Bruce Springsteen has revealed that he “really wanted” to be British.
Despite being hailed as a voice for blue-collar America, Springsteen admitted he dreamed of being born in Britain as he was named the Ivor Academy's newest fellow at the prestigious Ivor Novello Awards ceremony in London on Thursday night.
The rock legend recalled his first visit to the UK in 1975, and revealed he was in awe of trend-setting bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
“For a young rock singer from New Jersey, it was like coming to Mecca,” he said in his acceptance speech. “We thought we'd died and gone to heaven. The youth, the noise, the trends, the girls. I was born American and totally ruthless, but when I was 16, I desperately wanted to be English.”
Springsteen said he even tried to hide his American accent in an attempt to blend in.
“I was pretty good at fake British accents, the cashier ladies at the local supermarket thought so,” he laughed.
Springsteen becomes the first international songwriter to receive an Ivor Academy Fellowship, following in the footsteps of such big names as Elton John, Beatles legend Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox and Kate Bush.
McCartney was on hand to present Springsteen with the award, and the music icon used the opportunity to playfully poke fun at the “Born in the USA” musician before introducing him onto the stage.
McCartney joked that he “can't think of anyone more deserving” to receive the honor, naming Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Beyonce and Taylor Swift as potential recipients.
In his acceptance speech, Springsteen, 74, said he hoped to “perform at my best. I've been inspired by so many musicians and writers from the UK.”
“To be the first international artist to be awarded this fellowship means a lot to me today, especially as an American who has always suspected that the British are suspicious of our quirky ways.”