Bruce Springsteen first released “Streets of Philadelphia” on the “Philadelphia (Music From the Motion Picture)” soundtrack.
With Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band kicking off a two-show stand (Aug. 21 and 23) today at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, it seemed like a good time to take a listen to some of the different versions of his “Streets of Philadelphia” that have been released, over the years.
The hypnotic song, released in 1994, was Springsteen’s last Top 10 single, and won an Oscar for Best Original Song as well as Grammys for Song of the Year, Rock Song, Male Rock Vocal Performance and Song Written for a Motion Picture or Television.
“This is the first song I ever wrote for a motion picture, so I guess it’s all downhill from here,” he said when accepting the Oscar.
Here are 20 videos — with the artists ranging from some well known ones to some who are very obscure — starting with Springsteen’s original music video.
ELTON JOHN
BETTYE LaVETTE
’
RICHIE HAVENS
MELISSA ETHERIDGE
DAVID GRAY
LOW CUT CONNIE
’
COLDPLAY
TORI AMOS
GARLAND JEFFREYS
MUMFORD & SONS
WAXAHATCHEE
RYAN ADAMS
JOSHUA REDMAN (FEATURING GABRIELLE CAVASSA)
THE FRAY
KAISER BAND
VITAMIN STRING QUARTET
TAL & IRMA
LEA PORCELAIN
FRANCESCA BLANCHARD
CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET
Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.
