Springsteen Hits Back At 'Unpatriotic' Reports

Veteran rocker BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN has hit back at claims his music is unpatriotic - insisting his politically-charged songs prove he cares about his country.

The Born in the U.S.A. hitmaker has been criticised for making outspoken remarks about the way America is run and those elected into government office.

But the 59-year-old star refuses to tone down his music, insisting it's his duty as a performer to enlighten the American public.

Springsteen says, "It's unpatriotic at any given moment to sit back and let things pass that are damaging a place that you love so dearly and has given me so much. I still feel like a beacon of hope and possibility.

"When it gets dark you're supposed to be singing. And it's dark now. The American idea is a beautiful idea and it needs to be preserved, served, protected and sung out."