He might be The Boss for millions of fans around the world but at home, legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen doesn't impress his kids.

"My kids don't think I'm cool ... so I'm really not The Boss at home," Springsteen, now promoting his latest album "Devils And Dust", told in an e-mailed interview. "My eldest boy is 14 and loves the guitar. We communicate a lot."

The new album has topped the charts in 10 countries, including the US, and the rock-and-roll legend said his latest effort emerged from his quest to tell stories through his music.

"I've been busy. What I did on this record is what I did on a few other records - telling specific stories. I've done this in the past too with (albums like) 'Nebraska' and 'The Ghost of Tom Joad'.

"You have to be constantly writing. That's how this album came about.

"After I do something that's very external, like I do with the E Street Band where everything is out and there's a lot of energy, I like to do something internal, basically," he said.

Born in September 1949 in Freehold, New Jersey to a middle-class family, Springsteen started playing the guitar in high school. His first album "Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J." was released in 1973.

After playing with a few bands, he formed the E-Street Band with whom he played till 1989.

"It helps me to express both things. I always say the E-Street, that's my Italian side, that's my mother and her family," Springsteen said.

"And then when I go to 'Nebraska' and 'Tom Joad' and this record, you know, I think the Irish, the moody Irish side comes out."

Springsteen's albums have sold millions of copies and established him as one of the world's biggest rock icons for more than three decades.

In 1975, his "Born To Run" album scored in the top five on the charts and Springsteen was dubbed the "Saviour of Rock and Roll". In 1980, "The River" album went platinum and established him as a major international star.

His most famous release "Born In The USA" came in 1984 and sold 20 million copies. It was followed by a two-year world tour and made Springsteen one of the most popular singers ever.

The Boss recorded the song "Streets of Philadelphia" for the film "Philadelphia", which won him a Grammy and an Oscar for Best Song.

His songs have parts of his own life and experiences, said Springsteen.

"(There are) elements (of my life in my songs), yes, but again, these are stories. I try to give a narrative to my thoughts," said the singer, noting that he would love to tour India on the Asia leg of his current world tour.

In recent years, he has actively participated in politics, hitting the campaign trail for US presidential candidate John Kerry. He said he was very disappointed when Kerry lost.

"I remember waking up the morning John Kerry conceded. I was disappointed like everybody else. I learned a lot.

"There was a lot of young hope and idealism. We had an afternoon in Madison where 80,000 people showed up. It was very inspirational and it was incredible.

"I have three children, and being a parent has made me deeply concerned about the world my kids will grow up in. That's why I decided this past November to take my political activism beyond my music - and onto the campaign trail, to support presidential candidate John Kerry. I don't see myself doing it for a living."