“The Boss.”

He was born in Long Branch and grew up in Freehold. His kids graduated from the Ranney School. He is a regular at the Work Out World in Tinton Falls. We love him because he’s just like us.

Bruce Springsteen released his breakout record “Born To Run” in 1975. Since then, all but one of his albums have been in the Top 5 of the U.S. Album Charts, according to Rolling Stone magazine. Over 40 years and $200 million later, the Monmouth County native is still touring the world today.

Anyone inclined to rock ‘n’ roll – or simply any New Jerseyan over the age of 50 – will tell you that your concert repertoire is incomplete without a live performance from “Bruce.”

The River Tour 2016 was my golden opportunity.

I finally took my dad’s advice and bought tickets for the first of Springsteen’s three-night stand at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. It was the experience of a lifetime, to say the least.

The Boss performed for nearly four hours without a break, and the crowd tirelessly sang along. Springsteen honored two song requests for unconventional favorites via fan sign, including “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.”

But “Jersey Girl,” Springsteen’s final song, brought down the house unlike any other. Fireworks painted the sky and love filled the air as over 75,000 fans belted the words.

Because as Bruce says, “nothing matters in this whole wide world, when you’re in love with a Jersey girl.”