Bruce Springsteen on the soulful voice behind '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'." (This story was originally broadcast on April 30, 2023.)

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[hdtravel]

An American Music Legend still inspiring and entertaining us all. Love this story.

[catlady]

Saw him I'm 84 with The Born in the USA tour..awesome concert for 3 hrs!!

[indranidasgupta]

I’ve been a Springsteen fan since 1979. My favorite is (and IMO his darkest) Darkness on the Edge of Town. Some will say Born to Run… but this is his take and I bow to the Master’s Voice.

[maureen]

I was late to the Bruce Party, and I live down the shore! Shopping around I see Bruce at every record store and Ok I'll check this guy out. Nebraska was my first album of his. A light went on and it's still burning brightly. God I adore him.

[Bodyknowledge]

"Atlantic City" is such a magical recording/ song. It jerks my tears. One of the first recordings I got as a kid in the 80's was the cassette of Born In The U.S.A (purchased in N.J) I've gone through the songwriting creative process myself with notebooks, mobile device recordings etc etc. This was/is a neat consumption.

[mililaniman]

I love all of Springsteen's albums. I enjoy Nebraska and The River. I didn't know the movie Badlands inspired Nebraska.

[robhenerey]

"on the soulful roots of American life"

[semipenguin]

Atlantic City was probably the first video of his, I got to see regularly on MTV, back in 1982-83. Great song.

[arlen]

This is the kind of thing the actor set to play him in a film version of Warren Zanes' book about the making of Nebraska, Jeremy Allen White, will be studying 24/7/365 until filming begins.

[ritahorvath]

The lyrics of " used car "
are unbearably beautiful .
.

[barbarahourigan]

Sir, there’s surely a meanness in this world but it doesn’t need to be a suicide rap because love is real.💜

[davebegley]

As a lifelong Nebraskan, Billionaire Bruce turns my stomach!

[steveconn]

Bruce just announced a billionaire. Working-class anthems ring a little less true. "And Janey's Lamborghini in the shop/ she might not be able to paraglide in Montauk 🎵" HUUARGH!!

[christopherlauter]

Born to run, literally was one of my favorite albums of all time! I could no longer listen to it because musicians should stay out of politics. And before you say, I’m a Republican I can tell you that I’m not. Although I don’t know my party anymore I hang in there for some reason. Springsteen, Bon Jovi, De Niro, and many others need to remember their craft and stay out of politics. I miss hearing born to run, but I refuse to listen to it. Our country is right now and it breaks my heart because the country divided will fall.

[AA-xouw]

Was he asked if he regrets being a draft dodger?