Whether it's happy and inspirational ("Born to Run"), rueful ("Nebraska"), lustful ("Rosalita"), or all the above ("Hungry Heart"), Springsteen has a way of making us feel every aspect of his music. The man may be called "the Boss," but underneath that persona is a human being with emotions pouring onto the page. That's what makes his music so special. Whether you are feeling down or ready to conquer the world, one of the songs on our list is bound to connect with you. All you have to do is listen.
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'Born to Run' (1975)
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In 1975, Springsteen burst onto the scene with a track about two lovers on the run. The song was an instant hit, charting at No. 3 and showcasing the tornado of energy that would mark his 50-year career.
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'Badlands' (1978)
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Springsteen was inspired by the Animals when he wrote this song about bad luck. You can hear the band's riff in the background, but this is Bruce through and through.
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'Born in the U.S.A' (1984)
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The song that most people associate with Springsteen is "Born in the U.S.A." The track has one of the most iconic choruses of all time and is in hundreds of movies and thousands of karaoke machines. If you haven't heard it, you must live under a rock.
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'Nebraska' (1982)
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Bringing a much different vibe and starker sound to the table, "Nebraska" is a song that many Springsteen fans tend to ignore. It's about a man who is alienated from his country and, when he can't take it anymore, goes on a killing spree in the fields of Omaha.
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'Racing in the Street' (1978)
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In 1978, Springsteen wrote this song about two lovers who dream of something better on the horizon. It's a train wreck of a song — a 10-car-pile-up of lost dreams, regrets, and losses that Springsteen sings with almost unbearable melancholy.
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'No Surrender' (1984)
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"No Surrender" tells another story of people who want to break free, but this time with a more optimistic tone. The horizon is now something worth running toward, and what better way to run toward it than this sunny banger?
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'Rosalita' (1973)
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No, that's not Van Morrison, though it does sound like him. Bruce's first anthem is a soul track with string sections that sound like Van the Man at his best. The only difference? Bruce ain't messing around.
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'I'm on Fire' (1984)
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Springsteen may not be the most romantic musician, but he does know how to turn you on. From the soft drums to the steamy vocals, he stokes the flame of your desire throughout this iconic track.
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'Blinded by the Light' (1973)
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Even though it doesn't make any sense,"Blinded by the Light" has the kind of energy that speaks to you clearly. Play it loud, and let it shine!
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'New York City Serenade' (1973)
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This 10-minute pastiche is still one of the best tracks ever written about New York. It's an ode to the city in all its grandeur, complete with a number of beat switches and poetic asides about the people who make this city so special.
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'Jungleland' (1975)
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Another 10-minute track from Springsteen. This one takes all the themes from his career — cars, gangs, dreamers, and lovers — and lets them loose in a rock opera with more flare than most singers pack into their entire career.
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'Thunder Road' (1975)
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"Thunder Road" is another song in Springsteen's career that speaks to the need to break free. Released in 1975, it takes us down a road of fast cars, guitar solos, saxophone riffs, and vocals that sound like the engine of a train.
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'Incident on 57th Street' (1973)
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"57th Street" tells the story of a man who is on the road to redemption. The song tracks his journey from being a sex worker to being a good husband for his family. Complete with piano solos and expansive, world-building lyrics, it became the road map for Springsteen's next album, Born to Run.
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'Brilliant Disguise' (1987)
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This is what Taylor Swift has spent her entire career trying to write. Featuring lyrics about love on the verge of loss, it sees Springsteen questioning his relationship with actress Julianne Phillips, who would divorce him one year later.
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'Darkness on the Edge of Town' (1978)
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Yet another song that is deeply autobiographical, "Darkness on the Edge of Town" sees Bruce dealing with divorce and a broken heart. It's a staple of his live shows and showcases a wall of sound that is pure Phil Spector.
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'The River' (1980)
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Springsteen does write happy songs. Promise. But this ain't one of 'em. The title track of his fourth album, "The River" is about two lovers who can't make enough money to support their baby and go down to the river to end it all. It's one of the most harrowing tracks ever written.
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'4th of July, Asbury Park' (1973)
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An early indication of Springsteen's powerhouse vocals and lyrical storytelling, "4th of July" is a love letter to the town of Asbury Park, where the artist grew up and met a girl named Sandy. It's one of those ballads you can listen to again and again.
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'Hungry Heart' (1980)
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This upbeat track sees Bruce at the peak of his powers. The organ, the guitar, the vocals: It's all perfection.
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'Atlantic City' (1982)
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The standout from Bruce's acoustic album Nebraska, "Atlantic City" is one of his more dour records, with ghosts, harmonicas, and a city on the verge of extinction.
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'Dancing in the Dark' (1984)
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Well, it wouldn't be a Bruce list without it. The most famous song of his 50-year-career, "Dancing in the Dark" remains one of the catchiest tunes ever written. From the chorus to the saxophone, this is one of those tracks that makes you want to dance until the end of time.
Asher Luberto is a film critic for L.A. Weekly, The Playlist, The Progressive and The Village Voice.
