Tramps like us, we were born to pay. So says an uncredited Bruce Springsteen in his 1978 spoken-word monologue buried deep within Lou Reed’s epic “Street Hassle.”
Category:
Meeting Across the River (355)
Thirty-three years after he first covered it in concert, Bruce joins Darlene Love on stage for one of her greatest hits. Listen to both performances inside.
A castoff from the Ghost of Tom Joad recording sessions, “Tiger Rose” made its way to an official release and stage performance via the late, great Sonny Burgess. Watch Bruce and Sonny perform it together inside.
One time only: Bruce covers Solomon Burke’s country soul classic with Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes in 1977.
One time only: Bruce covers Larry Williams’ influential “Slow Down” with a cover band at the Classics Cafe in Westwood, New Jersey.
Here’s a lovely under-the-radar duet featuring one of Bruce’s best 90s vocals and a verse he couldn’t resist.
Bruce based two of his most uplifting songs on Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready,” but the only time he ever performed the original in an arena was with U2 in 2005. Watch that loose, fun performance inside.
One time only: Bruce joins Steve Earle and the Dukes on “Johnny Come Lately,” Earle’s sibling song to “Born in the U.S.A.”
It’s up for debate whether Darlene Love’s vocals are anywhere to be found on the original recording, but she certainly was front and center with the E Street Band at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert in 2009.
“Heaven Help the Lonely” should have been a hit single for Willie Nile; Bruce clearly enjoyed playing it with Willie at back-to-back Light of Day appearances.