What Does “Born In The U.S.A.” Really Mean?; Remembering Scott Walker And Ranking Roger
Plus, our favorite new songs and albums from March
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It’s tough to be misunderstood. Just ask Bruce Springsteen. Though “Born In The U.S.A.” is one of The Boss’ most enduring hits, it’s one whose meaning has been misconstrued by politicians and civilians alike.
The latest installment in our American Anthem series – our year-long look at the stories behind the songs that celebrate, rouse and unite us – examines why a track about a Vietnam War veteran who returns home to desperate circumstances is often thought of as an uncomplicated celebration of patriotism and what Springsteen himself thinks of the confusion.
Born to run, Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna
Featuring
An update to a story we’re following: The purchase and sale agreement of Westminster Choir College appears to give the buyers, a Chinese for-profit company partly owned by the Chinese government, an opportunity to close the school, despite the company's assurances.
A new Bollywood hit may have been based on their lives, but the rappers and producers of India's hip-hop underground saw no money, and little exposure, from it.
We’re remembering the legacies of two artists that died in recent days: Scott Walker gave up pop stardom to carve out one of the most original and uncompromising careers in modern music. Roger Charlery – best known as Ranking Roger, singer of The Beat, known as The English Beat in the U.S. – helped transform the genre of ska.
New Music
Our monthly music reports have arrived. Get a quick rundown of the month’s best songs from Sigrid, Nilüfer Yanya, Shafiq Husayn and Maren Morris, or dive deep and hear March’s best albums including Billie Eilish’s highly-anticipated full-length debut and Solange’s celebration of her hometown's musical lineage.
On this week’s episode of All Songs Considered: astonishment from The Comet Is Coming, daydreams from Radiator Hospital, breezy grooves from Lee “Scratch” Perry and a cupcake-and-rosé surprise party from your newsletter editors.
This week in our First Listen series: the celestial new album by Weyes Blood and grand yet thoroughly grounded songwriting of Reba McEntire. Hear them now before they’re streaming next week.
Tiny Desk
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Philadelphia Rapper Chill Moody and singer Donn T, known along with their crew as &More, were a standout entrant in last year's Tiny Desk Contest. The group brought a message of hope and love to the Bob Boilen’s desk (and Bob brought a birthday surprise for one of the band’s members).
Andrea Cruz is part of a movement in Puerto Rico applying a folk approach with acoustic instrumentation to interpreting life before and after Hurricane Maria.
Incoming
You don’t have to fly to Beverly Hills or an island in the sun or across the sea to see it: Coming next week, Weezer performs from the Tiny Desk.
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