No Surrender by Bruce Springsteen

Album: Born In The U.S.A. (1984)

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Springsteen wrote this about the inspirational power of rock music. It came to represent his friendship with members of his band.
This was the last song chosen for the album. E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt had to convince Springsteen to put it on. Van Zandt had left the band, but remained close to Springsteen and would eventually play with him again.
The original title was "Brothers Under The Bridges."
Part of the chorus provided the title for Jean-Claude Van Damme's first movie, No Retreat, No Surrender.
Springsteen often performed a slower version of this at concerts. The version on the box set Live 1975-1985 is a slower, solo performance.
Taylor Swift scrawled a lyric from this song on her arm for a live show. She wrote: "We learned more from a three-minute record than we ever learned in school."

Comments: 13

Debra Hall from AlabamaLove your music
David from OaklandSurprised that no one has said: this is about life. Especially as you grow older and you make your compromises, and you find yourself crying when you sing this song.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyCan't believe this wasn't released as a single; our two sons were teen-agers in 1984 and just loved this song, it was their and their friends anthem...
Ray from Philadelphia, PaI know I will probably take a beating for this but IMHO the BEST song Bruce ever put out. An anthem for me and my friends through our mid to late teens.
Gene from San Diego, CaThis is one awesome song. This, in my opinion, was the best anti-war song ever till he came out with Magic. Brendan, you're right, the whole album is amazing.
Brendan from Derwood, MdSteve- how can you say there are only three great songs when there were a record tying 7 top 10 hits? The entire album is amazing
Connagheir from Chicago, IlGreat song. I remember being psyched when I heard him playing it. Good portrait of regular Americans.
Steve from Fenton, MoOne of only three great songs on the Born in the USA album, the other two being the title song and Bobby Jean.
Tom from Rochester, NyIn the movie, Van Damme plays the antagonist, a Russian in fact, who fights the kid trained by Bruce Lee's ghost.
Fred from Abilene, TxPerhaps the saddest thing about Kerry losing the election is that we don't get to have Bruce Springsteen as poet laureate.
Kyle from Belleville, CanadaThis features Bruce refering to his band mates as "blood brothers" which is the theme behind Bruce's song "Blood Brothers"
Tyler from Hamilton, CanadaJohn Kerry/John Edwards 2004 campaign song.
Antonio from Orlando, FlJohn Kerry, Democratic Presidential Candidate, is a big fan of Bruce Springssteen. Reportedly, this is his favorite song.

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