Top 10 Best Bruce Springsteen Songs

Though it's difficult to narrow down to ten, this list is as good as anyone can submit. Please vote for your favorites or add your own. Keep on rockin'!
The Top Ten
1 Born to Run

Without this song, it would just be us Jersey bums hanging out at the Stone Pony who would know about Bruce. Every kid in NJ understands this song. It broke my heart when Bruce lost his way with all the stupid liberal politics of California. He remains a prophet to us that watched him in those early days.

I remember the first time for me, I bought the album and came home to tell my brother that Springsteen was going to be famous. He said no one from New Jersey ever becomes famous. Oh well. Thanks for the songs, Bruce.

2 Thunder Road

The lyrics are incredible. They tell a story that you can smell, feel, taste, and touch. For example, "roll down the window and let the wind blow back your hair." Not only do you feel that wind, but you experience liberation and excitement as well. When Bruce writes about the "amusement park," the music changes to the sounds of a merry-go-round, which is just one of the ways that he links the music and lyrics together, showcasing his genius.

The music standing alone is a masterpiece. It creates a feeling of excitement, optimism, risk-taking, and a sense that anything is possible.

I could go on and on about this song. I think it has all the ingredients, and then some, for a perfect song.

Can you tell I'm a fan?

3 Born in the U.S.A.

The 8-minute version is the best. He winds it up, winds it up, then unleashes a phenomenal guitar "solo" worthy of Robert Quine at his best, backed up by Weinberg's drums and Roy Bittan's fairground organs. Extremely underrated as a guitar player.

I like how it disses the Vietnam War, and it is also a giant "Go America!" A must-hear for anybody who calls himself patriotic. And also one of my personal favorite songs of all time, it gets me pumped up.

It's really funny that a lot of people don't realize that this is actually a satirical song. Powerful and awesome satirical song.

4 Dancing in the Dark

The lyrics really spoke to me, and it stuck with me for a really long time. I find this line especially impactful: "You can't start a fire, worrying about your little world falling apart." Step outside your comfort zone. That's how you live.

Nothing nicer than that synth riff all through this song, such a great tune. I remember hearing this when I was younger, and I was born in 2003. This song has been around forever.

I love this song, so catchy and it gets inside you and makes you want to dance!

5 The River

I don't understand how people can vote for another song than The River! Have you guys even heard of Bruce Springsteen? Ask Bruce which song's the greatest he has done, and he will say The River!

In my opinion, this is one of the best songs ever. The lyrics are just awesome, and the music fits the lyrics perfectly. And then there's Springsteen's voice, which makes it even better!

Incredibly deeply meaningful song. Springsteen's best by far. Tells a story of his life and puts it into the words of his song.

6 Jungleland

Jungleland and Thunder Road are the best examples of storytelling in music. I think that Jungleland is better in some ways than Thunder Road. First of all, the story and words, no one has ever heard, but know what they mean, like cherry tops. And, of course, the wonderful saxophone solo that makes you not want the song to end. That's why this is the best Bruce Springsteen song out there.

I cannot believe that this song is not ranked higher. It's the best song ever performed and written. The sax solo in this song is performed by the very best, and God must have had a finger in when he did it. RIP Clarence, the best sax player who ever lived.

7 Streets of Philadelphia

I can't say that I'm the biggest Bruce fan, but I sure as hell love this song. The story, the beat, the strings... Everything. Bruce can paint a beautiful painting with his words.

What is this? Streets of Philadelphia at 27? People don't have heart! I feel really bad about this. This song makes you feel great! It's pure music, sensitive and beautiful!

Oh come on, this has got to be amongst the top 5 at least! This is the song that made me a Springsteen fan. More votes, guys! Please!

8 Glory Days

Seriously, this song should at least be in the top 3. It's an amazing song. Reminds me of
Glory days!
They'll pass you by, glory days!
In the wink of a young girl's eyes, glory days.
Glory days.

It tells a great story! And in my opinion, it is one of the best Bruce Springsteen songs, maybe behind Born in the USA and Thunder Road.

This is one of Bruce's best songs, right behind Born to Run and Born in the U.S.A. It's a great upbeat song and very catchy. Good to dance to.

9 Badlands

Lyrically, my favorite Boss song. It really changed my life and opinion about the world.

Badlands hits hard, no bones about it. There's a kind of loving pain in it.

Great lyrics about being in a country you love, but one that needs to change.

10 I'm on Fire

This is the best song by Bruce Springsteen, and I love him. This song deserves the first or second place, if not, top 5. Please listen. It deserves a listen.

I heard this song on the radio, and it just stuck with me ever since. One of my favorites from The Boss.

Leave it up to Americans to get his best songs wrong. This one should be top 10 for sure. I also like Cover Me. Don't like this list at all, except Dancing in the Dark and Born to Run.

The Contenders
11 Racing in the Street

The highlight of every concert where it's played. The lyrics are powerful, but the music is just the most beautiful I've ever heard. The extended coda is something you wish never ends.

The most underrated song ever made should definitely be number 1, and that's saying something. No song by any artist is as perfectly constructed as this.

The final part of this song in every concert is simply the best music a band can play. Roy and Max are wonderful on this one.

12 Backstreets

One of the four posts that 'Born To Run' was built on (back when it was vinyl): Thunder Road, Backstreets, Born to Run, and Jungleland. Not as strong as Jungleland but holds its own against Born to Run. Strong lyrics, heartbreaking story, and every bit what I felt when my Terry broke up with me. Empathy became song.

After more than thirty years, it's still in my song rotation. That groove on my vinyl recording is completely worn out. What a song!

I got the Born to Run album for Christmas in 1980 (I was 11). There was only one record player in the house, so I had to wait for my turn. I immediately played side 2 (for Born to Run) and heard Jungleland for the first time. I thought, "this is as good as it gets."

It wasn't until three months later that I put Side 1 on. The last track is this.

Moral of the story: Never, ever underestimate Bruce Springsteen again.

13 Hungry Heart

It's impossible to choose a favorite Springsteen song (not just for me, I guess), but I chose this one now because it's the song that ALWAYS makes me feel a little better when I'm sad. And when I'm not sad, I listen to this song, and it makes me feel super happy, haha! I don't know, it's just an outstandingly positive song.

Always loved this one... hard to choose between this one and Glory Days because I love them both so much! They are so different, but there is just something... something about them...

Got a wife and kids in Baltimore, Jack... I went out for a ride and I never came back. Like a river that doesn't know where it's flowing, I took a wrong turn and I just kept going.

14 Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)

Rosalita should be listed at the top of this list. It should also be listed as a top ten love song. An excellent, aggressive "Rock and Roll" love story. When listening to Springsteen's lyrics, it's not only the content but the way he vocalizes them. You know he's crazy about her and he wants her to know it. Not all songwriters can tell an exceptional story and harmonize it with great rock and roll.

My favorite Bruce song. I heard it one day on Sirius XM, and the words were incredible. One of my favorite lines to yell along to is, "Well, tell him this is his last chance to get his daughter in a flying romance, 'cause the record company, Rosie, just gave me a big advance!"

15 Atlantic City

Bruce always opens a window to a different point of view. The narrator is planning to do something bad at the same time he reminds his girl to keep warm. The little guy is playing a part in a much bigger world and trying to take control of his life in any desperate way he can.

I work for a man on the Forbes billionaire list, and as I drive to the workplace, I pass day labor companies and immigrants waiting for the bus and blast this song. Play this when you don't get picked for the promotion!

A powerful song riddled with pain. Definitely up there.

16 Waitin' On a Sunny Day

I can remember dancing to this when I was three. Saw Bruce on November 11, 2012, and he killed it. Brings back so many memories. This song is so inspirational too. Long live Bruce, the E-Street band, and long live Rock N' Roll.

What a great, happy song! Brilliant to play on a sunny day!

17 Darkness on the Edge of Town
18 Radio Nowhere

Catchy and contemporary... That is why Springsteen has remained relevant and somewhat mainstream. He doesn't stay in the past. His sound evolves with the years. Radio Nowhere is one of his best!

Such a good riff! Keeps you excited the whole way through and it's not too hard to play either! A great song with really skillful music. Definitely my favorite, keeps my days exciting!

19 The Promised Land

Harmonica, piano, sax, guitar, fantastic chorus, and backing vocals. This is Bruce and the ESB in full flow.
Nearly always played live and a definitive song in trying to explain what the live experience is all about. Must be top 10, surely!

Great song. The best song on "Darkness on the Edge of Town" bar "Badlands". The lyrics are fantastic, and the sax, piano, and harmonica combine really well.

Such a great song, the best song on the album Darkness in my opinion.
This song should be in the top 10 with Born to Run and Thunder Road.

20 My City of Ruins
21 Adam Raised a Cain

Brilliant guitar... there's a reason this was the last song heard in Sons Of Anarchy

22 My Hometown

Tells a great story with intriguing lyrics. It should be ranked higher.

23 Brilliant Disguise

You'll know why after listening to it after a breakup. It takes the sting out of it like no other song out there. What more can you ask of music when going through one of the strongest emotions?

This song took balls to write, and should be in the top 10. It's a wonderful glimpse into his personal life with a ton of powerful lyrics. A very sad song, but a fantastic song as well.

How is this not higher? Just a picture-perfect song.

24 Human Touch

Yes, this song really needs to be moved up. Forget the meaning, the feelings, the message...this song just flat out ROCKS! Every time I hear this song, it goes on and on, but I don't want it to end! "So you've been broken and been hurt...show me somebody who ain't"...I love it!

My most favorite Bruce song ever! It pertains to society, individual love, and self-actualization. Thank you, Bruce, so much for writing this beautiful song.

Why is this song so low on the list? I can't believe it. This song is so lovely, great, cute, and beautifully written. It just does not stop playing in my head.

25 I'm Goin' Down

Brilliant song. I haven't been a Bruce fan (mainly due to the fact that I haven't been very familiar with his music - I'm more of a punk rock gal) but I adore this song and make everyone listen to it.

What!? I was expecting to come on this and see I'm Goin' Down at least in the top ten, and I see it at 112!

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