"I followed my gut and where it took me and tried to write about things that were important and are important, and I still try to do that." ~ Bruce Springsteen
On this day in 1984, Bruce Springsteen released Born In The U.S.A., his seventh studio album.
The album, with the iconic cover of Springsteen's denim-clad behind and the American flag, photographed by Annie Leibovitz, sold over 15 million copies, had seven top 10 singles, and stayed on the charts for over two years.
He said the release changed his life, grew his audience, and forced him to look deeper at his songwriting craft.
"When I was 9, I couldn’t imagine anyone not wanting to be Elvis Presley," said Springsteen, who grew up on the New Jersey shore and formed his first group while still in his teens.
Time has been good to Springsteen and his music. Ardent fans have grown up with the singer and stood in line for tickets to see him in concert.
In June, 1999, fifteen years after the release of Born In The U.S.A., Springsteen and The E Street Band set a new record for concert sales at Jersey's Meadowlands.
In just 13 hours, hometown fans snapped up 300,000 tickets for 15 shows. The sellout was an industry record for large arenas, breaking the previous record also set by Springsteen back in 1992.
In retrospect, Springsteen said the song Born In The U.S.A. "stood by itself."
"My heroes, from Hank Williams to Frank Sinatra to Bob Dylan, were popular musicians. They had hits. There was value in trying to connect with a large audience."
Follow your gut and say what is important.