Springsteen Goes from The Boss to The King with an Elvis Song

Elvis Presley’s career was unique because he didn’t write his own music. Instead, he picked his favorite tunes from a vast selection of hits, including a song by Bruce Springsteen. As time went on, Presley’s method of selecting songs, especially his covers of African American blues and rock tunes for a predominantly white audience, raised questions. His early hits like ‘That’s All Right’ and ‘Hound Dog’, along with his versions of songs by Little Richard and Ray Charles, brought him fame but often overshadowed the original creators.

The ethics of Presley’s approach, particularly his contracts demanding songwriting credits for songs he didn’t write, remains a point of contention. Dolly Parton famously declined to let him cover ‘I Will Always Love You’ because she wanted to keep her songwriting credits. Despite the potential prestige of having “The King” cover their work, many artists were eager to have Presley sing their songs, seeing him as a pivotal figure in rock and roll.

Bruce Springsteen, despite their different styles, admired Presley and hoped he would cover one of his songs. Springsteen once attempted to meet Presley by sneaking into Graceland. He had written the song ‘Fire’ with Presley in mind during the “Darkness On The Edge Of Town” sessions. The song, with its rockabilly style and straightforward Americana narrative, would have suited Presley.

However, Presley passed away in August 1977 before he could hear ‘Fire’. Springsteen reflected on the impact of Presley’s death, noting that it marked a shift away from the past, coinciding with the rise of punk and new wave music from artists like the Sex Pistols, Clash, and Elvis Costello. This period of transition influenced Springsteen to focus on anthems that resonated with the American heartland.

Springsteen felt the influence of Presley’s legacy during the making of his 1978 album, “Darkness On The Edge Of Town”. He believed that the era’s spirit, including Presley’s passing, infused their music sessions, inspiring a deep commitment reminiscent of Presley’s early performances that left a lasting impact on the music industry.