Why Bruce is Boss

The year was 1984; a great time to listen to music . Like many other adolescents, I was beginning to discover Rock and Roll. During this time MTV was "the youth channel" and Music Videos were... well... cool. Many musicians were producing music in 1984 including Huey Lewis and the News, Prince, U2, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson, Yes, The Cars, Culture Club, Van Halen, Lionel Richie, The Police, Bryan Adams, as well as other musicians. 

 This was also the year Bruce Springsteen released Born in the USA. This album would go on to sell 13 million copies and generate 7 top 10 singles. More importantly, it was the rock album that every young adolescent wanted to have. As it turns out, this was the first rock album I bought. The first time I played that cassette, I knew I was listening to something special. The album starts out with Born in the USA; a rock anthem that discusses the human casualties of the Vietnam  War. The album also includes the following classic hits: Cover Me, I'm on Fire, No Surrender, Bobby Jean, Dancing in the Dark, Glory Days, and My Hometown.  One of my personal favorites was "No Surrender". The song starts out with a fast paced drum beat, followed by a chorus, and the following opening lyrics;

Well, we busted out of class

Had to get away from those fools

We learned more from a three-minute record, baby

Than we ever learned in school

A little later in the song the chorus states;

Well, we made a promise we swore we'd always remember

No retreat, baby, no surrender

As a middle school student at the time, those lyrics spoke to us. It was a sentiment we could relate to. At the time, we did not understand much of the lyrics. Who knew that Born in the  USA was an anti war song.  It really didn't matter. We were part of the MTV generation that were sold many images of what was cool. Subsequently, we all wanted to put on a pair of blue jeans, strap on a headband and guitar, and let the party begin.  

"Glory Days" always takes me back to my camping days when we would play ball against a competing camp. "Darlington County" reminds me of learning to drive and my very early dating days. "Dancing in the Dark" reminds me of  the parties and discos we used  frequent in High School. "Bobby Jean" reminds me of old friends as it spoke about the bond  of a long lost friendship. As we transitioned from middle school to High School this would take on deeper meanings as we all knew of friends who would be going to schools in different cities or states. In fact, I still remember all of the "Bobby Jeans" who have been a part of my life  who moved to Washington Florida, Israel, and various parts of the world. 

In the coming years, I would discover his earlier albums and would continue to purchase new Springsteen CDs as they would become available. Like many Springsteen fans, I quickly recognized that "Born to Run" and "The River" are stronger albums and would listen to its tracks many times. Having said that, "Born in the USA" will always have a special place in my heart. After all, it was the first album I ever purchased. It was the album that opened me to the exciting world of Rock and Roll. It also takes me back to a simpler time when everything we learned was on a 3 minute record.