About the song
Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run is more than just an album; it’s a sonic odyssey that captured the hearts and minds of a generation. Released in 1975, this third studio album marked a significant turning point in Springsteen’s career, propelling him from a regional favorite to a global superstar.
The album’s creation was a labor of love, with Springsteen and the E Street Band spending countless hours perfecting their sound. Inspired by Phil Spector’s iconic “Wall of Sound” production, they crafted a rich, layered soundscape that was both exhilarating and intimate. The title track, a sprawling anthem about youthful dreams and the desire for escape, is a testament to their meticulous attention to detail.
Beyond its sonic brilliance, Born to Run is a lyrical masterpiece. Springsteen’s evocative storytelling paints vivid pictures of characters yearning for a better life. His songs are filled with romantic imagery of highways, travel, and the allure of the unknown. While his earlier work had been deeply rooted in his native New Jersey, Born to Run takes listeners on a journey beyond the Garden State, exploring universal themes of longing, hope, and the American dream.
The album’s impact was undeniable. It reached number three on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart and spawned two hit singles, “Born to Run” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.” However, its success was not without controversy. Some critics questioned whether Springsteen’s newfound fame was warranted, arguing that his music was overblown and lacking in substance. Despite the backlash, Born to Run quickly solidified Springsteen’s status as a cultural icon.
In the decades since its release, Born to Run has only grown in stature. It has been hailed as a masterpiece, a timeless record that captures the spirit of an era. Its influence can be heard in the music of countless artists, and it continues to inspire new generations of listeners. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering it for the first time, Born to Run is a must-listen album that will transport you to a world of dreams, desires, and endless possibilities.
Video
Lyrics
In the day we sweat it out on the streets
Of a runaway American dream
At night we ride through the mansions of glory
In suicide machines
Sprung from cages on Highway 9
Chrome wheeled, fuel injected, and steppin’ out over the line
Oh, baby this town rips the bones from your back
It’s a death trap, it’s a suicide rap
We gotta get out while we’re young
‘Cause tramps like us, baby, we were born to run
Yes, girl, we were
Wendy, let me in, I wanna be your friend
I wanna guard your dreams and visions
Just wrap your legs ’round these velvet rims
And strap your hands ‘cross my engines
Together we could break this trap
We’ll run ’til we drop, baby, we’ll never go back
Oh, will you walk with me out on the wire?
‘Cause, baby, I’m just a scared and lonely rider
But I gotta know how it feels
I want to know if love is wild
Babe, I want to know if love is real
Oh, can you show me
Beyond the Palace, hemi-powered drones
Scream down the boulevard
Girls comb their hair in rearview mirrors
And the boys try to look so hard
The amusement park rises bold and stark
Kids are huddled on the beach in the mist
I wanna die with you, Wendy, on the street tonight
In an everlasting kiss
The highway’s jammed with broken heroes
On a last chance power drive
Everybody’s out on the run tonight
But there’s no place left to hide
Together, Wendy, we can live with the sadness
I’ll love you with all the madness in my soul
Oh, someday, girl, I don’t know when
We’re gonna get to that place
Where we really wanna go and we’ll walk in the sun
But ’til then, tramps like us
Baby, we were born to run
Oh honey, tramps like us
Baby, we were born to run
Come on with me, tramps like us
Baby, we were born to run