5 of the Best - Bruce Springsteen and the E. Street Band

In light of the death of Clarence Clemons this week, here's 5otB from The Boss and his band of merry men.

Born to Run - Just an astonishing feat of building a song to an end goal; in this case the refrain line "tramps like us, baby we were born to run". Springsteen's lyrical imagery is both a celebration and degradation of the gutter and The Big Man's sax solo is, well, stupefyingly good.

Thunder Road - "Show a little faith there's magic in the night/you ain't a beauty but hey you're alright/and that's alright with me". The first song on the Born to Run LP is the perfect introduction to an album that tells a story of romance and working-class life with such skill and not just lyrically.


Thunder Road

I'm on Fire - Dark, open and easily empathised with, the open letter style I'm on Fire is one of the greatest songs of longing ever written.

Dancing in the Dark - Yeah the drums sound a bit dated, yeah the synths are a tad cheesy and '80s, but it's still a wonderfully catchy tune.


Dancing in the Dark

Blinded By the Light - A really infectious, well-written song with a great chorus that can get stuck in the head easily. Not in a bad way though.