When people in the UK think of Bruce Springsteen they come up with little more than 'Born In The USA' and dancing with Courtney Cox. Maybe they say that his music is for flag-waving, working-class men or that he is a relic of the 1980's. Simply not true. I want to show why he is more relevant and influential today than he has ever been. By looking at his legendary concerts, the E Street Band and the artists that hold Springsteen as one of their greatest influences, you will learn why a man in his mid 60s is more relevant and important to modern music than you might think.
8. Great (And Some Not So Great) Artists Cover Him
Plenty of people cover an artist's big hits but there is a depth to Springsteens work that many casual observers not have initially noticed. Many big acts have covered and had hits with more obscure Springsteen songs; David Bowie has covered Its Hard To Be A Saint In The City and Growin Up. Both are from Springsteens debut album. When they met in 1974 at the tail end of the Young Americans recording sessions, Bowie told Bruce that there was no other American artist he was interested in covering. Quite a compliment for an artist in his mid twenties. Manfred Manns Blinded By The Light. Written by Springsteen and also from his debut album. Sandy (4th Of July, Asbury Park) by the Hollies. From Springsteen's second album, 'The Wild, The Innocent and The E Street Shuffle.' Johnny Cash covered Highway Patrolman and Johnny 99 from Nebraska. The latter being the title track of Cashs album. Natalie Coles Pink Cadillac A Springsteen B-side. Sad Eyes by Enrique Iglesias? Taken from Springsteens outtakes box set Tracks.' Most famous of all is the great Patti Smith song Because The Night. During the recording of Darkness On The Edge Of Town Springsteen recorded the track but was not happy with it. Patti Smith was working on her album next door but by chance both records shared a producer. It was Jimmy Iovine, now chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M and mentor on American Idol, who took the track to Patti. She added some verses and it became one of her signature songs. Although he played it live for many years, the Springsteen studio version was only released in 2010.