That doesn’t mean that every piece goes the same distance, and when Springsteen was following up Born To Run, he felt like ‘The Way’ was far too weak to be considered for Darkness on the Edge of Town.
Then again, Springsteen’s fourth album is already a bit of a strange anomaly in his catalogue. He had already been working on some of the biggest songs about self-belief ever recorded, and now that he had conquered the world, he had never felt less sure of himself. While it’s hard to call the album a retread, Springsteen reflects on tales of working-class people that he knew way back when on tracks like ‘Racing in The Street’.
When working on the album, Springsteen did everything he could to ensure the piece was buried, telling American Songwriter, “The main reason it’s hidden is because I never liked it. I would like to see it placed in a David Lynch film over a sexually perverse scene. That, to me, is its righteous home.”
Here are two Springsteen songs that, at least at one time, Bruce has said he disliked:
“The Way” is a rarity recorded during the sessions for Springsteen’s 1978 album Darkness on the Edge of Town.
The brooding ballad only is available on the 2010 Springsteen compilation The Promise, a collection of previously unreleased tunes recorded during the making of Darkness on the Edge of Town.
“Blinded by the Light” (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band version)
Springsteen’s original version of “Blinded by the Light” appeared as the first song on his debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. However, it was a 1976 cover by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band that popularized the tune. The British group’s version went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1977. To date, it’s the only Springsteen-penned song to top the Hot 100 chart.
Despite the song’s success, Springsteen didn’t like the Manfred Mann version.
Springsteen might be a bit too hard on himself in some respects. Since the track is only included as a piece of ‘City of Night’ in his rarities compilations, it is the right kind of love song for this kind of record.
Bruce Springsteen to Headline Jersey Shore's Music Festival Sept. 14 and 15 -2024
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will return to Asbury Park, NJ, to play together there for the first time in 14 years.
The Boss joins Noah Kahan, The Black Crowes, Gaslight Anthem, Norah Jones and more at the two-day Jersey Shore festival on Sept. 14 and 15
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND 2024 TOUR DATES
April 21 – Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena
May 5 – Cardiff, Wales @ Principality Stadium
May 9 – Belfast, Northern Ireland @ Boucher Road
May 12 – Kilkenny, Ireland @ Nowlan Park
May 16 – Cork, Ireland @ Páirc Uí Chaoimh
May 19 – Dublin, Ireland @ Croke Park
May 22 – Sunderland, England @ Stadium of Light
May 25 – Marseille, France @ Orange Vélodrome
May 28 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Airport Letnany
June 1 – Milan, Italy @ San Siro Stadium
June 3 – Milan, Italy @ San Siro Stadium
June 12 – Madrid, Spain @ Cívitas Metropolitano
June 14 – Madrid, Spain @ Cívitas Metropolitano
June 17 – Madrid, Spain @ Cívitas Metropolitano
June 20 – Barcelona, Spain @ Estadi Olímpic
June 22 – Barcelona, Spain @ Estadi Olímpic
June 27 – Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Goffertpark
June 29 – Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Goffertpark
July 2 – Werchter, Belgium @ Werchter Park
July 5 – Hannover, Germany @ Heinz von Heiden Arena
July 9 – Odense, Denmark @ Dyrskuepladsen
July 12 – Helsinki, Finland @ Olympic Stadium
July 15 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Friends Arena
July 18 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Friends Arena
July 21 – Bergen, Norway @ Dokken
July 25 – London, England @ Wembley Stadium connected by EE
July 27 – London, England @ Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Aug. 15 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena
Aug. 18 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena
Aug. 21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Citizens Bank Park
Aug. 23 – Philadelphia, PA @ Citizens Bank Park
Sept. 7 – Washington, DC @ Nationals Park
Sept. 13 – Baltimore, MD @ Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Sept. 15 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Sea.Hear.Now Festival
Oct. 31 – Montreal, Quebec @ Centre Bell
Nov. 3 – Toronto, Ontario @ Scotiabank Arena
Nov. 6 – Toronto, Ontario @ Scotiabank Arena
Nov. 9 – Ottawa, Ontario @ Canadian Tire Centre
Nov. 13 – Winnipeg, Manitoba @ Canada Life Centre
Nov. 16 – Calgary, Alberta @ Scotiabank Saddledome
Nov. 19 – Edmonton, Alberta @ Rogers Place
Nov. 22 – Vancouver, British Columbia @ Rogers Arena
For tickets and more information, please visit brucespringsteen.net/tour.
