In music history, there are always those one albums that stand the test of time. Albums that are mentioned and referenced too for years and will be for decades to come. Albums where you can recite every single song on the whole thing. Albums that should of been mandatory listening to everyone and should of been issued to everyone as part of a law. Okay, so maybe that last part is stretching it. "Born In The U.S.A." is definitley one of those special albums. When it hit the streets in 1984, it exploded like a hurricane and pretty much defined the 80's stadium, chest thumping, blue collar rock for the time. The fact that it was Bruce's most commercial and radio friendly release to date didn't really matter much because the writing and singing and performing was still all Bruce and the brilliance of the E Street Band. The album is unfairly criticized for being too "poppish". It just goes to show you how some people just don't understand things. The album is just as clever and strongly written as any of his more serious a;bums. But because it has a certain sound, then it can't be as good. Geez. Some people don't understand music!. The album is one of the most consistent rock albums that has a straight line from the first opening drum beats of "Born In The U.S.A.", to the final eloquent and haunting sounds of "My Hometown". Not surprisingly, this was Bruce's most successful studio album, and one of his most consistent rocking albums. Slower tracks are few on this set, the only ones being the gorgeous "I'm On Fire", which is probably one of the best songs he's done, "Downbound Train", and the already mentioned album closer, "My Hometown". This album spawned 7 top ten hits. The title track hit no #9, "I'm On Fire" peaked at #6, "My Hometown" also hit #6, while four other songs, the classic "Dancing In The Dark" at #2, the glorious "Glory Days" at #5, "I'm Goin' Down" at #9, and the rollicking "Cover Me", at #7. The best material just doesn't consist of these famous hit tunes of the album. Everything else here is of top quality and material. "Working On The Highway" has an insanely catchy tune that makes it sound reminiscent of 50's rock and roll. Something by Eddie Cochran, perhaps?. A tune that celebrates the work of the common man working on the streets and keeping them up. "No Surrender", "Darligton County" and "Bobby Jean" are all strong Bruce efforts that fill out the album nicely. What's funny is how people have thought the title tune to be a ptriotic song about the U.S.A. In fact, the song is about Vietnam Vets and how the government and country have forgotten them. The entire album gave Bruce the worldwide acclaim and success that he deserved. Not that he didn't already have fame and successful records and hit singles, because he did, but this release just took it to the next level that he and the band rightfully deserved. The music on this album is some of the purest down home American rock that has been done. Bruce's writing on here showcases some of the finest of his career, and showcases the finest rock/pop compositions in the genre. This is one of those albums that will live forever, and if you don't have it, then what are you waiting for?!.