What can I say about this album? Apart from being the best-selling album of 1985 in the United States (and also Springsteen's most successful album ever), selling 15 million copies in the U.S alone, and 30 million worldwide, the album produced a record-tying string of seven Top 10 singles (tied with Michael Jackson's ‘Thriller’ and Janet Jackson's ‘Rhythm Nation 1814’) and also a worldwide concert tour (the two-year Born in the U.S.A. Tour) that was a success.

But actually there is so much more. It features some of the most radio-friendly performances in Springsteen's entire discography, to becoming 1985's biggest-selling LP, spending 84 weeks in Billboard's Top 10.

The smash-hit opening title track Born in the USA sets the tone for the album with its triumphant keyboard riff; irresistibly infectious synth hook, and a drum sound beat that you cannot miss. Then another big hit, Cover Me comes in, and it is arguably Bruce's hardest-rocking and most guitar-driven number, as the best rock songs are the ones with the best guitar riffs.

Downbound Train shows Springsteen’s raw kind of singing and song writing, but it’s so stripped back compared to other songs. A similar production comes on the very beautiful I’m on Fire.  You cannot also miss out Cover Me, Darlington County.

The other toppers here are Cover Me arguably Bruce's hardest-rocking and most guitar-driven number.  Next in line is some early rock and roll music with the bluesy Darlington County and the rockabilly-esque Workin' On The Highway. The temp cools a bit with Downbound Train and the hit single I'm On Fire, which as I said, is among the softest numbers Bruce has laid so far. Both songs are brilliant. Same goes for the ballad My Hometown. There’s also the repetitious I'm Goin' Down, to Glory Days which has some brilliant keyboard and guitar riffs that gets your feet stomping. You cannot miss the rocker of the whole album and the standout the semi-soft arena rocker Dancing In The Dark that is just terrific.

To the nitty gritty of this album, ‘Born in the U.S.A’ was the seventh studio album by American rock singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on 4^th June, 1984. It was released by Columbia Records on June 4, 1984. The album's music was written by Springsteen and recorded with his E Street Band and producers Chuck Plotkin and Jon Landau at The Power Station and The Hit Factory in New York City.

A critical and commercial success, it found Springsteen making it big overnight. While its predecessor, the dark and acoustic ‘Nebraska’, featured songs of pessimism and isolation, ‘Born in the U.S.A’ on the other hand had lyrics that expressed signs of hope in the daily fight of the ordinary American in following the American Dream.

Playing this album on your turntable you will surely find that there is a certain richness and depth that only vinyl has (the original pressing ones), but has been lost in CDs.

‘Born in the USA’ is regarded bymost critics as one of Springsteen's finest albums ever.

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira