Which album represented a turning point for Bruce Springsteen in terms of popularity?

• A. Born to Run
• B. The River
• C. Nebraska
• D. Darkness on the Edge of Town

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is identifying the moment Bruce Springsteen breaks from a regional or cult following into widespread mainstream popularity. Born to Run did exactly that. Released in 1975, it fused big, cinematic rock with memorable anthems like the title track and Thunder Road, grabbing radio play and broad media attention. It transformed Springsteen from a respected act with a devoted core audience into a national and international star, capable of selling out large arenas and defining his public image. The other albums, while influential or commercially successful in different ways, did not singlehandedly create that same leap in popularity. Nebraska is intimate and understated, focusing on minimalism rather than mass appeal, and Darkness on the Edge of Town and The River built on his rising profile but did not initiate the breakout the way Born to Run did.