After 30 years and more than 15 million album sales, fans still can’t get enough of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA.” To mark the anniversary of The Boss’ most successful collection (first released in 1984), the tribute album “Dead Man’s Town” compiles country/folk versions of every one of the 12 tracks from artists such as Low, Nicole Atkins, Justin Townes Earl, Blitzen Trapper, and Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires.
The tribute album is released on Lightning Rod Records on Tuesday, but to celebrate further, here are 10 things you didn’t know about Springsteen’s original chart-topping American classic.
1. The famous title track was first recorded acoustically
It was recorded at the same time as the rest of the material on 1982’s “Nebraska” album. This bare-bones version was largely unheard until 1998, when it surfaced on “Tracks” — the box set of Bruce outtakes and rarities.
2. Many thought the song was a patriotic anthem when it was released…
Although “Born in the USA” was written from the perspective of a Vietnam veteran struggling to reintegrate into society, many considered the song a pro-USA anthem, including Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale, who were battling it out during the 1984 presidential campaign. Both name-checked Bruce in speeches at the time, and on both occasions, Springsteen and his management had to distance the singer from the campaigns.
3. …and again 20 years later
Although Springsteen hesitated to show any political affiliation at the time of the album’s release, a track off “Born in the USA” would become politically significant 20 years later: “No Surrender” became John Kerry’s campaign song in his failed 2004 presidential bid, and Bruce even performed it at one rally in Ohio.
4. ‘Cover Me’ was originally written for disco diva Donna Summer
However, Springsteen’s manager Jon Landau advised him to keep it for himself. Good advice, as the song was released as a single and hit No. 7 on the Billboard Chart.
Although Springsteen hesitated to show any political affiliation at the time of the album’s release, a track off “Born in the USA” would become politically significant 20 years later: “No Surrender” became John Kerry’s campaign song in his failed 2004 presidential bid, and Bruce even performed it at one rally in Ohio.
5. Annie Leibovitz shot the iconic album cover
Some fans thought Springsteen was actually urinating on the flag, but he denied that in a 1984 interview with Rolling Stone.
However, Springsteen’s manager Jon Landau advised him to keep it for himself. Good advice, as the song was released as a single and hit No. 7 on the Billboard Chart.
6. ‘Dancing in the Dark’ was almost never written
Late in the recording of “Born in the USA,” Landau insisted the album was still lacking a surefire hit single. After an argument in which Bruce reportedly snapped, “If you want another one, you write it,” Springsteen’s frustration led him to come up with “Dancing in the Dark.” It peaked at No. 2 in the Billboard Chart and is still Springsteen’s biggest hit to date.
7. Brian De Palma directed the video for ‘Dancing in the Dark’
Most people know the video features a young Courteney Cox busting out some highly embarrassing dance moves, but less well known is that the video was directed by Brian De Palma — just a year after the release of his masterpiece, “Scarface.”
8. The ‘Glory Days’ video was filmed in Hoboken
The video even used the actual bartenders who worked at Maxwell’s at the time.
9. More than 70 songs were recorded for the album
One of them was titled “Pink Cadillac.” It didn’t make the final cut, being relegated instead to a B-side for the “Dancing in the Dark” single. Four years later, the track was covered by Natalie Cole, who turned it into a Top 10 hit.
10. The Boss used his old home for the ‘My Hometown’ sleeve
Art for the single, released in 1985, featured Bruce standing outside the backyard of his old home at 39 ½ Institute St., Freehold, NJ. The house still stands and attracts hardcore Springsteenites to this day.