Bruce Springsteen and Manfred Mann: A Deep Dive into Song Covers and Royalties
Bruce Springsteen, the iconic American musician, has seen his songs covered by various artists over the years. One such cover is Manfred Mann's version of Bruce's classic track, Blinded. Let's explore how Springsteen himself views these covers and the impact they have had on the original song's reception and his own songwriting endeavors.
Springsteen's Views on Covers
Bruce Springsteen has expressed mixed sentiments regarding Manfred Mann's cover of
"Blinded."Although Springsteen expressed positive sentiments about Manfred Mann's Earth Band's cover of his songs, he has a particular dislike for their versions of Spirits in the Night and Greetings From Asbury Park. Springsteen believes these covers take the songs away from their gritty, soulful essence and transform them into something synthesized and less authentic.
Commercial Impact and Exposure
Manfred Mann's cover of Blinded was a commercial hit, which gave Bruce some extra exposure but did not have a significant impact on the overall popularity of his first album, Greetings From Asbury Park. Bruce's later albums took a different stylistic direction and were more commercially successful. Springsteen was content with the writer's royalties, as they allowed him to make money without having to perform or promote the cover versions.
Evolution of Springsteen's Opinions
In the early days, Springsteen was not a huge star, and the royalties from covers were a welcome source of income. Over time, his views on the covers have evolved. Springsteen initially was not a fan of some covers, stating in numerous interviews that he did not like them. However, he has since come to appreciate the fact that these versions bring exposure to his original works. More recently, he has expressed a fondness for the hard rock versions of some of his songs.
Springsteen's Songwriting and Collaborations
Bruce Springsteen has a history of writing songs for other artists, which he enjoys as he gets to make money without performing the songs. One notable example is Hungry Heart which was written for The Ramones. Although the Ramones did not like the song, Springsteen recorded it with his own band and it became one of his biggest hits. Springsteen was delighted when Manfred Mann's version of
"Blinded"reached the number one position on the charts. He was also happy about the success of I'm a Believer cover by The Monkees, which helped expose him as a songwriter. Neil Young's version of Show Me the Way was also well received.
The Influence of Covers on Springsteen's Lyrics
Manfred Mann's cover of Blinded slightly modified Springsteen's original lyrics, changing Cut loose like a deuce... to Revved up like a douche... This shows how covers can sometimes alter the impact of a song's message. Bruce Springsteen was happy for the financial gain from the cover but was also in awe of the raw energy that Manfred Mann's version brought to the song.
Springsteen's Early Exposure
Springsteen's early career was marked by the release of Framton's studio version of Show Me the Way, which did not chart. However, a live version of the song did reach the top of the charts, showing how a live performance can sometimes be more impactful than a studio recording. The success of Springsteen's song via The Monkees demonstrated that a song can gain popularity through different artists, even if it initially did not chart under the original artist's name.
Conclusion
Manfred Mann's cover of Bruce Springsteen's Blinded is just one example of how song covers can shape the perception and success of a song. Bruce Springsteen himself views these covers as a mixed bag, appreciating the financial benefits while sometimes lamenting the transformation of his tunes. Through these covers, Springsteen and his songs continue to reach new audiences, highlighting the enduring power of his music.