Tonight’s Top 3 at 7: Songs “Born” To Be Hits

The title track and opening number to Springsteen’s 1984 album — which made him a global superstar — is surely his most misunderstood song. Its bright synthesizers (courtesy of Roy Bittan) and easily chantable chorus led many (including, famously, President Ronald Reagan) to believe that it was a patriotic song. From a certain perspective, it was. Questioning one’s government is a patriotic act, particularly in America. It’s the responsibility of citizens to make sure we are adhering to the ideals that our country was founded on. And in the ‘80s, America wasn’t doing right by its veterans, which is what this song was about. (Reagan clearly didn’t read the lyrics.)