It was 20 years ago today (August 17th, 2002) that Bruce Springsteen's post-9/11 requiem, The Rising, hit Number One on the Billboard 200 albums charts for the first of its two-week run. The set, which reunited Springsteen with the E Street Band for the first time on a full studio set since 1984's Born In The U.S.A., came on the heels of both the band's sold-out 1999/2000 reunion tour and the horrific 9/11 attacks.
The Rising, which was released on July 20th, 2002, marked Springsteen's first new album in seven years, was inspired by a fan who in the days after 9/11 pulled up next to Springsteen in his car, rolled down his window and stated simply: "We need you now." The album broke from both Springsteen's usual production team, tapping instead Pearl Jam producer Brendan O'Brien, who enticed Springsteen and the band to record at Atlanta's Southern Tracks Recording Studio rather than Springsteen's own home studio or in Manhattan, as were his usual base of operations.
Two decades on, The Rising remains the last new Springsteen album to feature songs that were considered instant classics and important enough to earn a regular space in Springsteen's shows. Although "The Boss" has had numerous best-selling albums over the years, none have contained as many songs as The Rising that — to this day — sit comfortably next to his classic '70s and '80s works.
Highlights on the set include "The Rising," "You're Missing," "Waiting On A Sunny Day," "Into The Fire," "Mary's Place," "Empty Sky," "Lonesome Day," "Countin' On A Miracle," and "My City Of Ruins."