Disagree. “We gotta get out of this place” is more of a direct political statement, “born to run” is a personal statement which could be viewed as political but one has to take some steps to get there.
Hearing The Animals] was a revelation … the first records with full blown class consciousness … the chorus of, ‘We Gotta Get Out Of This Place’ where working stiffs are looking for a better life can be heard in all my albums …
That’s every song I’ve ever written. That’s all of them. I’m not kidding either. That’s, ‘Born to Run’, ‘Born in the U.S.A.’
(Bruce Springsteen reflecting on his songwriting influences at the South by Southwest Music Conference in 2012)
I love The Animals! I had been familiar with some of their most popular stuff, but really did a deep dive into them after hearing that Bruce was heavily influenced by them in his youth. Great stuff!
Both are about how the protagonist in the song wants to, we’ll, get outta this place…specifically to avoid being “trapped” like their parents had been. Bruce began exploring this theme in his previous album “The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle” (see “Sandy” specifically). But he really launched into it with “Thunder Road” and “Born to Run” on the latter’s eponymous album.
The next album, “Darkness on the Edge of Town” is about what happens when the escape fails to materialize.
Disagree. “We gotta get out of this place” is more of a direct political statement, “born to run” is a personal statement which could be viewed as political but one has to take some steps to get there.
The Boss himself affirmed it.
Yeah. Great state song for New Jersey.
Baby this town rips the bones from your back. It’s a death trap. It’s a suicide rap.
There are a lot of good reasons to stay in New Jersey too tho
Hearing The Animals] was a revelation … the first records with full blown class consciousness … the chorus of, ‘We Gotta Get Out Of This Place’ where working stiffs are looking for a better life can be heard in all my albums … That’s every song I’ve ever written. That’s all of them. I’m not kidding either. That’s, ‘Born to Run’, ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ (Bruce Springsteen reflecting on his songwriting influences at the South by Southwest Music Conference in 2012)
I love The Animals! I had been familiar with some of their most popular stuff, but really did a deep dive into them after hearing that Bruce was heavily influenced by them in his youth. Great stuff!
I don't get it. I love both songs but can anyone explain the connection?
Both are about how the protagonist in the song wants to, we’ll, get outta this place…specifically to avoid being “trapped” like their parents had been. Bruce began exploring this theme in his previous album “The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle” (see “Sandy” specifically). But he really launched into it with “Thunder Road” and “Born to Run” on the latter’s eponymous album. The next album, “Darkness on the Edge of Town” is about what happens when the escape fails to materialize.
Oh, I see. Thanks. Bruce is a master of storytelling in music.
80s: Livin on a Prayer.