Bruce Springsteen's 'Jungleland' Ranks 298th on Rolling Stone's Greatest Songs List
Bruce Springsteen's 'Jungleland' has been included in a prestigious list of the best songs ever recorded against all the odds. The fact that it made the cut was unlikely since the iconic 1975 track was never released as a single, and it lasts nearly 10 minutes.
Who Ranked Bruce Springsteen's ‘Jungleland' as One of the 'Greatest Songs of All Time'
In February 2024, Rolling Stone updated its list of the "500 greatest songs of all time" and ranked Bruce Springsteen's ‘Jungleland' at No. 298. That was an incredible feat for a song that never charted at all, since it wasn't released as a single and it has a runtime of 9:35, which is a length that often limits a track's potential.
'Jungleland' is known as the closing track on Springsteen's iconic 1975 album, 'Born to Run,' which Rolling Stone named the 21st best album of all time in 2023. It was also a major commercial hit as it reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the chart for a staggering 110 weeks.
How Bruce Springsteen's ‘Jungleland' Became a Classic
Bruce Springsteen's album 'Born to Run' had two singles, 'Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out' and the album's title track. Still, it was highlighted by its opening and closing songs, 'Thunder Road' and 'Jungleland.' In the case of the final track, the song takes listeners on a truly incredible musical journey.
There is no doubt that people can be hyperbolic when they write or speak about music. However, when it comes to 'Jungleland,' calling the song epic somehow feels like an understatement. Lyrically, 'Jungleland' tells a tale that, like the best songs, people can interpret in several ways. Still, it captures a story of romance, hope, and the harsh reality of life with immense passion.
Similar to other epic songs from the era, like Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' or Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven,' 'Jungleland' goes through several musical stages. After the track begins with a violin, its emotional climax arrives when Clarence Clemons' saxophone solo beautifully takes over. It also features a pitch-perfect piano core and vocals from Springsteen that epitomize what has made him one of the most celebrated figures in rock music history.
Next: 1972 Rock Classic Became Icon's First No. 1 Hit and Still Holds Up Today
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 12:04 PM.