3 Songs Written but Not Originally Performed by Bruce Springsteen

He’s known for some iconic songs, his lengthy and passionate live performances, and his indelible nickname, the Boss. For the New Jersey-born rocker Bruce Springsteen, music has been like one of his beloved boardwalk roller-coasters. A ride that allowed him to hit great heights and some loop-the-loops along the way.

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But while the Hall of Fame songwriter is one of the most famous to ever pick up a guitar and pen, he also wrote songs for others, not just himself. Here below, we wanted to explore three such examples. A trio of tracks the Boss helped compose for others. Indeed, these are three songs written but not originally performed by Bruce Springsteen.

[RELATED: How Bruce Springsteen Became a Cultural Icon—We Asked an Expert]

“Protection” by Donna Summer from Donna Summer (1983)

Any chance we can interest you in a song written by Bruce Springsteen, produced by Quincy Jones, and performed by Donna Summer? Thought so! This vibrant track appeared on Summer’s 1983 self-titled LP. And on it she sings about the overwhelming power of another’s love. It’s so big and bright Summer sings she needs protection from it. She’s almost out of breath belting all about it. Indeed, she offers,

Protection, that’s what I need
I need protection, baby from your love
Protection, that’s what I need
I need protection, baby from your love

I wait at home by my telephone
When I call your house, baby
You’re not home
Knock on the door and rush
Down the stairs
When I open up, baby you’re
Not there

“Because the Night” by Patti Smith from Easter (1978)

Famously, Bruce wrote this song but didn’t feel like it was a fit coming off his tongue. So his producer at the time, Jimmy Iovine, arranged for him to pass it along to Patti Smith. The track became Smith’s biggest hit. And on it she sings of romantic devotion. You can hear her heart thrust forward with each lyric on the recording. Indeed, she sings,

Take me now, baby, here as I am
Pull me close, try and understand
Desire is hunger, is the fire I breathe
Love is a banquet on which we feed

Come on now, try and understand
The way I feel when I’m in your hands
Take my hand, come undercover
They can’t hurt you now
Can’t hurt you now, can’t hurt you now

“If I Were the Priest” by Allan Clarke from Allan Clarke (1974)

Released on singer Allan Clarke’s 1974 self-titled LP, he was the first to cut this Bruce Springsteen-penned song. Even before Bruce did. Later Springsteen released the track on his 2020 LP Letter to You. But for the British-born Clarke, who sounds a bit like David Bowie on this tune, the song seems like it’s all his own. And on it, he sings about ambition and love, offering,

Now there’s a light
On yonder mountain
It’s calling me
To shine
There’s a girl
Standing by the water fountain
She’s asking to be mine

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