The only Bruce Springsteen song to top the charts was a cover
Bruce Springsteen, much like any aspiring rock and roller, emerged from the club circuit in his native New Jersey. Assembling the legendary E Street Band, he recognised that the essence of any exceptional rock and roll group lies in their songs. As a result, Springsteen wasted no time, launching into the scene with the dynamic and impactful ‘Blinded by the Light’.
Reflecting on his early days, Springsteen clarified that the song delves into his life during the times he spent exploring Jersey. Right from the song’s opening line, Springsteen drew inspiration directly from his personal experiences, stating: “Madman drummers, and Indians in the summer…that was about Vincent Lopez drummer for the E Street Band. He was always getting in shit.”
Although it’s quite surprising that Springsteen only ever achieved the top chart position with one single, even more perplexing that the song that achieved such a feat was delivered by someone else. ‘Blinded by the Light’ serves as the opening track on Springsteen’s first album, Greetings From Astbury Park, N.J., and remarkably ascended to the top of the charts four years following its 1973 release.
During the debut phase of his career, Springsteen operated on the fringes of the mainstream, and his original rendition failed to make any chart impact. In 1977, however, the thrill for Springsteen was rekindled when the British band Manfred Mann decided to cover the song. However, the initial excitement turned to disappointment when he heard the track. The band had misinterpreted his lyrics, inadvertently altering Springsteen’s creation.
Discussing the song on VH1’s Storytellers, Springsteen explains the line that became misconstrued, saying, “‘Oh cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night,’ Now this is an interesting line.”
He continues: “This song is my only number one song, I’ve never had another number one song. Except this one wasn’t done by me, it was done by Manfred Mann, which I appreciate. But, they changed this line. My line says, ‘cut loose like a deuce’, and there’s said, ‘cut loose like a douche’.”
“I have a feeling that is why the song skyrocketed to number one, but it worked y’know,” he sarcastically states. “Deuce was like Little Deuce Coupe, as in a two-seater hot rod, and a douche is a feminine hygienic procedure. So they are different. What can I say? The public spoke, and they were right y’now.”
While the ongoing royalties from Manfred Mann’s rendition of ‘Blinded By The Light’ likely compensate for the initial mishap, it remains a source of annoyance for Springsteen. For instance, he was once approached by Gurinder Chadha, who sought permission to use the song as the inspiration for her 2019 British comedy-drama; she took extra care to ensure Springsteen’s satisfaction with every line of the script.
