Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen is traditionally my favorite recording artist. His songs are authentic and never lose significance.

When faced with the question of what my favorite Springsteen album is the answer is much dependent on the day of the week. Born to Run is strong, The River is deep, Nebraska is majestic, but Darkness is, by my odds, the strongest of the lot.

Darkness was the album recorded after Born to Run, Springsteen had fought with his record company and had waited longer than he wanted to get back in the studio. The album is anthemic and slightly dark.

A Springsteen show often becomes a singalong. These songs often make up a big part of his concerts.

The album starts with BADLANDS. This song is one of the big ones at any concert Springsteen delivers. My children from a very young age have known about the chorus and sing alongs, and fast knew the phrase " Poor man wanna be rich, rich man wanna be king". One of Springsteens all time favorites.

Adam Raised a Cain is a strong semi scream anthem that is my least favorite songs on the album but still stronger than most.

Something in the Night is the first of the the songs that became lighter in the sky songs.

Candy's Room is underrated. A great rocker, with a great intro. Years ago when seeing Bruce at The Fleet Center he opened the show with this song. A great sing along song. Great in concert, a fist thumper and a fast talking singalong.

Another of the all time Springsteen epics Racing in the Street is one of those that we all know. An extended song telling the tale of those who come home from work and wash up and go Racing in the Street. An epic song. An enormous moment in concert.


Just writing about this album reinforces my opinion about how great a collection this is. Prove It All Night and Promised Land are again two of the most popular concert songs. These songs cannot be turned down when found on the radio.

The Factory is one of the smallest songs on the album but it's concise message of honor of the working man predicated much of Springsteen's later joining and support of the working movement.

Streets of Fire is similar to Adam Raised a Cain as Springsteen howls and screams his way and shows us the way.

The last song on the album might be, and on somedays surely is, my favorite Bruce song, is Darkness on the Edge of Town. The title cut is simply a perfect song. Springsteen snarls, he moans and as we sing along with him we feel what he feels and see what he sees.

This is the best Springsteen album. That makes it one of the greatest albums of the rock era.