More an impressionistic scene than a story, “Wild Billy’s Circus Story” is one of Bruce’s most carefully crafted early songs, full of delightful musical and lyrical detail. Insights, backstory, and some remarkable early performances inside.
Author:
Ken Rosen (2080)
One time only: Bruce opened his performance at the 2009 Glastonbury Festival with an acoustic cover of Joe Strummer’s posthumous single “Coma Girl.”
Canadian band Doc Walker finds a tender country song lurking inside Bruce’s underappreciated pop single, “Girls in Their Summer Clothes.”
Listen to Bruce’s greatest unfinished rocker from the Darkness sessions and imagine what a show-stopper we *almost* had.
Bruce joins a stellar line-up of guest musicians at a 1994 John Eddie concert to cover Elvis Presley’s last number one hit, “Suspicious Minds.”
Just in case Bruce’s video for “Dancing in the Dark” isn’t eighties enough for you… well, sometimes its better to just let a clip speak for itself.
When Bruce walked into a recording studio for only the second time, he recorded one of his earliest crowd-pleasers with his band, Steel Mill. Listen to that studio recording along with a great live performance inside.
One time only: Bruce Springsteen covers one of rock’s most instantly recognizable songs: The Music Explosion’s “Little Bit O’ Soul.”
Undeservedly obscure, “Trouble River” is a fun Human Touch-era soul rocker with deceptively dark lyrics and a long, terrific guitar solo from Bruce–this one needs more attention.
Richard Shindell’s arrangement of “Born in the U.S.A.” highlights the anger and loss in the lyrics without sacrificing the melody. It’s a brilliant cover–take a listen inside.