The Misunderstood Song 'Born In The USA'

One of the most widely misunderstood song in history is "Born in the U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen. Considered by many to be the ultimate patriotic, American tune, Springsteen's classic rock song has been sung by many fist-pumping, beer-drinking fans at sporting events across America. Caught up in the song’s catchy chorus, listeners do not realize the true meaning of the lyrics in Springsteen's beloved song.

"Born in the U.S.A." was originally composed in 1981. It was recorded in 1982 in New York. It was to be the first song on the title track of Bruce's Born in the U.S.A. album. The album and the song were both smash hits. Selling 18 million copies, the album went multi-platinum. The song became an instant classic, is huge popularity attributed,

While searching for a job he gets turned away from an oil refinery. Returning Vietnam veterans were experiencing barren employment opportunities, as the American economy badly stagnated in the 1970s and early 1980s. Springsteen wrote "Born in the USA" when the United States faced some of the worst unemployment crisis since the Great Depression. The unemployment rate that year peaked above 10 percent. The soldier also went to the Department of Veteran's Affairs, anticipating to receive some sort of benefits. At the V.A. department he was told some disheartening news, through the phrase "son don't you understand now." The Veterans Administration, nowadays known as the Department of Veterans Affairs after being renamed in the 1980s, is the epitome of ineffective bureaucracy. During the Vietnam Era, one of the VA all time lows, the VA failed to offer effective medical and social services to returning soldiers struggling to integrate into civilian life following the conflict. One result was homelessness and an explosion of drug abuse among Vietnam vets. Any aspirations that an indebted country would effect a change in the soldier’s fortunes upon his return home are extinguished when he receives clichés “son, if it was up to me” from potential employers and condescension “son, don’t you understand now” from the folks at Veterans Affairs.

In the fourth verse, this betrayal is made even more bitter when he considers the futility of his war efforts, the dreadful experiences at the war and the enormity of what he has lost. A comrade in arms was killed in combat. “Had a brother at Khe Sahn fighting off the Viet Cong/ They’re still there, he’s all gone.” During the critical battle of Khe, US Marines under communist attack refused assistance from South Vietnamese forces because of the previous mentioned trust