September 26, 2025, 2:22 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
In October, “Deliver Me From Nowhere,” the biopic of Bruce Springsteen, will be released in German cinemas. In the film biography, the rock legend, played by Jeremy Allen White, discusses the most challenging phase of his life and his battle with depression.
Fans usually know Bruce Springsteen as a bundle of energy, performing marathon concerts. Rock ‘n’ roll on the world’s biggest stages! But even in the past, such as in his 2016 autobiography “Born to Run,” the now 76-year-old addressed his illness. “It could have gone in many different directions,” he recently said in “TIME100” magazine about that time.
The American has now decided, with the help of a film team, to revisit this phase of his life, specifically his 30s. Back then, he released his legendary album “Nebraska” while struggling with his first severe depression, a breakdown, and even suicidal thoughts.
“The Depression Was No Shock”
The relationship between Bruce Springsteen and Jon Landau (his manager at the time) is intensely explored in “Deliver Me From Nowhere.” Landau advised him to seek “professional help” and therapy due to his depression, which he did successfully. “It completely changed my life,” said “The Boss” (Bruce Springsteen’s nickname). Dealing with the illness, which was not a given back then (early 1980s), and unfortunately still isn’t today.
One of the reasons for the severe manifestations of the illness was the rising fame at the time. His longtime friend Dave Marsh revealed this in 2012 in the U.S. magazine “The New Yorker.” “He had suicidal thoughts. The depression itself was no shock. His career was skyrocketing. Yesterday, you were a nobody, and today, everyone is kissing your ass. That can lead to inner conflicts about your self-worth,” described the Springsteen biographer at the time.
Bruce Springsteen, in turn, wondered why his relationships had always been short-lived. “My problems weren’t as obvious as drugs. Mine were different; they were quieter—just as problematic, but quieter,” Bruce Springsteen himself summarized.
How “Born in the U.S.A.” Changed His Life
What almost had to happen, happened. “When I finished ‘Born in the U.S.A.,’ I had already been in therapy for two years because I had a pretty severe breakdown at 32,” Bruce Springsteen recalled in the podcast “Awards Chatter” in May of this year. For context: The album, which he released in June 1984, became a mega-success and made him a global megastar. “It took me some time to get used to it. I was 34, 35 at the time and could handle it a bit better than at 25 when we had success with ‘Born to Run’ (1975),” said “The Boss.”
Genetically Predisposed?
Bruce Springsteen’s depression was further exacerbated by his difficult childhood. “There were many mental illnesses in my family. My aunts, my uncles, my father—it was just in our blood, so I had to deal with it,” he revealed. He worried that he might end up like his father. “You don’t know the parameters of the illness. Can I become so sick that I become much more like my father than I thought I would?” he wondered.
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Bruce Springsteen on His Relationship with His Father
Bruce Springsteen described his father, Doug, as follows: “He was a tough guy. He was tough when he was young. He was tough on me when I was young, but at heart, he was a vulnerable, fragile, kind-hearted, and sensitive man.” However, as mentioned, he also suffered from mental issues, including paranoia, which heavily strained their relationship for many years.
Reconciliation Over a Beer
In the magazine “Vanity Fair,” his father was described as a “high school dropout who drifted from one blue-collar job to the next.” He was “temperamental, a loner, and a drinker.” He also “didn’t get along well with Bruce and treated the boy with either icy distance or angry scoldings, depending on his mood.” It wasn’t until 1990 that Bruce Springsteen reconciled with his father over a beer at eleven in the morning. “That was it. That was all I needed, all that was necessary,” he emphasized.
Help Is Available!
The German Depression Aid advises openly addressing those affected and helping them contact a doctor or psychotherapist if needed. Sometimes it may also be necessary to take them to a psychiatric emergency room. If you have suicidal thoughts yourself: The crisis hotline at 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222 is free and available around the clock. Please seek help!