Bruce Springsteen, the iconic rock legend, has opened up about his feelings toward his 1984 Grammy-nominated album Born in the U.S.A..
In a candid interview with Rolling Stone on June 19, Springsteen revealed that the album wasn’t exactly the project he had envisioned at the time, sharing some behind-the-scenes thoughts on its creation.
This interview comes ahead of the release of his highly anticipated seven-album compilation Tracks II: The Lost Albums, which includes music recorded between 1983 and 2018 and arrives on June 27.
A Shift from Nebraska’s Simplicity
Springsteen explained that he recorded a full album between his 1982 folk project Nebraska and Born in the U.S.A., which left him unsure of the direction he wanted to take with the latter.
While Nebraska had a lo-fi, stripped-down sound, Springsteen wasn’t sure if he wanted to continue in that style or venture into something new.
“I enjoyed the recording and the experience of Nebraska, and thought I might continue in that vein with a small rhythm section, still very lo-fi, and a new group of songs,” Springsteen shared.
Despite these thoughts, he felt that Born in the U.S.A. ended up being something entirely different, with a mix of songs that just happened to come together during that time.
The Unintended Album
When Born in the U.S.A. was released, Springsteen wasn’t fully satisfied with it, admitting in the album’s liner notes that it wasn’t exactly the record he had envisioned. He stated that it “became the record I made, not necessarily the record that I was interested in making.”
Springsteen explained that he had initially intended to create an album that continued the dark, introspective mood of Nebraska, but the songs that ended up on Born in the U.S.A. took it in a different direction.
He described the final product as a mix of songs that “just happened” rather than a cohesive creative vision. The tracks “My Hometown” and “Born in the U.S.A.” were the exceptions, he said, being the bookends of the album that represented the mood he was aiming for. The rest of the tracks, however, were simply what he had at the time.
Creative Process and Unexpected Outcomes
Springsteen also shared insights into his creative process, explaining that sometimes the final product of a record doesn’t always align with the original idea. “From conception to execution, it was not necessarily the record that in my mind I had planned on,” he said.
“You go in the studio, you have an idea. It’s not necessarily what you come out with.” For Springsteen, this is just how creativity works – it’s an unpredictable journey, and Born in the U.S.A. turned out to be a different record than what he had originally planned.
A Historic Success Despite Doubts
Despite Springsteen’s initial reservations about the album, Born in the U.S.A. became a massive success, earning critical acclaim and commercial success. It was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys and became one of his most iconic works.
The album’s blend of catchy, pop-friendly production with Springsteen’s gritty, heartfelt vocals helped introduce Heartland rock to a broader audience.
The Nebraska Story Will Be Told in an Upcoming Film
In the interview, Springsteen also mentioned an upcoming project that will shed more light on his 1982 album Nebraska. The upcoming film Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, which stars Jeremy Allen White of The Bear fame, will explore the making of Nebraska.
The movie is set to be released on October 24, offering fans an in-depth look at the album that played a pivotal role in shaping Springsteen’s career.
