10 Most Timeless Classic Rock Albums

Most of Bruce Springsteen’s career usually involved an uphill battle of some kind. From his father not approving of his musical lifestyle to rock magazines labeling him as a discount Bob Dylan, even Springsteen himself was probably wondering if he would ever make it with his E Street Band. With no money left and on his last legs, Springsteen put all the blood, sweat and tears he had left into making Born to Run.

In his own words, Springsteen wanted to create an album that had the soul of something like Roy Orbison filtered through the production of Phil Spector. Not only did he end up succeeding, but the Boss may have done them one better with a record that has transcended the loneliness of the ‘70s Jersey boardwalk. Songs like “Thunder Road” still leap out of your speakers with reckless abandon while the impassioned vocals of “Backstreets” feel like they could have been said by any other young rocker looking for an escape.

Though there are many fantastic tracks, “Born to Run” is the lynchpin, whose yearn for escape almost breaks the sound barrier. Sure, not all of us may know what it’s like to grow up in the rough and tumble world of ‘70s Jersey, but we all know the power of wanting to overcome adversity and get out of the meaningless of our everyday lives. Born to Run might not describe the life we are leading, but it’s certainly the life we want to lead.