There are a lot of “Because the Night” covers out there, but this is one of my favorites–and it comes from a most unexpected pairing.
In 2009, The Buena Vista Social Club released their second album in their Rhythm del Mundo series, in which they reinvent classic pop and rock songs by teaming up with US, UK, and Irish vocalists and backing them with a Cuban-infused instrumental track–all to raise funds and awareness for climate change and disaster relief.
For “Because the Night,” they chose Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, and together, Tunstall and the BVSC found a Latin groove that highlights and enhances the sultriness of the lyrics (Patti Smith’s version, I should note) more than even Bruce’s original arrangement.
(Alternate source if your country is blocked from the video above)
Who’d have thunk: Jersey + Cuba + Scotland = magic.
