Your daily dose of Springsteen originals and covers
In 2010, an on-line auction site featured a page of untitled, original early Springsteen lyrics. Despite the deceptively provocative name they assigned, “Vaginal Vandals” is a fascinating seed of what might have developed into an early tale of youthful rebellion.
One time only: Bruce invites original recording artist Martha Reeves to join the E Street Band for one of her greatest hits, Motown classic “Heat Wave.”
ZZ Top’s “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” was a set list favorite for Bruce’s Stone Pony appearances in 1984, but it was a lot rarer on E Street stages. “Official” and club performances inside.
The story of “You Mean So Much to Me” continues beyond its last E Street stage appearance. Listen to the definitive cover by Southside Johnny and Ronnie Spector, plus Bruce and Ronnie’s unexpected 1977 team-up.
Bruce teams up with Garland Jeffreys for a crowd-pleasing cover of ? and the Mysterians’ “96 Tears.”
Steel Mill was known for its ferocious guitar jams, but “Sister Theresa” is a fascinating exception: a Springsteen original written for acoustic guitar and recorder(!)
One time only: Bruce Springsteen and Steel Mill debut a rocking arrangement of Stephen Stills’ classic protest song “For What It’s Worth.”
Prepare yourself for the best cover of “Born to Run” ever–Diarrhea Planet’s festival-closing performance (with Harry Kagan on vocals and Ross Holmes on fiddle) is a mic drop performance if ever there was one.
Written in the aftermath of 9/11, “You’re Missing” gives voice to the grief and loss we all experience sooner or later.
One time only: Bruce joins Billy Joel on stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert for Billy’s Top 40 hit, “Only the Good Die Young.”