Bruce Springsteen in the new “Nightshift” video.
At midnight Oct. 13, Bruce Springsteen released a video for “Nightshift,” the second single from his upcoming album of soul covers titled Only the Strong Survive. You can watch it below.
Only the Strong Survive will be released on Nov. 11. Springsteen had previously released one single from it, “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do).”
Like the “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)” video, it’s a performance clip featuring a large band including musicians such as longtime associates Soozie Tyrell (on vocals) and Ed Manion (on saxophone), as well as others.
Written by Commodores member Walter Orange along with Dennis Lambert and Franne Golde, “Nightshift” was a Top 10 hit for The Commodores in 1985. Springsteen’s version is faithful to the original arrangement.
The song is, in part, a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, who both died in 1984. Here are the relevant lyrics:
Marvin, he was a friend of mine
And he could sing his song
His heart in every line
Marvin sang of the joy and pain
He opened up our minds
And I still can hear him say
‘Oh, talk to me, so you can see, what’s goin’ on’
Say you will sing your songs for evermore, evermore
…
Jackie, hey what you doing now
It seems like yesterday when we were working out
Jackie, you set the world on fire
You came and gifted us
Your love, it lifted us higher and higher
Keep it up and we’ll be there at your side
Oh say you will, sing your songs for evermore
According to a press release, “Only The Strong Survive will feature guest vocals by Sam Moore, as well as contributions from The E Street Horns, full string arrangements by Rob Mathes, and backing vocals by Soozie Tyrell, Lisa Lowell, Michelle Moore, Curtis King Jr., Dennis Collins and Fonzi Thornton. The album was produced by Ron Aniello, engineered by Rob Lebret and executive produced by Jon Landau.”
Here is Springsteen’s version of “Nightshift,” along with The Commodores’ original.
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