Bruce Springsteen once said he hoped listeners would experience his music the same way he experienced Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan. That record, to him, revealed profound truths about life—offering insight into everything from family to society at large. Springsteen wanted his own work to have that same emotional impact: music that didn’t just entertain but actually transformed the listener’s understanding of the world.
It’s a lofty goal, and for the most part, he lived up to it. Tracks like The River and Born to Run are drenched in heartfelt storytelling and nostalgic power. But when you’re as prolific as Springsteen—spanning decades and musical shifts—you’re bound to have a few misfires along the way.
Let’s take a look at some of those lesser moments. These songs didn’t hit the emotional mark or artistic standard fans have come to expect, and in some cases, even The Boss himself seemed eager to forget them.
Bruce Springsteen’s Most Disappointing Songs
- ‘The Way’
Recorded in 1980, The Way was so poorly received—even by Springsteen himself—that he went to lengths to bury it. It was tucked into a hidden portion of a CD to keep it away from listeners. “The main reason it’s hidden is because I never liked it,” he admitted. In a moment of brutal honesty, Springsteen even said it belonged in a David Lynch film during a “sexually perverse scene.” That says it all. - ‘Real Men’
Written during the 1980s, Real Men is a song that falls flat in both concept and execution. It takes a satirical look at masculinity but ends up sounding clumsy and outdated. The protagonist tries to prove his toughness by taking his date to see Rambo, but the song’s narrative lacks nuance and quickly veers into cringeworthy territory. Despite Springsteen’s usual lyrical talent, this one simply doesn’t work. - ‘Mr. Outside’
Clocking in at just over two minutes, Mr. Outside feels more like a sketch than a fully formed track. Released as part of a box set, it lacks the emotional depth and structure that define Springsteen’s best work. With so many layered and meaningful songs in his catalogue, this half-baked idea stands out as a weak link. - ‘This Is Your Sword’
From the 2014 album High Hopes, This Is Your Sword suffers from a lack of direction. Where albums like Nebraska and Born in the U.S.A. have strong themes and storytelling, this track feels like a patchwork of vague clichés. The result is a song that sounds uninspired and out of place, a rare stumble in an otherwise powerful discography. - ‘Red Headed Woman’
This track began as part of Springsteen’s live sets during the Ghost of Tom Joad era. He introduced it as “a great song about a great subject: cunnilingus.” But rather than being cheeky and clever, it ends up feeling cheap and gimmicky. While Springsteen has played playful tunes on tour that never saw a studio release, Red Headed Woman somehow made the cut—unlike similar oddities that were wisely left unreleased.
Bruce Springsteen’s ambition as a songwriter is part of what makes his music so special. He aimed to create songs that revealed something fundamental and true about life—and more often than not, he succeeded. But no artist gets it right every time. These tracks remind us that even legends can have their off days. Fortunately, Springsteen’s highs far outweigh his lows.
