Springsteen’s second album, The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, is a sweeping, romantic portrait of urban life and youthful longing. Released in 1973, it finds Springsteen expanding beyond the Dylan-esque lyricism of his debut into lush, cinematic storytelling backed by the burgeoning E Street Band.

Songs like “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)” and “Incident on 57th Street” capture the magic of boardwalk summers, street romances, and restless nights, while “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” bursts with unbridled joy and rock ’n’ roll exuberance. The album’s arrangements—featuring horns, accordion, and intricate instrumental interplay—hint at jazz and soul influences, giving it a richness that sets it apart from later, more stripped-down Springsteen records.

Though not initially a commercial success, the record has grown in stature, often cited by fans and critics as one of Springsteen’s most poetic and adventurous works. It is the sound of a young artist beginning to find his mythic voice.