Bruce Springsteen Reveals His Top 5 Favorite Songs and Reflects on a Storied Career in Candid Interview
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In a heartfelt and engaging interview with Stephen Colbert, rock legend Bruce Springsteen sat down to discuss his new memoir, Born to Run, while offering fans a rare glimpse into his creative process, personal history, and even his top five favorite songs from his own extensive catalog. The conversation, which aired as part of a promotional appearance for his book and companion album Chapter and Verse, also touched on spontaneous moments with his band, a surprising connection to a historic theater, and his thoughts on the future. Springsteen’s candid responses, laced with humor and humility, underscored why he remains one of the most beloved figures in American music.
The interview kicked off with a question from an anonymous member of Springsteen’s iconic E Street Band, submitted to Colbert, about the artist’s habit of spontaneously calling out songs the band has never played before during live performances. With a crowd of 50,000 fans waiting, how does such a high-stakes moment unfold? Springsteen, with a chuckle, explained that the entire band consists of “bar band veterans” who have played countless nights together long before they ever had a record deal. This shared history creates a “common well” of musical knowledge they can draw from. “If something says, ‘Play Wild Thing,’ you’ll be fired from the E Street Band if you don’t know it,” he quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience. He also revealed a little secret: a man under the stage operates a teleprompter, ensuring lyrics are available within seconds for any unexpected song choice, whether it’s a classic like “Friday on My Mind” or even a Katy Perry hit. This behind-the-scenes peek into the band’s adaptability highlighted the trust and camaraderie that have defined their decades-long collaboration.
Colbert then pressed Springsteen to name his top five favorite songs from his own repertoire, a daunting task given his catalog of approximately 300 tracks. After a moment of hesitation, Springsteen began with the iconic “Born to Run,” a song that has become synonymous with his name and earned thunderous applause from the audience. He followed with “The Rising,” a powerful anthem of hope and resilience written in the aftermath of 9/11, which he described as a “big song” for him. Next came “Thunder Road,” a fan favorite that he noted the band plays regularly at concerts, followed by “Nebraska,” the haunting title track of his 1982 album, which he called “a good one.” After some playful prodding from Colbert and the audience, Springsteen rounded out the list with “Racing in the Street,” a poignant narrative from his 1978 album Darkness on the Edge of Town. Colbert humorously noted that these selections seemed to align with “everybody’s top five,” a testament to Springsteen’s ability to connect with listeners through timeless storytelling and raw emotion.
The conversation shifted to Springsteen’s companion album, Chapter and Verse, which features a collection of songs spanning his career, including lesser-known tracks like “Henry Boy.” Springsteen admitted he had “no recollection” of writing or performing the song, believing it was part of the John Hammond demo tape he recorded during his first audition for Columbia Records. This revelation led to a surprising “This Is Your Life” moment when Colbert introduced Harvey Goldberg, an 18-year-old mixer on that original session who now works as a mixer for Colbert’s show. Goldberg, speaking from below the stage, greeted Springsteen with warmth and humor, saying, “I always wondered what happened to you after the demo, and I’m really glad you wrote a book about it so now I can see what went on.” The exchange, met with laughter and applause, underscored the long and winding road of Springsteen’s career, from humble beginnings to global stardom, and the unexpected connections that persist through time.
Adding to the historical resonance of the moment, Colbert shared that the Ed Sullivan Theater, where the interview took place, was the same venue where Elvis Presley once performed. Pointing to the spot where Elvis likely stood, Colbert told Springsteen, “So you made it,” prompting an enthusiastic “Whooo!” from the artist. This nod to rock history was a fitting backdrop for a man often hailed as a successor to Elvis’s cultural impact, carrying forward the spirit of rebellion and authenticity through his music.
As the interview turned to Springsteen’s memoir, Born to Run, which chronicles his life from childhood to the present, Colbert asked about the future and what the next chapter holds for “The Boss.” Springsteen, ever grounded, responded with a simple, “Same old thing,” indicating his commitment to music and storytelling over any drastic reinvention. When Colbert jokingly suggested he could run for governor of New Jersey—a role many fans believe he’d excel in given his deep ties to the state—Springsteen firmly declined with a laugh, saying, “I think I’ll pass on that one,” to cheers from the audience. His reluctance to enter politics, despite his outspoken views on social issues, reflects a desire to remain true to his roots as an artist rather than a public official.
The interview took a personal turn as Colbert revealed it was Springsteen’s birthday, prompting warm applause and cheers from the crowd. To mark the occasion, Colbert presented him with a thoughtful gift: a copy of the original schematic of the Ed Sullivan Theater, acknowledging the building’s significance in Springsteen’s life and career. “I always wanted one of those,” Springsteen said with genuine appreciation, as the audience joined in wishing him a happy birthday. The gesture was a fitting capstone to an interview that balanced nostalgia, humor, and forward-looking reflection.
Springsteen’s appearance was not just a celebration of his past achievements but also a reminder of his enduring relevance. With Chapter and Verse already out and Born to Run set for release on September 27, he continues to engage fans through multiple mediums, from music to literature. His memoir promises an intimate look at the experiences that shaped him, from his working-class upbringing in Freehold, New Jersey, to the highs and lows of a career that has spanned over five decades. Songs like “Born to Run” and “Thunder Road” are not just hits but cultural touchstones, embodying the dreams and struggles of generations of listeners.
Throughout the interview, Springsteen’s humility shone through, whether he was recounting spontaneous onstage moments with the E Street Band or reconnecting with a figure from his early recording days. His top five song selections, while predictable to some, reaffirmed the emotional weight of his work, each track representing a chapter of his life and the collective memory of his audience. “The Rising,” for instance, remains a powerful response to national tragedy, while “Nebraska” showcases his ability to strip down to raw, acoustic storytelling.
As “The Boss” looks ahead, his focus remains on creating and connecting, whether through new music, live performances, or personal reflections in his writing. The birthday celebration at the Ed Sullivan Theater, steeped in rock history, served as a symbolic moment—a bridge between his past and future, between Elvis’s legacy and his own. For fans, the interview was a reminder of why Springsteen’s voice continues to resonate: his authenticity, grit, and unwavering commitment to the human experience.
In closing, Colbert urged viewers to pick up Chapter and Verse and Born to Run, ensuring that Springsteen’s stories—both sung and written—reach new ears. As the audience erupted in applause, it was clear that Bruce Springsteen, at any age, remains a force of nature in American culture, a storyteller whose next chapter is as eagerly anticipated as the last. Whether he’s racing in the street or reflecting on a life well-lived, Springsteen’s journey is far from over, and his fans will undoubtedly be along for the ride.
