85) Born in the U.S.A.

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Springsteen wrote most of these songs in a fit of inspiration that also gave birth to the harrowing Nebraska. "Particularly on the first side, it's actually written very much like Nebraska," he said. "The characters and the stories, the style of writing -- except it's just in the rock-band setting." It was a crucial difference: The E Street Band put so much punch into the title song that millions misheard its questioning allegiance as mere flag-waving. The immortal force of the album is in Springsteen's frank mix of soaring optimism and the feeling of, he said, being "handcuffed to the bumper of a state trooper's Ford."

Total album sales: 15 million

Peak chart position: 1

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