Your daily dose of Springsteen originals and covers
Happy birthday, Born in the U.S.A.! Celebrate by watching some historic footage from the Newcastle ’85 performance (and the hilarious British music critics’ reviewing it); then listen to the world premieres of “American Skin (41 Shots)” and “Further On (Up the Road).”
On this date: Dr. Zoom and the Sonic Boom play their final gig, Bruce takes over a dancing school ball in Germany (really), and more.
On this day in history: Bruce reassembles the E Street Band for the first time in over five years. See their rehearsal and performance footage here.
A fascinating 2012 interview and great Australian performances from 2014 and 2017 highlight this day in Springsteen history.
On this date: Born in the U.S.A. passes Thriller’s run on the U.S. album chart, Bruce plays his first-ever show in Toronto, and more.
“Downbound Train” is a master class in cinematic songwriting. Let’s look at how the director skillfully crafted his “movie” 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.”
The twisty tale of a hit cover of an unreleased outtake by an imaginary band that evolved into a barnburning, set-closing showcase.
There are two versions of “None But the Brave,” differing only by one line. But that line and its contemporary context matter.
Another dip into the amazing “Back in the U.S.A.” tribute album by Joan Osborne and The Waybacks–this time a slow burn of “Born in the U.S.A.”