Bruce Springsteen’s fourth album, 1978’s Darkness on the Edge of Town, was released three years after Born to Run, a period during which Springsteen was kept out of the studio due to a legal skirmish with his former manager.
Rather than capitalizing on his new-found fame by cutting a crowd-pleasing album, Springsteen decided to go darker (literally). Darkness on the Edge of Town follows the same sort of street smart characters as his early work but they are more often tragic than triumphant. These people might be born to run, but the circumstances of their lives have them cemented in place.
This album still features the classic E-Street Band sound that was highlighted on Born to Run, just toned down a bit. On future albums Springsteen would prove just how stark he could go musically, but on Darkness on the Edge of Town he found room for Clarence Clemons and the boys to strut their stuff.
Like much of Springsteen’s work, this album earned its status as a classic years after its release. A year ago, a 6-CD reissue his stores, including live performances, outtakes and a remastered version of the album.
But that blood it never burned in her veins
Now I hear she’s got a house up in Fairview
And a style she’s trying to maintain
Well if she wants to see me
You can tell her that I’m easily found
Tell her there’s a spot out ‘neath Abram’s Bridge
And tell her there’s a darkness on the edge of town
Everybody’s got a secret Sonny
Something that they just can’t face
Some folks spend their whole lives trying to keep it
They carry it with them every step that they take
Till some day they just cut it loose
Cut it loose or let it drag ’em down
Where no one asks any questions
Or looks too long in your face
In the darkness on the edge of town
Some folks are born into a good life
Other folks get it anyway anyhow
I lost my money and I lost my wife
Them things don’t seem to matter much to me now
Tonight I’ll be on that hill ’cause I can’t stop
I’ll be on that hill with everything I got
Lives on the line where dreams are found and lost
I’ll be there on time and I’ll pay the cost
For wanting things that can only be found
In the darkness on the edge of town
Meet Me In Montauk 
This was the three year period I referenced earlier when Manfred Mann scored their big hit with “Blinded by the Light.” If Wikipedia can be believed, Mann’s version is the only Springsteen written song to ever hit number 1 on the hot 100 chart. That is truly some kind of cruel irony.
Anyway, I am less familiar with today’s album, though I do know today’s SOTD. As you said when you started this theme, we all would be well served to become more familiar with Bruce’s earlier work as his output in the 70’s was really amazing.
For an in-depth review of the Darkness album and tour, check out the limited edition Bruce Springsteen book, The Light in Darkness.