Springsteen covered by women: The best of the best, part 3

by JAY LUSTIG
Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris' 1999 album, "Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions," included a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Across the Border."

Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris’ 1999 album, “Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions,” included a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Across the Border.”

In January 2015, I put together a post of Springsteen songs covered by women, and it was one of NJArts.net‘s most popular posts of the year. I quickly did a “Part 2,” made up of more videos suggested by readers, and that did very well, too. More than a year and a half later, the posts continue to get lots of hits.

So, here, finally, is Part 3, compiled mostly of comments from Part 2. Song songs were suggested by readers of Part 1 as well (after I had put Part 2 together), and some, I just happen to like, personally.

(UPDATE: There have been four more installments in this series, bringing the total number of songs to 150. Here is an index to all the songs.)

And below are the videos of Part 3, in alphabetical order (by artist). Get me some more good suggestions, in the comments section below, and I’ll put together a Part 4 as well!

“I’m on Fire,” Sara Bareilles

“I’m on Fire,” Bat for Lashes

“Dancing in the Dark,” Lelia Broussard

“Downbound Train,” The Cardigans

“You’re Missing,” Cowboy Junkies

“The Price You Pay,” Emmylou Harris

“If I Should Fall Behind,” Faith Hill

“Tougher Than the Rest,” Moa Holmsten

“Streets of Philadelphia,” Molly Johnson

“Born to Run,” Amy Macdonald

“Racing in the Street,” Amy Ray

“Hungry Heart,” Lucy Wainwright Roche and Over the Rhine

“Across the Border,” Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, with Neil Young

“Hearts of Stone,” Helen Schneider

“Meeting Across the River,” Syd Straw

“Factory,” Lucinda Williams

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15 comments

Bob Mellman October 17, 2016 - 12:29 pm

Robin and Linda Williams do a wonderful rendition of the song. There are several performances of it online. I chose this one because in it Linda is playing a Martin backpacker guitar, invented by NJ’s Bob McNally. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=robin+and+linda+if+i+should+fall+behind&view=detail&mid=4D8AE2FD3C073264DDCD4D8AE2FD3C073264DDCD&FORM=VIRE

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Laura October 17, 2016 - 10:50 pm

Valentine’s Day by Hem is my favorite ever. And I adore Swati’s version of I’m On Fire.

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Julie Jorstad October 19, 2016 - 12:11 am

Love Hem’s version of Valentine’s Day!!!!!

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Jacqueline Donnelly October 17, 2016 - 11:10 pm

I didn’t see parts 1 and 2, so I don’t know if you included Patty Griffin singing “Stolen Car.” Amazing rendition!

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njartsdaily@gmail.com October 17, 2016 - 11:13 pm Reply
Michael Shepherd October 18, 2016 - 10:17 am

Indeed – I prefer it to Bruce’s own

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Brett Levy October 18, 2016 - 12:22 am

Shawn Colvin, “Tougher Than The Rest” (https://youtu.be/PceRAJ_K27I) from her album ” Uncovered” is great. So is “Atlantic City” performed by The Watkins Family Hour at the Newport Folk Festival 2014 ( with Sean & Sara Watkins, Langhorne Slim, and Aoife O’Donovan on lead vocals (https://youtu.be/f0ff_zt3-JE).

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Tina C. October 18, 2016 - 8:33 am

Because the Night – by Patti Smith

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njartsdaily@gmail.com October 18, 2016 - 8:45 am

I really consider that a collaboration, not a cover, since they wrote the song together, so didn’t include it. – Jay

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Julie Jorstad October 19, 2016 - 12:15 am

Julianna Hatfield does a great version of Cover me, Cowboy Junkies do lots of Springsteen covers and State Trooper is one of my faves. Also 10,000 Maniacs had probably their biggest hit with their take on Because the Night from their Unplugged show.

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Åsa October 19, 2016 - 9:11 am Reply
njartsdaily@gmail.com October 19, 2016 - 9:16 am

Yes, I’ve been remiss in not including that one. Will do so in the upcoming part 4!

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marklan fleshman October 20, 2016 - 4:31 am

Emmylou Harris’s cover of “Tougher than the Rest” is nothing short of haunting.

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