2009 Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles is the latest artist to participate in the Hangin’ on E Street series, where artists influenced by Bruce Springsteen sit down to share how they’ve been influenced by him. Check out the video of Bareilles covering Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire” below. To watch video of her sharing her thoughts on and introduction to Springsteen’s music, visit Bruce’s site, where you can also watch interviews and performances from past participants.
“I’m on Fire” was the fourth single off of Bruce Springsteen‘s “Mega-Star-Making” album Born in the U.S.A. It was released in 1985 and climbed all the way up to number six in the Billboard Hot 100 pop charts.
I was surprised when I found out that the song is only 2:37 long… not because it’s boring or anything, but because of the mood it creates. The sound of the song is SO hypnotizing that it feels like it lasts forever. Maybe that’s really because I can never listen to the song just once and I keep hitting “repeat.”
Check out the video of the song from 1985 here… Bruce does some FIIIIINE acting there! He actually DOES do a pretty good job.
I’ve always dug this song because of how sparse the instrumentation is. I love the rhythm of the vocal line. Really fun song to sing. I’ve never been that great at singing the song because I think I try to sing it too much like Bruce… and YOU, sir… are NO Bruce Springsteen.
So anyway, seeing Sara Barielles’ version made me re-visit some of the versions I have in my own collection. I’ve posted a few different takes on the song below in the Dig-It section, including a very cool live Springsteen version from 2005.
Your Dig-It Downloads:
Download: I’m on Fire (Bruce Springsteen Live 6/16/05)
Download: I’m on Fire (Johnny Cash)
Download: I’m on Fire (Jim James)
Download: I’m on Fire (Big Country)
Download: I’m on Fire (Bat for Lashes)
Download: I’m on Fire (Elmer Fudd) (Robin Williams)
Download: I’m on Fire (Tori Amos)
Download: I’m on Fire (Joy Almond)
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Download: I’m on Fire (Carbon Leaf)
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