Born to Run cover art

  Studio Album · No. 3

Born to Run Songwriting Credits by Bruce Springsteen

1975 Columbia 8 tracks 39 min

Produced by Bruce Springsteen, Mike Appel, Jon Landau  ·  Engineered by Louis Lahav, Jimmy Iovine

Columbia RockHeartland Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 8 of 8 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 8 / 8 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 8 tracks with documented writers, by whether Bruce Springsteen carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
8 trackswritten by Bruce Springsteen 0 tracksoutside writers
Bruce Springsteen's roles on this album

Share of the 8 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

8
Tracks
1
Lyricists
3
Producers
1975
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress (2003)
Data Insight

Every song on Born to Run was written by Bruce Springsteen, who set out to make a record that captured the dense, layered grandeur of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound. "Born to Run" took roughly six months of recording, stacking guitars, piano, glockenspiel, strings and saxophone into a single anthem of escape that became his first Top 40 hit. The album opens with "Thunder Road," a five-minute opener that builds from harmonica and piano into full-band release, and closes with "Jungleland," a nearly ten-minute suite anchored by Roy Bittan's piano and Clarence Clemons' extended saxophone solo. The result turned Springsteen from a critical favorite into a national star.

Born to Run is Bruce Springsteen's third studio album, released on August 25, 1975, and the record that made him a superstar. Produced by Springsteen with Mike Appel and critic-turned-producer Jon Landau, it features eight tracks that defined the 'heartland rock' genre. The album took over 14 months to record due to Springsteen's perfectionism, particularly the title track. Time and Newsweek both put Springsteen on their covers the same week of the album's release, a rare dual honor. All songs were written by Springsteen.

Track Listing & Credits 8 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Thunder Road
Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen Bruce SpringsteenMike AppelJon Landau Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals)
2
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out #83
Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen Bruce SpringsteenMike AppelJon Landau Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals)
3
Night
Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen Bruce SpringsteenMike AppelJon Landau Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals)
4
Backstreets
Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen Bruce SpringsteenMike AppelJon Landau Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals)
5
Born to Run #23
Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen Bruce SpringsteenMike AppelJon Landau Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals)
6
She's the One
Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen Bruce SpringsteenMike AppelJon Landau Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals)
7
Meeting Across the River
Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen Bruce SpringsteenMike AppelJon Landau Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals)
8
Jungleland
Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen Bruce SpringsteenMike AppelJon Landau Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 3 contributors

More from Bruce Springsteen

Frequently Asked Questions Born to Run

Who wrote Born to Run?
Bruce Springsteen wrote every song on Born to Run, including the title track, "Thunder Road" and "Jungleland."
When was Born to Run released?
The album was released on August 25, 1975, through Columbia Records.
What production approach did Springsteen use on the album?
Springsteen aimed to recreate Phil Spector's Wall of Sound, layering many instruments into dense arrangements. The title track alone reportedly squeezed dozens of overdubbed parts onto the studio's 16 available tracks.
How high did the single Born to Run chart?
The single "Born to Run" reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Springsteen's first Top 40 hit.
Did Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out chart?
Yes. "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" was released as a single in early 1976 and peaked at number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100.
What is the longest song on Born to Run?
"Jungleland" is the longest track at over nine minutes, featuring Roy Bittan's piano and an extended saxophone solo from Clarence Clemons.
What inspired Thunder Road?
Springsteen wrote "Thunder Road" as the album's opening track; its title was drawn from the 1958 film of the same name. The song builds from a quiet harmonica and piano intro into a full-band anthem of leaving town.
Was Born to Run a critical and commercial success?
Yes. The album reached number 3 on the Billboard 200, has been certified multi-platinum by the RIAA, and was inducted into the National Recording Registry in 2003.

Sources