Born In The USA (Song Twins Edition)

Bruce Springsteen’s first take on “Born In The USA” was dark. Despairingly dark. 

It was a folk song (check out the demo from the Nebraska sessions) and leaned heavy on the blues of being born in the USA.

Somewhere along his journey, Bruce codified what makes him Bruce, and put the blues in the verses, with the gospel in the chorus. 

That’s the song that became the hit we all know today. 

If an idea is good, work it until it works. 

If you know what makes things work, why not apply that to your good (but not yet great) ideas?

Here are both versions. 

Ps. yes, I’ve written about this before, here.