Bruce Springsteen, also known as “The Boss,” is one of the most beloved American musicians of all time. Songs like “Born in the U.S.A.” and “Born to Run” are some of the most played songs of all time. However, I think it is the deep cuts that define The Boss’ catalog.

“Backstreets” is Springsteen’s best song in my opinion; through this 6 1/2 minute tune, Springsteen tells the story of himself, a childhood friend and their pact to be friends forever.

This song seemingly takes place in Bruce’s home state, New Jersey, and paints an incredible picture of adolescence and the plights of growing up.

Springsteen is an expert in storytelling through song, especially songs about growing up.

His song “No Surrender” delivers a similar message to “Backstreets” in the sense of making pacts about growing up. One of the most powerful lyrics in “No Surrender” goes, “Well, we busted out of class, had to get away from those fools. We learned more from a three-minute record baby than we ever learned in school.”

That lyric has always stood out to me, and I think it means that music has always been something that people can turn to and learn from, and school isn’t always that accessible.

Springsteen released his first album, “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.” in 1973, and the first two songs on the album are the ones that have lasted the test of time.

“Blinded by the Light” is a really odd song that has been famously covered by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. “Growin’ Up” is another song about, you guessed it, growing up.

This song cannot be easily explained unless it is listened to, but there are some really cool lyrics in the song. You will have to listen to them for yourself, but I highly recommend checking this song out.

Touching on some of Springsteen’s most popular songs, I think that “Born in the U.S.A.” is a perfectly written song. It may come across as a nationalist anthem, but it is quite the opposite. The song depicts a veteran coming home from the Vietnam War and feeling disgruntled about his experience with the U.S. and the military.

Springsteen is one of the best songwriters of all time, and that is quite evident in the song “Dancing in the Dark.” This is one of Springsteen’s absolute best pieces of work, talking about feeling lost or stuck at your point in life and that all you need sometimes is a little spark to get things moving in the right direction.

I have been listening to Springsteen’s music my entire life, especially with my dad on the way to baseball events; I know his music inside and out. He is truly one of (if not the absolute best) musicians and songwriters ever.