I always keep a radio on. For me, it’s almost a necessity, living alone. Saturday night, I heard a very nice Memorial day thanks to Veterans. Then, the station ruined it… I sent a letter to management.
Dear Station Manager,
I have to tell you, I keep all of my radios on Z##, except during sporting events. I don’t do sports. I was listnening right after mid-night on 05/26/19, when I heard a bumper themed for Memorial Day. As a Vietnam Era veteran, I was proud to hear the recognition. It was immediately spoiled by the next song. Bruce Springsteen’s, “Born In The USA”. I am not such a snowflake that this song always melts my cool, but it is seriously out of place on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day, and even, arguably, on the 4th of July. I serously did not need to hear a song with an anti-Vietnam War theme (which was already out of place when released in 1984). The song rags hard on the US economy in what could be considered a very prosperous year. I understand this song was directed at President Ronald Reagan, but its narrative has very little basis in fact, and is certainly not suitable for a patriotic holiday, and least of all one remembering veterans, especially those who died so Springsteen could keep singing.
Thank you for your attention
In case everyone has forgotten why this song should be offensive to a veteran….
Born In The USA, Bruce Springsteen
[Verse 1]
Born down in a dead man’s town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that’s been beat too much
‘Til you spend half your life just coverin’ up
[Chorus]
Born in the U.S.A
I was born in the U.S.A
I was born in the U.S.A
Born in the U.S.A
[Verse 2]
Got in a little hometown jam
So they put a rifle in my hand
Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man says “Son if it was up to me”
Went down to see my V.A. man
He said “Son, don’t you understand”
[Verse 4]
I had a brother at Khe Sanh fighting off the Viet Cong
They’re still there, he’s all gone
He had a woman he loved in Saigon
I got a picture of him in her arms now
[Verse 5]
Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
Out by the gas fires of the refinery
I’m ten years burning down the road
Nowhere to run ain’t got nowhere to go
5 replies on “Born In The USA… Not So Much”
Thank you for your service. I’ll go listen to God Bless the USA now until I’ve washed that other song out of my memory. I didn’t realize it had such a distasteful message.
Well said, this song has always bothered me too. I remember I was watching, I think it was the Olympics or something like that years ago, and they played this song as Americans were being introduced. I found myself embarrassed and thinking, “wow, I wonder who sees this song as inspiring for Americans” and hoping the rest of the world does not understand this song and realize how self hating some of the Americans are. Then as Obama marched around the world declaring how bad America was and apologizing I realized the problem was much bigger.
I tried to give people the benefit of the doubt and thought of it as a classic case of people LOVED the tune, especially the chorus but had no idea what the song was really about, now who knows.
Thank you, this song bothers me also.
On this memorial day weekend I wish to honor all Veterans. My father being a Vet disagreed, He said this day was reserved for those who had died in service. Dad honored those who died. Veterans day he said honors all who served this was his stand.
I respectfully disagree, I believe all who serve have sacrificed, if nothing else the innocence of youth.
To all who have served…I honor you. Thank you!
It’s a terrible song written and sung by a terrible artist. Everything Springsteen sings sounds like he’s taking a dump. I’ve never understood his appeal at all. Even if you shared his opinions, I don’t understand why you would want to hear him sing.
Wow, thanks for posting this.
Thank you for your service.
I hereby apologize to you, my own dad, and every other veteran for having ever played this song.
I was a young teenager when this song came out, and I don’t recall anything about it except the chorus. I always thought it was a patriotic song because of the chorus. I suppose that says something about the obliviousness of teenagers. (I did obsess over lyrics by other bands, though.) I suppose it also says something about the propaganda the left uses to manipulate people through the pop culture. I’m cynical enough now to think that Springsteen was being deliberately Alinsky-ic instead of ironic.