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To date, Bruce Springsteen has released 21 studio albums, either credited to him solely or as ‘Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.’ In particular, three Bruce Springsteen vinyl records are highly sought after and have sold for big bucks.
Born To Run (1975)
Born to Run is Springsteen’s third studio album. With his first two albums achieving limited commercial success, despite being well-liked by critics, this was perceived as his last chance to make it.
Columbia must have seen what the critics saw, as they afforded him a huge budget. Along with self-imposed pressures, of course, this made its own contribution to the stress surrounding the recording process. In the end, after fourteen months of recording and re-recording (the title track alone took six months), Born to Run was ready.
The album encapsulates Springsteen’s yearning for a better life, filtered through catchy tunes like the title track, but also Thunder Road, Jungleland, and She’s the One. The intention was to make an album that leapt off the vinyl. It does.
A copy of the ultra-rare ‘script cover’ promo vinyl LP (1975) was sold by Heritage Auctions in March 2022 for a total of $6,000. Representing a holy grail for collectors, it is so called because The Boss’s name and the album title are rendered in a black cursive font. This is different from the commercially produced versions, upon which a straight font is used. The label also mentions it is an advanced promotional item.
The disc has a white label on both sides, marked from the Pitman, NJ plant. Included in this lot were a photocopied copy of a letter of introduction from Columbia plus the original photocopy mastering and lyric sheets. It is estimated that only 200 copies of these were distributed in 1975.
Other copies sold include a signed version, with the normal typeface. This was sold by the same auction house for $3,875 in August 2020. It should be noted that his signature is particularly clear. It is no rushed job, with every letter legible. Another ‘script cover’ copy was sold in 2007 for $2,151.
Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978)
The follow-up to Born to Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town was released following the resolution of Springsteen’s legal dispute with his former manager Mike Appel. After a disagreement over the direction of travel regarding his next album after Born to Run, Springsteen had looked at his contract and not liked what he saw.
In the time the case took to settle, he toured extensively with the E Street Band and wrote new material. Legend has it that he wrote up to seventy songs.
Darkness on the Edge of Town is a return to more of a hard rock whole band performance rather than the wall of sound quality of Born to Run. Lyrically, it is a melting pot of different influences, from John Steinbeck through Woody Guthrie to a plethora of British artists from The Animals to The Sex Pistols and Elvis Costello.
The characters depicted are down-on-their-luck fighters, more roundly drawn than previous characters. They are not rooted in the Jersey Shore area as in previous albums.
Badlands, the first track is a case in point. The hero is down on his luck. He wants a better life, and he is determined to find it. The following track Adam Raised a Cain is a bible influenced rocker with many (British) punk influences.
Other standout tracks include Racing in the Street, The Promised Land, Prove it All Night and the title track. Commercially, the album was not as successful as its predecessor, but it was critically acclaimed. In more recent years its stock among critics has risen further and it is seen as one of Springsteen’s best albums.
As far as values at auction, a signed copy of Darkness on the Edge of Town sold at Heritage Auctions for $3,500 in November 2020. Along with Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, Roy Bittan, Steven Van Zandt, Nils Lofgren, and Danny Federici are the other signatories. In 2017 a rare promo acetate version sold on eBay for $1,700.
Born in The U.S.A. (1984)
Springsteen’s seventh studio album is perhaps his most evocative. Incorporating and combining musical elements of rock, pop, and heartland rock, it was recorded over a two-year period between January 1982 and March 1984. The very earliest sessions also produced material that would become its predecessor album, Nebraska.
Released in June 1984, the album achieved almost instant and enduring commercial success. It has played a pivotal role in Springsteen’s career trajectory.
Born in The U.S.A. has been certified 17 times platinum by the RIAA. In total, it has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. It is widely regarded as his most significant and successful album. It holds a prominent place within his discography.
Born in The U.S.A. affords us a view of Springsteen’s songwriting talents. At its heart are the travails of the American working class. Its twin themes are disillusionment and struggle, shining a light on the contradictions of the American Dream.
It’s not too much hyperbole to see Born in The U.S.A. in the light of an album such as Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It paints vivid characters and evocative scenes with a rare lightness of touch.
Perhaps the best-known track is the title track. It is no exaggeration to say that Born in The U.S.A. has an anthemic quality. However, scratching beneath the initial surface interpretation and the patriotic bombast of the chorus, the song is a critique of the treatment of Vietnam War veterans upon their return home.
Echoing Lost in the Flood from his debut album, it highlights the challenges faced by those who sacrificed for their country. This nuanced exploration of American identity resonated deeply with listeners and cemented Springsteen’s reputation as an artist unafraid to tackle difficult subjects, but to do it with compassion and genuine empathy.
Seven of the tracks were released as singles. Songs like the title track plus Dancing in the Dark, Glory Days, I’m on Fire, and My Hometown to name but five received widespread radio play and elicited widespread attention. The Boss’s fame was augmented and cemented.
As regards auction values for vinyl copies of Born in The U.S.A., musicpriceguide.com reports that on eBay, a copy on grey vinyl sold for $2457 in 2017. Heritage Auctions sold a signed copy of the LP sleeve only for $800 in 2013.
Other albums
Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (1973)
The Wild, The Innocent and the E-Street Shuffle (1973)
The River (1980)
Nebraska (1982)
Tunnel of Love (1987)
Human Touch (1992)
Lucky Town (1992)
The Ghost of Tom Joad (1995)
The Rising (2002)
Devils and Dust (2005)
We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006)
Magic (2007)
Working on a Dream (2009)
Wrecking Ball (2012)
High Hopes (2014)
Western Stars (2019)
Letter to You (2020)
Only the Strong Survive (2022)
Singles on vinyl
In addition to his studio and live albums, The Boss has released a myriad of singles. Of these, it was reported on musicpriceguide.com that a Greek copy of Born to Run sold for $4,250 on eBay in March 2016.
Before his solo recordings, Springsteen performed on lead guitar for a group known as The Castiles between 1965 and 1968. They recorded just one single Baby I backed with That’s What You Get. It was never released and in fact, only seven acetate copies were ever produced. It is believed that just three remain in existence.
In October 2007, Heritage Auctions sold a signed record and memorabilia display of the group, including the signed single and four unused labels for $10,755.
Springsteen in a nutshell
The Boss’s energetic live performances in which he connects with his audience on an emotional level showcase his exceptional songwriting skills and his ability to craft vivid and relatable narratives.
He authentically and sincerely tells stories of ordinary people, their struggles, and their hopes. This has endeared him to fans around the world. He first came to prominence with commercial success as well as critical acclaim with 1975’s Born to Run, but in truth had been telling stories in this way from the beginning with Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. in 1973.
Beyond his musical contributions, Springsteen has also been recognized for his philanthropy and activism. He has used his platform to raise awareness about social and political issues, often lending his voice to campaigns and benefit concerts.
Springsteen’s authenticity, dedication to his craft, and ability to capture the essence of the American experience have solidified his status as a revered and influential artist in the realm of rock music.
The American Dream is encapsulated in his 2017 autobiography Born to Run, when he says, “Talk about a dream, try to make it real.” In reality, of course, he sings about it and invites his audience to take it and run with it.
Note of caution with high-value vinyl
All of this makes his work highly collectable. Because of this, I need to raise my usual note of caution regarding vinyl records which you may believe to be worth a pretty penny. The value of vinyl records can vary based on factors such as condition, rarity, and demand.
First pressings, limited editions, unique variations, and as we have seen, signatures all go towards helping to determine the value of a record. Furthermore, the presence of inserts, posters, or other accompanying items can also impact a record’s desirability and value.
You may be thinking of splashing out to buy a highly-priced Bruce Springsteen vinyl record or you may one you believe to be worth a lot of money. Either way, please do your research and/or consult with reputable record dealers or collectors for more accurate pricing information.
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