The Boss (Covered & Covering)

Knowing that my 18-year old self would be reeling in horror right about now, I press on with a blog post about Bruce Springsteen. A few days back I heard yet another version of his classic "Tougher Than The Rest" (courtesy of Camera Obscura this time) and was reminded what an incredible songwriter he can occasionally be (if you have not heard "Nebraska", stop everything and go purchase it right now; seriously). I've loved this song ever since the Everything But The Girl cover back in 1992 and though Camera Obscura's version doesn't stray much from that one, there's a refreshingness to it all the same.

All of this mainly just reminded me that I really needed to post Springsteen's version of Suicide's classic "Dream Baby Dream". Bruce's version tops the original by a mile and shows an almost shoegazey side of Bruce that I would have never suspected. This 2005 live version was released recently as part of the 10" vinyl series on Blast First Petite celebrating Suicide's Alan Vega's 70th birthday (along with an insane live Suicide box set from 1977-1978). Enjoy.

Camera Obscura - "Tougher Than The Rest" (Springsteen Cover) (Live KEXP 06-June-2009) (removed by request).
Everything But The Girl - "Tougher Than The Rest" (Springsteen Cover).
Bruce Springsteen - "Dream Baby Dream" (Suicide Cover). Youtube.