Born in the U.S.A.

This article is about the Bruce Springsteen album. For the title song, see Born in the U.S.A. (song). For other uses, see Born in the U.S.A. (disambiguation).

Born in the U.S.A.
A photograph of a man standing with his back to the camera against the stripes of an American flag. He is wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, with a red baseball cap tucked into his right back pocket.
Studio album by
Bruce Springsteen
ReleasedJune 4, 1984 (1984-06-04)
RecordedJanuary 1982 – March 1984
StudioPower Station and Hit Factory (New York City)
Genre
Length46:41
LabelColumbia
Producer
Bruce Springsteen chronology
Nebraska
(1982) 		Born in the U.S.A.
(1984) 		Live 1975–85
(1986)
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band chronology
The River
(1980) 		Born in the U.S.A.
(1984) 		Live 1975–85
(1986)
Singles from Born in the U.S.A.
  1. "Dancing in the Dark"
    Released: May 9, 1984
  2. "Cover Me"
    Released: July 31, 1984
  3. "Born in the U.S.A."
    Released: October 30, 1984
  4. "I'm on Fire"
    Released: February 6, 1985
  5. "Glory Days"
    Released: May 13, 1985
  6. "I'm Goin' Down"
    Released: August 27, 1985
  7. "My Hometown"
    Released: November 21, 1985

Born in the U.S.A. is the seventh studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on June 4, 1984, by Columbia Records. Produced by Springsteen, Jon Landau, Steven Van Zandt, and Chuck Plotkin, the album was recorded in New York City with the E Street Band over two years between January 1982 and March 1984. Some of the songs originated from the same demo tape that yielded Springsteen's previous album, the solo effort Nebraska (1982), while others were written after that album's release. The sessions yielded between 70 and 90 songs; some were released as B-sides, some later saw release on compilation albums, while others remain unreleased.

Born in the U.S.A. is a rock and roll album with a more pop-influenced sound than Springsteen's previous albums. Its production is typical of mainstream 1980s rock music, with prominent use of synthesizers. The lyrics contrast with the album's livelier sound and continue the themes of previous records, particularly Nebraska. Topics include working-class struggles, disillusionment, patriotism, and personal relationships, while several tracks incorporate humorous lyrics. The cover photograph of Springsteen's behind against a backdrop of the American flag is considered one of his most iconic images and has appeared on lists of the best album covers ever.

Accompanied by a vast promotional campaign that featured seven singles, five music videos, and three dance remixes, Born in the U.S.A. was a massive commercial success, becoming the best-selling album of 1985 and topping the charts in nine countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. All seven of its singles, including "Dancing in the Dark", "Born in the U.S.A.", "I'm on Fire", and "Glory Days", reached the U.S. top ten. The album has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it Springsteen's best-selling album and one of the best-selling albums of all time. Upon its release, music critics praised the album's storytelling and musical performances, while others criticized the use of similar lyrical themes as Springsteen's previous albums. Springsteen and the E Street Band supported the album on the Born in the U.S.A. Tour.

Born in the U.S.A. transformed Springsteen into a worldwide superstar and brought him his largest amount of success to date as a recording and performing artist. He later expressed reservations about the album itself and the fame it brought him. Nevertheless, retrospective assessments consider Born in the U.S.A. one of the best albums of Springsteen, of the 1980s, and of all time, appearing on such lists by Rolling Stone and NME. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012.