Bruce Springsteen’s iconic album “Born in the U.S.A” turned 40 years old this month. 

The titular track on the album has become an anthem for political rallies, though it’s notoriously thought of as a pro-America song even though the actual lyrics tell a different story.

Steven Hyden chronicled the historic album in his new book “There Was Nothing You Could Do: Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the U.S.A’ and the end of the Heartland.”

Hyden joined “Inside the Issues” host Amrit Singh to discuss the political role the rock song has played over the last four decades.

Hyden explains in the song “Born in the U.S.A” Bruce Springsteen writes about the perspective of a disillusioned Vietnam War veteran who feels the country has left him behind, but because of the catchy chorus, it got appropriated as a pro-America song for political rallies.

“The greatness of this record is that [Springsteen] is writing about an America with a great amount of complexity. He’s someone who ultimately believes in the possibility of America — the potential of America to live up to its ideals,” Hyden said. “But he’s also taking stock of where America falls short.”

Hyden also writes in his book that Springsteen’s songs are a uniting force for both Democrats and Republicans. In a way such that both sides can identify with Springsteen in their own way.

“Bruce, in this era, was something of a Rorschach test for a lot of Americans,” Hyden said. 

Springsteen would use his songs to speak out about progressive issues. Hyden points out  conservatives still would see him as an example of a hard worker who embodies American ideals.

And 40 years later, “Born in the U.S.A,” is still played at political rallies, “You would think by now people would know what this song is about,” Hyden said.