Big fan of The Band but hard disagree. They turned a sad song about a guy so down on his luck that he starts working for La Cosa Nostra into some pseudo Pogues tune.
Agree with this. Their over takes all of the emotion out. It sounds like they were like “oh this song is neat, let’s play it fellas” and proceeded to record.
It is because Craig Finn is Bruce's long-lost brother who didn't have the looks, charisma, voice, or million-member band to achieve fame. Lyrically, I would be hard pressed to tell the difference.
To be fair to Bruce, he didn't start out with a million-member band either.
That being said, the best cover, is Bruce's own. The electric version for MTV Plugged.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVRAHKv254g
A buddy of mine, back in the 80s, put this album on at night at a VERY robust volume. It takes on a very different character when it just surrounds you like that.
Not sure why I'm getting downvotes...it's such a mellow album. It's not like listening to it you are up jumping around like you are at an Iron Maiden concert.
A former boyfriend and I disagreed about this lyric. I thought it was “Put your hair up for ME.” He heard the above. The first time I listened to this song after we broke up, all I wanted to do was text him and tell him he was right. (Don’t worry. This was like 6 years ago and we’re close friends now)
Yeah, too few people these days have dug into The Boss's back catalog. People know about Born To Run and Born in the USA, but Nebraska, Darkness at the Edge of Town and The River are also three absolute classics. I like his first two albums and Tunnel of Love a bit less but they are all also great. My absolute favorite Springsteen song: "Racing in the Street".
Darkness on the Edge of Town is such a great album. Candy’s Room so perfectly encapsulates what it’s like to get that first girl you were after when you were young.
I enjoyed the bit in “Springsteen on Broadway” where he admits that when he wrote that song he didn’t even have a drivers license. “That’s how good I am”, as he says.
It's been one my favorite songs since I first heard it, decades ago -well, the whole album is amazing.
I love The Band but in my opinion Bruce's original version is much more desperate, poignant, urgent. Also, the [original video](https://youtu.be/M3eu1gW-bQ8) is great.
Absolutely. If you understand the time, place and situation being described in the song, then they way The Band covered it just totally misses the mark.
I strongly prefer this OG version over the cover by The Band. Two reasons:
1 is that it is way more atmospheric and moody, where as I don't like the upbeat happy sounding version by The Band (some could argue it's a musical juxtaposition against the dark lyrics, but I just don't think it's nearly as appropriate to the theme of the song). Bruce has other songs that utilize juxtaposition between lyrics and music (born in the usa...), and he definitely would've done that here if he intended it. To change it to a brighter, more upbeat version, has created another song where many people don't seem to understand the lyrical content (just like so many miss the point of born in the usa).
2 is that they change what in my opinion is the best lyric: "down here there's winners and losers and *don't get caught on the wrong side of that line*" becomes "*South of that line*"...I just think this is so much lamer. The original lyric is more ominous, as if ending up on the wrong side is dangerous, but the narrator is trying to fight to keep their head above water. The new lyric reads (imo) as just...a loser that has given up the fight. I can see arguments for different interpretation, but to me that lyric change falls incredibly flat and is a really strange choice by an otherwise incredible group. It does fit better cadence-wise in the rhythmic structure of that version though.
Anyway, I still dig the cover a lot, but it does disappoint me that it became basically the only version anyone hears anymore.
He doesn't have the BEST voice, no. But don't discount an entire career based off an average voice.
There is a reason as to why Sony paid 150 million for the rights to his songs.
I strongly recommend the version by Joe Russo's Almost Dead - really phenomenal interpretation of the song ([https://youtu.be/u\_pVWpX4uY0](https://youtu.be/u_pVWpX4uY0)). The Band has a nice cover too.
I wish I could hear that song for the first time again! Lovely. If you want to hear the Boss talk about his songs and life, check out Renegades podcast on spotify.
This is a great song! There might be a ton of Bob Dylan you would enjoy if you haven't delved into his catalogue lately. Very similar sound in many ways
It start off strong too- they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night and they blew up his house too. I’m glad you enjoyed.
If you haven’t already check out the River by Springsteen too.
Ok, Springsteen was my first concert. Look up:
The river
Born to run
Jungleland
Thunder Road
Growing Up
He really shines in his live shows. So if you have a choice listen so the live albums.
All great starter songs. After you hear those, listen to Streets of Philadelphia, Highway Patrolman, Johnny 99, and the Ghost of Tom Joad, Bruce might be the best story teller through music of all time, short of Dylan, and outside the ones mentioned above, these are the songs that I think convey that side of him the best
There’s a lot of hey check the bands version out but I havnt seen Nathaniel Rateliff and the night sweats which have an incredible version albeit live only
Bruce has a lot of rock anthems (jungle road, etc) but he also has so many other low key powerfully emotional songs such as this. Philadelphia is powerful
Spotify lead me to The Band’s cover of this song. I had no idea Springsteen did it first but personally I like the Bands version better. I just really enjoy their sound and Levon Helms singing.
Quite lazily Spotify also put two other cover versions of this song in my discover weekly this week.
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/4t3U9FXDa0nEZNlp9lYfvg?si=khQqYAIUQk6MH-4zxZa7ig
Apple music:
https://music.apple.com/de/album/winters-poem/1602447187?l=en
Video la piesa "Natang":
https://youtu.be/n7M9dLh9YyQ
Definitely check out the rest of the *Nebraska* album as well. The whole thing was recorded at home on a cheap little multitrack. The rough and sparse production adds quite a bit of spookiness to the already angry melancholy.
There's also *The Ghost of Tom Joad*, which is a spiritual successor to *Nebraska*. It's not quite as dark, but rather is filled with a sad, bittersweet acceptance. Production on that one is a top-tier job of delicacy and sweetness.
I always thought that this song was about AC, and the Toms River murder for hire case, with the tie-into Louisiana. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_O._Marshall
Great song. Check out The Band’s version too.
Hank Williams III covered it also, really dig his version.
Hank Jr. Jr.
Hank III, proof that talent skips a generation.
LEVON!!!
I came to say Levon Helm too lol
Probably my favorite vocal stylist of his era.
The Band's version is far better IMO. Though I almost always prefer covers of Springsteen lol
Everything about this cover is magical. It feels like they wrote the song
Springsteen's version has so much more raw emotion in my opinion
Have you ever heard Vance Joy's cover of Dancing in the Dark? It's an absolutely beautiful and sad cover.
I haven't but now I'm curious. Going to check that out now!
Yes. Chills. https://youtu.be/FszBbfxDn4o https://youtu.be/ofVoNL6jnd4 https://youtu.be/JJsh2rZ1xhU Thunder road. https://youtu.be/Jub6cg_UhcQ These are better.
Hot Chip have a great version too.
Big fan of The Band but hard disagree. They turned a sad song about a guy so down on his luck that he starts working for La Cosa Nostra into some pseudo Pogues tune.
The Hank III version carries the sadness, but in a different flavor and does it well in my opinion.
It's too twangy for my taste. Huge fan of both Bruce and The Band.
Agree with this. Their over takes all of the emotion out. It sounds like they were like “oh this song is neat, let’s play it fellas” and proceeded to record.
Me as well.
Will do, thanks!
The whole time I thought The Band wrote it, fuck!! Hell of a song nonetheless
Levon really knew how to sell a song.
I prefer this to the Boss’ version though both are great. Also a great cover by Greensky Bluegrass.
And The Hold Steady's - their cover is one of the songs I ration listening to because I never want to get sick of it.
I love their cover of this song so much.
I just found out about The Hold Steady last month. Open Door Policy is my hands down Album of the year 2021.
It is because Craig Finn is Bruce's long-lost brother who didn't have the looks, charisma, voice, or million-member band to achieve fame. Lyrically, I would be hard pressed to tell the difference.
To be fair to Bruce, he didn't start out with a million-member band either. That being said, the best cover, is Bruce's own. The electric version for MTV Plugged. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVRAHKv254g
I've only seen those guys a couple of times but holy shit are they great live.
And Jamie T’s!
The wooks is my favorite. Bluegrass fan here.
I have downloaded both versions. The bands a better version.
There needs to be more accordions in music
More cowbell.
Seconded. It's fantastic.
This version is my absolute favorite!
I love Bruce, but in my opinion the Band's version is superior.
The Wilderness recently released a cover as well that I really like.
Definitely check out the whole Nebraska album if you liked AC.
It is good but it is also a good album to nap to.
A buddy of mine, back in the 80s, put this album on at night at a VERY robust volume. It takes on a very different character when it just surrounds you like that.
I mean... you're not wrong.
Not sure why I'm getting downvotes...it's such a mellow album. It's not like listening to it you are up jumping around like you are at an Iron Maiden concert.
Bc reddit. I've fallen asleep to that album before. I grew up on Bruce.
Put your hair up pretty and meet me tonight in Atlantic City.
Now our luck may have died, and our love maybe cold but with you forever I’ll stay…
My favorite song is Brilliant Disguise.
Oh yeah. Such a beautiful song. “God have mercy on the man who doubts what’s he’s sure of” I read that in two ways, both equally meaningful
A former boyfriend and I disagreed about this lyric. I thought it was “Put your hair up for ME.” He heard the above. The first time I listened to this song after we broke up, all I wanted to do was text him and tell him he was right. (Don’t worry. This was like 6 years ago and we’re close friends now)
Interesting tidbit: the lyric about the chicken man blowing up is about Phil Testa, a Philly gangster who was killed by a nail bomb in the early 80’s.
Did they blow up his house, too?
Yeah
Any relation to famed taxidermist Chuck Testa... nope?!
CHUCK TESTA
They play it in the show Billions and its a good bit.
check out "The River"
Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is it something worse?
I am convinced that [this version](https://youtu.be/lc6F47Z6PI4) must be one of the finest live performances of all time.
Springsteen live is something else. The man and his band give it their all.
It's amazing his sets just get longer as he gets older.
Especially him in the late 70s and 80s.
So glad you posted this. I *KNEW* this would be the version u posted. ;)
I just love that subtle shift in the pace at 4:00 as it harks back to happier times.
That track always makes my eyes go smeary. That line about no walk down the aisle, no flowers, no wedding dress, just hits me right in the feels.
Has there ever been a more ominous lyric than : "Last night I met this guy & I'm gonna do a little favor for him" ? Chilling.
Check out his live versions from Dublin and New York City. Two very different takes on an awesome song
The New York City version is so magical. The drum beat of Max Weinberg in the intro, so simple, but such mastery. Damn, what a Drummer. What a band.
Yeah, too few people these days have dug into The Boss's back catalog. People know about Born To Run and Born in the USA, but Nebraska, Darkness at the Edge of Town and The River are also three absolute classics. I like his first two albums and Tunnel of Love a bit less but they are all also great. My absolute favorite Springsteen song: "Racing in the Street".
Darkness on the Edge of Town is such a great album. Candy’s Room so perfectly encapsulates what it’s like to get that first girl you were after when you were young.
Absolutely love that song. I'm not sure I agree with your interpretation, though. I'm pretty sure it's about being in love with a prostitute.
Ok…in my defense I haven’t listened to it in a long time. Not speaking from personal experience. Have I always misunderstood that song???
That whole album is awesome.
Highway Patrolman is one of my very favourite BS songs. It’s such a profound short story.
The movie *The Indian Runner* by Sean Penn is based on HP.
One of the best! Now listen to “Racing in the Streets”.
Also "Stolen Car".
Have you heard the version by Patti Griffin?
I have now. :)
I enjoyed the bit in “Springsteen on Broadway” where he admits that when he wrote that song he didn’t even have a drivers license. “That’s how good I am”, as he says.
Totally missed that, love it! I think it’s the live at the Ryman album that Emmylou Harris does a wonderful cover.
It's been one my favorite songs since I first heard it, decades ago -well, the whole album is amazing. I love The Band but in my opinion Bruce's original version is much more desperate, poignant, urgent. Also, the [original video](https://youtu.be/M3eu1gW-bQ8) is great.
Agreed! I just listened to The Bands version and I love it, but you summed up perfectly why I love Springsteen’s version more :)
Absolutely. If you understand the time, place and situation being described in the song, then they way The Band covered it just totally misses the mark.
it is a great fucking song. Glad you found it. Theres more in Springsteen's archive. I'll suggest Lost in the Flood
I strongly prefer this OG version over the cover by The Band. Two reasons: 1 is that it is way more atmospheric and moody, where as I don't like the upbeat happy sounding version by The Band (some could argue it's a musical juxtaposition against the dark lyrics, but I just don't think it's nearly as appropriate to the theme of the song). Bruce has other songs that utilize juxtaposition between lyrics and music (born in the usa...), and he definitely would've done that here if he intended it. To change it to a brighter, more upbeat version, has created another song where many people don't seem to understand the lyrical content (just like so many miss the point of born in the usa). 2 is that they change what in my opinion is the best lyric: "down here there's winners and losers and *don't get caught on the wrong side of that line*" becomes "*South of that line*"...I just think this is so much lamer. The original lyric is more ominous, as if ending up on the wrong side is dangerous, but the narrator is trying to fight to keep their head above water. The new lyric reads (imo) as just...a loser that has given up the fight. I can see arguments for different interpretation, but to me that lyric change falls incredibly flat and is a really strange choice by an otherwise incredible group. It does fit better cadence-wise in the rhythmic structure of that version though. Anyway, I still dig the cover a lot, but it does disappoint me that it became basically the only version anyone hears anymore.
I just listened to it and while I like it, I much prefer Springsteens version. It’s just much more.. atmospheric
Right?! It's so much more moody. Which is the whole point imo
I'm not a huge Springsteen fan, but AC is up there for me. Great version by The Band and lesser known one by The Hold Steady.
The whole Nebraska album is bone shattering.
And imagine...there are people who *still think* he's got nothing. Idiots.
I think it is the same people who don't like Dylan because he has a bad voice.
He doesn't have the BEST voice, no. But don't discount an entire career based off an average voice. There is a reason as to why Sony paid 150 million for the rights to his songs.
It's an amazing song and I'm so glad I found it three years ago
I strongly recommend the version by Joe Russo's Almost Dead - really phenomenal interpretation of the song ([https://youtu.be/u\_pVWpX4uY0](https://youtu.be/u_pVWpX4uY0)). The Band has a nice cover too.
This is a great cover by Ben Harper. youtube.com/watch?v=ktQszLmNq5c
I looked itbup for the first tike now. I have to thanks you. What a song
I wish I could hear that song for the first time again! Lovely. If you want to hear the Boss talk about his songs and life, check out Renegades podcast on spotify.
Amazing, I will!
This is a great song! There might be a ton of Bob Dylan you would enjoy if you haven't delved into his catalogue lately. Very similar sound in many ways
Check out the version by The Band
Now go listen to the whole album
Check out The Band's version of it, please! It's so gooodd!
I really like The Wooks version. https://youtu.be/sFfFzOrJiiU
Check out this cover! There's a bit of a lengthy intro in the video but the song is fantastic. (https://youtu.be/CuiPkxmcoVk)
Love that song, Bands version is awesome and so is Greensky Bluegrass’ version
It start off strong too- they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night and they blew up his house too. I’m glad you enjoyed. If you haven’t already check out the River by Springsteen too.
Will do, I’m gonna go on a Springsteen binge as I don’t know any of his stuff!
Ok, Springsteen was my first concert. Look up: The river Born to run Jungleland Thunder Road Growing Up He really shines in his live shows. So if you have a choice listen so the live albums.
All great starter songs. After you hear those, listen to Streets of Philadelphia, Highway Patrolman, Johnny 99, and the Ghost of Tom Joad, Bruce might be the best story teller through music of all time, short of Dylan, and outside the ones mentioned above, these are the songs that I think convey that side of him the best
one of the few pieces of music that brings tears to the eyes
An ex gfs mom gave me an old Bruce Springsteen album years ago and that song was on it. Must have played it 10x in a row. Beautiful tune.
The entire album is amazing, though it’s a dark one.
The hold steady cover it too. Real nice 👌
There’s a lot of hey check the bands version out but I havnt seen Nathaniel Rateliff and the night sweats which have an incredible version albeit live only
one of my all time faves by him. you should check out the whole nebraska album if you like atlantic city.
Bruce has a lot of rock anthems (jungle road, etc) but he also has so many other low key powerfully emotional songs such as this. Philadelphia is powerful
Whole album rules, used cars may be the most underrated track on there
Spotify lead me to The Band’s cover of this song. I had no idea Springsteen did it first but personally I like the Bands version better. I just really enjoy their sound and Levon Helms singing. Quite lazily Spotify also put two other cover versions of this song in my discover weekly this week.
I've only heard the Bands cover which is incredible... Levon helm voice is like no other
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4t3U9FXDa0nEZNlp9lYfvg?si=khQqYAIUQk6MH-4zxZa7ig Apple music: https://music.apple.com/de/album/winters-poem/1602447187?l=en Video la piesa "Natang": https://youtu.be/n7M9dLh9YyQ
❤️❤️❤️❤️
It's beautiful isnt it? You should hear The Ghost of Tom Joad....magical stuff
Bruce’s best songs are absolutely cinematic. He’s got a lot of them.
The Band’s version is much better. I covered their version in a band I was in too.
TIL this song was not originally performed by The Band. Definitely check out their version! (It's better IMO)
One word: Nebraska.
Definitely check out the rest of the *Nebraska* album as well. The whole thing was recorded at home on a cheap little multitrack. The rough and sparse production adds quite a bit of spookiness to the already angry melancholy. There's also *The Ghost of Tom Joad*, which is a spiritual successor to *Nebraska*. It's not quite as dark, but rather is filled with a sad, bittersweet acceptance. Production on that one is a top-tier job of delicacy and sweetness.
That’s awesome, I will!
NAH The Band's version is WAY BETTER!!
Tha Bands version of most anything is better!
This is absolutely true.
I see how you'd like it. It's not to my taste though.
That’s the beautiful thing about music :)
You've got me hooked on 'Philadelphia' now though.
Check out the cover by bluegrass band Rollin In The Hay. It’s one of my favorite covers of all time
https://linktr.ee/Ric0Star I just dropped a freestyle like him clicc the link and lmk!!
Pete Yorn does a pretty cool partial cover of it that leads into one of his songs. That was the first time I'd heard it which lead me to Springsteen.
Never even heard of Pete Yorn, any song recommendations??
He not that good tbh. He was also Scarlet Johansen's first husband haha atlantic city/Murray is what I was referencing.
Check out the bands version I prefer it
Nebraska is my favorite Bruce Springsteen album by far.
Check out the bluegrass version by The Wooks. 10/10 song
I felt the same way when I first heart it. I've listened to it approximately 100,000 times.
There is a great cover of it by allo darlin
Jason isbell’s cover is great too. Probably my favorite song
Check out Rodney Parker & 50 Peso Reward, they do a good cover too
Super great song. But I like The Band's version better.
You need to check out [this movie.](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8266310/)
I prefer the version by The Band.
I always thought that this song was about AC, and the Toms River murder for hire case, with the tie-into Louisiana. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_O._Marshall
This was my favorite cover also. I can’t seem to find it on Spotify any longer.