Bruce Springsteen has long talked about his affinity for Elvis Presley. Like many people from his generation, The King is more than deserving of his nickname in Springsteen’s eyes. He’s paid homage to the rock giant a fair few times. Check out three of his best Presley covers, below.
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3 of the Best Times Bruce Springsteen Covered Elvis Presley
1. “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” is a song that has captured the attention of many vocalists. Though we don’t have the official stats, we have to think this song might be one of the most covered tracks of all time. With its simple melody and timeless sentiment, this song is tailor-made for pleasing a crowd. Springsteen knew this when he covered it at Wembley Arena. Check out the live performance, below.
Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can’t help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can’t help falling in love with you?
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
2. “Viva Las Vegas”
There isn’t much change between Presley’s original version of “Viva Las Vegas” and Springsteen’s cover. He keeps all the familiar beats–and why shouldn’t he? This track has just the right anthemic spirit for Springsteen and the E Street Band to give credence to.
Oh, there’s black jack, and poker, and the roulette wheel
A fortune won and lost on every deal
All you need’s a strong heart and a nerve of steel
Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas with your neon flashin’
And your one arm bandits crashin’
All those hopes down the drain
Viva Las Vegas turnin’ day into nighttime
And turnin’ night into daytime
If you see it once, you’ll never be the same again
[RELATED: John Lennon, Keith Richards, and Other Rock Legends on the Influence of Elvis Presley]
3. “Burning Love”
Speaking of songs with an anthemic spirit, next up on this list we have Springsteen’s cover of “Burning Love.” This song isn’t an easy one to sing. It’s high energy from start to finish. If anyone can keep up with Presley on this track, it’s Springsteen. See the evidence for that claim, below.
Your kisses lift me higher
Like a sweet song of a choir
You light my mornin’ sky with burning love
I feel my temperature risin’, mm
Help me, I’m flamin’, I must be a 109, mmm
Burnin’, burnin’, burnin’ and nothing can cool me, yeah
I just might turn into smoke, but I feel fine
(Photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)
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