Top 20 Springsteen Songs

Totally subjective, but sit back and experience the Boss at work.

Given my age, I’m one of the millions of fans who discovered Bruce through his monster album Born in the USA in 1984. I think I knew who he was before, likely through “Hungry Heart,” but there’s no doubt that USA put him front and center.

I saw him live on that tour and it was unlike any concert I had ever been to. Simply amazing, even if I had seats behind the stage. Given that the show was nearly four hours, he spent plenty of time performing to the cheap seats.

I personally loved his follow-up Tunnel of Love which was a bold departure in sound. In those years I dug deeper into his catalogue and will never forget discovering Born to Run on vinyl.

I’ve kept up ever since, but do admit to losing interest in the run of albums from Magic to High Hopes. I listened to all of them and really liked some songs. But, somehow they just kind of came and went for me. Given my streaming habits, he wasn’t alone and I should give those albums another chance.

That said, some things in his later career really stuck out with me and the brilliant film of his amazing Broadway show sparked a renewed interest.

My favorite songs might change on any given day, and it’s in no particular order, but here’s what I’ve come up with:

“Bobby Jean”
From the album Born in the USA — 1984

An underrated gem from the album that took Bruce to a whole new level.

“Two Faces”
From the album Tunnel of Love — 1987

Much of this album documented the crumbling of his first marriage and this is no exception. Love the 60s-style keyboard solo which seems like a direct homage to the Animals on “House of the Rising Sun.”

“Hungry Heart”
From the album The River — 1980

It took almost a decade for Bruce to achieve his first top 5 hit. And while the music is unabashedly pop, the lyrics are far from happy.

“Brilliant Disguise”
From the album Tunnel of Love — 1987

Arguably one of his most personal songs and most effective videos.

“There Goes My Miracle”
From the album Western Stars — 2019

In the last decade Springsteen has been on an artistic tear, trying new things out of his comfort zone. I love this entire album with western concept, SoCal 70s pop sound akin to Glen Campbell with strings that could have been arranged by Burt Bacharach.

“Born to Run”
From the album Born to Run — 1975

Of course it’s overplayed, but it’s overplayed for a reason. Most would call it the quintessential Springsteen song.

“Blinded by the Light”
From the album Greetings From Asbury Park — 1973

Bruce had his first #1 as a songwriter with Manfred Mann’s cover of this slinky, infectious song. You can clearly hear his early Dylan influence. Nothing wrong with that.

“Badlands”
From the album Darkness on the Edge of Town — 1978

Hard-driving classic E Street sound.

“Tunnel of Love”
From the album Tunnel of Love — 1987

The carnival metaphor is perfect for this tale of a marriage falling apart. I wouldn’t put it with Prince after Purple Rain, but it was close.

“The River”
From the album The River — 1980

One of Springsteen’s greatest strengths as a writer is his ability to write evocative short story songs. There’s no doubt this is one of the best.

“Pay Me My Money Down”
From the album We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions — 2006

This whole joyous album of covers can’t help but to put a smile on your face. This is the best example with a song that just keeps building and building and building. Watching Conan O’Brien have the time of his life in this clip makes it even better.

“My Hometown”
From the album Born in the USA — 1984

At the time this was released I lived in a highly segregated small southern town which made this song all the more powerful. Pretty amazing given the lyrical content that this was released as a single, the seventh (and final) from that huge album.

“Cover Me” (Live)
From the album Live 1975-85 — 1986

The Born version is great, but I love the moody opening of the live version even better. Still distinctly remember this when I saw him on the Born tour at the Pontiac Silverdome.

“Tenth Avenue Freeze Out”
From the album Born to Run — 1975

A horn-drenched banger from an album filled with classics. This live version is a snapshot of a hungry band just killing it.

“Sundown”
From the album Western Stars — 2019

Just an amazing vocal performance for a man at his age. A great theme, a great album.

“Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”
From the album The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle — 1973

A live classic and proof point of the E Street band as one of the best ever.

“I’m on Fire”
From the album Born in the USA — 1984

“Sometimes it’s like someone took a knife, baby, edgy and dull and cut a six-inch valley through the middle of my skull” is one of my favorite Bruce lines ever.

“Atlantic City”
From the album Nebraska — 1982

While I love the Bruce original, I might even like the cover by The Band even more given Levon Helm’s amazing interpretation.

“Spirit in the Night”
From the album Greetings From Asbury Park — 1973

So infectious. I have distinct memories of listening to this songs multiple times on a Bahamas fishing trip.

“Thunder Road”
From the album Born to Run — 1975

On an album filled with drama this song stands atop the field for me, even more than “Born to Run.” It is the epitome of a classic Springsteen song, with a flawed character longing for freedom. It’s as good as it gets, in my humble opinion.

Bruce Bonus: Silverdome Setlist