Walker Smith

800966792
UWRT 1102
Professor Kashtan
2/22/17
Born in the U.S.A Analysis

Ask anyone born before 1990 what the definition of Americana is, and the answer more likely

than not will be Bruce Springsteen. Bruce Springsteen is a New Jersey based song writer who

rose to prominence in the 70s, as part of the E Street Band. He is known for his brand of

working class, America-centric music. For this essay, I have chosen to write about one of his

most popular and deceptive songs, Born in the U.S.A.

Born in the U.S.A is two different songs when looked at from surface level vs an in-depth

analysis. Bruce tells a story throughout 4 verses in the song, and this story represents the irony of

Born in the U.S.A. The music for the song is very upbeat, and upon a first listen, this seems like

a patriotic song with a catchy tune. This is further added upon by the chorus consisting of I was,

born in the U.S.A. Due to Springsteens previous works, such as Born to Run, which some

consider to be the epitome of Americana, its a logical thought that Born in the U.S.A would be

similar. Born in the U.S.A is the story of a Vietnam veteran, who after returning to the U.S

scarred and broken by war, is unable to find employment in the crumbled economy of his

hometown. The V.A provides him no help, and he is stuck in cycle of unemployment and

helplessness. This song is one mans lament at the American system. He served his country, but

returns to nothing but hopelessness and broken promises. Is this the American dream he was

promised? I was, born in the U.S.A leads to him living a life of hardship, receiving emotional

and physical scars over a pointless war we ended up losing, then being unable to support himself

financially, and as he puts it Nowhere to run, aint got nowhere to go.

1
Walker Smith
800966792
UWRT 1102
Professor Kashtan
2/22/17
This song portrays American identity in a very negative light. It portrays it as broken promises,

hardship, and a sick, cyclic system under the guise of an American Dream. The American

Dream is the premise that with hard work and determination, we can build the life we desire in

America. Springsteens contradiction of this point is found at multiple parts throughout the song,

but one that sticks out in my mind is 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. It was not this mans choice

to join the military, but rather a product of the draft and his inability to stay out of trouble. This

comes from the second verse of the song. This verse is followed by the chorus, then the third

verse. The third verse brings us the lines I had a brother at Khe Sahn, fighting off the Viet Cong,

they're still there, he's all gone. Khe Sahn was one of the bloodier battles of the Vietnam war,

and featured the U.S defending an isolated jungle outpost from a vicious Viet Cong attack. The

outpost they were defending was abandoned shortly after the battle was complete. This brings up

a good question that the song implies implicitly, being what is the point? What is the point of

fighting, loving, respecting, and working for a country that will abandon you and what you have

worked for later? Born in the U.S.A implicitly talks about American identity as this

smokescreen, where underneath suffering lies. At the end of the song, the line Down in the

shadow of the penitentiary, out by the gas fires of the refinery arrives. This line implies that the

man is stuck between a useless factory job and prison. Should this be the fate of someone serving

our country in a pointless war?

This song was extremely popular with mainstream America, becoming almost a new age anthem.

It was ranked by Rolling Stone as the 275th greatest song of all time. Perhaps the most famous

faux pas surrounding Born in the U.S.A was by that of former President Ronald Reagan. While

2
Walker Smith
800966792
UWRT 1102
Professor Kashtan
2/22/17
he never used the song in his campaign, Reagan famously interpreted Springsteen's music as a

"message of hope" for the nation (Anthony). Democrats used the song during the former

President Barack Obama campaign, to describe a splintered country they say desperately needs

new policies and new dreams.(Anthony).

This song aligns more with Springsteens political and socioeconomic beliefs than his other

music. Bruce Springsteen is an outspoken democrat, and has endorsed democratic candidates

such as Barack Obama. Springsteen is like our current President Donald Trump. Both were part

of populist movements, and both appeal to old school, red-blooded Americans. While their

political ideologies couldnt be any more different, it is interesting to note how both of their

messages reach the same audience.

For my visual aid, I chose the single cover for Born in the U.S.A. This album cover provides

the perfect example of the juxtaposition that we see in Born in the U.S.A. From an eye test

perspective, how could this song be anything but pure Americana? It features a young Bruce

3
Walker Smith
800966792
UWRT 1102
Professor Kashtan
2/22/17
Springsteen, wearing blue jeans and slicked back hair, jumping with his guitar in front of an

American flag. This is another example of why America wrongfully perceived Born in the

U.S.A. The upbeat music, catchy chorus, cheerful promotion, and the previous works of Bruce

Springsteen was the perfect storm for a misinterpretation of one of Americas golden boys finest

works. Born in the U.S.A will remain a fixture of the hidden message of the American dream.

While cheery and happy on first glance, a deeper analysis reveals the pain and heartbreak of a

citizen who trusted his government to do the right thing. As we all should know, a scenario in

which that happens has been unlikely at best since the beginning.

In this essay, I talked about how misconstrued the meaning behind Springsteens classic, Born in

the U.S.A is. It is a song that is highly touted as being patriotic, while hiding a deeper more

sinister story of one mans journey between hopelessness, joblessness, and the demons created

during his time at war. Bruce put forth his most compelling message of Americana in an implicit

manner, hiding behind the rah-rah patriotism that dominated America during this time.

4
Walker Smith
800966792
UWRT 1102
Professor Kashtan
2/22/17

Anthony, Ted. "Analysis: 'Born in the USA' returns to politics." USA TODAY. USA TODAY, 28

Aug. 2008. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-08-28-

1306127979_x.htm>.