Bruce Springsteen

[epilogue]

I'm recording a podcast about it. In the format, we agree on 6 contenders and then we debate the final pick.
My contenders for Bruce are

Born to Run
Thunder Road
Born in the USA
Dancing in the Dark
I'm On Fire
The Rising

And my final pick is Born to Run.

Does that seem right?

It's I'm On Fire

[oasisfan35]

I'm recording a podcast about it. In the format, we agree on 6 contenders and then we debate the final pick.
My contenders for Bruce are

Born to Run
Thunder Road
Born in the USA
Dancing in the Dark
I'm On Fire
The Rising

And my final pick is Born to Run.

Does that seem right?

I gather you still end up with Born to Run but I would sub I'm on Fire with Glory Days for the chatter.

[Kevin Davis]

“I’m On Fire” is a surprising choice to me. It’s not on either of his greatest hits collections (and one of them is a double) and is not usually one of the songs I think of as among his most recognizable — I would think “Glory Days” and “Hungry Heart” would take priority, but maybe it’s a regional thing…

I’d say:

Born to Run
Thunder Road
Hungry Heart
Born in the USA
Glory Days
Dancing In The Dark

[Kevin Davis]

“Hungry Heart” is kind of a weird one though — I feel like that’s one of those songs that everyone is familiar with, but casual listeners don’t necessarily recognize it as a Springsteen song.

Really surprised to see that “I’m On Fire” is Bruce’s second-most-streamed song. Was it used in a movie or a TV show or something?

[liebzz]

It is surprising. But I guess it is one of the myriad of well known songs off the Born in the USA album.

[Jorge]

"I'm On Fire" was a huge single, it charted higher than "Born in the USA" on the Billboard Hot 100. In recent years it's gotten a second wind through TikTok and playlists.

[Jorge]

(I don't know these things offhand, I have been doing some research for this podcast!)

[zeb]

I’d say:

Born to Run
Thunder Road
Hungry Heart
Born in the USA
Glory Days
Dancing In The Dark

[zeb]

But I wouldn't argue with I'm On Fire taking Hungry Heart's spot. I just love Hungry Heart so much, either that or Glory Days are my favourite Springsteen songs.

[warehouse]

"I'm On Fire" was a huge single, it charted higher than "Born in the USA" on the Billboard Hot 100. In recent years it's gotten a second wind through TikTok and playlists.

was 'brilliant disguise' in the mix at all?

born to run
thunder road
born in the usa
dancing in the dark
streets of philadelphia
the rising

i like mr davis' list, but wanted to expand out of the 80s.

[i got bugs]

I'm on fire would be his best song if it was a minute longer

[zeb]

80s Boss is best Boss.

[Kevin Davis]

"I'm On Fire" was a huge single, it charted higher than "Born in the USA" on the Billboard Hot 100. In recent years it's gotten a second wind through TikTok and playlists.

This is fascinating to me. When I was getting into Springsteen in the early 2000’s, it was virtually nonexistent in the public sphere (compared to the other big singles from that album which still got regularly played on classic rock stations, ‘80’s stations, etc.). I think the first time I heard it was when I heard Born in the USA for the first time (and that was one of the last major albums I bought). I assumed it was a deep cut. Weird how songs move in and out of focus over time like that.

With that level of success it also seems super weird that it was omitted from both of his greatest hits albums, especially when things like “Human Touch” were included.

[epilogue]

Literally the only song of his I ever hear without specifically looking for it is I'm On Fire. I can't escape it. Everyone I know knows it. It's the only Springsteen song that my friends all know. It completely captures his entire persona (fairly or unfairly). It's cheesy but impactful; memorable and signable while also easy to make fun of. Goofy and earnest.

[Monkey_Driven]

We're overthinking it, the clear winner is Born to Run. It's a masterpiece.

[zeb]

We're overthinking it, the clear winner is Born to Run. It's a masterpiece.

I think you're right but the trio of Dancing In The Dark, Glory Days and Hungry Heart are on another level for me personally.

[warehouse]

80s Boss is best Boss.

i think i prefer 70s bruce. but that's why he's The Boss.

[liebzz]

Not a radio hit but Jungleland is everything Bruce on a platter. So is Backstreets. Really so is Born to Run.

Really trying to make any effective Springsteen playlist that is shorter than one of his concerts is just going to be incomplete.

[oasisfan35]

Not a radio hit but Jungleland is everything Bruce on a platter. So is Backstreets. Really so is Born to Run.

Really trying to make any effective Springsteen playlist that is shorter than one of his concerts is just going to be incomplete.

So we'll just go with Born to Run the album

[liebzz]

Not a radio hit but Jungleland is everything Bruce on a platter. So is Backstreets. Really so is Born to Run.

Really trying to make any effective Springsteen playlist that is shorter than one of his concerts is just going to be incomplete.

So we'll just go with Born to Run the album

I mean, yeah! I recently listened to that album (again) on the studio albums thread, and it again floored me. The documentary that was part of the 20th anniversary of the album is fascinating. He basically tortured the E Street Band to get it just the way he wanted and then the night before it got green lit he tried to pull it back and nearly threw away everything. Crazy that it’s still now his definitive statement.