One of Bruce Springsteen’s most beloved albums might be Born to Run from 1975, which marked his considerable effort to break into the mainstream. While his first two albums were commercial flops, his third helped him make a name for himself. However, Born to Run wasn’t the record that brought Springsteen the most satisfaction in his career.
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The goal of Born to Run, for Springsteen, was to make “the Greatest Record Somebody’s Ever Heard,” as he told Entertainment Weekly in 2003. “I was filled with arrogance and thought, I can do that, y’know?” he admitted.
Bruce Springsteen may have achieved that goal in many ways for fans and critics. But for himself, the artist, another album came along later that surpassed Born to Run‘s success, bringing with it a sense of satisfaction.
In 2002, Springsteen released The Rising, his 12th album. It was based heavily on his reactions to and reflections on the September 11th attacks the year prior. A heavy and emotional subject, but Springsteen felt that this album successfully represented his legacy. Additionally, it represented the E Street Band’s legacy, especially on tour.
Bruce Springsteen’s Album ‘The Rising’ and the Legacy of the E Street Band
Shortly after the album’s release, Bruce Springsteen spoke about how its success made him feel. The Rising was also a critical and commercial success, much like Born to Run. Springsteen had been firmly established for many years at that point. This also affected his feeling of satisfaction with the album.
“If I had to measure it all up I don’t think I’ve ever been as satisfied as I am right now,” he said. “The combination of this particular record coming at this particular time, and the band being present and everybody being alive and accounted for — only a few bands can say that.”
Not only was the album itself a huge accomplishment for Bruce Springsteen, but so was the longevity of his band.
“We go to Europe and the front of the stage is filled with 15-, 16-, 17-year-olds — they see [the E Street Band]. Who stood there 30 years ago,” he continued. “And not only are my guys still there, they still mean it.”
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage
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