Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A. (Electric Nebraska) Review

Consider just how revolutionary a song Born in the U.S.A. is, and then listen to its Electric Nebraska counterpart. Yes, the latter exists. Much to the surprise of listeners and Bruce Springsteen himself, these early versions of all-time greats were there in the vault. Presumably, they were buried under an avalanche of live tapes and a “do not open” box, which we must assume has the soundboard recording of his, Elton John, and Lady Gaga’s Don’t Stop Believing cover. What a gift it is to hear Electric Nebraska is real, let alone available to the public. Springsteen has cleaned house in his archives this year. Between Tracks II: The Lost Albums, a soft confirmation of Tracks III, and now Electric Nebraska, we cannot be sure of what is left. What he has for us with Born in the U.S.A. is an outstanding version of his hit song, which serves as a miraculous read on The Boss’ mood at the time.  

Crucial to this Born in the U.S.A. version is that the notes are similar, but the instruments are not. Electric Nebraska was a bit of a dream pitch to many Springsteen fans. What it was going to sound like was, inevitably, going to be moulded by what listeners had produced in their mind. Was it going to be the Flannery O’Connor-influenced folk style of Nebraska, or was it going to be a transitional sound for the 1984 masterpiece? Both, is the answer. You can hear Springsteen accept that the song was not needed for Nebraska, but within this version is a cooler, roots-rock-like sound. Arguably the bravest writing and instrumental tone Springsteen has ever offered. He’s an artist who could have lost it all with a reversion from rock and roll tones, a sound which defined him in the 1970s. Born in the U.S.A. straddles both the discontent Springsteen felt for the United States and a moment of reflection on his work, and where it would head. 

Had it been released in this form and not the heartland rock which appeared on Born in the U.S.A., perhaps the message would be clearer. There is an almost intentional misreading of the lyrics, from Ronald Reagan to residents of the US who believe it is, truly in this current state, the greatest country on Earth. You can hear a venom sprouting from the Electric Nebraska version of Born in the U.S.A., a song which is as good in this form as it is on the studio album it would headline. Not quite as poison-tipped as the version many will know and love, but still a vicious knock at the prudent wave which spread across the American people. A few breathless grunts and vocal intonations are in place too, gone are the catchy riffs and the lighter touch of glockenspiel and piano.  

In its place is as harsh and hard a message as would feature on the original version. This ultimately scrapped edition is both a work in progress yet a still satisfactory punch at the cultural decline of the times. Springsteen’s gruff vocal delivery, that coolness which contemplates the shock of a society in decline, is masterful. This Born in the U.S.A. is a different beast entirely. Heavier focus on the percussion underscores Springsteen’s rage against the values overshadowing the core of a country he loves. Cool instrumental breaks for a heavier rock tone bring out a brilliant edge to Born in the U.S.A. which would remain on the song, but would be adapted into a lighter style with a few instrumental additions. This Electric Nebraska version is a dangerous beast of a song, one which would have put Springsteen on different tracks entirely. You can hear that come to life on an earlier, but crucially as brilliant version, of Born in the U.S.A.