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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

Springsteen played this for the first time on May 9, 1974 when he opened for Bonnie Raitt at Harvard Square. Rock critic Jon Landau was at the show and wrote in Boston's Real Paper: "I saw rock and roll's future - and its name is Bruce Springsteen." Landau eventually became Springsteen's manager.

Allan Clarke from The Hollies released a cover version a year before Springsteen released his.

This was the first song Springsteen wrote for a studio production, rather than a live performance. After recording 4 versions (one with a female chorus) at the low-budget studio where he recorded his first 2 albums, he moved to a higher end studio to finish it, refusing to release it until it was just right.

This was a last minute addition to his 2001 Live In New York City album. Springsteen felt this was the missing ingredient on the CD, but the liner notes were already printed. The song had to be included as a hidden bonus track at the end of the first disc.

In the liner notes to his Greatest Hits album, Springsteen wrote: "My shot at the title. A 24 yr. old kid aimin' at 'The greatest rock 'n roll record ever.'"

There was a movement to make this the official state song of New Jersey.

Springsteen chose this as the album title after rejecting several other names, including War And Roses, The Hungry and The Hunted, American Summer, and Sometimes At Night.

"Highway 9" refers to Route 9 in New Jersey, which went through Springsteen's hometown of Freehold. Springsteen sang about another Jersey road, "Route 88," in "Spirit In The Night."

Bruce performed a slowed-down version on his 1988 tour, changing the lyrics so the couple in the song were now married. This is the version that charted in England.

This is the only Springsteen track that drummer Ernest "Boom" Carter played on. He left to play in a Jazz band with E Street piano player David Sancious after spending 9 months with Bruce.

This song came at the crossroads of Springsteen's career. His first 2 albums sold poorly, and Columbia Records might have dropped him if he did not produce a hit.

This became an educational tool when it was used on Sesame Street as "Born To Add."

The amusement park Springsteen sings about in the line "Beyond The Palace, hemi-powered drones scream down the boulevard" is listed in the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.

In the line, "hemi-powered drones scream down the boulevard," a "hemi" is the 426 Hemi engine made famous by Chrysler musclecars. "Drones" in this context are automatons, the young men driving their cars up and down the strip without a thought to the future. (thanks, Brian - Ann Arbor, MI)

Bruce must have been born to run, because he ran and jumped over the walls of Graceland to meet Elvis in 1976. This was at the height of his career, and when he got to the door, the butler didn't believe that he was a big rock star. The butler informed him that Elvis was in Lake Tahoe. (thanks, Ashley - Glenolden, PA)

A live staple, Springsteen performed this at halftime of the Super Bowl in 2009.

Springsteen knew he had to write more mature songs as he got older if he was going to extend his career. He explained in a 2005 interview with National Public Radio: "'Born To Run' was the song of my youth. Now I have to write something else. I became attracted to Country music and older Blues and Folk because they bring the same intensity to adult issues and adult problems. And I thought, this is a lifetime job for me. I want to write songs I can sing at that great advanced age of 40 years old."

Springsteen continues to play this song in concert with the same ferocity as when he debuted it in 1974. He explained to the Radio Times June 27th-July 3rd 2009 that he may have sung this "quite a few times, but if the evening has gone well I experience renewal rather than repetition at the moment I sing it." He added: "This music has not been heard at this moment, in this place, to these faces. That's why we go out there."

Comments:

In the radio station I listen to (Q 104.3) they have an annual Top 1043 Songs of All Time. In 2009 it was #3 on the list, rigt behind "Hey Jude" and "Stairway to Heaven". I still have no idea how this guy counts as classic rock tho. More like jazz.
- Michael, Staten Island, NY

Great!
- aaron, heights, TX

I guess this is a good place to post the following; how many old time fans are like me in this respect: Having 'Greetings' to 'Nebraska' in LP, cassette, & CD format; from 'Born USA" to 'Tunnel' in cassette & CD, then everything after 'Chimes of Freedom' in just CD. Most of his works are now on my i-pod. I'm now is the process of starting a DVD collection... {Please no new formats}!!!
- Barry, Sauquoit, NY

Mike from Dallas Tx. you made me laugh, and think of something new. I do not like this live version very much.
- sara, eckerty, IN

Im 15 too this song is awesome Springteen went all out. Totally could be an anthem
- Jason, Southlake, TX

The intro to this song is quite similar to that of "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart. Well, part of it. Only thing, this one is in 4/4 time & "Forever Young" is in 2/2 time. Since this is about gettin' *out* of NJ, it's fully compatible w/ "Sweet Home Alabama". It would be excellent humor to throw that in w/ "Born to Run".
- Drew, B'ham, AL

okay, so i am only 15, but i LOVE The Boss! not as much as i love The Killers, but he is immense! and i love this song :D
- Paris, Cardiff, United Kingdom

stephen melbourn i sat there for like half an hour replaying that and i ccouldnt make heads or tails of it i think it was just a power grunt/yell that springsteen is famous for
- derek, shrewsbury, MA

I think what he says after the first corus after the first verse is not yes girl we were but more like : yes, born to run, I wish we could ask ole bruce about that, but he probably won't remember since this all took place over 30 years ago. He does tend to mumble a bit throughout the song though.
- Stephen, Melbourne, Australia

please please pretty please Can anyone decipher the phrase which bruce shouts out just before the saxophone starts playing? it's about 1 minute and 50 seconds into the song. Thanks
- Stephen, Melbourne, Australia

I just want to say as someone from Jersey not far from red bank...in fact my sister went to High School with his son...he is from Central Jersey...because their is such a place
- paige, sea girt, NJ

I wonder if Bruce may have known a girl in New Jersey named Wendy. And, by the way, Bruce still lives in New Jersey. He and his wife, Patty live in Rumson, which I believe is in Southern New Jersey?
- Annabelle, Eugene, OR

My sister and I saw Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band live like three days after we saw KISS on the farewell tour. Needless to say my voice was shot for damn near a month after that from screaming so loud. When Bruce and the band played born to run I went NUCKING FUTS. I remember they turned the house light up for that song which was cool because I could see EVERYONE ELSE screaming as well as me. One of the BEST concerts I ever attenended!!!!!!
- Jason, Denver, CO

If this became New Jersey's state song, I would move to New Jersey.
- John, Hendersonville, NC

I agree that this song is about getting out, but I don't agree thats its about getting out of Freehold or South Jersey or Jersey specifically(although since Route 9 is mentioned it could be argued that it is NJ)....I think that it's about getting out of a small, blue collar town and (unlike the rest of the people there) trying to make something of your life. Really not a state anthem because of the idea of leaving, but a great song none the less.
- Anthony, West Chester, PA

I loved this song from the first time I heard it, when I was 12, although I could barely make out the words. to John, of Monvtille, NJ: I've always sung after the first "baby, we were born to run," as,"yes, girl we were." Maybe not accurate, but it fits for me. The song resonated for me because I grew up in a very rural community, where drag-racing on the two-lane blacktop that in a 1/4 mile straight stretch that started at the end of our gravel drive was a common activity for teens. My best friend and I always wanted to get out of our "town full of losers." Because I am ancient, I recall reading something before the internet that stated that Springsteen wrote this song looking at a movie poster for "Peter Pan" -- "Wendy, let me in, I wanna be your friend, I wanna guard your dreams and visions."
- suzy, Louisville, KY

One of the greatest rock songs ever written...Jersey wanted to use this song as an anthem, but quickly realized it was about "running from Jersey." We'll never be sure how much Bruce writes romance vs. politics, but the greatness of this song captures both aspects!
- doug, holland, OH

How can yo not like Springsteen. You can't say more people in NJ hate him then love him. Your nuts, the guy is goin on 60 and still sells out all over the country, slides all across the stage, and plays for 3 hours. Not many guys do that anymore. Jersey pride. Bruce is a great person also, met him at the Starland Ballroom one night at the bar, real down to earth cool dude
- nick, new york, NY

Does anyone know what Bruce says after the first "Baby we were born to run?" It's at about 56 seconds. I never feel like I can sing it completely because I don't know what he says at that part! It kills me.
- John, Monvtille, NJ

True classics transcend geographical boundaries. I'm from England, and although a lot of the imagery from this song is not familiar to me, I just love it as a great song, and I think that everyone, everywhere can identify with wanting to escape at sometime in their life, some obviously more often than others! For me, Bruce put NJ on the map, before him I had heard very little about it. (The Sopranos have probably done the same thing for a new generation!!)
- Andy, Halesowen, West Midlands, United Kingdom

I remember bing at Rutgers University in New Jersey when this song was playing on a local radio. I was walking across campus and it seemed to be blasting from every dorm room window. Loved it then, love it now. The conflict about the song being about leaving yet having for the state song, well all I can say is if your from Jersey you get it. Everybody dumps on NJ and of course you think about leaving if you live there but The Boss made us proud to have someone who understood it all and prouldy sung about it, in absolutely GREAT song. By the way I moved to Florida...lol
- Diane, Orlando, FL

Which live version of Born To Run do you prefer ?
- Paul, Athens, Greece

I usually think of great football running backs when I hear this song.
- Mike, Dallas, TX

A masterpiece. One of the greatest rock songs of alltime. This song can compete with anybody !
- Mike, Hueytown , AL

'Born To Run' is mentioned a lot in Koushun Takami's Battle Royale. (The book, not the movie.) He really pegged the meaning behind the song and rock and roll in general. Leave it to someone who didn't grow up around rock music to really understand it.
- Mark, Austin, TX

"Born to Run" is number 1 in the list called "Sounds at the Speed of Music: 50 Rock Anthems at 100 kph"
- Street Strategist, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Stephen from Canada, if you listen very closely to the song, you can hear references to Canada, hosers, and hockey. Born to Run's sub theme was about staying away from flying pucks.
- Dave, New Orleans, LA

everytime i listen to this song actually any bruce song, just reminds me of how much i love my girlfriend... But what a great song.. am i wrong?? No.
- Ben, Sydney, Australia

Why can't Americans be more like Canadians. Use your own brain, and not listen and believe the junk you hear. The song is not denegrading to New Jersey in the least. It's just about two young lovers running away. Where they are from is only important as lyrical imagery, and this song is a beautiful example of that, and yes a classic. A state song, sure! New Jersians are proud of their native son.
- Stephen, Kamloops, Canada

I agree that this should be New Jersey's state song. Everyone hates New Jersey, I mean i went on vacation to the western US and they just hated me. They knew i wasnt from around their so they asked where i was from. I told them and they just kind of laughed, didn't you have a gay governor? they said. It was embarassing and I have to say Bruce Springsteen made a lot of people proud to be from New Jersey.
- Ray, Stockton, NJ

My parents are HUGE Bruce Springsteen fans ( go figure. we're from south jersey). Anytime this song comes on the radio, my mom calls me on my cell and tells me to put on whatever radio station. I think it's a great song with a lively beat, and Bruce ROCKS anyway!
- Caitlin, Upper Township, NJ

I love the irony of New Jersey wanting this as their state anthem, when the song is about getting the hell out! lol Its similar to the irony of Reagan wanting to use "Born in the USA" as some kind of campaign theme tune, when its so obviously (if you read the lyric sheet) closer to a protest song than a patriotic song! People really dont listen to lyrics, do they!
- Malicious Matt, Squatney

the greatest is seeing other artists trying to cover this song live and attempt at putting all the numerous insturments together and fail miserably, but Bruce does it every single time, great song.
- nathan, from the country of, Canada

Everyone thinks people in New Jersey LOVE Springsteen, but that's not true, especially in northern New Jersey. There are two Jerseys, ever since colonial times, one dominated by NYC, the other by Philadelphia. North and South in general and to this day, do not like one another that much. Springsteen is from "south" Jersey, sings about the values down there, the cars, the highways, the dull, dead lives of the natives looking to get out, especially in his first few albums. I think more people here dislike him, then like him, but those who DO like him frankly ADORE the guy. Go figure.
- THEODORE, Newark, NJ

"A 24 yr. old kid aimin' at 'The greatest rock 'n roll record ever.'", wrote Bruce. And I say, mission accomplished. Everything I wrote about Thunder Road could probably fit to this song too. There's everything in it: mad love, escape, freedom, sweat, passion. The last stanza is one of the most beautiful declaration of love I know.
- Alberto, Carpi, Italy

the guy from Grand Forks is right. As much as I love bruce springsteen and his anthems about the promised land and struggling with youth in new jersey.. it is about leaving. its about being ready to leave a pointless existance to find meaning in life. it was supposed to be the youth anthem for NJ, but thats an oxi-moron then.
- katie, bridgewater, NJ

I love this entire album! I play it everytime I get the chance, and it always gives me a rush!!
- Dave, Pittsburgh, PA

According to the documentary on the 30th anniversary package of the album, the song was once done with a glossy female chorus.
- Marshall, Sacramento, CA

my new favorite song. Love the chords after "I was born to ruuuuuuuun!
- Corey, Woodstock, VT

I love the acoustic version of this song. Bruce said Born to Run was about a guy and girl who "kept on running!!!"
- Matt, Wilkes-Barre, PA

By his Bruce's own admission, the meaning of Born to Run has changed over time from being an escapism song about two people trying to find their way in life to a song about two people simply trying to find their way home. It has kept good company on my journey!!
- Sheldon, Toronto, Canada

This was #21 in Rolling Stone's list of 500 greatest songs
- Ross, Independence, MO

Chelsea and Kyle are both right. It is about getting out of NJ, which is why it should be the state song. I am a Jersey native (Bergen County), whose been gone nearly 25 years now. Springsteen's music always made me pine for New Jersey until I went back as an adult. Once I learned to drive and realized how much I paid in taxes, returning to New Jersey lost all appeal.
- Michael, Cincinnati, OH

hey, kids. read the lyrics. born to run is about getting the hell out of new jersey. i mean, who the hell wants to live in freehold their whole lives. i sure as hell dont.
- chelsea, freehold, NJ

Without doubt the best song ever made in all of the history of song making. Bruce is the man! (or Boss)
- Matt, Windsor, Canada

okay, this may sound corny, but evreytime i hear that song, it seriously gives me goosebumps; evreytime!!! i remember the sesame street episode!!! does anyone else?? maybe i'm the only one..oh well...
- Anastasia, anaheim, CA

this song SHOULD be our state song! One of the best songs ever written.
- Kyle, Freehold, NJ

This song sends shivers up my spine!I first heard it live at Wembley Arena London in 1981 and Bruce opened his first night with this his most famous song.I went 3 times in 6 nights and each night was better than the night before.I've seen the boss another 7 times since and he is just awesome.If you never see another concert go to see Bruce!
- LEE, LONDON , England

As part of yet another Asbury Park revitalization project, the Palace was recently torn down (Spring '04) despite a fierce battle.
- Matt, Middletown , NJ

I hate to have to add this, but The Boss himself chided NJ for wanting this to be the state anthem. You see, he said the song was written abouot getting OUT of NJ. Sorry
- Jon, Grand Forks, ND

This should be New Jerseys official state song. It really is the best song ever written!!!!
- ralph, Hawthorne, NJ