The screen door slams, Mary’s dress sways …

August 25, 1975
Bruce Springsteen’s third album Born to Run was released on this date.

The stunning success of Born To Run was tempered by the fine print on Springsteen’s contract with his manager, Mike Appel, which gave Appel a degree of control over who Bruce worked with. They sued each other in 1976, and it wasn’t until the middle of 1977 that Springsteen could return to the studio on his own terms. When he did, it was with a pile of songs that were more glum than his previous work, a reflection on his personal struggles and time he spent with local friends listening to their concerns. He named the album Darkness On The Edge Of Town, and chose songs that fit the mood. It’s nuanced and well-crafted, and made with no concern for hit potential. The album held up as a milestone in his discography, and many of the songs remained concert favorites throughout his career.

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