This special episode dives into one of the most pivotal moments in rock history. With a new Bruce Springsteen biopic hitting theatres this month, we uncover the real story behind the making of an epic album — and the desperate fight to save his career. It’s 1974...after two critically acclaimed but commercially disappointing albums, Bruce Springsteen is on the brink of being dropped by Columbia Records. Cornered by doubt and haunted by his past, he pushes himself, his band, and his producers to the breaking point — all in pursuit of the sound that would define him.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The backstory of his troubled childhood and how it affected him for life
• The complicated dichotomy that is Bruce's internal conflict for his entire career
• How the songs Born to Run, Jungleland and others evolved substantially in the studio
• The hidden meanings and themes of key songs on the album
• A surprising reveal about the album's underlying theme
• The key role of a 22-year-old Born to Run studio sound engineer who would go to become a billionaire

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Guest Bio
Today we'll explore the making of the landmark album Born to Run with Bruce insider Peter Ames Carlin, author of the recently released Tonight in Jungleland: The Making of Born to Run, which has already become a New York Times bestseller. Peter was on our previous episodes on the Story of R.E.M. and Story of Bruce Springsteen. He's also written definitive biographies on Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.