Happy 50th Anniversary to Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run

Bruce Springsteen's classic Born to Run turns 50 years old today. 

Bruce is still touring and doing great, pretty amazing that this classic album has been around for 50 years.

Back in 2019 RtBE included Bruce in our Masters series and had these thoughts about Born to Run, which topped our favorite studio album list:

Here's what Bruce was going for with Born To Run: "Roy Orbison singing Bob Dylan, produced by Phil Spector." He nailed it.

One of the most iconic records in rock and roll history, it is big, poetic, daring, dramatic, sheltered and yearning for that one true magic moment.  From the opening "Thunder Road" to the closing note of "Jungle Land" Springsteen sets the scene and delivers the goods, while not a concept record, it is thematic and works so well.  Even on the albums weakest track, "Meeting Across the River" a purpose is served, setting the table for the closer while pointing ahead to his film noir style to come on Darkness. 

The blaring "Tenth Ave Freeze Out" is a blast and hints at the gospel live show rave up it would become, but lesser known tunes like "Night" and "She's The One" stand strong next to towering efforts like "Backstreets". The title track alone could push this record to the top of most lists as it is Bruce's shining achievement, and no matter how often it is heard goosebumps will be delivered; one of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time. Period.

This is also one of the best rock and roll full albums of all time as Springsteen became the Boss and the rest is history.

All of that still holds true. Play Born to Run loud today on it's 50th Anniversary. Here are a few tunes to get you started: