Born in the U.S.A: Bruce Springsteen and the American Tradition

by Jim Cullen

"Cullen's unapologetic pursuit of deeper cultural meaning in Bruce Springsteen's music and life is refreshing...[He] has taken on the considerable task of revealing how Springsteen is the heir to the independent-minded rusticity of Whitman, Lincoln and Twain".
"Publishers Weekly" "This is a well-written painstakingly researched and surprisingly unpretentious book. It should be required reading for anyone who doubts that American popular culture can produce an artist of enduring worth".
"Asbury Park Press"

In this wide-ranging appraisal, Jim Cullen demonstrates why Bruce Springsteen should be hailed as a cultural heir to Thoreau, Steinbeck, and even Martin Luther King, Jr.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[ThePrill · Rating 2 out of 5]

An unconvincing thesis paired with some far-fetched conclusions. This reads more of a wish hagiography than any biographical premise, and while Springsteen may well be all that Cullen says and more, he pulls very faint threads and calls them rigging. Particularly in the chapter where he explores Springsteen's religious influences, he presents a very shallow understanding of the roots of America's religious history and is trying so desperately to connect Springsteen to Catholicism, but he does not succeed, I believe. He compares his subject to presidents, freedom fighters, other singers, and each time, the connection just seems too sparse. Disappointing, thought it is very obvious that Cullen is a dedicated fan of Springsteen. Well-meaning, but missing the mark.

[Ted · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have never "got" Springsteen and I can take or leave his music. Interested to see if this will bring more understanding of a man who appeared to be a grandstanding showman at the Super Bowl. Cullen's approach of connecting Bruce to the American Transcendentalism Tradition of Whitman and Emerson gives me the impetus to try this book out and perhaps stop dismissing the Boss.
Update: Upon finishing the book, I respect Bruce a little more in theory (Cullen's version), but his music/voice (even his recent & somewhat improved albums) don't do it for me.

[Todd Stockslager · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK first-draft attempt to place Springsteen in American popular and political culture.

Cullen seems too much of a fan to treat Springsteen's work just as it stands, but he does a decent job of setting Springsteen in historical context with Twain, Whitman, Lincoln, and Martin Luther King, Jr. In fact, this section is the meat of the book and Cullen could have drilled deeper into the relationships of Springsteen to these creators and leaders. As it is, the book barely reaches 200 pages and reads more like an extended magazine piece or post-grad thesis than a fully-finished book.

Another problem with the book is it may have been written too soon. Springsteen has continued to record, tour, and extend his artistic abilities, so a new edition of this book in another 10 years would have more perspective and more source material to pull from. Compare this to Ricks' book "Dylan's Visions of Sin", in a similar vein but better because it encompasses a longer career over a greater distance of years.

One example is Springsteen's appearance on the VH1 "Songwriters" show after Cullen's book came out, where he dissects the history, lyrics and intent of some of his best songs, sometimes in explicitly religious terms. This material would have helped strengthen and deepen Cullen's argument, had he waited.

This isn't bad, just not as good as it will be in another decade.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admittedly, I'm a fan. But I don't like hagiographies, and don't even have much patience with your usual rock biography. Fortunately, this book is neither. Jim Cullen works to connect Springsteen's lyrical obsessions and artistic evolution with streams of American thought extending to the Revolutionary era. Though his prose definitely gives off the "egghead humanities prof getting overserious about pop culture" vibe, if you aren't allergic to that sort of thing there's good food for thought here. Cullen's topic/chapter approach considers small-r republicanism as it appears in Springsteen's work, examines his approaches to and frustrations with traditional masculinity, and seeks to understand the pervasive influence of his Catholic upbringing, among other topics. Though I understand this was the first serious and scholarly look at Springsteen, it's time for a revised edition - much of Bruce's best and most serious work on the common person, democracy, and relationships has been done since its 1996 publication date. You wish you could see what Cullen would say about The Rising and 9/11, Magic and the Iraq War, Wrecking Ball and the financial crisis.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

One day, I would love to understand and discuss art like Jim Cullen. The great deeds of great men would be meaningless without a humble mind to animate and contextualize them. Cullen's sense of historical context and affinity for music breathes even more life into an already dynamic Springsteen mythology. And it is exactly that -- a mythology, rooted in New Jersey -- that summons its strength from the primordial voices that forged this country and can still mend it today. Came away with a new curiosity about Whitman, Lincoln, and the lineage of early Republicanism.

[Ralph Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book. Great for academic discussion. Cullen sees Springsteen as a conservative in the tradition of Abraham Lincoln, noting that his ideas in more sweaty consumerist hands would be incredibly right-wing.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book to read about Springsteen and his work and impact on American culture.

[Bicefalus · Rating 4 out of 5]

un occhio letterario all'impronta che springsteen ha segnato sulla cultura americana

[Whitney Borup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an insightful look at how Springsteen draws from and contributes to American mythology. A couple moments where I felt the audience was a bit disjointed, but really wonderful analysis.