Songs That Changed the World--The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era: "Born in the U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen

The songs we are featuring are timeless in their message and are among the most important songs of the Rock Era.  Lest anyone get confused, the songs know no boundaries, no countries.  For we are all part of the same world.  I hope that I (and you) can reflect on each of these songs that have been chosen and ponder how we might become better people, better friends and better citizens of the world.


The September 11 song "Fragile" by Sting reminded us that "Nothing ever comes from violence...Nothing ever could."  This song is critical of the United States, its foreign policy and its mistreatment of veterans when they return home.  "Born in the U.S.A.", the great song from Bruce Springsteen.

"Born in the U.S.A."

by Bruce Springsteen

Words and Music by Bruce Springsteen




Born down in a dead man's town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
Till you spend half your life just covering up

 Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.

 Got in a little hometown jam so they put a rifle in my hand
Sent me off to a foreign land to go and kill the yellow man

 Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.

 Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man says "son if it was up to me"
Went down to see my V.A. man
He said "son don't you understand now"

 Had a brother at Khe Sahn fighting off the Viet Cong
They're still there he's all gone
He had a woman he loved in Saigon
I got a picture of him in her arms now

 Down in the shadow of penitentiary
Out by the gas fires of the refinery
I'm ten years burning down the road
Nowhere to run ain't got nowhere to go

 Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
I'm a long gone daddy in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
I'm a cool rocking daddy in the U.S.A.