When is a cover song better than the original? Only you can decide. This week the Gaslight Anthem takes on Bruce Springsteen’s “Backstreets.” MAGNET’s Edward Fairchild pulls the pin. Take cover!
The Gaslight Anthem is a band that wears its influences on its sleeve, going even so far as directly quoting songs that have influenced the group in its lyrics. The biggest and most obvious touchstone for the New Jersey foursome has been Bruce Springsteen. At the Glastonbury Festival earlier this year, the Boss even joined the band for a duet of its song “The ’59 Sound.” Here, Gaslight frontman Brian Fallon gives a restrained take on the epic “Backstreets” from one of the greatest albums ever recorded, 1975′s Born To Run.
The Cover:
The Original:
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3 Comments
Remember: Every minute spent listening to these imitators is one minute wasted that you could have been listening to the real thing instead. To use a sports analogy, these guys aren’t fit to carry the Boss’s jock. As for why Springsteen is up on stage with them, I guess he just needs the flattery these days — who knows. File under severely overrated hero-worshipping.
This was probably recorded spontaneously. Can you believe the Beatles covered Roll Over Beethoven!!!! They were nothing compared to Chuck Berry!
As for why Springsteen is up on state with them, I guess he just wants to have fun these days… but you’re right who knows.
File under not as good as the original but an interesting take.
I think Ted Leo covered Dancing in the Dark for the same type of thing that this Brian Fallon cover was recorded for.