Bruce Springsteen releases smooth version of The Commodores' Nightshift

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By ( Classic Rock ) published

The Boss's version of Nightshift comes from his upcoming album of soul covers Only The Strong Survive

Bruce Springsteen portrait
(Image credit: Columbia)

Bruce Springsteen has released a cover of The Commodores' 1985 classic Nightshift. It's taken from his upcoming album of soul covers Only The Strong Survive, which is released via Columbia on November 11. Nightshift was originally released as a tribute to soul stars Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, who both passed away in 1984. 

“I wanted to make an album where I just sang,” says Springsteen. “And what better music to work with than the great American songbook of the Sixties and Seventies? I’ve taken my inspiration from Levi Stubbs, David Ruffin, Jimmy Ruffin, the Iceman Jerry Butler, Diana Ross, Dobie Gray, and Scott Walker, among many others. I’ve tried to do justice to them all – and to the fabulous writers of this glorious music. 

"My goal is for the modern audience to experience its beauty and joy, just as I have since I first heard it. I hope you love listening to it as much as I loved making it.”

Only The Strong Survive was recorded at Thrill Hill Recording in New Jersey with longtime producer Ron Aniello, and features a guest appearance from soul great Sam Moore, a.k.a. Sam from Sam & Dave. Full tracklist below.  

Bruce Springsteen: Only The Strong Survive tracklist

  1. Only The Strong Survive (originally by Jerry Butler)
  2. Soul Days (Featuring Sam Moore) (Dobie Gray)
  3. Nightshift (The Commodores)
  4. Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) (Frank Wilson)
  5. The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore (The Walker Brothers)
  6. Turn Back The Hands of Time (Tyrone Davis)
  7. When She Was My Girl (The Four Tops)
  8. Hey, Western Union Man (Jerry Butler)
  9. I Wish It Would Rain (The Temptations)
  10. Don’t Play That Song (Aretha Franklin)
  11. Any Other Way (Jackie Shane)
  12. I Forgot To Be Your Lover  (Featuring Sam Moore) (William Bell)
  13. 7 Rooms of Gloom (The Four Tops)
  14. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted (Jimmy Ruffin)
  15. Someday We’ll Be Together (Diana Ross and the Supremes)
Fraser Lewry
Fraser Lewry
Online Editor, Classic Rock

Online Editor at Louder/Classic Rock magazine since 2014. 40 years in music industry, online for 27. Also bylines for: Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, The Word Magazine, The Guardian, The New Statesman, Saga, Music365. Former Head of Music at Xfm Radio, A&R at Fiction Records, early blogger, ex-roadie, published author. Once appeared in a Cure video dressed as a cowboy, and thinks any situation can be improved by the introduction of cats. Favourite Serbian trumpeter: Dejan Petrović.