Discussion

In order to better understand the song “The River” by Bruce Springsteen, it is very important to be able to answer some questions that can help you put it into perspective.

First of all, think about the period in which the song was released. The song was recorded in 1979 and released in 1981 on an album with the same name. What was the economic situation in America at the time? In the beginning of the 1980s, America suffered an economic crisis which led to a high unemployment rate. Notice how, in the song, the narrator describes the way in which the economic crisis has affected his job. Do you think that the song is representative for that period?

Then, think about the relevance of the song today. Do you think people who come from modest backgrounds find it more difficult to make a better...