Track 1 of Born In The U.S.A., 1984.
Directed by John Sayles. The live footage used was shot at three LA shows in 1984.
- Credits
- Performances
- Multiples
- Released on Album
- Released as Live Download
- Media
- On The Tracks
- Lyrics
- Links
- Gallery
- Born In The U.S.A. (1984)
- Bruce Springsteen: vocals, guitar
- Roy Bittan: synthesizer, backing vocals
- Clarence Clemons: percussion, backing vocals
- Danny Federici: piano, glockenspiel
- Garry Tallent: bass, backing vocals
- Steven Van Zandt: guitar, mandolin, backing vocals
- Max Weinberg: drums, backing vocals
- Tracks (1998)
- Bruce Springsteen: vocals, acoustic guitar
- Arthur Baker Remixes (1984)
- Bruce Springsteen: vocals, guitar
- Roy Bittan: synthesizer, backing vocals
- Albert Cabrera: tom toms, dulcimer, glockenspiel, backing vocals, bass synthesizer, horn synthesizer, gunshots
- Clarence Clemons: percussion, backing vocals
- Danny Federici: piano, glockenspiel
- Tony Moran: tom toms, dulcimer, glockenspiel, backing vocals, bass synthesizer, horn synthesizer, gunshots
- Garry Tallent: bass, backing vocals
- Max Weinberg: drums, backing vocals
- Steve Van Zandt: guitar, mandolin, backing vocals
Performed live 1025 times.
- 2000-03-19 New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA
- 2000-03-09 National Car Rental Center, Sunrise, FL
- 2000-03-06 Ice Palace, Tampa, FL
- 2000-03-04 Orlando Arena, Orlando, FL
- 2000-02-28 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA
- 1999-11-28 Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
- 1999-11-21 Pepsi Arena, Albany, NY
- 1999-11-19 Marine Midland Arena, Buffalo, NY
- 1999-11-17 Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
- 1999-11-14 Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH
- 1999-11-10 Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
- 1999-11-09 Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
- 1999-11-06 Fargodome, Fargo, ND
- 1999-10-17 Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
- 1999-09-28 United Center, Chicago, IL
- 1999-09-08 Palace Of Auburn Hills (The), Auburn Hills, MI
- 1999-09-03 MCI Center, Washington, DC
- 1999-09-01 MCI Center, Washington, DC
- 1999-08-31 MCI Center, Washington, DC
- 1999-08-24 FleetCenter, Boston, MA
- 1999-06-23 Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden
- 1999-06-19 Gelredome, Arnhem, The Netherlands
- 1999-06-17 Weserstadion, Bremen, Germany
- 1999-06-13 Bruno-Plache-Stadion, Leipzig, Germany
- 1999-06-02 Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
- 1999-05-29 Parkbühne Wuhlheide, Berlin, Germany
- 1999-05-25 RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
- 1999-05-23 Earls Court, London, England
- 1999-05-19 Earls Court, London, England
- 1999-05-18 Earls Court, London, England
- 1999-05-16 NEC Arena, Birmingham, England
- 1999-05-01 Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester, England
- 1999-04-19 FilaForum, Milan, Italy
- 1999-04-17 PalaMalaguti, Bologna, Italy
- 1999-04-15 Kölnarena, Cologne, Germany
- 1999-04-11 Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain
- 1998-12-14 TVE Studios, Madrid, Spain
- 1998-12-11 PalaDozza, Bologna, Italy
- 1998-12-10 Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
- 1998-12-09 Canal+ Studios, Paris, France
- 1998-12-08 TV4 Studios, Stockholm, Sweden
- 1998-12-07 RadioEins Studio, Potsdam, Germany
- 1998-11-20 WNET Studios, New York City, NY
- 1998-10-27 Saint (The), Asbury Park, NJ
- 1997-05-26 Palais Des Congrès De Paris, Paris, France
- 1997-05-25 Palais Des Congrès De Paris, Paris, France
- 1997-05-22 Teatro Augusteo, Naples, Italy
- 1997-05-21 Teatro Verdi, Florence, Italy
- 1997-05-19 Zénith Oméga, Toulon, France
- 1997-05-18 Palais Des Congrès Acropolis, Nice, France
- 1997-05-16 Opéra Berlioz, Le Corum, Montpellier, France
- 1997-05-15 Auditorium Maurice-Ravel, Lyon, France
- 1997-05-12 Congress Centre, Prague, Czech Republic
- 1997-05-10 Sala Kongresowa, Warsaw, Poland
- 1997-05-09 Sala Kongresowa, Warsaw, Poland
- 1997-05-07 Austria Center Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- 1997-05-06 Austria Center Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- 1997-02-17 Palais Theatre, Melbourne, Australia
- 1997-02-16 Palais Theatre, Melbourne, Australia
- 1997-02-15 Palais Theatre, Melbourne, Australia
- 1997-02-12 Capitol Theatre, Sydney, Australia
- 1997-02-11 Capitol Theatre, Sydney, Australia
- 1997-02-10 Capitol Theatre, Sydney, Australia
- 1997-02-08 Capitol Theatre, Sydney, Australia
- 1997-02-07 Capitol Theatre, Sydney, Australia
- 1997-02-05 Concert Hall (The), QPAC, Brisbane, Australia
- 1997-02-04 Concert Hall (The), QPAC, Brisbane, Australia
- 1997-01-31 Forum Hall, Tōkyō Kokusai Fōramu, Tokyo, Japan
- 1997-01-30 Forum Hall, Tōkyō Kokusai Fōramu, Tokyo, Japan
- 1997-01-29 Forum Hall, Tōkyō Kokusai Fōramu, Tokyo, Japan
- 1997-01-27 Forum Hall, Tōkyō Kokusai Fōramu, Tokyo, Japan
- 1996-12-14 Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC
- 1996-12-12 Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
- 1996-12-11 Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Columbus, OH
- 1996-12-10 Music Hall, Cincinnati, OH
- 1996-12-06 Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Concert Hall, Birmingham, AL
- 1996-12-05 Township Auditorium, Columbia, SC
- 1996-12-03 Sunrise Musical Theatre, Sunrise, FL
- 1996-12-02 Sunrise Musical Theatre, Sunrise, FL
- 1996-11-26 Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ
- 1996-11-25 Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ
- 1996-11-24 Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ
- 1996-11-21 Murat Theatre, Indianapolis, IN
- 1996-11-20 Louisville Palace, Louisville, KY
- 1996-11-19 Ellis Auditorium, Memphis, TN
- 1996-11-14 Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, MA
- 1996-11-13 Landmark Theatre, Syracuse, NY
- 1996-11-12 Shea's Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, NY
- 1996-11-08 Gymnasium, St. Rose Of Lima School, Freehold, NJ
- 1996-10-29 Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA
- 1996-10-28 Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR
- 1996-10-26 Event Center Arena, San Jose, CA
- 1996-10-25 Arlington Theater, Santa Barbara, CA
- 1996-10-23 William Saroyan Theatre, Fresno, CA
- 1996-10-22 San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA
- 1996-10-21 Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium, Tempe, AZ
- 1996-10-19 Kiva Auditorium, Albuquerque, NM
- 1996-10-17 Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO
- 1996-10-16 Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO
- 1996-10-15 Abravanel Hall, Salt Lake City, UT
- 1996-10-03 Northrop Auditorium, Minneapolis, MN
- 1996-10-02 Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, WI
- 1996-10-01 Braden Auditorium, Normal, IL
- 1996-09-26 Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, MI
- 1996-09-25 E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, Akron, OH
- 1996-09-24 James W. Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo, MI
- 1996-09-19 Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence, RI
- 1996-09-18 Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, CT
- 1996-09-16 Benedum Center For The Performing Arts, Pittsburgh, PA
- 1996-05-08 Palacio De Congresos Y Exposiciones, Madrid, Spain
- 1996-05-07 Teatro Tívoli, Barcelona, Spain
- 1996-05-06 Teatro Tívoli, Barcelona, Spain
- 1996-05-02 Zürich Kongresshaus, Zurich, Switzerland
- 1996-05-01 Palais Des Beaux-Arts, Brussels, Belgium
- 1996-04-30 Salle Erasme, Strasbourg, France
- 1996-04-27 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
- 1996-04-25 Brixton Academy, London, England
- 1996-04-24 Brixton Academy, London, England
- 1996-04-22 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
- 1996-04-20 Koningin Elisabethzaal, Antwerp, Belgium
- 1996-04-19 ICC Berlin, Saal 1, Berlin, Germany
- 1996-04-17 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
- 1996-04-16 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
- 1996-04-13 Teatro Carlo Felice, Genoa, Italy
- 1996-04-11 Teatro Smeraldo, Milan, Italy
- 1996-04-10 Auditorium Santa Cecilia, Rome, Italy
- 1996-03-20 Point Theatre (The), Dublin, Ireland
- 1996-03-19 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- 1996-03-16 Falkonersalen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- 1996-03-14 Oslo Spektrum, Oslo, Norway
- 1996-03-13 Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden
- 1996-03-03 Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland
- 1996-03-02 City Hall, Newcastle, England
- 1996-02-29 Symphony Hall, Birmingham, England
- 1996-02-28 Apollo Theatre, Manchester, England
- 1996-02-26 Koninklijk Theater Carré, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- 1996-02-25 Doelen (De), Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- 1996-02-22 Zénith De Paris (Le), Paris, France
- 1996-02-21 Zénith De Paris (Le), Paris, France
- 1996-02-18 Philipshalle, Düsseldorf, Germany
- 1996-02-17 Congress Centrum Hamburg, Halle 1, Hamburg, Germany
- 1996-02-15 Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich, Germany
- 1996-02-14 Kulturpalast, Dresden, Germany
- 1996-02-12 Alte Oper, Frankfurt, Germany
- 1996-01-28 Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA
- 1996-01-26 Bronco Bowl (The), Dallas, TX
- 1996-01-25 Austin Music Hall, Austin, TX
- 1996-01-23 Jesse H. Jones Hall For The Performing Arts, Houston, TX
- 1996-01-22 Saenger Performing Arts Center, New Orleans, LA
- 1996-01-18 Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO
- 1996-01-17 Music Hall, Cleveland, OH
- 1996-01-16 Music Hall, Cleveland, OH
- 1996-01-12 Stambaugh Auditorium, Youngstown, OH
- 1996-01-11 Fox Theatre, Detroit, MI
- 1996-01-10 Fox Theatre, Detroit, MI
- 1996-01-08 Massey Hall, Toronto, ON
- 1996-01-07 Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Montreal, QC
- 1995-12-17 Beacon Theatre, New York City, NY
- 1995-12-16 Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA
- 1995-12-15 Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA
- 1995-12-13 Beacon Theatre, New York City, NY
- 1995-12-12 Beacon Theatre, New York City, NY
- 1995-12-09 Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Philadelphia, PA
- 1995-12-08 Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Philadelphia, PA
- 1995-12-06 DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, DC
- 1995-12-05 DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, DC
- 1995-12-03 Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont, IL
- 1995-11-30 Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, CA
- 1995-11-29 Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, CA
- 1995-11-27 Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
- 1995-11-26 Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
- 1995-11-22 Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ
- 1995-11-21 State Theatre, New Brunswick, NJ
- 1993-06-24 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1993-06-01 Valle Hovin Stadion, Oslo, Norway
- 1993-05-30 Gentofte Stadion, Gentofte, Denmark
- 1993-05-28 Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden
- 1993-05-25 Stadio Flaminio, Rome, Italy
- 1993-05-22 National Bowl (The), Milton Keynes, England
- 1993-05-20 RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
- 1993-05-17 Maimarkthalle, Mannheim, Germany
- 1993-05-16 Alter Flughafen-Riem, Munich, Germany
- 1993-05-14 Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany
- 1993-05-11 Estadi Olímpic De Montjuïc, Barcelona, Spain
- 1993-05-09 Auditorio Monte Do Gozo, Santiago De Compostela, Spain
- 1993-05-07 Estadio Municipal El Molinón, Gijón, Spain
- 1993-05-05 Estadio Vicente Calderón, Madrid, Spain
- 1993-05-01 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
- 1993-04-24 Flanders Expo, Ghent, Belgium
- 1993-04-23 Flanders Expo, Ghent, Belgium
- 1993-04-20 Sportpaleis Ahoy, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- 1993-04-19 Sportpaleis Ahoy, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- 1993-04-16 Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England
- 1993-04-15 Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England
- 1993-04-13 Halle Tony Garnier, Lyon, France
- 1993-04-11 Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, Verona, Italy
- 1993-04-08 Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland
- 1993-04-07 Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland
- 1993-04-04 Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany
- 1993-04-03 Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany
- 1993-03-31 SECC, Glasgow, Scotland
- 1992-12-17 Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- 1992-12-16 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
- 1992-12-14 Boston Garden, Boston, MA
- 1992-12-13 Boston Garden, Boston, MA
- 1992-12-08 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
- 1992-12-07 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
- 1992-12-05 Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, IN
- 1992-12-03 St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, MO
- 1992-12-02 Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX
- 1992-11-30 Omni (The), Atlanta, GA
- 1992-11-24 Miami Arena, Miami, FL
- 1992-11-23 Orlando Arena, Orlando, FL
- 1992-11-18 Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
- 1992-11-17 Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center, Chapel Hill, NC
- 1992-11-15 Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT
- 1992-11-13 Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY
- 1992-11-10 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
- 1992-11-09 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
- 1992-11-06 SkyDome, Toronto, ON
- 1992-11-05 SkyDome, Toronto, ON
- 1992-11-03 Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
- 1992-10-31 Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
- 1992-10-30 Hilton Coliseum, Ames, IA
- 1992-10-26 McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, CO
- 1992-10-22 Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
- 1992-10-21 Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
- 1992-10-18 Northlands Coliseum, Edmonton, AB
- 1992-10-17 Olympic Saddledome, Calgary, AB
- 1992-10-15 Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, BC
- 1992-10-13 Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA
- 1992-10-06 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, CA
- 1992-10-03 America West Arena, Phoenix, AZ
- 1992-10-02 America West Arena, Phoenix, AZ
- 1992-09-29 San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, CA
- 1992-09-28 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- 1992-09-25 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- 1992-09-24 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- 1992-09-03 World Music Theatre, Tinley Park, IL
- 1992-09-02 World Music Theatre, Tinley Park, IL
- 1992-08-29 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
- 1992-08-28 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
- 1992-08-26 Capital Centre, Largo, MD
- 1992-08-25 Capital Centre, Largo, MD
- 1992-08-22 Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH
- 1992-08-21 Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH
- 1992-08-18 Palace Of Auburn Hills (The), Auburn Hills, MI
- 1992-08-17 Palace Of Auburn Hills (The), Auburn Hills, MI
- 1992-08-14 Centrum In Worcester, Worcester, MA
- 1992-08-13 Centrum In Worcester, Worcester, MA
Performed multiple times during the following shows:
Released on Born In The U.S.A. (1984), Born In The U.S.A. (Single, 1984), Greatest Hits (1995), Tracks (1998), 18 Tracks (1999), The Essential (2003), Collection:1973–2012 (2013), and Chapter And Verse (2016).
Live versions are released on Live/1975–85 (1986) (recorded September 30, 1985), Columbia Records Radio Hour (US-only Promotional Tape, 1995) (recorded December 8, 1995 (song) and December 9, 1995 (spoken intro)), Missing (EP, 1996) (recorded April 19, 1996), Live In New York City (2001) (recorded July 1, 2000), The Bridge School Collection (2011) (recorded October 13, 1986), ¡Released! The Human Rights Concerts: Human Rights Now/Get Up! Stand Up! Highlights (Compilations, 2013) (recorded October 15, 1988), ¡Released! The Human Rights Concerts: The Struggle Continues (Compilation, 2013) (recorded December 10, 1998), and Springsteen On Broadway (2018) (recorded July 17/18, 2018).
Live versions are available on the following official live downloads:
- 2016-07-31 Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2016-07-28 Frognerparken, Oslo, Norway
- 2016-07-26 Granåsen Arena, Trondheim, Norway
- 2016-07-23 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
- 2016-07-20 CASA Arena, Horsens, Denmark
- 2016-07-16 Circus Maximus, Rome, Italy
- 2016-07-13 AccorHotels Arena, Paris, France
- 2016-07-09 Festivalpark, Werchter, Belgium
- 2016-07-03 Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy
- 2016-06-29 Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway
- 2016-06-27 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
- 2016-06-25 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
- 2016-06-22 Telia Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark
- 2016-06-19 Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany
- 2016-06-17 Olympiastadion, Munich, Germany
- 2016-06-03 Ricoh Arena, Coventry, England
- 2016-06-01 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
- 2016-05-29 Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland
- 2016-05-21 Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
- 2016-05-19 Bela Vista Park, Lisbon, Portugal
- 2016-05-17 Estadio Anoeta, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- 2016-05-14 Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
- 2016-04-18 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA
- 2016-04-14 Palace Of Auburn Hills (The), Auburn Hills, MI
- 2016-04-12 Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH
- 2016-02-21 KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY
- 2014-05-13 Times Union Center, Albany, NY
- 2014-04-22 Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA
- 2014-04-19 Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC
- 2014-04-17 Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
- 2014-03-01 Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
- 2014-02-23 Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, Australia
- 2014-02-15 AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
- 2014-02-08 Perth Arena, Perth, Australia
- 2014-02-01 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
- 2014-01-28 Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town, South Africa
- 2014-01-26 Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town, South Africa
- 2013-07-11 Ippodromo Delle Capannelle, Rome, Italy
- 2012-07-31 Olympiastadion, Helsinki, Finland
- 2012-07-28 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
- 2012-07-04 Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
- 2009-10-20 Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
- 2005-11-22 Sovereign Bank Arena, Trenton, NJ
- 2003-06-16 Olympiastadion, Helsinki, Finland
- 2000-07-01 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
- 1997-05-18 Palais Des Congrès Acropolis, Nice, France
- 1996-11-26 Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ
- 1996-11-24 Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ
- 1996-11-08 Gymnasium, St. Rose Of Lima School, Freehold, NJ
- 1996-03-19 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- 1995-12-09 Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Philadelphia, PA
- 1993-06-24 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1993-05-14 Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany
- 1992-12-13 Boston Garden, Boston, MA
- 1992-07-25 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1988-07-03 Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden
- 1988-05-23 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
- 1988-05-16 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
- 1988-04-28 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- 1988-04-23 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- 1988-03-28 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI
- 1986-10-13 Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
- 1985-09-27 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
- 1985-08-22 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1984-08-20 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1984-08-19 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1984-08-06 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1984-08-05 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V1 | 2:22 | FFOD / HNWB / MT2 |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V2 | 0:30 | FFOD / HNWB |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V3 | 4:45 | FFOD / HNWB |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V4 | 3:10 | FFOD / HNWB |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V5 | 2:55 | FFOD / HNWB |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V6 | 4:00 | FFOD / HNWB |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V7a (take 1) | 3:06 | LM-1 / HNWB |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V7b (take 1 mix 2) | 3:06 | TRACKS |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V8 (take 2) | private | |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V9 (take 3) | private | |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V10 (take 4) | private | |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V11 (takes 5-8) | uncirculating | |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V12 (take 9) | 8:09 | THLBB / UH / GS / BUERM / MI |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V12a (take 9 edit 1) | 4:34 | BITUSA / GREATEST / ESSENTIAL / GREATEST: 2009 / CHAPTER |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V12b (take 9 edit 2) | 4:52 | LM-19 / THLBP |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V13 (take 10) | uncirculating | |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V14a freedom mix | 7:20 | 1984 EP |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V14b radio mix | 6:10 | 1984 EP |
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - V14c dub mix | 7:36 | 1984 EP |
Note: Writing and recording began at Springsteen's house in Colts Neck, NJ during the fall of 1981 with a set of acoustic demos. V1 evolved, both musically and lyrically, from the bluesy demo "Vietnam". V1 includes the chorus "born in the USA" that Springsteen lifted from the title of a script of a Paul Schrader movie given to him by Jon Landau, as well as many lyrical elements that would remain in the final released version. The demo begins its transition with V2, a brief snippet of the "Born In The U.S.A." riff, the opening verse, and then the sardonic chorus "Born baby in the USA / I believe in the American way". V3-V6 were all recorded soon after, and see Springsteen developing the lyrics with every take. V7 was recorded between December 17, 1981 and January 3, 1982 on the TEAC Portastudio that Mike Batlan had set up in Bruce's home, and was included on the demo cassette tape sent to Jon Landau. In his notes to Landau, Bruce described the song as "a little ditty. should be done very hard rockin." A copy leaked to bootleggers via Batlan and was pressed on 'Lost Masters I' in 1996, before V7b was mixed in 1998 and officially released on Tracks.
When Bruce and the E Street Band entered Power Station on April 26, 1982, the aim was to re-record the songs on his demo tape in a professional studio environment. Logs indicate that work on "Born In The U.S.A." began on the second day, and continued on April 28 and May 3. What work was done on what day is unclear, but it appears that the bulk of the song was recorded across ten takes on a single night, most likely May 3. A Power Station mixsheet dated to May 3 exists, which supports this position. We know that Springsteen initially attempted to re-record his demo tape alone, which may have occurred on April 27 and 28.
On May 3, Springsteen and the band cut a number of takes of a rocking electric reimagining of that original acoustic demo. In take 2 Bruce sung the first verse over his electric guitar, before bass and drum joined in. Take 3 sees Max accompanying Bruce right from the opening, yet the famous organ riff is nowhere to be found. Take 4 begins with Springsteen singing the first verse a cappella, before the band join in. We now skip ahead to take 9, where the riff is now in place alongside other new elements, some of which did not make the final track. Brief audio of the opening verse of takes 2, 3, 4, and the multitracks of take 9 first emerged in April 2022, played by Toby Scott at a public event in Mexico City. Recollections vary as to the origin of the riff; Roy Bittan remembers Springsteen demonstrating the song on acoustic guitar before he improvised the organ riff on a new Yamaha CS-80 synth, and the first take evolved from there. Max Weinberg, however, recalls the first recording was as "a country trio" with a country beat (Max may have been referring to the arrangement found in takes 2-4 above), and the main riff came from Springsteen's guitar. Weinberg doesn't dispute Bittan's memories though.
The eight minute V12 is the full length of take 9. With some edits, including using all or parts of take 10 (V13) for the ending, this take eventually became the first song on side one of Born In The U.S.A (V12b). V12c continues where V12b fades out with an extended synthesizer ending. Toby Scott recalls a total of eight to ten takes, with take six (or nine, recollections seem to vary) as the master. V14a-V14c are 12" dance remixes by Arthur Baker that were recorded at Shakedown Studios in New York City in September 1984. Toby Scott was the recording engineer for the remixes (which include additional vocals by The Latin Rascals), and all were mixed by Bob Clearmountain. The remixes were first released in December 1984. Baker utilised several aspects of the original mixes that were removed for the final album take.
Studio Sessions: Born In The U.S.A.
Born In The U.S.A. |
Born down in a dead man's town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
Till you spend half your life just covering up now
Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A., now
Got in a little hometown jam
So they put a rifle in my hand
Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man
Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A., yeah
Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man says, "Son if it was up to me"
Went down to see my V.A. man
He said, "Son don't you understand now"
Oh yeah
Oh no
No no no
I had a brother at Khe Sahn fighting off them Viet Cong
They're still there, he's all gone
He had a woman he loved in Saigon
I got a picture of him in her arms now
Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
Out by the gas fires of the refinery
I'm ten years burning down the road
Nowhere to run, ain't got nowhere to go
Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A., now
Born in the U.S.A.
I'm a long gone Daddy in the U.S.A., now
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
I'm a cool rocking Daddy in the U.S.A., now
No no no
No no no no
No no no
No no no no
Whoa!
Oh no no
Whoa!
Yeahhh…
Whoa!
One, two, three, four!
Visit SpringsteenLyrics.com for other versions of this song. |
Born In The U.S.A. (Tracks) |
Born down in a dead man's town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
Till you spend half your life just covering up
Born in the U.S.A., born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A., born in the U.S.A.
I got in a little hometown jam
And so they put a rifle in my hands
Sent me off to Vietnam
To go and kill the yellow man
Born in the U.S.A., born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A., born in the U.S.A.
Come back home to the refineries
Hiring man says "Son if it was up to me"
I go down to see the V.A. man
He says "Son don't you understand"
Born in the U.S.A., born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A., born in the U.S.A.
I had a buddy at Khe Sahn
Fighting off the Viet Cong
They're still there, he's all gone
He had a little girl in Saigon
I got a picture of him in her arms
Hoo hoo hoo!
Hoo!
Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
Out by the gas fires of the refinery
I'm ten years down the road
Nowhere to run, ain't got nowhere to go
Hoo!
I'm a long gone daddy in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
I'm a cool rocking daddy in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Hoo hoo hoo!
Hoo hoo
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