On This Day in 1984, Bruce Springsteen’s Most Successful Album Started a Seven-Week Run at No. 1

On this day (July 7) in 1984, Bruce Springsteen went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with Born in the U.S.A. The album spent seven consecutive weeks atop the publication’s all-genre albums chart. The iconic LP also topped the charts in eight other countries and became the No. 1 album of 1984 in the United States. More than four decades later, it remains the Boss’ best-selling record.

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Springsteen released his seventh studio album, Born in the U.S.A., on June 4, 1984. A little more than a month later, the Boss celebrated his second No. 1 album. He first reached the top of the all-genre albums chart in 1980 with The River.

[RELATED: “Not the Record I Was Interested in Making”: Bruce Springsteen Reveals Why He’s Not a Fan of His Most Popular Album]

This album followed his solo project, Nebraska, and represented a return to form for Springsteen and the band. However, the songs on the LP leaned into the sounds of pop music more than any of their previous releases. This helped the album draw a wider audience, likely leading to its international success. While the album’s sound was a little more mainstream, Springsteen’s lyrics hadn’t softened. The album saw him once again singing about the struggles of the working class, relationships, and life in the United States.

Born in the U.S.A. Brought Bruce Springsteen Seven Top 10 Hits

Bruce Springsteen released seven singles from Born in the U.S.A. All of them reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. This made it more than a massively successful album. It is one of only three LPs to send seven singles to the top 10 of the Hot 100. Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 were the only other albums to do so.

Only “Dancing in the Dark” was released before the album. It was also the most successful of the seven singles, peaking at No. 2 on the Hot 100. It also became one of his most successful singles on the chart because he has never notched a No. 1 single on the all-genre survey.

“Cover Me,” the album’s title track, “I’m on Fire,” “Glory Days,” “I’m Goin’ Down,” and “My Hometown” also landed within the top 10.

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