Top 5 Bruce Springsteen cover songs from the Australia and New Zealand tour

Anyone who sees an E Street Band show knows the energy, respect, and dedication by Springsteen and the band is unbeatable.

Demonstrated perfectly by the way he often chooses a song local to the region he's touring for a cover, often delivered with an E Street twist.

Sometimes, like last year's performance of The Saints' Just Like Fire Would in Brisbane, the track will even take a life of its own within the band and make repeated appearances or even recordings.

The completed tour of Australia and New Zealand came with a set of covers as unique and surprising as anyone could have predicted. Many making headlines around the world.

Here's five of the best:

1. Highway To Hell - AC/DC

Last year the band soundchecked AC/DC's Whole Lotta Rosie before the first show on the tour but the Australian rock band's song never surfaced in the ten concerts Down Under.

It was on the third and final night in Perth, where AC/DC's original leader Bon Scott lived and died, that Springsteen opened with the crowd pumping cover.

 

Perth had already seen two great shows and the Saturday night atmosphere was already palpable before the band came on. But the fierce guitars, pounding drums and belting battle cry of Springsteen and the band to start his final show with Highway To Hell  was the surprise opener that began one of the best openings of the tour.

It set the standard for the song to reappear several times, including twice with special guest Eddie Vedder.

Performed at: Perth (Show 3), Adelaide (Show 1), Melbourne (Show 1), Brisbane.

Original version...

2. Don't Change - INXS

Sydney's only show had already had one cover to raise the crowd in the form of The Easybeats' Friday On My Mind, and the full run down of Darkness On The Edge Of Town.

So when Springsteen belted out the INXS rock song to open the encore there was no holding the audience back. 

The band's four lead guitarists - Springsteen, Stevie Van Zandt, Nils Lofgren and Tom Morello, stood centre stage for the opening bars and returned for the songs climax.

It was angry, energetic and excessive. A fine and topical tribute.

Performed at: Sydney

Original version...

3. Spill The Wine - Eric Burden

After Hunter Valley's first night opening cover of Stick McGee's Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-Do-Dee there was no guessing what would come for the second show.

So when Garry W Tallent bounced on stage moving to a calypso beat and the rest of the band grooved into place before Springsteen arrived it was clear something special was about to happen.

 

Joining him centre stage was Michelle Moore, dressed as the mysterious woman in Eric Burden's Spill The Wine, complete with a bottle and glass of red wine, as Springsteen opened the second show with another cover in tribute to the Australian wine region.

By the second verse even those who didn't know the song were joining in with the chorus and infected by the sense of fun and energy the band were spilling out.

Performed at: Hunter Valley (Show 2) 

Original version...

4. Stayin' Alive - The Bee Gees

I genuinely thought there had been a mistake when someone told me they had heard the band soundcheck a Bee Gees song while waiting in line in Brisbane.

We had heard the rumours of a string section being brought in and everyone - correctly - assumed it was for New York City Serenade. Not a dated, somewhat irritating to many, disco classic.

 

But when the horns piped in to Springsteen's acoustic guitars, and the E Street Choir emerged from the shadows with their soulful backing vocals it was clear this wasn't going to be a disco tune. Instead the strings kicked in, followed by the rest of the band with horns centre stage bringing with it a rock n' roll rewriting of the song. 
Even Tom Morello got in on the act with an electric guitar solo as Springsteen's vocals turned the song from a high pitch squeal into a solid, fighting song about a man really fighting to stay alive. You really had to see it to believe it.

Performed at: Brisbane

Original version...

5. Royals - Lorde

The best covers were those you didn't see coming, and despite New Zealand's teenage sensation currently on her way to dominate the world, it just didn't occur to some of us Springsteen would give this breakthrough song a try.

The result was a solo acoustic, harmonica-driven, version in which 'King B' pounded his guitar to get out the frustration within the lyrics.

 

Like all covers, this wasn't a last minute attempt to please the local crowd with a tribute to their own music. It was an intricate re-working of a song with complex lyrics that Springsteen was able to firmly add his own touch.

The obviously deeper vocals and weariness over the lyrics again turned this song into that of a beaten-down fighter trying to get on top.

It made such an impact that it was brought out again for Auckland's second show and the final concert on the tour.

Performed at: Auckland (Shows 1 and 2)

Original version...

 

Other notable covers on the tour:

The Easybeats - Friday On My Mind (Sydney, Hunter Valley 1)
Stick McGee - Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-Do-Dee (Hunter Valley 1)

Which one do you rate best?

Springsteen at Hunter Valley - Show 2

You know when Garry W Tallent comes on to the stage busting out some sweet dance moves that you're in for a fucking brilliant night.

The E Street Band started the night with Curtis King, drummer Max Weinberg and organist Charlie Giordano taking up their instruments and providing a beat for the rest of the band to step into position.

Then outcame Springsteen again asking that question: "Where's the wine?!"

No repeat of the previous night's opener, this time Michelle Moore soon accompanied him up front as the mysterious woman in Ed Burden's Spill The Wine. 

Once again starting up a party for the 17,000 Hunter Valley crowd steeped deep in one of Australia's fine wine regions.

My Love Will Not Let You Down followed as the re-energised, refreshed and recovery-lapsed crowd joined the band in every hand-raising fist pump.

The energy of night 2 didn't let up as the pouding Death To My Hometown spilled into an angry Seeds and Out In The Street ended with an early request for Rosalita - once again not being saved to end the party, but to build it up even more.

The subsequent duo of High Hopes and Just Like Fire Would has become a regular feature after the first burst of songs from the band - but the band don't treat it like a nightly routine. Tom Morello in particular always marking his stamp on the stage.

Night 2 was a great night for the horns section too as a request for Johnny 99 and then later on Pay Me My Money Down just two of the several occasions they became centre stage.

Meanwhile Heaven's Wall  once again belonged to Soozie Tyrell as she playfully battled with the four lead guitars on centre mic.

The real highlights started however when Springsteen announced one they 'hadn't played for a while'.

And he wasn't kidding. Even after the fans cheered for the opening bars of Brilliant Disguise Springsteen made the band start it again to get them all back in time. 

It didn't matter, the crowd was hooked from the first moment with the popular, and rarely played track.

Taking that enthusiasm further the band played straight into Human Touch. Again the audience was stunned with the sound from the whole band, playing at their best, as Springsteen brought out his extended solo for the song and Tyrell swapped stage spots for Morello for her acoustic guitar and backing vocals. Springsteen giving her a shout out afterwards as everyone knew she was having a great night.

For die-hard fans that would have possibly satisfied their desires for a few special numbers, but of course there was more to come.

I'm Goin' Down came with a hilarious quick series of scenes with Stevie Van Zandt as Springsteen repeatedly asked if he was the problem in the song's failing relationship.

The constant thirst for Born In The USA was also met, but only after the band started the encore with the 'signature song' of late Danny Federici - 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy).

Again the stunned crowd were in awe as Springsteen led the band through the epic The Wild, The Innocent... track as Roy Bittan stepped away from his piano to take up accordian duties next to the lead man.

The encore continued with some familiar favourites before Springsteen granted one final request, normally asked for by 'guys who've just been dumped'.

Taking solo acoustic duties for I Wish I Was Blind he again reminded everyone that he wasn't just able to orchestrate an 18-piece show band for three hours, he also had the power to bring a hillside of 17,000 people to near-silence - probably while thinking about an ex they secretly and selfishly hope to never see happy with a new lover.

It was the harmonica of a solo acoustic of Thunder Road that brought everyone back to the show for the final goodbye, Springsteen's vocals still on fire right to the end.

1. Spill The Wine (Cover, Eric Burden & War) 

2. My Love Will Not Let You Down

3. Death To My Hometown

4. Seeds 

5. Out In The Street

6. Rosalita (sign request)

7. High Hopes

8. Just Like Fire Would

9. Johnny 99 (sign request)

10. Heaven's Wall

11. Brilliant Disguise 

12. Human Touch

13. I'm Goin' Down

14. Pay Me My Money Down

15. Shackled And Drawn

16. Radio Nowhere 

17. The Rising

18. The Ghost Of Tom Joad

19. Badlands 

20. 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)

21. Born In The USA

22. Born To Run

23. Ramrod

24. Dancing In The Dark

25. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out

26. Rockin' All Over The World 

27. I Wish I Were Blind (sign request, solo acoustic)

28. Thunder Road (solo acoustic)

Show length: 3 hours 5 mins.

Australasia tour so far: 10 shows, 276 songs, 108 different

Springsteen in Adelaide - Show 2

Even in the air-conditioned entertainment centre there was no escaping the record-breaking heat in Adelaide that had the coolest band on the planet sweating through their short stay in the city.

Never one to miss a tribute to the locals, Springsteen again led his band on to the stage with an exclamation about how fucking hot it was, before launching into (Love Is Like a) Heat Wave with the full band front and centre.

The high temperature was was a strong theme of the show as Springsteen went into the 'cool' of Jackson Cage's night.

The tour debut of songs didn't stop there as Roy Bittan's intro into Backstreets was welcomed with a roar of approval, sending set list watchers everywhere into a enviable meltdown.

Springsteen powered through the 'salt-infested summer' with a loud, heavy guitar that at times displaced Bittan's crucial notes on the piano, but the crowd didn't fail in picking up the song for its finale.

Any questions about why Springsteen's guitar was so damn loud through the song were immediately answered when he burst into an explosive version of Cover Me.

If Springsteen did feel frustrated from the overwhelming heat in Adelaide it was here where he let it out, engaging in an incredible axe battle with Nils Lofgren. Both lead guitarists revelled in competing against each other with Springsteen even trying a little spin in response to Lofgren's killer blow of his wild guitar cyclone.

If there was one moment from Adelaide that was not-to-be missed, Cover Me was it.

The Tom Morello fired High Hopes and Just Like Fire Would kept the energy burning before Springsteen's Hungry Heart crowd surf ended with a collection of request sign for Better Days. 

A storming band version of the song that often appears in the crowd but rarely on stage.

A request for The Promised Land was also answered before Morello again got to shine with his solo on American Skin (41 Shots).

A few fans have said they would be happy to see this song dropped from the set lists but watching Morello at work as Jake Clemons' sax brings the track to his climax was incredibly powerful on the night and shouldn't be disregarded.

Neither should his role in the band - no matter how scene stealing the brilliant Ghost Of Tom Joad is, Morello is proving every night he has so much more to offer as part of the E Street Band. 

Other requests on the night were Springsteen's self-confessed favourite Long Walk Home, and the arm-stretching Raise Your Hand. 

The latter starting with Springsteen having a fit of laughter after jumping on Bittan's piano and 'breaking' the keyboard.

This came midway through an encore that included a debut for Hunter Of The Invisible Game and Jungleland.

You could clearly see Springsteen telling Clemons his plans for his uncle's signature tune just before the encore and taking on the spotlight for the incredible solo brought home just how much the Big Man is missed and just how determined the nephew is to keep his memory alive.

If fans didn't shed a few tears during the sax solo then they probably had a knot twisting in their stomach as Clemons hit the moving, provoking notes.

The song will never be the same without Clarence on board, but is still a thrill to see live. With Stevie Van Zandt also busting out a guitar solo effortlessly.

It was a cover of John Fogerty's Rockin' All Over The World that saw the band finish the job in Adelaide, as the behind-closed-doors soundcheck of AC/DC's You Shook Me All Night Long overhead in the line before entry, failed to materialise for the audience.

Before ending the fifth show in a row with an acoustic Thunder Road, Springsteen gave another solo performance of I'll Work For Your Love, bringing to a close two incredible nights, while leaving plenty of options for the weekend's stadium shows in Melbourne.

Set List

1. (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave
2. Jackson Cage
3. She's The One
4. Backstreets
5. Cover Me
6. High Hopes
7. Just Like Fire Would
8. Hungry Heart
9. Better Days (sign request)
10. The Promised Land (sign request)
11. The River
12. American Skin (41 Shots)
13. Long Walk Home (sign request)
14. Pay Me My Money Down
15. Shackled And Drawn
16. Radio Nowhere
17. Lonesome Day
18. Ghost Of Tom Joad
19. Badlands
20. Hunter Of Invisible Game 
21. Jungleland
22. Born To Run
23. Raise Your Hand (sign request)
24. Dancing In The Dark
25. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
26. Rockin' All Over The World
27. I'll Work For Your Love (solo acoustic)
28. Thunder Road (solo acoustic)

Run time: 3 hours 8 mins. 

Tour so far: 142 songs in 5 shows, 81 different.

How will High Hopes shape Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band’s new tour?

There’s plenty of reviews out there analysing Springsteen’s latest album with average to positive ratings, along with excited and disappointed fans that it’s not an album full of new material.

After a few listens now I think it’s a great album that will a few years down the line sit nicely alongside Wrecking Ball in a much stronger, more welcome, position than how Working On A Dream sits next to Magic.

The big question is how it will influence and sit with the library of material in the upcoming tour.

Will it be the backbone of shows like Wrecking Ball on the last tour? Or will the fans reactions lead it to fade away like the aforementioned Working On A Dream during that album’s tour – where by the final shows, songs from the album were mostly dropped from setlists?

In the meantime, here’s some thoughts on the new album and how the tracks might work on the upcoming tour.

  

High Hopes

This song has been on my work commute play list everyday since it’s single release now. It gets an extra imaginary fist pump as I cycle through the city on a Monday morning. For me it was a highlight of the Wrecking Ball tour in Australia so I wasn’t surprised to see it get a studio release. I was only glad that they gave it the same bursting energy in the studio as they do on the stage.

I’ve never heard the previous or original version of this song so I can’t compare, but I’m fine with that. This is a great opener and will no doubt open at least one show in Australia in February.

Harry’s Place

With an intro that feels like it should be set to a montage of people living in Manhattan during the 1980s, this is a great ‘throwback’ tune. Complete with Clarence Clemon’s saxophone within the first few seconds. One of the calmer songs vocally, it’s the guitars, sax, organs and keyboards that duel on the streets in the song. A good one for the album but I’m not sure how well this will transfer to the live show. Unless Springsteen et al have an invigorating live version coming – like they did with the track Wrecking Ball – I’d be happy if it wasn’t a regular on upcoming setlists.

American Skin (41 Shots)

Already a proven live hit, this will hopefully emerge on tour a few times in all its haunting glory. Personally I don’t think the studio version adds anything to the previous live recording, but I do feel it’s one of those underrated tunes overdue a decent reception. This tour’s Land of Hope and Dreams.

Just Like Fire Would

The more I hear this tune, the more I like it. I confess to not having any idea what it was when they played it in Brisbane last year, and I don’t think it was their best performance of the tour either.

But with the added tribute of being an Aussie band’s original song, and an excellent recording from the E Street Band I’m hoping we get to see this a lot on the next tour.

The performance on Jimmy Fallon shows how much they enjoy playing it. It’s the one song on this album I can’t get out of my head for the rest of the day.

Down In The Hole

Another song that is growing on me. And another one where the music really shines along with the subtleness of the lyrics. It reminds me of a cross between I’m On Fire, Empty Sky and the original Ghost of Tom Joad. I can’t wait to see how this one is done live and hope we get to see it a few times.

Heaven’s Wall

I’m not decided on this song. The opening 25 seconds of ‘raise your hand, raise your hand, raise your hand…’ kind of grates me a bit.

Saying that, the Jimmy Fallon performance showed the band can throw it out together pretty well with an appreciative audience. Of course the guitar solos that jump in around two minutes are brilliant, and really take the track to another level. Tom Morello and Nils Lofgren could have a lot of fun with this song, even if it is sandwiched in a setlist between a few better, more memorable show stoppers.

Frankie Fell In Love

I really want to like this song. Really I do. It’s got a good beat, fits on the album well and is easy to listen to as it is to pass by.

But… I hate the lyric about the church mouse snoring. And with it being at the start of the song I just can’t get passed it. When I first heard it I stopped the song and listened to the intro again I couldn’t get my head around it. Now I listen to the whole song trying to picture what a church mouse would look like wheezing annoyingly in his sleep and it drives me insane. Just like the ‘giddy-up’ bit in Pony Boy. Or the chorus of Bobby Jean that I could happily live without ever hearing again. Seriously, why Bruce? Why?

This Is Your Sword

I don’t mind this folk, Seeger Sessions-style song, although I’m not sure how it fit on a live show. What I would like to hear however is a stripped back, acoustic version without the rest of the band, as I feel the lyrics could stand up well with a darker, intense solo performance. Saying that, if you’re with Bruce fans in a pub on St Patrick’s Day, this would be an easy one to belt out and would suit the surroundings nicely. This could easily be placed as one of those filler tracks on the tour which come round occasionally and are easily forgotten.

The Hunter of the Invisible Game

This track could easily fall into everything I just said about This Is Your Sword, except I like it a whole lot better. It’s a subtle tune that gets inside and urges the listener to slow down and reflect. Reminds me of Nothing Man from The Rising. Not sure how we’ll see on stage, but could offer Bruce a chance to recover from any crowd surfing carnage, or could simmer the audience down before busting into one of his powerful songs. Which probably explains it’s position on the album.

The Ghost of Tom Joad

After the acoustic original, this version is another track that started life as an unforgettable live song. Every Australian show had the Morello-infused version and every time it was an incredible experience. When I listen to the studio recording I’m right back there hearing the live version, waiting for that bit where Morello just lets fly on his guitar.

This is a highlight of the album, and will no doubt be a highlight of the tour again.

Until then play it loud. Very loud.

The Wall

This album’s If I Fall Behind, or to a lesser extent Brothers Under The Bridge. A slow, pensive track that Springsteen can pull off so well in a setlist full of powerful rock tracks. Could slide in nicely on during a concert, and one that would allow Jake Clemons to come down and provide an always welcome reminder that there’s Clemons air playing on the night.

Dream Baby Dream

Another cover and one of those seemingly simple songs that somehow stops you in your tracks and just hits you. The video thank you to Wrecking Ball tour fans shows how much of an emotionally charged song this can be. If played live, the way it builds up slowly will have everyone reaching for that bit of energy left inside ready to go through an entire show all over again. Could even be the new tour’s My City of Ruins.

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Top 5 most exciting things about Bruce Springsteen's return to Australia in 2014

It’s been a while since I made a Springsteen list, so as fans across the country, and the world, finalise their travel plans, snap up last minute tickets and absorb all the High Hopes they can, here’s five great – and probably obvious - things to get excited about the E Street Band’s upcoming return to Australia.

1. Stevie’s back!

He missed the last tour to film the second season of Lilyhammer and now everyone’s favourite TV mobster is back to make up for his absence.

Not only a fantastic guitarist, Van Zandt is obviously a perfect partner for Springsteen up there on the stage. He’s both a joker and rabble rouser with the crowd and his charismatic presence was sorely missed – even if it did lead to Australian audiences watching a whole new magic appear with Tom Morello standing in.

In Hyde Park in 2009 I remember watching Bruce yell out: ‘Stevie what time is it?’.

To which he replied: ‘It’s curfew-breaking-Boss time!’.

Three years later I was back there in Hyde Park when the organisers were forced to pull the plug before the band could sign-off in the traditional E Street Band manner.

And it was the next show in Dublin where the pair of blood brothers showed everyone how much fun they had playing together as they took to the stage wheeling out a pretend power switch, flipped it to ‘ON’, and burst straight into Twist & Shout, the previous show’s interrupted finale.

One of the most exciting things about any Springsteen show is that you can never really know what to fully expect on the night, and Van Zandt is a big part of that.

2. Tom’s coming too

The success of Tom Morello as Steve Van Zandt’s stand in last year cannot be underestimated. You have to look no further that the tracklist on new album High Hopes to see how much of an influence he had on Springsteen and the band.

Not only for this incredible adaption of Ghost of Tom Joad, but also the power he brought to tracks High Hopes, E Street Shuffle, and Death To My Hometown were great moments in the 2013 tour.

Not to mention the way Springsteen played up to his replacement musician’s new appointment by telling everyone ‘Tommy’s shakin’ in his boots right now’… when he went to play a request for Red Headed Woman, which seemed like it hadn’t been part of the rehearsals.

Even if he only came out for Tom Joad, it would still be a highlight, but the fact that this tour will have four incredible guitarists – Morello joining Springsteen himself, Van Zandt and the formidable Nils Lofgren – we are in for some amazing performances.

3. Perth Arena

There was a public outcry when Perth was missed off the destinations last time round.

And quite rightly so. For just over a year the West Australian venue has put on some brilliant concerts and was built for shows like the E Street Band.

When it was announced he wasn’t coming in 2013 there were radio debates on lobbying the state government to fund his trip over, while many were left wondering what was the point in the new venue if it couldn’t attract the best live show in the world.

It resulted in no less than a rumoured 5,000 fans from Perth boarding flights out of WA and boosting concerts across the country. The plane home from Melbourne to Perth after the final show at Hanging Rock was full of merchandise-wearing fans who had seen Springsteen himself acknowledge their efforts for coming over with a thank you to his Perth fans.

Bon Jovi on stage at Perth Arena in December 2013.

Meanwhile hundreds of people joined Facebook campaign Bring Bruce Springsteen to Perth, which has since become an online community of ‘Perthsteens’.

The reason why it will be a highlight this time round isn’t just because he’s playing three shows there, it’s because on a good night the Arena is a spectacular venue.

Having seen several shows there in all parts of the venue, there doesn’t seem to be one seat that doesn’t have a great view of the stage, so even if you couldn’t get a standing ticket, you’ve nothing to worry about.

The location makes it easy to get to. There’s no Olympic Park to walk miles navigating like Sydney, or some weird swamp to avoid like Brisbane. As far as it stacks up against Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Allphones Arena and Rod Laver Arena that all featured on the last tour, I would say it easily the best despite not being the biggest.

(Food and beer is a bit pricey though, even for Perth prices.)

4. High Hopes

Sure the album has divided some fans and critics, particularly those who wanted a new album of original material to live the next steps of their lives to, but the new album does bring with it some exciting prospects for the next tour.

Obviously the title track and the Morello-infused Ghost of Tom Joad should get a decent blaring, but the addition of the brilliant American Skin (41 Shots) gives plenty of er…. hope… that we’ll see it performed on this tour. And having the live version out there for years we all know how haunting and powerful that can sound.

5. Eddie Vedder’s in town

The Pearl Jam singer will be touring Australia with the band for Big Day Out, and then he’s embarking on a solo tour too.

Looking at the dates of both his and Springsteen’s shows there are a couple of opportunities where they are both in the same place with time for Vedder to join his friend for a song or two.

It wouldn’t be the first time, and just recently Springsteen was photographed watching Vedder perform.

On paper at least, Vedder finished up the Big Day Out festivals in Perth on February 2. He’s then due to play Perth’s Riverside Theatre on February 7 and 8 – the nights of Springsteen’s second and third shows at Perth Arena.

That leaves the tantalising prospect that Vedder will be in town on February 5 as Springsteen kicks off the tour in Perth.

The two will also be in Melbourne at the same time as the E Street Band take over AAMI Stadium for the weekend February 15, 16. Vedder’s playing three dates in Melbourne starting on February 16, but before then he finishes his final show in Sydney on February 13.

Leaving the window of opportunity open for a guest appearance with Springsteen on Saturday, February 15.

Of course these are both long shots and probably form more of a wishlist than a guaranteed part of Springsteen’s 2014 tour. But the history these two have of supporting each other when they can is very exciting and it will be hard to believe they won’t catch up as they both tour Australia next month.

In the meantime, here’s Vedder joining the band for No Surrender in 2007… 

What have I missed?.... let me know below.

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