The Weeklings’ new single is a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire.”
Many artists have covered Bruce Springsteen’s songs. And in most cases, the covers end up sounding pretty much like the original version.
The Weeklings have put a truly new spin on Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire,” though, in a version that is being released today. (You can listen below). They make this anthem of “bad desire” sound like an upbeat rockabilly song — light years removed from the original’s brooding, almost dreamlike feel. But, miraculously, their interpretation — built around a riff reminiscent of Eddie Cochran’s “Somethin’ Else” — fits Springsteen’s lyrics just as well. The difference is that Springsteen’s version was about being trapped by desire; this take is about being liberated by it.
The Weeklings never have recorded a Springsteen song before, though three of the four members — singer-guitarists Zeek Weekling (Bob Burger) and Rocky Weekling (John Merjave) and singer-bassist Lefty Weekling (Glen Burtnik) — perform with E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg in his Max Weinberg’s Jukebox shows. Zeek, Rocky and Lefty are joined in the Weeklings by drummer Smokestack Weekling (Joe Bellia).
“I’m on Fire,” from Springsteen’s Born in the USA album, became a Top 10 single when Springsteen released it as a single in 1985.
For more on the band, visit weeklings.com.
Here is the video:
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