10 Song Meanings Everyone Gets Wrong

You can't script a better ambassador for American music than Bruce Springsteen. Even though The Boss has had a bit of a spotty catalog throughout the years both with and without the E Street Band, he always remains the example of what American rock and roll can be, with the same desire to beat the odds even when they're stacked against you. Bruce is definitely proud of his country, but that doesn't mean he necessarily supports every single thing that it's done in the past.

After doing different experiments on albums like Nebraska, Born in the USA helped launch the Boss into the '80s again, with a big single that people jumped on immediately as being about Bruce's flag waving pride for his home country. That couldn't be further from the truth though, as Bruce talks about the different horror stories that go on on the fringes of America, like the Vietnam soldiers who come home from war but left pieces of their soul on the battlefield, all while never getting the proper help that they need when they come back home.

There are even a few moments in the song where Bruce has to cut himself off because he's holding back so much emotion, but those glossy synths just make him look like Yankee Doodle Springsteen leading the troops into battle. So next time you listen to this song, just remember that chorus has more than a hint of sarcasm in it. The American Dream is what is sold to everyone, but they don't tell you how many miles you need to put on your soul to get there.