Prankster uses “Born In The U.S.A.” to make strangers very uncomfortable
Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In The U.S.A.” may be one of rock’s most misunderstood and misappropriated songs. Since its release in 1984, the tune has frequently been used as an upbeat, patriotic anthem by those, including President Ronald Reagan, who concentrate solely on its catchy chorus and ignore all those pesky verses, which tell the story of a disgruntled Vietnam veteran who was dispatched overseas by his government to “kill the yellow man,” only to return home disillusioned and unemployable. So what happens when a bearded, wild-haired fellow in a red, white, and blue T-shirt and matching Chuck Norris ball cap starts wailing this potentially-tricky song loudly and tunelessly near a public shopping center? According to a YouTube video by a prank-centric improv troupe called the Woodcreek Faction, the answer is that most people in the vicinity become quietly embarrassed and try to look away and pretend it isn’t happening. This aggressively odd performance is either enhanced or further degraded by the singer’s gyrations, which inspire at least one lady to dance along with him.