Colleen Marron

Dr. Kate Rosenberg

RCL
October 17, 2017
American Ideals Through Music

The United States of America, home of the American Dream, where through hard work,

anybody can have the opportunity to be successful. All men have the basic rights to “Life,

Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”. This statement is accepted as true, and has been since the

founding of this nation. Throughout history there have been many musical artists who use these

defined as inalienable rights to generate lyrics that would appeal to most prideful Americans. Not

as many have achieved the status of symbols of the American ideal or American anthems. The

songs “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen, and “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis

Scott Key have become American symbols. Both have also been subject to various

interpretations which support arguments either for or against the country’s culture and ideals.

Even though Key’s song gained national anthem status, Springsteen’s song is almost just as

recognizable and respected as a song to represent the strong patriotism in America.

Bruce Springsteen released his iconic album “Born in the USA”, which contained the song

with the same title, in 1984. The artist uses irony in the song’s chorus by repeating the line “I

was born in the USA” mixed with upbeat music that makes the song seem as if it is patriotic.

However, a closer look at the lyrics in the rest of the verses will show that the song is actually

meant to comment on the problems that Vietnam War veterans experienced upon returning to the

United States, and were continuing to face to that day. The song is a narrative about a man who

had a tough time growing up so he was sent off to war. After returning the man couldn’t find

work and was turned away by his “V.A. Man”, the government worker assigned to him from the

Department of Veterans’ Affairs. A later verse states;

 “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”

Springsteen comments on the many veterans either in jail or homeless with no hope of what to

do next. The year 1984 was about ten years after the war ended and yet veterans were still treated

with contempt and it was hard for them to gain support socially or financially. Springsteen’s

song can be used to show that America is not perfect and ideal. It brings to light a few of the

nation’s problems; the mistreatment of Vietnam War veterans and the ineffective government

systems in place. The American Dream is that any man who works hard and does his part will

have the opportunity for success. This song highlights a man who was born in the United States,

fought for his country, however is being given no opportunity and no hope upon his return.

Springsteen’s song, in contrast to the artist’s intentions, is actually more widely thought

of as a patriotic anthem. It has been used to support arguments that the American Dream is alive

and well. The same year the album was released was a presidential election year where President

Ronald Reagan was seeking reelection for a second term. His campaign manager saw the song

rise in popularity and requested to use it as the campaign song, but was turned down. However,

Springsteen himself had become an American symbol who was representative of the average

working man and this nation’s fundamental ideals. Reagan decided to still appeal to the

patriotism in the American people to gain votes and support. He used Springsteen’s name in a

campaign speech while in New Jersey, which was followed by huge applause. He announced;

“America’s future, rests in a thousand dreams inside your hearts. It rests in the message of hope

in the songs of a man so many young Americans admire—New Jersey’s own, Bruce

Springsteen.” (Politico). The emotions that resulted from Springsteen’s newest release benefitted

Reagan and his popularity. So, while Springsteen’s song is used by some to incite the passion in
all patriotic Americans, it can also be viewed as evidence that the United States may not be as

full of hope as once believed.

A similar contradiction of ideas and interpretation can be seen in the currently ongoing

controversy surrounding the National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott

Key. Unlike Springsteen’s song, Key wrote the song as a tribute to America and the nation’s

resilience. Similar to Springsteen, the song (originally a poem) was written with roots based on a

war. At the battle of Fort McHenry, it seemed as if the American troops were being destroyed

but when Key saw the American flag still standing when it was over, he was inspired

(Smithsonian). There is no question that the song’s purpose was to show America and all its

glory; the “land of the free and the home of the brave”. To make an argument that America is a

symbol of hope, this song and its message of the resilience of the troops and the flag is a good

reference. On the other hand, use of this particular song as our National Anthem has stirred up

major controversy, especially over the past few years. All one needs to do is tune into an NFL

football game on the television any given Sunday in the Fall to witness the protests and

unfortunately the animosity.

Although the first verse of the song is widely known, there are three more that can be

interpreted to show that America is not a land where all are welcome and provided opportunity to

pursue true happiness. Part of the third verse is as follows;

“No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

The mention of slaves in the Anthem is in reference to those who fought alongside the British in

exchange for their freedom. A good majority of one of his verses is dedicated to those slaves that

decided to fight against America, and how they all ran in fear or died. “Lesser known” verses
such as this one has been used as an argument of why this song should no longer be the National

Anthem. The argument is that these verses in particular represent the racism prevalent

throughout America, and even though slavery is in our nation’s past and has been illegal for

centuries, it shows how all men are, in fact, not created equally. Key’s song became a national

symbol and was intended to show the power, strength, and success of America but some are

using it to symbolize America’s shortcomings.

Music is a powerful source for uniting people. It can just simply be a popular and fun song

which everyone enjoys, or it can have the intent to convey an important message. In both

instances, music has a way of reaching a clear majority of people, and can influence the way

people think about and promote certain ideals. In many cases, the reason an artist wrote a song is

unknown and that leaves it up to interpretation by the listener. This is where different meanings

of songs can emerge. A song can really appeal to people because of both the music, which

appeals to feelings, and the lyrics, which can cause one to think. When it comes to the existence

of the American Dream and ideals, both Key’s and Springsteen’s songs can be used as examples

for both sides. Although it may be obvious what the original purpose was, between interviews

and records, the lyrics can be interpreted in different ways so that both sides feel justified in their

beliefs. And isn’t that what America is all about? For Americans to be free to think for

themselves, and express and share those beliefs while maintaining respect for others.
 Works Cited

Dolan, Marc, et al. “How Ronald Reagan Changed Bruce Springsteen’s Politics.” POLITICO Magazine, Robert
L. Allbritton, 4 June 2014, www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/bruce-springsteen-ronald-reagan-
107448.

“The Story Behind the Star Spangled Banner.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Mar.
2007, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-story-behind-the-star-spangled-banner-149220970/.