Bruce Springsteen on his landmark album 'Nebraska'

In-between his chart-topping album "The River" and his classic "Born in the U.S.A.," Bruce Springsteen recorded a collection of songs on a 4-track cassette recorder in a bedroom at his rented farmhouse - dark, mournful, and rough-hewn songs that reflected the upheaval in his life at a time of rising success. The resulting album, 1982's "Nebraska," would be one of his most personal, and helped solidify his status as one of music's most soulful voices. Springsteen talks with correspondent Jim Axelrod about how "Nebraska" spoke to his evolution as a songwriter. Axelrod also talks with Warren Zanes, author of the new book, "Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's 'Nebraska'."

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[HumpX]

41 years ago??? OMG, where did my life go to?

[mountart]

Never really "got" Nebraska when first came out as someone in my 20's. Now, as a more mature adult, I can clearly see and feel the pain oozing from every note. A masterpiece indeed.

[spartyman]

This is a remarkable interview; one of the best I've heard with Bruce ever in the 45 or so years that I've been following Springsteen's career. Much of the credit goes to CBS and the producers for choosing the correspondent (Jim Axelrod) that they did. Insighful, poignant, intellegent questions from someone who clearly understands Springsteen's perspective and his music. Interested to read the book that is referenced here about the making of the album!

[toeboe]

One of the most stunning chilling lines of a song ever written."They wanted to know why I did what I did, well sir I guess there's just a meaness in this world"

[lotuseater]

Nebraska is my favorite album of his, and one of my favourite in general. It's got Elvis, Dylan, and Suicide but also a lot more, Bruce.

[EUartSoz]

i discovered this when i was 14. i am 52 now. i still listen to it weekly. and still it touchers me deeply everyy single time i hear nebraska, johnny 99 etc. than you bruce, a true masterpiece

[mattcaracciolo]

I would love so much to watch a film of Bruce at his age today singing the entire album in that house on his acoustic guitar

[phonekrabi]

I was probably 27 years old while i first listened to Nebraska from the tape cassette that my younger brother ‘s friend gave me. It took lots of times for me with english dictionary to find out the meaning of the songs according to my Thai nationality and high school educated. The lonely sound of mouth organ attracted me so much plus the powerful muse voices of Bruce hypnotized me, comfort and supported me from my hard working 7 days a week as office boy. Everyday that i listen to Nebraska, My father ‘s house, Highway patrolman, Mansion on the hill, Johny 99, State trooper, others whenever i have an opportunity to supported myself to kept going fighting for my future and it work well. For me “Nebraska” was a great poem that changed my life.. Thanking you very much Bruce Springsteen.

[LETOURTIMESFRANCE]

As a life long Bruce fan at 40 years old he's the best ever...So...1 hour ago I decided up here on a rainy dark day in Farmingdale, Maine my "Hometown" to put on the Nebraska album which I love so much.Then my wife shows me this video on YouTube and assumes I already saw this today because I was listening to the album...well I did not till now!! So Ironic!!!it gave me chills!!!

[rhondaellison]

I became a Springsteen fan because of Nebraska. It blew me away.

[iamthatguy]

He's not the only one who consideres it a masterpiece, it's an album that nobody but Bruce can make, a magical melancholic trip that stands the test of time

[alainamaas]

When we went on a trip to Colorado we drove through Nebraska. When we only had a couple hours left through the state I asked if we could listen to Nebraska while we were on the road. No one else in the car had ever heard of the album - they still talk to this day how impactful that record was while looking at those wide open plains and how the lyrics resonated with them. A great great record one of my all time favorites.

[linguaphile]

Had Nebraska on a road trip across the Midwest that I did with a college buddy in 1992. At first we were cracking up over what a downer each and every song was, and then we just fell in love with it. It was all we played. Truly a masterpiece.

[CanuckinKent-idgb]

My favourite Springsteen album. Delighted to know he feels the same.

[thetinkercook]

I really love his ability to recount his emotions at events in his life - the sign of a healthy mind

[jimmymolinari]

Trying to choose a favorite Bruce song for me is impossible there's favorites for that period in life that somehow seem applicable
Racing in the streets
The river
Growing up
Jungle land.
There's maybe 3 artist that write something like that and those artist are meant to sing it nobody can cover it better

Bruce man simply thank you for making the rhythm that beat that made it possible to walk through the tuff dance to the celebration and hold onto the memories !

[paulwheeler]

Incredible album. I remember buying it for $5.99 at the corner record store. This and Darkness on the Edge of Town. Seminal. Overproduction kills the music.

[ashleyhammond]

I'm from Nebraska and it is one of my favorite albums of Springsteen.

[takahikomusic_]

when I started my songwriting journey (not long ago), I was into pop music, then I found The Beatles, The Who, and wanted to write something more and I found Bruce Springsteen. I am not from New Jersey and nowhere can experience what he feels in his songs, but something about the way he writes the characters, the lyrics, the melody, intimate but inexplicably larger than life makes me a big fan of music. Every artists writes from their viewpoint in this world and there's a liking to each of them, maybe it's because somehow I see bits of myself in his songs.

[PamelitaJohn]

Nebraska is undoubtedly his best album ever👍🏻👍🏻