'Born to Run' proved Springsteen's mass appeal

Bruce Springsteen performs in 1988 in Abidjan
Bruce Springsteen performs during a 1988 Amnesty International concert in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
AFP/Getty Images

Bruce Springsteen's third album, "Born to Run," was released 40 years ago today.

Springsteen's first two records were loved by the critics but didn't sell well.

The "Born to Run" album was considered a last-ditch effort to see if Springsteen's music could appeal to a wide audience. It took more than 14 months to record the music, which was produced with a Phil Spector-like wall of sound.

The album was a hit, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard chart. It included several songs that have become Springsteen's most iconic, including "Born to Run," "Thunder Road," "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" and "Jungleland."

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