Bruce Springsteen Songs Ranked

Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is both a solo artist and the leader of the E Street Band. He received critical acclaim for his early 1970s albums and attained worldwide fame upon the release of Born to Run in 1975. During a career that has spanned five decades, Springsteen has become known for his poetic and socially conscious lyrics and lengthy, energetic stage performances, earning the nickname “The Boss”. He has recorded both rock albums and folk-oriented works, and his lyrics often address the experiences and struggles of working-class Americans. Springsteen has sold more than 135 million records worldwide and more than 64 million records in the United States, making him one of the world’s best-selling music artists. He has earned numerous awards for his work, including 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award (for Springsteen on Broadway). Springsteen was inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2009, was named MusiCares person of the year in 2013, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2016. Here are all Bruce Springsteen songs ranked.

Relive the music of Bruce Springsteen by clicking below.

20. Darkness on the Edge of Town (Darkness on the Edge of Town, 1978)

“Forget the meaning, the feelings, the message…this song just flat out ROCKS! Every time I hear this song, it does go on and on…but I don’t want it to end! “so you’ve been broken and been hurt..show me somebody who ain’t”…love it!”

19. Brilliant Disguise (Tunnel of Love, 1987)

“You’ll know why after listening to it after a breakup. It takes the sting out of it like no other song out there. What more can you ask of music when going through one of the strongest emotions. It’s a wonderful glimpse into his personal life with a ton of powerful lyrics. A very sad song, but a fantastic song as well.”

18. The Promised Land (Darkness on the Edge of Town, 1978)

“Harmonica, piano, sax, guitar, fantastic chorus and backing vocals. This is Bruce and the ESB in full flow. Nearly always played live and a definitive song in trying to explain what the live experience is all about. Such a great song, the best song on the album darkness in my opinion.”

17. Radio Nowhere (Magic, 2007)

“Catchy and contemporary… That is why Springsteen has remained relevant and somewhat mainstream. He doesn’t stay in the past, his sound evolves with the years. Radio Nowhere is one of his best!”

16. Waitin’ On a Sunny Day (The Rising, 2002)

“Such a good riff! Keeps you excited the whole way through and its not to hard to play either! A great song with really skilful music 🙂 Definitely my favourite keeps my days exciting!  This song is so inspirational too. Long live Bruce, the E-Street band, and long live Rock N’ Roll.”

See more; Bruce Springsteen Albums Ranked

15. Atlantic City (Nebraska, 1982)

“Bruce always opens a window to a different point of view. The narrator is planning to do something bad at the same time he reminds his girl to keep warm. The little guy is playing a part in a much bigger world and trying to take control of his life in any (desperate)way he can. I work for a man on the Forbes billionaire list and as I drive to the workplace I pass day labor companies and immigrants waiting for the bus and blast this song. Play this when you don’t get picked for the promotion!”

14. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) (The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, 1973)

“Rosalita should be listed at top of this list. It should also be listed as a top ten love song. An excellent, aggressive “Rock and Roll” love story. When listening to the Springsteen lyrics, it’s not only the content but the way he vocalizes them. You know he’s crazy about her and he wants her to know it. Not all song writers can tell a exceptional story and harmonize it with great rock and roll.”

13. Backstreets (Born to Run, 1975)

“Best intro ever..haunting lyrics and the pain and passion in his voice..incredible. Summons up so many memories and feelings of growing up. Growing up was a real challenge, but Bruce captured so many feelings and touched so many memories here.”

12. Hungry Heart (The River, 1980)

“It’s impossible to choose a favorite Springsteen song (not just for me, I guess) but I chose this one now because it’s the song that ALWAYS makes me feel a little better when I’m sad and when I’m not sad, I listen to this song and it makes me feel super happy, haha! I don’t know, it’s just an outstanding positive song”

11. Racing in the Street (Darkness on the Edge of Town, 1978)

“The highlight of every concert where it’s played. Lyrics are powerful, but the music is just the most beautiful I’ve er heard. The extended coda is something you wish it never ends. Roy and Max are wonderful on this one.”

10. Badlands (Darkness on the Edge of Town, 1978)

“Lyrically, my favorite Boss song. It really changed my life and opinion about the world. Badlands hits hard, no bones about it. There’s a kind of loving pain in it. Saxo and guitar are just great in this one”

9. I’m on Fire (Born in the U.S.A., 1984)

“Always loved this one… hard to choose between this one and Glory Days, because I love them both so much! They are so different, but there is just something… something about them… One of my favorites from The Boss.”

8. Glory Days (Born in the U.S.A., 1984)

“This is one of Bruce’s best songs behind Born To Run and Born in the U.S.A.. Great up beat song and very catchy. Good to dance to. It tells a great story! And in my opinion it is one of the best Bruce Springsteen songs maybe behind Born in the USA and Thunder Road”

7. Streets of Philadelphia (Philadelphia: Music From the Motion Picture, 1993)

“The story, the beat, the strings… Everything. Bruce can paint a beautiful painting with his words. This song makes you feel great! Its Pure Music sensitive and beautiful!  If it doesn’t move you, you haven’t got a heart.”

See more: Kenny Rogers Albums Ranked

6. Jungleland (Born to Run, 1975)

“This song tells a wonderful story. Its a sad song and its about losing everything and the failure of dreams. But in a way it inspires you! Such a great song. My favorite of Bruce”

5. The River (The River, 1980)

“The lyrics are just awesome, and the music fits the lyrics perfectly. And then Springsteen’s voice which makes it even better! Incredibly deeply meaningful song. Springsteen’s best by far. Tells a story of his life and puts it into the words of his song.”

4. Dancing in the Dark (Born in the U.S.A., 1984)

“The lyrics really spoke to me, and it stuck to me for a really long time. I find this line especially impactful “you can’t start a fire, worrying about your little world falling a part. ” Step outside your comfort zone. That’s how you live.”

3. Born in the U.S.A. (Born in the U.S.A., 1984)

“The 8-minute version is the best, he winds it up, winds it up then unleashes a phenomenal guitar “solo” worthy of Robert Quine at his best, backed up by Weinberg’s drums and Roy Bittan’s fairground organs. Extremely underrated as a guitar player.”

2. Thunder Road (Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., 1973)

“The lyrics are incredible,. they tell a story that you can smell feel taste and touch. For example, “roll down the window and let the wind blow back your hair”. Not only do you feel that wind, but liberation and excitement as well. When Bruce writes about the “amusement park”, the music changes to the sounds of a merry go- round, which is just one of them was that he links the music and lyrics together, which shows his genius.”

1. Born to Run (Born to Run, 1975)

“Definitely the youth anthem of the ’70s. This timeless song of The Boss’s will always live on as one of the greatest rock songs ever. My favorite Bruce Springsteen song. I was never alive to listen to him in his prime but nothing beats this classic hit!”