Bruce Springsteen has an enormous catalog of songs, but some are absolute must-plays at his concerts. While he occasionally switches things up, a few tracks always seem to make the setlist. Let’s take a look at three of his most-performed live songs!
“Born to Run”
No surprise here—Springsteen has played “Born to Run” a staggering 1,861 times as of February 2025. This song, released in 1975, was a game-changer for The Boss, launching him into rock superstardom.
It wasn’t an easy song to create, though. The title track from Born to Run took six months to perfect. But all that effort paid off—it’s now one of rock’s most iconic anthems.
Springsteen once recalled how the idea for the song came to him naturally:
“One day, I was playing my guitar on the edge of the bed, working on some song ideas, and the words ‘born to run’ came to me […] I liked the phrase because it suggested a cinematic drama that I thought would work with the music that I’d been hearing in my head.”
“Thunder Road”
Another fan favorite, “Thunder Road” has been performed 1,568 times live. It’s the opening track on Born to Run, setting the tone for an unforgettable album.
Despite never being released as a single, this folk-rock masterpiece remains one of Springsteen’s most beloved songs. It’s a staple in his concerts, capturing the heart and soul of his storytelling.
“The Promised Land”
“The Promised Land,” a Springsteen classic, can be found on 1,525 of his set lists. The song, which was included on the 1978 album Darkness on the Edge of Town, became a potent hymn of resiliency and optimism.
After visiting Utah and Nevada in 1977, Springsteen was moved to write it. He was lamenting the passing of one of his musical heroes, Elvis Presley, at the time. One of his best country-rock tunes, which still has an impact on listeners today, was born out of that sorrow.
These are but a handful of the numerous tracks that have characterized Springsteen’s renowned live appearances. What is your favorite?