In 1982, Bruce Springsteen recorded this raw, dark demo of "Born in the USA" during the sessions that would spawn his Nebraska album, my favorite of all his releases. "Born in the USA" is about the impact of the Vietnam War on America and the country's mistreatment of veterans upon their return. Of course the familiar version of the song ultimately released in 1984 has been reinterpreted by many as a patriotic anthem because, y'know, who pays attention to lyrics.
If you have some time for me
Then I will sing a song for you
About ninety-nine balloons
On their way to the horizon
Do you think of me now?
Then I will sing a song for you
About ninety-nine balloons
And that such a thing comes from such a thing
Ninety-nine balloons
On their way to the horizon
Were taken for UFOs from space
Hence, a general sent
A squadron after them
To give the alarm
But there on the horizon
Were just ninety-nine balloons
Ninety-nine jet fighters
Each was a great warrior
Regarded themselves as Captain Kirk
There was a great display of fireworks
The neighbors didn't understand
And soon felt offended
Then they shot at the horizon
At ninety-nine balloons
Ninety-nine ministers of war
Matches and petrol canisters
Regarded themselves as clever people
Already on the scent of fat quarry
They shouted, "War," and wanted power
Man, who would have thought
That someday it would come this far
Because of ninety-nine balloons
Because of ninety-nine balloons
Ninety-nine balloons
99 years of war
Left no place for winners
War ministers don't exist anymore
And not one jet
Today I stroll around
See the world in ruins
I've found a balloon
I think about you and let it fly
I got 99 problems, but a bitch ain't one - hit me!
Come to my aid you're sweet as everything
Come to my aid I'd give you anything
I feel so betrayed by the people I love
Come to my aid it's you I'm thinking of
Prouder than wild
Sad enough to sing
Come to my aid and care for social living
Why are we liable to die for survival?
Why is our nation divided?
Come to my aid..
In the poverty stakes see just what it means
When welfare decimates you'd better care
About your fellow people
Why are we liable to die for survival?
Why is our nation divided?
Come to my aid...
Come on board
I stand
Feeling so connected
And I'm all there
Right next to you
It started when I saw the ship go down
I saw them struggle in the sea
And suddenly the picture disappears
In front of me
Now we're busy making all our busy plans
On foundations build to last
But nothing fades as fast as the future
And nothing clings like the past, until we can see
More than this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDRsokQKUmk
I woke up and the world outside was dark
All so quiet before the dawn
Opened up the door and walked outside
The ground was cold
I walked until I couldn't walk any more
To a place I'd never been
There was something stirring in the air
In front of me, I could see
More than this
More than this
So much more than this
There is something else there
When all that you had has all gone
And more than this
I stand
Feeling so connected
And I'm all there
Right next to you
It started when I saw the ship go down
I saw them struggle in the sea
And suddenly the picture disappears
In front of me
Now we're busy making all our busy plans
On foundations build to last
But nothing fades as fast as the future
And nothing clings like the past, until we can see
More than this
More than this
So much more than this
There is something out there
More than this
It's coming through
And more than this
I stand alone and so connected
And I'm all there
Right next to you
Oh then it's alright
When with every day another bit falls away
Oh but its still alright, alright, alright
And like words together we can make some sense
Much more than this
Way beyond imagination
Much more than this
Beyond the stars
With my head so full
So full of fractured pictures
And I'm all there
Right next to you More than this
This is a holdup, everybody on the ground
Put your hands behind your head, don't make a sound
This old system been keeping us down, down, down
Now me and my friends think it's time to turn this mess around
We all know this ain't what you expected
We know this must come as a surprise
Imagine how it feels to be rejected, scorned and scoffed at
Imagine how it feels to be despised
Too much money in too few hands
We'll be on our way once you meet our small demands
So come on, people, do as I say
You may just live to see a better day
Everybody on the ground
We're gonna pass this bag around
Fill it up with what you got
Fill it up with what you got
Too much money in too few hands
We'll be on our way once you meet our small demands
Too much money in too few hands
We'll be on our way once you meet our small demands
Here's my people, respect us as equal
Fewer excuses, we don't need to prove it
You'll find out what we've known all along
By trying to keep us down, you've made us strong
This is a holdup, everybody on the ground
Put your hands behind your head, don't make a sound
Come on, people, do as I say
You may just get to see a better day
Everybody on the ground
We're gonna pass this bag around
Fill it up with what you got
Fill it up with what you got