Ranking the Best Songs From Every Bruce Springsteen Album

Need a major shot of Bruce Springsteen, but don’t want to go through the entirety of every record? These 20 tracks are the best songs from each Springsteen album. This list is all a matter of opinion, of course; if we missed your favorite, it’s nothing personal.

1. ‘Greeting From Asbury Park, N.J.’ – “Lost In The Flood” (1973)

This has to be the best debut song from Springsteen’s debut album. Few artists were brave enough to criticize the Vietnam War at the time, which makes it even more impressive. 

2. ‘The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle’ – “Rosalita” (1973)

Fun fact: Springsteen said that this is one of his favorite love songs from his career.

3. ‘Born To Run’ – “Thunder Road” (1975)

This one’s an obvious essential, though the whole of Born To Run is a stellar achievement.

4. ‘Darkness On The Edge of Town’ – “Badlands” (1978)

Darkness On The Edge of Town is best heard from beginning to end. But if we had to pick just one song to get a non-listener interested, it would be “Badlands”.

5. ‘The River’ – “The River” (1980)

This is yet another title track that defined its particular Springsteen release, mainly because it predicted the direction he would eventually take as a songwriter.

6. ‘Nebraska’ – “Atlantic City” (1982)

This one’s a great example of Springsteen honoring American folk music is quite a delicate way.

7. ‘Born In The U.S.A.’ – “Born In The U.S.A.” (1984)

What would an exploration of the best songs on every Springsteen album be without including the claim-to-fame titled track of Born In The U.S.A.?

8. ‘Tunnel Of Love’ – “Brilliant Disguise” (1987)

“Brilliant Disguise” is probably Springsteen’s most self-expressive song. It’s a shame he didn’t channel that energy on the rest of this album.

9. ‘Human Touch’ – “Roll Of The Dice” (1992)

This album didn’t get much love when it was first released, but “Roll Of The Dice” is definitely the best of the record’s songs.

10. ‘Lucky Town’ – “If I Should Fall Behind” (1992)

When it comes to the best songs of every Springsteen album, “If I Should Fall Behind” is one of his most sincere tracks to date.

11. ‘The Ghost Of Tom Joad’ – “The Ghost Of Tom Joad” (1995)

Yet again, a title track steals the show. This song is undeniably refreshing and an ode to a famous novel by John Steinbeck.

12. ‘The Rising’ – “The Rising” (2002)

This album was Springsteen’s first E Street Band released in almost two decades, and “The Rising” is definitely the best song on the album.

13. ‘Devils & Dust’ – “Reno” (2005)

“Reno” and the whole of Devils & Dust is Springsteen at his darkest.

14. ‘We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions’ – “O Mary Don’t You Weep” (2006)

Who doesn’t love a good Pete Seeger tribute? “O Mary Don’t You Weep” is the most jubilant song on the record.

15. ‘Magic’ – “Radio Nowhere” (2007)

Honestly, the entirety of this album is refreshing; you wouldn’t expect it from Springsteen literally decades into his music career.

16. ‘Working On A Dream’ – “My Lucky Day” (2009)

Years into his career, Springsteen proved he still had it in him with “My Lucky Day”.

17. ‘Wrecking Ball’ – “Land Of Hopes And Dreams” (2012)

This charming track, and the album it comes from, has a lot of gospel inspirations that just seem to work.

18. ‘High Hopes’ – “American Skin (41 Shots)” (2014)

This tribute to Amadou Diallo is a classic, though it’s a tough listen.

19. ‘Western Stars’ – “Western Stars” (2019)

If you thought a Springsteen song couldn’t get more American than “Born In The U.S.A.”, listen to the title track from this album.

20. ‘Letter To You’ – “Last Man Standing” (2020)

This may technically be a live recording and not a “true” studio album, but “Last Man Standing” is worth mentioning.

Photo by Amy Sussman

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