EAST RUTHERFORD -- Virtually every stadium-sized concert now ends in a blast of fireworks, but in the Meadowlands Thursday night, Bruce Springsteen and company had legitimate reason to celebrate.

First, there was the anniversary many Boss diehards assumed he'd mention -- "Born to Run" was released precisely 41 years ago, Aug. 25, 1975.

A few tunes into his colossal set -- more on the gig's heft in a moment -- Bruce yelled "it's 'Born to Run' birthday day!" and kicked into a vibrant rendition of "Night."

But forget about this show, the second of three MetLife Stadium dates this month, being remembered as a "Born to Run" tribute, or even a nod to "The River" -- he played just a quarter of the album to which this current tour is dedicated.

No, Thursday's performance will soon become storied for its length, as the final notes of closer "Jersey Girl" rang out at 12:02 a.m. -- four hours flat from when Springsteen first took the East Rutherford stage (by our watches, at least). That's a new U.S. record for Bruce, breaking the max set by Tuesday's MetLife performance, which clocked in at 3:52:01, according to the Boss experts at Backstreets.com.

The tone and pace of this monster show was markedly different from Tuesday's set; it featured a largely altered song list, fewer stories told between tunes, new fan-participation wrinkles, and a banner guest appearance.

As this was special night, and a brag-worthy performance for the 55,000 fans in attendance, we forego the usual narrative review for a track-by-track breakdown. Let's get into it!

TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES

"New York City Serenade"

As he did Tuesday, Springsteen and his E Streeters chose to open with the 10-minute "Wild" beauty -- fittingly, his longest track -- complete with a striking, eight-piece string section. Pianist Roy Bittan again provided the fluttering, classically-tinged intro, and the band immediately displayed its full strength, as a mighty, 18-piece unit (with the strings) ready to ascend.

"Prove It All Night"

A screaming solo from Bruce -- and a better, crunchier and longer offering from Steven Van Zandt -- perked up the crowd.

"Night"

One of the few "Born To Run" tracks that Springsteen can get away with playing so early. Fun nonetheless.

Bruce Springsteen on stage as he and the E Street Band perform the second of three shows before his hometown New Jersey crowd at MetLife Stadium. 8/25/16 (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

"No Surrender"

Always a little self-derivative for my taste -- Springsteen trying too hard to be Springsteen -- but the crowd loved it, and provided the chorus's deafening "la's."

"Wrecking Ball"

Springsteen's most recent anthem seems to be steadfast in his sets now. The sound mix didn't seem quite right here, his guitar was low and stole some punch from the intro.

"Sherry Darling"

The night's first "River" offering -- the only such tune in the set's first 90 minutes -- introduced us to Little Girl, who Springsteen spotting singing in the front row, and exclaimed "she knows the words!" More on Little Girl soon.

"Spirit in the Night"

"Can you feel the spirit?!" Springsteen screamed again and again, eyes closed, hand to the sky like a zoned-in reverend. He sang some of the track to a young woman, likely in her 20s, who swooned heartily.

Bruce Springsteen and Max Weinberg perform with the E Street Band during the second of three shows before his hometown New Jersey crowd at MetLife Stadium. 8/25/16 (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

"My City of Ruins"

Springsteen initially dedicated "Ruins" to "our friends in Italy," after an earthquake Wednesday shook the country and killed more than 200 people. Soon after, he revisited the song's origins -- as much as he spoke to the crowd all night -- explaining how it was written for once-shabby Asbury Park, but now, he said, "it's having a nice little renaissance, people on the beach, on the boardwalk, in the street, it's good!" Glad to see he's paying attention to his old home base. Plus, the immense crowd singing the sweeping "rise up" refrain was powerful stuff.

"Waitin' on a Sunny Day"

This one was a request from a fan's sign, the parents of Little Girl, asking if the 3-year-old could come up and sing with Bruce. He acquiesced, and the brave little nugget in her "Born in the U.S.A." t-shirt sang the "Sunny" chorus a cappella. The crowd roared and Bruce hoisted her up on his shoulders. A cute moment for sure. "She's got guts!" he yelled afterward.

"Darkness on the Edge of Town"

Another fan request, fairly straightforward.

"Lost in the Flood"

The last fan request, from someone who'd seen 150 shows and never heard "Flood" live, and this one was a goodie. Springsteen was all grimaces and conviction, pounding through his "Greetings" oldie's post-Vietnam disillusion and religious questioning. It felt as though he was truly excited to revisit it.

"Hungry Heart"

The usual, Bruce strolled a lap around the general admission section. All told, you'd never know this set was a "River" tour -- only five tracks were played, of 33 total in the set.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform the second of three shows before his hometown New Jersey crowd at MetLife Stadium. 8/25/16 (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

"Out in the Street"

Always energizing, but on such a mammoth night, it was forgettable.

"Death to My Hometown"

Jake Clemons on bass drum, touring keyboardist Charles Giordano on accordion and -- oh, hey! It's Tom Morello on guitar! The virtuosic shredder, who has recorded with Springsteen since "Wrecking Ball," would be back a few minutes later.

"Youngstown"

Nils Lofgren ripped a killer solo on this "Tom Joad" album track, but for many, this was a trip-to-the-bathroom song. A steady stream filed out here (no pun intended).

"Jack of All Trades"

The string octet returned for "Jack," and added incredible warmth and depth to the folksy number's simple construction. Springsteen on harmonica bolstered the song that much more.

"American Skin (41 Shots)"

Welcome back Morello, this time with a sweeping solo that seemed to re-energize a sweat-soaked Springsteen, during the set's more solemn stretch.

Guitarist 'Little Stevie' Van Zandt escorts Patti Scialfa out on stage as Bruce Springsteen and the E. Street Band prepare to perform the second of three shows before his hometown New Jersey crowd at MetLife Stadium. 8/25/16 (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

"The Promised Land"

Also straightforward. Meh.

"Cadillac Ranch"

As with most of the twangy roadhouse jams on "The River," "Cadillac" is infinitely better in the live setting.

"I'm a Rocker"

Same goes for "I'm a Rocker," the night's last "River" jam.

"Tougher Than the Rest"

A solid deep cut off "Tunnel of Love," with added tenderness as much of it was done with Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa facing one another, strumming in unison.

"Because the Night"

The crowd never tires of this one, even if Bruce seemed to be a little bored with it. Another terrific solo from Lofgren, complete with his spinning-on-one-leg gimmick.

"The Rising"

Expectedly uplifting.

"The Ghost of Tom Joad"

So, "Tom Joad" was pumped up and revamped for 2014's "High Hopes" LP, with Morello providing a seething, extended solo, which he ran through again, mostly lick-for-lick Thursday night. His fingers flew around the frets so quickly, the frame rate of the stadium camera barely captured everything he did. Morello was super-jazzed by the end, thrashing and screaming "yeah!" to the crowd over and over. It was also interesting to hear him and Springsteen trade lead vocals throughout.

"Badlands"

The stadium rocked hardest -- physically shaking -- for "Badlands."

Fans in the parking lot at MetLife Stadium as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band prepare to perform the second of three shows before a hometown New Jersey crowd. 8/25/16 (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Encore:

"Backstreets"

Late in the tune, which played mostly to the recording, Springsteen stood hands up, eyes closed, building some extra drama.

"Born to Run"

House lights were on from this point going forward, with tramps like us lit in near daylight, despite the clock approaching midnight.

Per tradition, fans were brought on-stage to dance, and a young boy and teenage girl were each given guitars to strum alongside Springsteen. Another family-friendly moment.

"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)"

All smiles for the band's consummate party song, some of the players hung down off the main stage, closer to the fans.

"Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out"

A video montage/tribute to Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici played during "Freeze-Out," to coincide with the "and the Big Man joined the band" line. A nice touch.

"Shout" (Isley Brothers cover)

A LITTLE BIT LOUDER NOW!

"Thunder Road"

We all love the iconic ballad and all, but when as the show approached its fifth hour, the languid pace was a little tiresome. Earlier in the set might have been more welcome.

"Jersey Girl"

A couple who just became engaged were brought on stage, the new fiance professed his love to both his soon-to-be bride and Bruce, and about 25 miles north of the shore, everything was all right. Fireworks flew. The end.

Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier and Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.