Out today (November 11th) is Bruce Springsteen's soul covers set, titled Only The Strong Survive. The album, which was recorded without the E Street Band, features two duets with Sam & Dave's Sam Moore — “Soul Days” and “I Forgot To Be Your Lover.”
Among the other covers on the set are the Walker Brothers' “The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore,” Jimmy Ruffin's “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted,” Jerry Butler's “Hey, Western Union Man,” the Temptations' “I Wish It Would Rain,” the Four Tops' “7 Rooms Of Gloom,” the Supremes' “Someday We'll Be Together” — and even the Commodores' 1985 hit “Nightshift.”
In the video announcement for the set, Springsteen explained, “I decided to do something I had never done before: make some music that is centered around singing, around challenging my voice. Now, in my own memoir, I give my voice a little short shrift by saying I didn't think I had much of one. But once I started on this project, after listening to some of the things we cut, I thought, 'My voice is badass!'”
Over the years, Bruce Springsteen has remained adamant that the Top 40 singles he heard throughout his teen years made him not only the musician he became — but the man he is today: “Rock is primarily about longing. All the great rock songs are about longing. 'Like A Rolling Stone' is about longing; 'How does it feel to be without a home?' — 'Louie, Louie' (laughs)! You're yearning for –'Where's that big party that I know is out there, but I can't find it' (laughs), or 'Where's that girl that I know, or that partner, that's out there, but I can't find her?' Well, rock's a little map to those things and it's like a little pill you take that they can't give 'em to ya, but it can create a spark in you that leads you to them.”
IN OTHER SPRINGSTEEN NEWS
Bruce Springsteen will promote the new album on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon over several nights.
“The Boss” will appear with Fallon as the show’s lead and musical guest on November 14th, 15th, and 16th. Springsteen will also make a special appearance on November 24th, for The Tonight Show's Thanksgiving episode.