Bruce Springsteen “Born to Run” released 45 years ago today, August 25th 1975, his 3rd studio LP. It’s the only one we have, other than Nebraska (we’re not huge fans – I had my fill of Springsteen back in ‘84 with Born in the USA and still haven’t recovered). Born to Run is considered one of his best: it was his big commercial breakthrough and has been included on numerous “best of all-time” lists over the years. Born to Run hit #3 on the US album charts and #36 in the UK in 1975 and re-entered the charts in 1980 (#66 US), 1985 (#101 US, #17 UK) and again in 2005 (#18 US). Springsteen released two singles, the title track “Born to Run” which went to #23 on the US Hot 100 charts and is still considered to be one of the best rock songs ever (it ranked #21 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest and is included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), and probably the only Springsteen song I really genuinely like; and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” (#83 US) which is a decent track as well. Though not released as a singles, “Thunder Road” and “She’s the One” (the b-side to “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”) have become classics. “Thunder Road” made it to #86 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs list (and is on other publications’ lists as well) and has been covered by a long list of other artists. Though Born to Run will never be in my personal best-of top-anything lists, it is a classic – a snapshot of 70′s Americana themes, rhythms and melodies that are still resonant almost 45 years later.

*Re-blogging myself from 2019