- Quarter To Three - 1978
In the 70s, Bruce and the band often covered this song and every time they made it an awesome thing to witness. Since 'Quarter to Three' is often a closing song, Bruce does everything from running around the stage to falling over saying he "can't stand it anymore" The energy that comes out of this rocker is incredible and very impressive. (No wonder he's the best live performer!)
My favorite line from the performance is when Springsteen claims he's "just a prisoner... of rock and roll!" Which is a statement I certainly live by everyday.
- Drift Away - 1984
This song to me has always been sort of an anthem to my life, considering that rock and roll music is what keeps me going. Contrasting from Dobie Gray's original, this specific performance from the Born In The USA tour shows Springsteen's soulful side and tugs at the heart strings. He adds near the end "When I'm lost and I'm lonely.. and I just can't handle myself..." and that's certainly a feeling many people can relate to.
- This Land Is Your Land - 1985
Springsteen describes this Woody Guthrie song as one of the greatest songs ever written. This is probably what inspired his heartland rock persona and making music for the everyday hard working Americans. "This Land Is Your Land" was written in 1940 and was meant to represent the many different kinds of people that had to suffer through the Great Depression of the 1930s but still means alot to this day. Springsteen's career has always been about conveying a message to give people hope for the future, which is probably a reason why he loves this song so much.
- Follow That Dream - 1988
One of Springsteen's greatest influences on his career and music was Elvis Presley. After he first saw Elvis perform on the Ed Sullivan show, he knew he wanted to perform for a living. It makes sense that 'Follow That Dream' is Bruce's favorite Elvis song because the concept of dreams and faith is a huge part of Springsteen's lyrics.
- Highway To Hell - 2014
Here's a cover of an ACDC song that Springsteen, E Street, Tom Morello and Eddie Vedder all rocked the Australian house with. I love how Eddie Vedder just stares at Bruce in awe. Never underestimate The Boss, especially when he has backup. What a song to end the night with!
- Royals - 2014
A very unique song performed by Springsteen. This was the only time I remember Bruce playing a modern pop song at one of his concerts.. and he rocked it. Through this performance of the song Royals you can really hear the message that the lyrics try to send. It's really a song that I can imagine Bruce writing and putting on his Nebraska album.
- Rebel, Rebel - 2016
I remember when David Bowie passed away on January 10, 2016 many of my teachers at school (& myself cause old soul) were mourning. However, we also realized how grateful we were for his music over the years. For me, it took his death to make me dig deeper into his music and he definitely was one of the best artists out there.
Springsteen's tribute was really meaningful because it was from one legend to another. The best thing about his tribute is how Bruce talks about the time he spent with Bowie in 1973 and how he "took a Greyhound bus down to Philadelphia, that's how early it was."
We miss ya, Starman. The stars have looked very different since January 2016.
- Take It Easy - 2016
This was a cover that I was in the audience for! The concert on 1/19/2016 was my first Springsteen show here in Chicago. The night before the show we found out of the sad passing of Glenn Frey, a founding member and lead singer of the rock band, The Eagles. So as I sat in my room sad over another rockstar's passing while listening to Desperado on repeat, there were rumors going around the fandom that Bruce was going to do a tribute for him. I immediately thought there would be no better song than Take It Easy to tribute Glenn Frey with. As the concert went on, the crowd wasn't so sure that he would play anything because it was almost the end of the first set (about 3 hours in LOL). However, Bruce came out for the encore by himself with an acoustic guitar and said, "Let's see if I remember this one.." He then began to perform 'Take It Easy' and the crowd, including my mom and I went crazy. The song went on, more people began to sing, light up their phones and cheer and it was definitely magical. (To this day I still get goosebumps thinking about it.) Thanks Bruce for that great night and emotional tribute.
- Purple Rain - 2016
2016 was a horrible year for rock's greatest and one of the most shocking was the passing of Prince on April 21st. Springsteen said in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine that, “I couldn’t believe it when I heard about Prince’s death, Any death gives you renewed sight. It’s a part of what the dead pass on to us. A chance to look at our lives and look at the world again. It’s just a powerful experience.”
The two musicians had much respect for each other, especially Prince towards Bruce, always striving to be at his level musically. In 1984, Springsteen's album Born In The USA and Prince's Purple Rain were released just 3 weeks apart from each other and competed on the Billboard charts for 25 weeks at the top 2 spots.
Springsteen's performance of Purple Rain honestly made me cry the first time hearing it, then I listened to it non - stop. I was amazed of how well the band could pull off playing a song they never practiced before like they've played it for 30 years. And that solo by Nils Lofgren proves why he's such an awesome guitarist.
The public's reaction to the cover of Purple Rain was so great, that E Street performed it a few more times on The River 2016 tour.
There's so many great covers of amazing songs. Hopefully we left the trend of covering songs for those who passed, in 2016.
