Song Meaning: Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen

ARTIST: Bruce Springsteen | ALBUM: Born in the U.S.A. | RELEASED: 1984

Title track of Bruce Springsteen's seventh studio album paints a predominantly pessimistic image of the United States. The song deals with the chaotic consequences of the Vietnam War, both at home and aboard. Bruce in fact had several friends who went to Vietnam, some never came back. Much of the basis of the song comes from his in-depth secondhand experiences.

The underlying message of the song is often misunderstood by the general public, thus often confusing the track to be a patriotic song. Speaking of being confused, then President of the United States Ronald Reagan thought the use of "Born in the U.S.A." would be great for his reelection campaign of 1984. However Bruce Springsteen, though he wasn't affiliated with a political party, was vehemently against Reagan's policies. In fact Bruce has always been a liberal his whole life. Bruce once responded to Pres. Reagen by playing "Johnny 99" - a song he wrote about an unemployed person's struggles.

"Born in the U.S.A." has been one of Springsteen's most recognizable songs. It was in fact very well received on rock radio, and peaking at No. 9 on US popular music chart. 

Analysis of lyrics:

Lyrics were written from the point of view of a person that actually went to Vietnam. I'll just name this person as Private Joker. Bruce wrote the verses such that they were broken into parts to reflect each part of Joker's life, namely childhood, adulthood, and latter part. What's worth nothing is the fact that Bruce himself was also selected for the draft, but he was never sent off due his lack of combat abilities.

First verse describes Private Joker growing up (little Joker) in a "dead man town,"¹ supposedly in a lower socioeconomic class. Next two lines vaguely state his struggles as a kid.^2,3 Nevertheless he never complained about this struggle to anybody as he "cover[ed] up" - meaning he kept everything to himself.⁴ This is my personal interpretation of this, of course if you think of this differently let me know.

Second verse is the most interesting, I think, because now Joker has grown up and about to get enlisted in the Marines. But before all that happens, he was in a local rock band having fun.¹¹ However that was no time for rocking as the US was at war with the communists, so he and his friends were chosen for the Vietnam Draft.¹² Not only that, Joker was good enough to be a Marine, unlike Springsteen, so he was sent off to Vietnam.^13,14

Private Joker was lucky enough to survive the ordeal, and returned to the US safely²²,  as discussed in the final three verses. He got a job at an oil refinery company²². He also went to the Department of Veteran's Affairs²⁴ to claim some benefits he was probably promised beforehand. At the V.A. department he was told the War wasn't easy as anyone had thought²⁵ -- that's what's meant by "son don't you understand now." This is very vaguely written that it could be interpreted differently.

Fourth verse is a reflection of Private Joker's dreadful experiences at the War. Joker had a fellow soldier fighting with him at the Battle of Khe Sanh²⁷, but he was killed in combat.²⁸ So in memory of his buddy, Joker got a tattoo on his arm.³⁰

Fifth and final verse further explains Joker's enduring struggles after his return to the US. Living life after going though the Vietnam War was just as bad, as he had no proper place to stay.³² This is explained by "shadow of penitentiary," meaning living on the street at night, under bridges, and in public premises. Private Joker continued to live this oppressed life for a decade without any support from the government.^34,35

If you are curious to know what's it like to be a Marine, Full Metal Jacket is a good movie to watch. It traces the lives of some Marines before and during the Vietnam War, but not so much of the aftermath they endure upon returning home. Nevertheless, I'd say this movie is a VERY accurate representation of the Vietnam War.

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1. Born down in a dead man's town
2. The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
3. You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
4. Till you spend half your life just covering up
5. 
   
6. Born in the U.S.A.
7. I was born in the U.S.A.
8. I was born in the U.S.A.
9. Born in the U.S.A.
10. 
    
11. Got in a little hometown jam
12. So they put a rifle in my hand
13. Sent me off to a foreign land
14. To go and kill the yellow man
15. 
    
16. Born in the U.S.A.
17. I was born in the U.S.A.
18. I was born in the U.S.A.
19. I was born in the U.S.A.
20. Born in the U.S.A.
21. 
    
22. Come back home to the refinery
23. Hiring man says "son if it was up to me"
24. Went down to see my V.A. man
25. He said "son don't you understand now"
26. 
    
27. Had a brother at Khe Sahn fighting off the Viet Cong
28. They're still there he's all gone
29. He had a woman he loved in Saigon
30. I got a picture of him in her arms now
31. 
    
32. Down in the shadow of penitentiary
33. Out by the gas fires of the refinery
34. I'm ten years burning down the road
35. Nowhere to run ain't got nowhere to go
36. 
    
37. Born in the U.S.A.
38. I was born in the U.S.A.
39. Born in the U.S.A.
40. I'm a long gone daddy in the U.S.A.
41. Born in the U.S.A.
42. Born in the U.S.A.
43. Born in the U.S.A.
44. I'm a cool rocking daddy in the U.S.A.

Lyrics from http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/brucespringsteen/bornintheusa.html