When Arcade Fire’s Win Butler and Regina Chassagne joined Bruce Springsteen onstage for a cover of State Trooper, the haunted centerpiece of 1982's masterful Nebraska, it was indicative of a phenomenon that has been gathering pace in the last year: rising stars paying homage to The Boss.
Having long since shed his naff ‘80s connotations, Springsteen seems have become a universal touchstone, and covering one of his songs is now a rite of passage as much for country stars as leftfield art-rock acts. Here are a few of our favourite recent(ish) efforts.
Josh Ritter – The River
More sparse than the original, Ritter teases out the quiet desperation at the song’s heart.
[Listen]
Bat For Lashes – I’m On Fire
It was already a sexy song; Natasha Khan makes it practically pornographic.
[Listen]
Patty Griffin – Racing In The Street
Also check out the much-underrated country singer’s astonishing version of Stolen Car.
Bettye LaVette – Streets Of Philadelphia
Perhaps a bit treacly for some, but the 61-year-old brings soul-deep passion to The Boss’ 1994 hit. A radical reinvention.
[Listen]
The National – Mansion On The Hill
New York’s most lugubrious band take on one of Springsteen’s most desolate tracks. Don’t expect a laugh riot.
Rage Against The Machine – The Ghost Of Tom Joad
Springsteen sang this in a cracked whisper. Zack De La Rocha bellows it with larynx-lacerating ferocity.
2:29 PM | 26/10/2007
Latest Features
-
Vote for your Ultimate Frontman
Or woman. Who deserves to be crowned the ultimate frontperson? Vote now...
-
Nominate the best lyric of the decade
Editor Paul Rees wants your suggestions for the cover of our January issue
-
Iceland Airwaves Festival: Our faves
Q's correspondent picks his top 10 bands from a weekend of music
-
Gary Lightbody's Band Of The Week: Week 18
The Snow Patrol frontman is intrigued by Swedish songstress El Perro Del Mar
-
In her own words... Cerys Matthews
Who better to introduce her new album than the lady herself
-
Cash For Questions - Juliette Lewis
Submit your questions for the vivacious actress turned rock star
Advertisement
User Comments
Post A Comment
I'm sure these songs are all great but the one I think is the best cover of a Springsteen song is Ani DiFranco's version of "Used cars". Every time I listen to it, I get goosebumps. Should you be interested, it's on the Springsteen tribute CD "Badlands".
Posted by Leo Breugelmans at 9:40 PM | 26/10/2007 | Report Abuse
On Swati's new album Small Gods, she plays the most sizzling rendition of "I'm On Fire" these ears have ever heard.
Chronogram magazine said,
“… sexy, sublime, strident and smart-ass . Her cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” is steamier than The Boss could ever hope for.”
Posted by Amanda Case at 2:29 AM | 27/10/2007 | Report Abuse
What about The Band's cover of "Atlantic City"?
Posted by sparky at 11:21 AM | 27/10/2007 | Report Abuse
Frankie Goes To Hollywood did whar I consider an awesome cover of 'Born To Run' on Welcome To The Pleasuredome. The original is superb (and better live), was done acoustically fantastically... and FGTH prove the song is great no matter who does it.
Posted by Steven Gepp at 12:25 PM | 27/10/2007 | Report Abuse
adam green, 'born to run', 'friends of mine'-b-side. needs to be mentioned as well.
Posted by wolfmother at 9:02 PM | 28/10/2007 | Report Abuse
"Frankie Goes To Hollywood did whar I consider an awesome cover of 'Born To Run' on Welcome To The Pleasuredome."
You need to get your ears waxed. What an utter load of bollo.
Posted by Johnny99 at 11:26 AM | 29/10/2007 | Report Abuse
David Gray recently released an new live album with some songs of his favourite musicians. "A Thousand Miles Behind" contains 12 live recordings spanning from 2001 - 2007 hand-picked by David himself. There are great covers of Springsteen's "Mansion On The Hill" and "Streets of Philadelphia"! This new album is available exclusively to the members of his board and it will never be available anywhere in the stores: www.DavidGray.com
Posted by cablehuge at 2:08 PM | 29/10/2007 | Report Abuse
Just see that on the David Gray website there is a possibilty to listen to each song of David Gray's live cover album!
http://www.davidgray.com/music/discography/
Posted by gotmyorder at 5:38 PM | 29/10/2007 | Report Abuse
EASY!
David Bowie: Its hard to be a saint in the city
Posted by jase at 6:46 AM | 30/10/2007 | Report Abuse
Post A Comment