Born in the U.S.A.
Updated: 12/11/2025, 8:20:55 AM Wikipedia source
Born in the U.S.A. is the seventh studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on June 4, 1984, through Columbia Records. It was produced by Springsteen, Jon Landau, Steven Van Zandt, and Chuck Plotkin, and recorded in New York City with the E Street Band over two years between January 1982 and March 1984. Some of the songs originated from the demo tape from Springsteen's previous album Nebraska (1982). The recording sessions yielded between 70 and 90 songs; some were released as B-sides, others saw release on compilation albums, while a number remain unreleased. Born in the U.S.A.'s sound is more pop-influenced than Springsteen's earlier albums. Its production is typical of mainstream 1980s rock music, with heavy use of synthesizers and a prominent snare drum. The lyrics contrast with the album's lively sound and continue the themes explored on previous records, particularly Nebraska. Topics include working-class struggles, disillusionment, patriotism, and personal relationships, although some tracks contain humorous lyrics. The cover photograph of Springsteen from behind against a backdrop of the American flag has appeared on lists of the best album covers. The album was launched with an extensive promotional campaign that included seven singles, five music videos, and three dance remixes. It was a worldwide commercial success and became the best-selling album of 1985, topping the charts in nine countries, including the U.S. and the U.K. All of the singles, including "Dancing in the Dark", "Born in the U.S.A.", "I'm on Fire", and "Glory Days", reached the U.S. top ten. The album has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it Springsteen's best-selling album and one of the best-selling albums of all time. On its release, critics praised the album's storytelling and musical performances. Springsteen and the E Street Band supported the album on the worldwide Born in the U.S.A. Tour (1984–1985). Born in the U.S.A. transformed Springsteen into a worldwide superstar. The album helped to popularize American heartland rock and influenced later artists who wanted to mimic its power and impact. In later decades, publications such as Rolling Stone and NME ranked it as one of Springsteen's best albums and of all time. Born in the U.S.A. was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012. However, Springsteen later expressed reservations about the album and the fame it brought him, and the lessons from its success have since influenced his career path and musical choices.
Infobox
Tables
| Initial reviews | |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Christgau's Record Guide | A |
| Los Angeles Times | |
| Record Mirror | |
| Rolling Stone | |
| Saturday Review | |
| Smash Hits | 8/10 |
| Sounds | |
| Retrospective reviews | |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Chicago Tribune | |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| The Gazette | |
| MusicHound Rock | 4/5 |
| Pitchfork | 10/10 |
| Q | |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Chart (1984–85) | Peakposition |
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) | 1 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) | 1 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM) | 1 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) | 1 |
| European Albums (European Top 100 Albums) | 2 |
| French Albums (SNEP) | 2 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 1 |
| Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi) | 2 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 6 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) | 1 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) | 1 |
| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) | 2 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 1 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) | 1 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 1 |
| US Billboard 200 | 1 |
| Zimbabwean Albums (ZIMA) | 1 |
| Chart (2003) | Peakposition |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) | 37 |
| Italian Albums (FIMI) | 36 |
| Chart (2006) | Peakposition |
| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) | 98 |
| Chart (2017) | Peakposition |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) | 31 |
| Chart (2019) | Peakposition |
| Greek Albums (IFPI) | 4 |
| Chart (2023) | Peakposition |
| Portuguese Albums (AFP) | 22 |
| Chart (2024) | Peakposition |
| Croatian International Albums (HDU) | 12 |
| Chart (2025) | Peakposition |
| Norwegian Rock Albums (IFPI Norge) | 5 |
| Chart (1984) | Position |
| Australian Albums Chart | 7 |
| Canadian Albums Chart | 1 |
| Dutch Albums Chart | 61 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 39 |
| Japanese Albums Chart (Oricon) | 53 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) | 2 |
| UK Albums Chart | 37 |
| US Billboard Top 200 Albums | 28 |
| Chart (1985) | Position |
| Australian Albums Chart | 2 |
| Austrian Albums Chart | 3 |
| Canadian Albums Chart | 7 |
| Danish Albums Chart | 5 |
| Dutch Albums Chart | 1 |
| French Albums Chart | 19 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 1 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) | 1 |
| Swiss Albums Chart | 4 |
| UK Albums Chart | 4 |
| US Billboard Top Pop Albums | 1 |
| Chart (1986) | Position |
| Canadian Albums Chart | 67 |
| Spanish Albums Chart | 11 |
| US Billboard 200 | 16 |
| Chart (2015) | Position |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 94 |
| Chart (2016) | Position |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 75 |
| Chart (2017) | Position |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 96 |
| Chart (2018) | Position |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 98 |
| Chart (2019) | Position |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 82 |
| Chart (2020) | Position |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 63 |
| Chart (2021) | Position |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 157 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 68 |
| Chart (2022) | Position |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 156 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 92 |
| Chart (2023) | Position |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 142 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) | 72 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 54 |
| Chart (2024) | Position |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 108 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) | 36 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 26 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | 14× Platinum | 980,000‡ |
| Belgium (BRMA) | Platinum | 75,000 |
| Brazil | — | 100,000 |
| Canada (Music Canada) | Diamond | 1,000,000^ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | 4× Platinum | 80,000‡ |
| Finland (Musiikkituottajat) | 2× Platinum | 108,913 |
| France (SNEP) | Platinum | 300,000* |
| Germany (BVMI) | 2× Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
| Italy (FIMI) sales since 2009 | 2× Platinum | 100,000‡ |
| Italy | — | 1,000,000 |
| Japan (Oricon Charts) | — | 212,700 |
| Mexico (AMPROFON) | Platinum | 250,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | 17× Platinum | 255,000‡ |
| Portugal (AFP) | Gold | 20,000^ |
| South Africa | — | 100,000 |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | Gold | 50,000^ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) | 3× Platinum | 150,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | 3× Platinum | 1,120,000 |
| United States (RIAA) | 17× Platinum | 17,000,000‡ |
| Summaries | ||
| Worldwide | — | 30,000,000 |
| Sales figures based on certification alone.^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- Originally written during the sessions for Darkness on the Edge of Town in 1978.
- Other songs included "Baby I'm So Cold", "Jesse James and Robert Ford", "Fade to Black", "True Love is Hard to Come By",
- According to Margotin and Guesdon, the January recording was the take used for the final album, while Clinton Heylin sta
- The tentative tracklist for the E Street album, dated June 1982, was as follows:Side one: "Born in the U.S.A.", "Murder
- Attributed to multiple references:
- This tracklist, dated July 1983, was as follows:Side one: "Born in the U.S.A.", "Cynthia", "None But the Brave", "Drop o
- A re-recording of "This Hard Land" also appeared on Greatest Hits.
- See specific sources for attribution: Rock and roll; heartland rock; pop; elements of folk and rockabilly.
- Attributed to multiple references:
- Rock and roll; ballad; rhythm and near-dance groove.
- Upbeat; synth-pop; Dance-rock.
- Attributed to multiple references:
- Tied with Michael Jackson's Thriller and Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989).
- The video featured a recreation of the Born in the U.S.A. cover photo.
- Later ranked A+
- Human Touch and Lucky Town both sold well initially, peaking at number two and three, respectively, on the Billboard 200
- Attributed to multiple references:
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