Bruce Springsteen, who turns 76 years old today, is one of the most successful rock stars of all time. Frequently referred to as “The Boss,” Springsteen is a Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer who has won Grammy Awards and Oscars for his soundtrack work, and was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
From 1969 through 1971, Springsteen, along with future E Street band guitarist Steven Van Zandt, played with a band called Steel Mill, whose name perfectly encapsulated the working-class spirit that he’s carried with him into his career as a frontman. Springsteen has remained a class act—a person with dignity who cares about others. He’s always given everything he’s got in concert, sometimes performing for four hours straight.
Nowhere have his working-class themes been more apparent, or enduring, than on his 1980 double-album, The River.
Joy and Sorrow on the Same Record
Springsteen released his fifth LP, The River, in 1980. I heard the first single, “Hungry Heart,” as a kid and loved it. I still don’t know exactly what he’s talking about in the song, but it brought me joy. I liked the upbeat sound, the background harmonies, and spirit of the song.
Another cut, “Fade Away,” received some airplay too. It’s since been forgotten by radio, but the achingly sad song spoke to me because I was going through a breakup with a high school girlfriend.
One of the first songs I ever learned to play on guitar was the folky title track. It’s a melancholy, powerful tune that captures the irrelevance and desperation of growing up in a small industrial community.
The River as a Portrait of America
On The River, Springsteen gave voice to the common person navigating joy, work, love, and loss. Songs like “Out on the Street,” “I Got a Crush on You,” and “Sherry Darling” capture the exuberance of everyday life, while “Stolen Car,” “Point Blank,” and “Drive All Night” portray its darker struggles.
He spoke for those trying to find a sense of purpose while working a dead-end job and for those trying to feed a family with no job at all. He sang about real-life struggles and fun times too.
Springsteen was successful right out of the gate, as his first eight records are widely considered masterpieces. The River fell right in the middle of that remarkable streak—and right at the dawn of my own record-buying days. It remains the Springsteen album that resonates with me most.
So, happy birthday to Bruce Springsteen—a rock star who’s always made America proud!
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