It may not feature Bruce’s best lyrics, but “The War Is Over” is still a creatively constructed protest song that resonates fifty years down the road in unexpected ways.
Before Bruce had Kevin Buell to lean on, when he broke a guitar string it was Clarence Clemons to the rescue. Originally a lark, Clarence’s rendition of “Gimme That Wine” became a genuine (if rare) highlight when on-stage misfortune would strike.
One time only: Bruce teams up with Dave Edmunds at Big Man’s West on Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Let’s Talk About Us.”
The Winter Blanket gives us a quiet, introspective take of “Darkness on the Edge of Town” that conveys the resignation and defeat lurking at the heart of the song.
One time only: at a live radio station appearance in 1974, Bruce and the soon-to-be E Street Band perform a most unlikely cover.
Suzi Quatro aims high and scores with her bold cover of Bruce’s signature anthem.
One time only: by request, Bruce and the E Street Band (and a raucous crowd sing-a-long) barrel their way through The Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated.”
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.
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.”