Top 10 Bruce Springsteen Albums

Bruce Springsteen has released 21 studio albums across six decades, with almost all - bar a few - notably featuring the legendary E Street Band. A true pioneer of the heartland rock genre and a defining voice of late 20th-century American rock, Springsteen’s music has left a lasting cultural legacy.

We’ve curated a list of Bruce Springsteen's best albums, including the most critically acclaimed, the fan favourites, and the ones that have stood the test of time.

Bruce Springsteen is set to return to the UK stages with three dates at Manchester's Co-op Live in May 2025. Want to experience the rock legend like never before? Book VIP Bruce Springsteen tickets today!

Best Bruce Springsteen Albums in order

No. 10 Magic (2007)

Magic is the fifteenth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released by Columbia Records. It was his first album release with the E Street Band since The Rising in 2002. Despite its bright, often nostalgic sound, Magic is layered with subtle commentary on truth, loss, and the fading of American ideals.

The album was both a critical and commercial success, debuting at number one in multiple countries and reaffirming Springsteen’s continued relevance as a powerful voice in modern rock.

No. 9 Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J (1973)

Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. was Bruce Springsteen’s debut studio album, released in 1973. It was recorded at 914 Sound Studios in New York and produced by Mike Appel and Jim Cretecos.

Although the album didn’t achieve commercial success upon release, it was met with positive critical reception. Over the years, it has come to be recognised as one of the most celebrated debut albums in rock history. In 2013, Rolling Stone ranked it at number 37 on their list of the ‘100 Greatest Debut Albums of All Time.’

No. 8 The Rising (2002)

The Rising is Springsteen’s twelfth studio album, released on 30th July 2002. Its inspiration is largely in part due to New York’s September 2001 attacks. The album was a commercial success, becoming only Springsteen's second studio album to top the US Billboard 200, after Tunnel of Love in 1987. 

No.7 Tunnel of Love (1987)

Tunnel Of Love is Springsteen’s eighth studio album, released on 5th October 1987. Most of the album was recorded with just Springsteen rather than with E Street Bands accompaniment.

Tunnel of Love ranked No. 25 on Rolling Stones list of 100 albums of the Eighties that was published in 1989, demonstrating its cultural impact on the past decade of music. 

No.6 Nebraska (1982)

Nebraska is the sixth studio album by Bruce Springsteen, released on 30th September 1982 by Columbia Records. The album was originally recorded as a series of solo demos using a four-track recorder at Springsteen’s home in New Jersey.

Although the initial plan was to re-record the tracks with the E Street Band, Springsteen ultimately preferred the raw, stripped-back versions. The minimal production style perfectly captured the album’s themes, reflecting the lives, struggles, and quiet aspirations of working-class Americans.

Nebraska received widespread critical acclaim. American pop music critic Robert Hilburn described it as “one of the most bold, uncompromising artistic statements since John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band album in 1970.”

No.5 The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle (1973)

The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street shuffle was Bruce Springsteen’s second album release. It was recorded by Springsteen and the E Street Band in New York and was released on November 5th 1973.

The album was received well in the relatively small circle that was following Springsteen’s music at this point, and played regularly on North Eastern rock radio stations. Critics noted that Springsteen's second album had a more rock-oriented sound than his folk-influenced debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.

No. 4 The River (1980)

The River is Springsteen's fifth studio album, it was released on 17th October 1980 by Columbia Records. The album was Springsteen's attempt to accurately capture the E Street bands live sound in recorded form.

The River became Springsteen's fastest selling album, even topping the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart. The album perhaps had the most mixed reviews of Springsteen's albums releases up until that point.

No. 3 Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978)

Darkness on the Edge of Town is Springsteen’s fourth studio album, released on 2nd June 1978 through Columbia Records. The album leans to a more hard rock sound, with inspiration taken from few and far between including punk rock, country music, John Ford films, and John Steinbeck novels.

Released 3 years after Born to Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town did not receive the same level of critical success but retrospectively the album is lauded as one his finest successes. 

No. 2 Born in the U.S.A (1984)

Born in the U.S.A is Springsteen's seventh studio album, it was released by Columbia Records on 4th June 1984. Capturing the essence of the 1980s, America Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A features seven top-10 singles.

No.1 Born to Run (1975)

Born to Run is the third studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on August 25th 1975, by Columbia Records. Often considered Springsteen’s best work, this album features iconic tracks like Thunder Road, Born to Run, and Jungleland.

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