The Essential Bruce Springsteen

Infobox Album |
Name = The Essential Bruce Springsteen
Type = Compilation album
Artist = Bruce Springsteen


Released = November 11, 2003
Recorded = 1972 - 2002
Genre = Rock
Length = 200:45 (3 CD)
Label = Columbia Records
Producer =
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|5|5 [http://wc03.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fvfixqtaldde link]
Last album = "The Rising"
(2002)
This album = "The Essential Bruce Springsteen"
(2003)
Next album = "Devils & Dust"
(2005)
Misc = Extra chronology 2
Artist = Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Type = compilation
Last album = "The Rising"
(2002)
This album = "The Essential Bruce Springsteen"
(2003)
Next album = "Hammersmith Odeon London '75"
(2006)

"The Essential Bruce Springsteen" is a compilation album by Bruce Springsteen, released on 11 November 2003. The collection is part of a series of "Essential" sets released by Sony BMG (previously Sony Music Entertainment). Per liner notes comments by Springsteen, the collection was intended as an introduction to his music for new fans who attended shows on The Rising Tour; hence, it includes songs from every Springsteen album since his debut. The album was available as either a 2-disc set or a 3-disc set; for the latter, the third disc contained a selection of rarities and previously unreleased recordings.

The album debuted on the Billboard 200 album chart on November 29, 2003 at number 14, with sales of 90,000 copies. It spent 13 weeks on the chart. The album was awarded certified gold and platinum records on December 16, 2003 by the RIAA. "The Essential Bruce Springsteen" also reached #28 in UK albums chart.

Track listing

Disc one

#"Blinded by the Light"
#"For You"
#"Spirit in the Night"
#"4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)"
#"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)"
#"Thunder Road"
#"Born to Run"
#"Jungleland"
#"Badlands"
#"Darkness on the Edge of Town"
#"The Promised Land"
#"The River"
#"Hungry Heart"
#"Nebraska"
#"Atlantic City"

Disc two

#"Born in the U.S.A."
#"Glory Days"
#"Dancing in the Dark"
#"Tunnel of Love"
#"Brilliant Disguise"
#"Human Touch"
#"Better Days"
#"Living Proof"
#"Lucky Town"
#"Streets of Philadelphia"
#"The Ghost of Tom Joad"
#"The Rising"
#"Mary's Place"
#"Lonesome Day"
#"American Skin (41 Shots) (Live at Madison Square Garden)"
#"Land of Hope and Dreams (Live at Madison Square Garden)"

Disc three (optional)

#"From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)" - Recorded in 1979, brought to the world by Dave Edmunds on 1982 release "DE 7th"
#"The Big Payback" - Home recording made shortly after "Nebraska" sessions
#"Held Up Without a Gun" (live) - Recorded live December 31, 1980 at Nassau Coliseum during The River Tour
#"Trapped" (live) - Jimmy Cliff song, recorded live August 6, 1984 at Meadowlands Arena on the Born in the U.S.A. Tour
#"None But the Brave" - Recorded during "Born in the U.S.A." sessions at The Hit Factory
#"Missing" - Appeared in Sean Penn film "The Crossing Guard"
#"Lift Me Up" - Written for John Sayles' film "Limbo"
#"Viva Las Vegas" - Recorded for "NME" benefit album
#"County Fair" - Recorded in 1983 in California after "Nebraska" sessions
#"Code of Silence" (live) - Written with Joe Grushecky, recorded live in 2000 during the Reunion Tour
#"Dead Man Walkin'" - Written for film "Dead Man Walking"
#"Countin' on a Miracle" (acoustic) - Audio portion of recorded video played at end of every show on The Rising Tour.

External links

* [http://www.brucespringsteen.net/albums/essential.html Album contents]
* [http://www.brucespringsteen.net/albums/essential_credits.html Album credits]