Whether in its original Southside Johnny incarnation or its more modern Tracks version, “Hearts of Stone” offers some of Bruce’s most brutally, emotionally honest songwriting.
Tag: Southside Johnny
Bruce calls it “an annoying fan favorite” and certainly not one of his. But in this blogger’s opinion, “The Fever” is one of the E Street Band’s finest moments on record.
A tale of two versions of the same song. One ranks near the top of Bruce’s catalog, the other near the bottom. Find out which is which (and why) inside.
“Talk to Me” took a strange and winding path from the studio to vinyl to the E Street stage, but it’s guaranteed to make us laugh anytime Bruce pulls it out. But let’s not think too hard about the lyrics.
If you only know “All the Way Home” from the Devils & Dust album, then you don’t know its original arrangement and best performance.
One of the more under-the-radar Southside Johnny/Bruce Springsteen collaborations, “Walking Through Midnight” closed Southside’s first solo album in 1988.
Bruce co-wrote “Trapped Again” with Southside Johnny and Steve Van Zandt, but he’s only performed it live once. Check it out inside.
Now here’s a recipe: Start with inspiration from Leiber and Staller, add lyrics by Bruce, music by Steve, and lead vocals by Southside Johnny. Ice with backing vocals by The Drifters, and you’ve got pure pop confection.
One time only: Listen to Bruce rejoin his former band to take lead vocals on Walter Brown’s blues standard, “Confessin’ the Blues.”
At an impromptu soundcheck-turned-preshow, Bruce, Southside, and friends play a loose, fun cover of a Hank Williams classic.