Bruce Springsteen Songs Ranked
Bruce Frederick Joseph SpringsteenĀ (born September 23, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is both a solo artist and the leader of theĀ E Street Band. He received critical acclaim for his early 1970s albums and attained worldwide fame upon the release ofĀ Born to RunĀ 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 nicknameĀ āThe Bossā. He has recorded bothĀ rockĀ albums andĀ 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 64Ā million records in the United States, making him one of theĀ worldās best-selling music artists. He has earned numerous awards for his work, including 20Ā Grammy Awards, twoĀ Golden Globes, anĀ Academy Award, and aĀ Tony AwardĀ (forĀ Springsteen on Broadway). Springsteen was inducted into both theĀ Songwriters Hall of FameĀ and theĀ Rock and Roll Hall of FameĀ in 1999, received theĀ Kennedy Center HonorsĀ in 2009, was namedĀ MusiCaresĀ person of the year in 2013, and was awarded theĀ Presidential Medal of FreedomĀ byĀ President Barack ObamaĀ in 2016. Here are all Bruce Springsteen songs ranked.
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20. Darkness on the Edge of Town (Darkness on the Edge of Town, 1978)
āForget the meaning, the feelings, the messageā¦this song just flat out ROCKS! Every time I hear this song, it does go on and onā¦but I donāt want it to end! āso youāve been broken and been hurt..show me somebody who ainātāā¦love it!ā
19. Brilliant Disguise (Tunnel of Love, 1987)
āYouāll 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. Itās a wonderful glimpse into his personal life with a ton of powerful lyrics. A very sad song, but a fantastic song as well.ā
18. The Promised Land (Darkness on the Edge of Town, 1978)
āHarmonica, 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.ā
17. Radio Nowhere (Magic, 2007)
āCatchy and contemporaryā¦ That is why Springsteen has remained relevant and somewhat mainstream. He doesnāt stay in the past, his sound evolves with the years. Radio Nowhere is one of his best!ā
16. Waitinā On a Sunny Day (The Rising, 2002)
āSuch 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 š Definitely my favourite keeps my days exciting! Ā This song is so inspirational too. Long live Bruce, the E-Street band, and long live Rock Nā Roll.ā
See more; Bruce Springsteen Albums Ranked
15. Atlantic City (Nebraska, 1982)
āBruce 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 donāt get picked for the promotion!ā
14. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) (The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, 1973)
āRosalita should be listed at top of this list. It should also be listed as a top ten love song. An excellent, aggressive āRock and Rollā love story. When listening to the Springsteen lyrics, itās not only the content but the way he vocalizes them. You know heās 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.ā
13. Backstreets (Born to Run, 1975)
āBest 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.ā
12. Hungry Heart (The River, 1980)
āItās impossible to choose a favorite Springsteen song (not just for me, I guess) but I chose this one now because itās the song that ALWAYS makes me feel a little better when Iām sad and when Iām not sad, I listen to this song and it makes me feel super happy, haha! I donāt know, itās just an outstanding positive songā
11. Racing in the Street (Darkness on the Edge of Town, 1978)
āThe highlight of every concert where itās played. Lyrics are powerful, but the music is just the most beautiful Iāve er heard. The extended coda is something you wish it never ends. Roy and Max are wonderful on this one.ā
10. Badlands (Darkness on the Edge of Town, 1978)
āLyrically, my favorite Boss song. It really changed my life and opinion about the world. Badlands hits hard, no bones about it. Thereās a kind of loving pain in it. Saxo and guitar are just great in this oneā
9. Iām on Fire (Born in the U.S.A., 1984)
āAlways loved this oneā¦ hard to choose between this one and Glory Days, because I love them both so much! They are so different, but there is just somethingā¦ something about themā¦ One of my favorites from The Boss.ā
8. Glory Days (Born in the U.S.A., 1984)
āThis is one of Bruceās 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 Roadā
7. Streets of Philadelphia (Philadelphia: Music From the Motion Picture, 1993)
āThe story, the beat, the stringsā¦ Everything. Bruce can paint a beautiful painting with his words. This song makes you feel great! Its Pure Music sensitive and beautiful! Ā If it doesnāt move you, you havenāt got a heart.ā
See more: Kenny Rogers Albums Ranked
6. Jungleland (Born to Run, 1975)
āThis 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 Bruceā
5. The River (The River, 1980)
āThe lyrics are just awesome, and the music fits the lyrics perfectly. And then Springsteenās voice which makes it even better! Incredibly deeply meaningful song. Springsteenās best by far. Tells a story of his life and puts it into the words of his song.ā
4. Dancing in the Dark (Born in the U.S.A., 1984)
āThe lyrics really spoke to me, and it stuck to me for a really long time. I find this line especially impactful āyou canāt start a fire, worrying about your little world falling a part. ā Step outside your comfort zone. Thatās how you live.ā
3. Born in the U.S.A. (Born in the U.S.A., 1984)
āThe 8-minute version is the best, he winds it up, winds it up then unleashes a phenomenal guitar āsoloā worthy of Robert Quine at his best, backed up by Weinbergās drums and Roy Bittanās fairground organs. Extremely underrated as a guitar player.ā
2. Thunder Road (Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., 1973)
āThe lyrics are incredible,. they tell a story that you can smell feel taste and touch. For example, āroll down the window and let the wind blow back your hairā. Not only do you feel that wind, but liberation and excitement as well. When Bruce writes about the āamusement parkā, 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.ā
1. Born to Run (Born to Run, 1975)
āDefinitely the youth anthem of the ā70s. This timeless song of The Bossās 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!ā