What Does 'Born In The U.S.A.' Really Mean?

I'm not a big fan of NPR, but I do occasionally peruse their material to get a bigger slice of the "big picture". This article appears to suggest that "some" of us may "misinterpret" the Boss's iconic hit as a "Patriotic" song...when the "real" meaning behind the lyrics is a bit more jaded.

Sorry NPR...I disagree.

It's always been a personal favorite, and from the first time I heard it, I "got" that the message was one of exploitation, lost dreams, limited opportunities, but most importantly... the price of freedom.

It took a few more years, and my own experiences (such as they were) to really "understand"...but the first time I found myself in a ditch laying electric line after a premature end to the Navy career I'd planned on...this tune became an anthem. It reminded me that whatever personal challenges I was facing at the time, I wasn't the first...wouldn't be the last...and more than anything else, I was, in some small way...on the right side of things.

I got back "in"...for a little while anyway, and I eventually found my "place" in it all. Still, I never forget that on every line crew, in every factory, and in every ditch...there are people who gave the best of their lives for something they believed in. Things aren't always fair, or even honest...but that's the kind of folks who built our nation.

I like much of Bruce's music but don't care much for his politics. Always felt his excuse for having never servedg was weak where he says he went for his physical but was 4-F because of a medical issue, a bad knee or something. Wonder if this was ever researched by anyone, oh wait he's very Left leaning, forget I asked!!

Very interesting share sir