Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration
Original post date: July 3, 2012
“I’m ten years burning down the road / Nowhere to run, ain’t got nowhere to go…”
Released at the height of Reagan-era patriotism, “Born In The U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen became one of the most misunderstood songs in American pop history. Often mistaken for a fist-pumping anthem of national pride due to its thunderous chorus and stadium-sized production, the song is actually a fierce critique of how America treats its working-class veterans.
Originally released as the title track to Springsteen’s 1984 album, “Born In The U.S.A.” was issued as a 12″ single in 1985, backed with “Shut Out the Light.” The single version boasted an extended intro and booming mix that pushed Max Weinberg’s snare hits front and center, paired with Roy Bittan’s iconic synth riff that practically defined ‘80s heartland rock.
Produced by Chuck Plotkin, Jon Landau, and Springsteen himself, this version of the song was a club-ready update to the album cut—without losing an ounce of its gritty, anthemic fire. It’s Springsteen at his most anthemic, yet still bleeding through with disillusionment, despair, and blue-collar rage.
While “Born In The U.S.A.” is one of Springsteen’s signature tracks, its chart performance is often overshadowed by the massive success of other singles from the same album. “Born In The U.S.A.” reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1985. It was the third of seven top 10 singles from the album “Born In The U.S.A.”, which also tied Michael Jackson’s record for the most top 10 singles from one album.
Despite—or perhaps because of—its lyrical complexity and booming sound, “Born In The U.S.A.” was quickly adopted as a campaign theme by politicians (notably Ronald Reagan, mistakenly), sports teams, and patriotic rallies. But listen closely, and the pain of forgotten veterans and working-class struggle comes roaring through. It’s a song with dual identities: triumphant and tragic.
This 12″ remix captures that paradox perfectly—its towering production commands attention, but under the layers of synth and reverb, Springsteen’s voice still carries the weight of a soldier’s haunted memories.
SIDE A:
Born In The U.S.A. (The Freedom Mix) 7:20
SIDE B:
Born In The U.S.A. (Dub) 7:40
Born In The U.S.A. (Radio) 6:11
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-85 | Born In The U.S.A. | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #9 |
| 1984-85 | Born In The U.S.A. | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #8 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 44-05147
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo
Country: US
Released: Jan 10, 1985
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Design – Andrea Klein
- Edited By – The Latin Rascals
- Engineer – Toby Scott
- Lacquer Cut By [Runout Etching Ⓗ] – Greg Calbi
- Mastered By – George Marino
- Photography By – Annie Leibovitz
- Producer – Bruce Springsteen, Chuck Plotkin, Jon Landau, Steve Van Zandt
- Recorded By – Toby Scott
- Remix – Arthur Baker
NOTES:
From the LP “BORN IN THE U.S.A.”
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Thanks for the post Paul! As usual, you offer some great gems to us. Unfortunately, today Bruce is washed up and not aware that his time passed – he not only disrespect half of the country but shames it with his current tantrums at his recent concerts. Looks like democracy only works when your side wins. America is slowly awakening from the lefty nightmare and it is in the road to recovery but of course arts are a complete echo chamber for left ideas. I just have to LOL at millionaries virtue signaling when they know zero about the real… Read more »
A large serving of Bruce really hits the spot these days.
Thanks again, PaulT!
A key song by a titan of music – and so misunderstood by so many. Hearing his original demo for it on the Tracks box set (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22Gh1wQEe1I) shows what an ambiguous song it actually is, not the chest-thumper it was claimed to be by conservatives and others. Also, loving the comments here in this thread … it’s helpful to hear of others looking to music and artists like this in these sad days for our beautiful country. Bruce is right – we can live up to the ideals our nation was based on, or we can fail – it’s up… Read more »
I had all three (four, if you count the UK four track 12 inch for Glory Days) of the 12 inch singles for the album…and, to me, Born In The USA seemed the least likely choice for a remix! Something about the mix seemed off to me, but I don’t blame Arthur Baker for this, as his other remixes were awesome.
Man, the timing of you sharing this 12″ is impeccable, considering the feud between THE BOSS and the Orange Clown! In my opinion, this is a truly PATRIOTIC song, as it emphasizes the importance of “We The People” in the way most of us understand it: A community of people who love and respect each other! THANK YOU for another fantastic 12″!!!
Couldn’t have said it better myself! The timing really did line up, didn’t it? Born in the U.S.A. is often misunderstood, but at its core, it is deeply patriotic—just not in the flag-waving, surface-level way. It’s about accountability, truth, and the real lives behind the slogans. A community that stands up for each other, not over each other.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment and for being part of this space! So glad you’re enjoying the 12″!
Well, I guess we finally understand how the (normal) Germans felt in 1933, watching their country being taken hostage by a populist.
Paul 1st thing welcome back and glad you are on the road to recovery.my friend, I know it’s been a long time since we chatted from the Perdro days but glad you are on your own site as I visit alot for your great 12″ vinyls. Thank you for all you do. Be Well.
Thank you so much—truly means a lot! It’s great to hear from you again after all this time—those Pedro days feel like a lifetime ago! I’m really grateful to still be able to share the music I love, and even more grateful for longtime friends like you who’ve stuck around for the journey. Thanks for the kind words and support—it keeps me going. Be well, and don’t be a stranger!
This song manages to be both a protest song and incredibly patriotic, which is no small feat. My appreciation for Bruce has only grown over the years. This is essentially the 80’s version of the national anthem. Nice to get these Arthur Baker re-touches here, these versions, which got plenty of air at the time have been left as footnotes, Thank you Paul, nice to see the 12″ versions getting some love here.
Beautifully said, Joey—completely agree. It takes a rare kind of artistry to craft a song that challenges while still inspiring pride, and Bruce nailed that balance. Born in the U.S.A. really is like the national anthem of the ’80s, full of grit, soul, and truth. And yes, the Arthur Baker mixes brought a whole new edge that deserves way more recognition than they’ve gotten over the years. I’m so glad to give these 12″ versions their moment again. Thanks for the thoughtful words and for listening!
I had a (great) feeling you would post either this or Dancing In The Dark today! You don’t disappoint Paul! So excited to have your new restoration of this, and just in time for Memorial Day. I love your description, you really nailed the cultural impact of this single and album. To Martin’s comment on how he feels the Tracks demo version better reflects the lyrics is generally accepted as true. Even Bruce said as much, but he stressed it was the performance of the take that ended up on the album and singles that couldn’t be topped. Hard to… Read more »
Retro Hound—what an awesome and thoughtful comment! I had a strong feeling this one would resonate with you, especially with Memorial Day right around the corner. You completely nailed it: these Arthur Baker and Latin Rascals remixes aren’t replacements—they’re extensions of the original, fully deserving of their spot in the Born in the U.S.A. universe. The way they highlight elements like the “Oh no no no” gives the lyrics even more emotional weight and urgency. It’s a whole new layer of impact. And yes, Bruce himself recognizing the Tracks demo as closer in tone to the message just adds to… Read more »
I am amazingly grateful for the BRUUUUUCE posts! These 12-inches have been gathering dust in my collection waiting for me to get to them – you’ve saved me a lot of time, and the quality of your work puts mine to shame. Could a re-post of “Dancing In The Dark” be in our future? Free speech forever!
Thank you so much—that truly means the world to me! I’m delighted that the BRUUUUCE posts are resonating with you and helping to revitalize your collection.
“Dancing In The Dark” may be coming soon, so stay tuned!
Excellent post. Thanks Paul!
You’re welcome, David. I appreciate your comment 🙂
The alternate version included on “Tracks” which much more reflects the lyrics is miles and miles better than this. (IMHO.)
Totally fair take! The version on Tracks definitely has a raw, haunting quality that hits much closer to the heart of the lyrics. It’s amazing how a different arrangement can completely change the feel of a song. That said, there’s something powerful about the contrast in the original version too—such upbeat energy paired with those heavy lyrics. Just shows how layered Bruce’s work really is!
Are you referring to the DEMO version included in the TRACKS box set?
Track 15 on CD 2. I’m not sure if it’s a demo or not, the notes say “Thrill Hill Recording, January 1982 [Colts Neck studio]”.
Yeah, it’s quite different. He released all 7 demo versions recorded during the Nebraska sessions on YouTube; definitely worth checking out. It started out as an anti-war protest song called Vietnam, but I’m glad he changed it to the pompous fist-in-the-air anthem, not only because it’s a sonic treat, but also because IMHO it emphasizes the satirical take on “being born in the USA”.
I have been listening to a lot of Arthur Baker recently and these posts this week have made it more worthwhile.
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome, Mark 🙂
Another fantastic record from one of the all time greats. A little side note: Bruce rarely performs this song in the USA, but usually plays it when overseas. It still irks him that so many Americans misunderstand what he is actually saying in the song. Such a shame. This song absolutely rocks the entire audience live.
Absolutely—such a powerful track from a legendary artist. And you’re right, it’s wild how often the message gets misinterpreted. That anthemic chorus can really mask the song’s deeper meaning if you’re not listening closely. It makes sense why Bruce tends to break it out more overseas—he’s always been intentional about how his music is received. No matter where it’s played though, it still brings the house down live!
Thanks for the rip, Paul! It’s such a nice treat for the upcoming holiday weekends out in the sun, with a BBQ, etc. Have a great day!
You’re very welcome! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it—perfect soundtrack for some sunshine, good food, and great company. Hope you have an amazing holiday weekend!
Oh wow I don’t recall ever hearing this remix at all!… so funny how so many people don’t listen to lyrics. I’ve always been a lyric guy / liner notes reader. Family debate yesterday whether MJ was saying “shamone” or just pronouncing “come on” in a different way, solved by the original liner notes! (I win 😜). I also recall Philip Bailey being interviewed in a show on EW&F about how people always came up to him proudly proclaiming “Reasons” was the song they danced to at their wedding & him being like “have you listened to the lyrics?” 😆😆😆… Read more »
Haha, love this—totally with you! Liner notes were (and still are!) essential reading for me too. There’s nothing like diving into the lyrics and finding that deeper meaning, especially when the music itself might be saying something completely different on the surface.
Totally agree about Born in the U.S.A.—it’s such a layered, powerful piece of songwriting. Bruce was never chasing pop stardom in the traditional sense. He had (and still has) something to say.
Appreciate your thoughtful comment—glad you’re enjoying the post!
Loving these very timely posts. Thanks! 😀
You’re very welcome, drij 🙂
Fireworks!!! This production for me is, FIREWORKS!! The booming drums and explosive edits and synth stabs, really fire me up!! The song really does carry a profound message, of which I love how you said: “..Springsteen’s voice still carries the weight of a soldier’s haunted memories.” Beautifully put, Paul!! The dub version here is my favorite though!! I’ve made CD mix compilations where I focus on this version with other patriotic songs. It’s a full-on production of sonic pyrotechnics!! Arthur Baker really did an awesome remix with this song!! And my boys, The Latin Rascals, did a great cut and… Read more »
Jeff, your enthusiasm is infectious—I love it!! 🔥 “Sonic pyrotechnics” is such a perfect way to describe this mix! The energy in the production is absolutely electric, and those booming drums and synth stabs really do explode like fireworks. The dub version is a total standout too—so bold and full of edge. Arthur Baker brought his magic for sure, and The Latin Rascals took it to the next level with their razor-sharp edits. I’m thrilled you’re enjoying this one so much and that it made its way into your patriotic mix comps—that sounds epic! Thank you for the kind words… Read more »
What a week! Bruuuuuuuuce! Thanks!
Bruuuuuuce always delivers! Glad you’re enjoying it. 🙂