Bruce Springsteen “Born to Run” 1975. Today, September 23rd, is Springsteen’s 70th birthday (b. 1949) so I’m spinning 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.