FIRST TIME REACTING TO BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN "BORN IN THE U.S.A" REACTION

[@blabberwocky]

It’s an interesting song, and probably one of the most misunderstood one ever written. The chorus and hook convey patriotism, but it’s actually a pretty tragic story about a Vietnam veteran. He gets shipped off because he was poor (“Born down in a dead man’s town/the first kick I took was when I hit the ground”) and arrested (hometown jam). He becomes disillusioned upon his return from the war after languishing under the harshness of Reaganism as it pushed marginalized people deeper into poverty. These are common themes in Springsteen’s catalog. Highly recommended Born to Run (official live video) for a sense of his concerts which go 3-4 hours long. For serious topics, watch the Ghost of Tom Joad (live with Tom Morello), 41 Shots (live in NYC), and The River. All great with remarkable stories, some of them are true, sadly.

[@lindseyholl8821]

I couldn't agree more. My childhood was filled with Bruce's music. My dad and uncles were drafted into the military to fight in the Vietnam War. My dad's draft # was very high and he didn't have to go, but my uncle John did. Uncle John was a marine who had to do some pretty nasty things in the name of freedom. Uncle John thankfully came back home 2 years after he deployed but he was not the same person when he returned. This was way before ptsd was a well known term. He suffered alot. He wasn't the happy go lucky guy that he used to be before the war. He was hardened by the horrible things he had to do and see. Uncle John died as a result of a dui car accident (he was drunk) on December 24th, 1978. My dad lost his brother and best friend. I was born on the same date, 3 years later. Dad always said that he thought I was the reincarnation of my uncle Johnny. I miss the hell out of that man without having ever met him. This song reminds me of him, and of the sacrifices he made

[@katrinacash6393]

Bruce has a very raspy voice and has always sounded like this. He's prominently featured in the all star-studded video of the song "We Are The World" that was produced by Quincy Jones and written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie. It was a benefit for "USA for Africa" and featured so much talent in one room it's almost incomprehendable. I'm not sure if you've already reacted to it but Bruce and Stevie Wonder have a great back and forth section of the song. He's all rock and roll. He's also an Oscar-winning songwriter for his song "Streets of Philadelphia" written for the movie "Philadelphia" starring Tom Hanks. For nearly 40 years his saxophonist, Clarence Clemmons, was a centerpiece of his backing band "The E Street Band". Listen to the song "Jungleland" to hear his mastery and a long solo. That man could make that instrument talk!

[@AP-gb3eh]

Springsteen was our working class hero telling our story before we knew it ourselves

[@ycroniyael1976]

Springsteen is a legend.. still an icon. One of the greatest artists of all time.❤

[@miconis123]

I'll never forget the warhawk Republicans having political rallies to this song and shaking my head because they clearly never took the time to look at the lyrics.

[@lindanoreika893]

I went to of his concerts in NJ. Wonderful!

[@cindyknouff1724]

Watching him do Born to Run live is a real treat. He has so much energy. Really enjoy your reactions.

[@dianesaienni5466]

This song paints a sad story about America after the Vietnam war and how badly our veterans were treated.

[@RavenFire4]

I went to Bruce's concert in 1985 at the LA Collisium. Best concert I ever went to. Bruce rocked it!

[@marlablickhahn7158]

I was there also!!

[@cfraase]

Bruce had 7 top ten songs off the Born in the USA album and the album was number one for part of both 1984 & 1985, but the highest a single got was Dancing in the Dark at #2. A lot of the 70's and 80's was album rock and you might want to look at #1albums instead of just singles to get the feeling of those decades. Bruce can rock hard like this, but has done many other kinds of music including solo acoustic on Nebraska to folk music on the Seeger Sessions album. Take a look at the 20 Grammy's he's won sometime. I don't know if anyone else has won in the variety of categories he does. He also uses difference voices for different music. He can sound quite beautiful when he wants to. And he's on tour selling out multiple nights in European arenas at the moment before he comes back to do stadiums in the US. At 73.

[@steveallen8131]

Oh you missed off the last part, the reprise. Such an important message in that song. Hope you got that. So much good Bruce stuff to discover after that. Good luck sir!

[@direlyon]

Springsteen is awareness of USA....a wise man. "born to run" or "the river" are huge songs among the hundreds of great songs he wrote

[@joelong7448]

The passion is in the words. Listen to what he's actually written and singing.

[@laurahamner5461]

'Dancing in the Dark & Born to Run are also 2 of his biggest hits!

[@boosuedon]

This is an anti war song, not a "rah-rah USA" song.He is known for his shows lasting for hours and hours! The drummer, Max Winberg said he had to tape his sticks to his hands so he wouldn't drop them when his hands got tired!

[@chrisgarner4872]

This was mind blowing

[@Coolrockndad]

The album "Born In The USA" was the #1 album of the year 1985. That's right it was the biggest selling album of 1985.

[@kevinbundy7422]

He's all over the place musically, and his catalog is a rabbit hole worth exploring. A few suggestions: Born to Run (Classic rock, and one of the best singles ever), New York City Serenade (Jazzy), The E Street Shuffle (Funky), Let's Be Friends (R&B), Girls in their Summer Clothes (Beach Boys pop), Shut Out the Light (folk), Worlds Apart (world music), Hello Sunshine (ballad), O Mary Don't You Weep (New Orleans swing), Rocky Ground (rap). Other standouts include Jungleland, Streets of Philadelphia, Stand on It, Tunnel of Love, and Point Blank.

[@mamaflush9945]

You should definitely check out some of "The Boss" Springsteen's music video's. Especially his early stuff. Here's one "Bruce Springsteen - Long Walk Home (Official Video)" he got the nickname "The Boss" because he represented the working man. He did lots of songs that spoke to the times that people were living thru.

[@swainrich]

Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello (of RATM) are amazing together doing "The Ghost of Tom Joad" live at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

[@havis4ever407]

One of my favorites! Morelos solo….. simply AMAZING!

[@toddfarrow9541]

It's an anti Vietnam song and how the Vets that returned were treated going into the 80s.

[@scottfrederick6053]

When reacting to Bruce you have to let the whole song play out! With Bruce never assume the song is over. In the 80’s it was Bruce and Michael Jackson fighting it out on hit singles. Bruce saved Rock nRoll

[@hiko73]

This song is NOT a "Yay! I'm American!" It's the I have come home fighting your wars & WOW! Not lot of love or care here. He's very blue politically (ty) & one of his BF's was Clarence a big, beautiful, talented, black man

[@dawnekay1567]

Rock legend and ICON

[@marktaylor7907]

Fire the boss he has always bashing America. Most don't get the message

[@papatommy22]

He's the Boss! Not synthesized.

[@espenvippen]

The truth is, it's an explicitly anti-war song that highlights how America failed Vietnam veterans.

[@donnaneville192]

Country? No, he is from New Jersey! Doesn't sound a bit country to me!

[@doriwiljt]

His voice is extra raspy on this one because his shows used to be 4 + hours long. It might have been towards the end of the show. Btw. Bruce is a Jersey boy. Not southern. 🤘🏻🎸

[@joennick1]

Listen to the lyrics. The most mis-understood song in rock n roll.

[@brianlee7716]

Not the best version of him singing this song imh. He's a Northern city boy I believe, New Jersey which is his accent.

[@chrisandrew6633]

Was Urkel talking about Bruce or something?

[@spacecatboy2962]

You never heard bruce sing before? What you freeze dried or doing hard time?

[@MugnifyRTS]

I was a baby lol

[@Tessie46255]

Not country…. He’s rock.

[@larryk731]

He has dabbled in country

[@ed.z.]

What country is New Jersey?

[@danieldonohue8725]

Bruce Springsteen is from New Jersey. Not country he's singing about war. ✌️❤️‍🩹

[@matthawkins8880]

First I am shocked you have never heard of Bruce Springstein. In this video he is playing to 75,000 or more. This is not a patriotic song. It is about a Vietnam War vet being basically spit on. Reagan used this song in his campaign and Springsteen tried to stop him.

[@junebug_tx2305]

That is 'The Boss'. How about 'Dancing in the Dark.

[@michaelwalker5257]

To me, this is one of Bruce's worst, most ordinary songs ever. And he didn't have "#1's" for the same reasons you talked about with Marvin's Inner City Blues. This man writes and sings REAL, and he's a genius. His "Live 1975-1985" multi-disc album has about 10 world-class pieces. Backstreets. Darkness on the Edge of Town. The River. Independence Day. Racing in the Streets. Thunder Road (with just his piano player, his harmonica, and his voice...I'll put it up there with any love song). War. It goes on. Watch videos of him when you can, but these, off this one album...wow. Other notables from other albums: Jungleland. Rosalita. Meeting Across the River. Born to Run (the official video version). He was a culture changer, not just a musician. And there's a set of podcasts with him and Obama, 9 episodes, called "Renegades". Hope you see this; my computer died right about when you did the reaction and I'm just back online.

[@ed.z.]

It’s an anti war song.

[@kadathsmith]

Its ironic that this song is a anthem for the right when the song is all about how the American dream destroys the working class.

[@edittheworld-ct5yu]

Watching MAGAts dancing to Rage's "Killing in the Name" is on par with this. Eric's Dad needs to be stopped!

[@williamlovett619]

Bob Dylan influenced Bruce 5:44

[@lindanoreika893]

It’s personel

[@nik-roshansirak3398]

I have yet to find a reaction to that song where people actually listen to the lyrics and understand, what they actually mean... people are so unbelievably ignorant...

[@lindanoreika893]

Vietnam war

[@paulastephens2968]

No he’s not country

[@Zed137]

I gave up defending this song years ago.. the anthemic nature of the Chorus drowns the message

[@Coolrockndad]

The album "Born In The USA" was the #1 album of the year 1985. That's right it was the biggest selling album of 1985.