Bruce’s personal anthem has been central and vital to his catalog since its 1995 debut, receiving an astonishing *four* different studio releases. Listen to them all, along with backstory, insights, and great performances inside.
One time only: Bruce Springsteen makes a surprise appearance with Soul Asylum in 1995, joining the band for Smokey Robinson’s classic, “The Tracks of My Tears.”
We may not be able to make out the lyrics for “Don’t Say No,” but the backing track is a keeper. Too bad Bruce didn’t find a home for it–although it’s not for lack of trying.
It’s an obscure song covered by an even more obscure band, but The Blue Bonnets’ version of “The Angel” is terrific–maybe even better than Bruce’s version.
At an Elvis-themed benefit concert, Bruce joined Sting, Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul Simon, and more great performers on an encore of Elvis’ classic “Jailhouse Rock.”
The very definition of an overlooked gem, “Tomorrow Never Knows” reflects an artist truly coming to terms with his mortality and establishes a throughline to Western Stars.
What can possibly be more powerful than Bettye LaVette’s 2007 cover of “Streets of Philadelphia?” A live performance from a decade later. Both are required listening.
One time only: In tribute to Elaine Steinbeck (wife of John), Bruce plays a gentle, acoustic cover of the opening song from the classic Broadway musical Oklahoma!
Patiently romantic or cruelly manipulative? Read my take on Bruce’s one and only single from Tracks inside.
One of the few holdbacks from the decade-long Seeger Sessions finally saw an official release last year. Take a listen to Bruce’s cover of Pete Seeger’s “If I Had a Hammer.”