out of the top spot by The Artist Known As
Prince , whose "
When Doves Cry " more captured the public imagination than did Bruce.
"Cover Me" was a dance track originally intended for
Donna Summer . "My Hometown" is based on 1960s racial and economic tensions in Springsteen's hometown of
Freehold . "No Surrender" and "Bobby Jean" reflected in part the departure of
Steven Van Zandt from the E Street Band.
In all there were seven top 10 hit singles from this album, tying the
Record For Most Hit Singles From An Album also held by
Michael Jackson 's ''
Thriller '' and
Janet Jackson 's ''
Rhythm Nation 1814 ''.
The title track, "
Born In The U.S.A. ", a stinging tale of the hardships suffered by returning
Vietnam Veteran s, is one of Springsteen's best known songs, and has attracted
Considerable Folklore Around It .
''Born in the U.S.A.'' was notably the first
Compact Disc to be manufactured in the
United States , when
CBS Records opened its CD manufacturing plant in
Terre Haute, Indiana in
1984 . CDs sold in the U.S. since the format was introduced there in early
1983 had been imported from
Japan .
In 2004, Senator
John Kerry used "No Surrender" as his campaign theme song during his
2004 Presidential Campaign .
#"
Born In The U.S.A. " – 4:39
#"Cover Me" – 3:26
#"Darlington County" – 4:48
#"Working on the Highway" – 3:11
#"Downbound Train" – 3:35
#"I'm on Fire" – 2:36
#"No Surrender" – 4:00
#"Bobby Jean" – 3:46
#"I'm Goin' Down" – 3:29
#"Glory Days" – 4:15
#"Dancing in the Dark" – 4:01
#"My Hometown" – 4:33
All songs written by Bruce Springsteen.
- Roy Bittan – Synthesizer , Piano , background Vocals
- Clarence Clemons – Saxophone , Percussion , background vocals
- Danny Federici – Organ , Glockenspiel , piano on "Born in the U.S.A."
- Bruce Springsteen – Guitar , vocals
- Garry Tallent – Bass Guitar , background vocals
- Steven Van Zandt – guitar, Mandolin , harmony vocals
- Max Weinberg – Drums , background vocals
- Bob Clearmountain – mixing
- John Davenport – assistant Engineer
- Jeff Hendrickson – assistant engineer
- Andrea Klein – art direction, design, cover design
- Bruce Lampcov – assistant engineer
- Annie Leibowitz – Photography
- Bob Ludwig – mastering
- Bill Scheniman – engineer
- Toby Scott – engineer
- Billy Straus – assistant engineer
- Zoe Yanakis – assistant engineer
Billboard:
