5 Famous Songs You Probably Didn’t Know Bruce Springsteen Wrote
via @BruceSpringsteenVEVO / YouTube
Bruce Springsteen has always been more than just a performer—he’s a force. Known for marathon live shows, ever-changing setlists, and an almost supernatural connection with his audience, Springsteen has built a reputation that most stadium-filling artists only dream of reaching. His presence on stage is electric, and his commitment to the music feels limitless.
While fans often focus on his own legendary discography, there’s a lesser-known side to Springsteen’s genius: the songs he let go. Some of his finest writing never made it onto his own albums or only existed briefly in his setlists before finding new life through the voices of other artists.
This article revisits five of those songs—written or recorded during the 1970s and ’80s—that might not carry his name on the charts but still carry his unmistakable spirit. You may know the hits, but you probably didn’t know they came from the Boss.
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“Spirit in the Night” – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
Originally released in 1973 on Bruce Springsteen’s debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., “Spirit in the Night” was one of his earliest examples of storytelling-driven rock. While it showcased Springsteen’s lyrical gift, the song didn’t make waves on the charts at the time. It became a fan favorite but not a radio hit.
That changed when Manfred Mann’s Earth Band reworked the track in 1975 for their album Nightingales and Bombers. They gave it a slicker, more progressive rock treatment, replacing Springsteen’s earthy delivery with a more polished sound. Their version entered the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No. 40, giving the song a new life with a wider audience.
“Spirit in the Night” was the first of several Springsteen compositions that Manfred Mann would reinterpret. Their covers would eventually become more commercially successful than the originals, marking a curious case where the interpreter gained more airplay than the songwriter himself.
“Blinded by the Light” – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
Also from Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., “Blinded by the Light” was Springsteen’s opening track on his debut album. Despite its clever wordplay and vivid imagery, the song didn’t chart in its original form. Springsteen’s managers grew concerned that his music wasn’t breaking through commercially, especially as other artists found success covering his songs.
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band turned “Blinded by the Light” into a chart-topping hit in 1976. Their version, featuring a synth-driven arrangement and significant lyrical modifications, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100—Springsteen’s only composition to do so. The cover became known for its catchy melody and, famously, its often-misheard lyrics.
Interestingly, Manfred Mann himself wasn’t initially satisfied with the recording. He reportedly spent days arranging the complex track and tweaking its sound, only to remain unsure about the final mix. That doubt quickly faded once the song soared to the top of the charts, becoming a staple of classic rock radio.
“Fire” – The Pointer Sisters
Springsteen wrote “Fire” in 1977 with Elvis Presley in mind, inspired after watching the King perform in Philadelphia. He hoped Presley would record it, and sent him a demo shortly afterward. Tragically, Elvis passed away before it ever reached him, leaving the song without its intended voice.
Springsteen later recorded the song himself during the Darkness on the Edge of Town sessions, but it didn’t make the final cut. Instead, the Pointer Sisters picked it up and gave it a sultry, slow-burning R&B twist. Their 1978 version climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song became one of the Pointer Sisters’ biggest hits, showing how Springsteen’s songwriting could adapt to different genres. While Bruce would later perform “Fire” live—and release a version on his 1986 box set Live 1975–85—it was the Pointer Sisters who turned it into a mainstream success.
“Light of Day” – Joan Jett and the Barbusters
“Light of Day” was written by Springsteen in the early ’80s and was originally intended for Born in the U.S.A. However, when filmmaker Paul Schrader—who had previously inspired Springsteen’s song Born in the U.S.A. with his screenplay Born in the U.S.A.—asked for a song for his new film, Springsteen offered him “Light of Day.”
The 1987 film Light of Day starred Joan Jett and Michael J. Fox as members of a fictional band called The Barbusters. Jett performed the title song in the film, which was credited to Joan Jett and the Blackhearts for its single release. The track reached No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Despite being a movie tie-in, “Light of Day” became one of Jett’s signature songs and has remained in her live repertoire. Springsteen himself has also performed it extensively in concert, usually turning it into a raucous, high-energy closer during his shows.
“Pink Cadillac” – Natalie Cole
“Pink Cadillac” first appeared in 1984 as the B-side to Springsteen’s massive hit “Dancing in the Dark.” Although never released as a single by Bruce, the song gained traction through radio play and became a regular feature during his Born in the U.S.A. tour. Its rockabilly rhythm and cheeky lyrics made it a fan favorite.
Springsteen reportedly turned down Bette Midler’s request to record the song, citing that it wasn’t a great fit for her style. However, Natalie Cole later recorded a version in 1987 that transformed the track into a funky, R&B-infused anthem. Her rendition appeared on her Everlasting album and was a commercial success.
Cole’s “Pink Cadillac” peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart. It earned two Grammy nominations and gave the song broader exposure than Springsteen’s own version ever received. Once again, the Boss’s pen proved its reach beyond genre boundaries.
