“Stayin’ Alive,” covered by Bruce Springsteen … (Rock / not Disco – Music to Your Ears, Covers–16)

in #music5 years ago

Not only did Springsteen give the song a "new life,"  he also gave it a more meaningful life.

Bruce Springsteen – “Stayin’ Alive”

“Stayin’ Alive” (2014 – original from 1977)

For over 35 years, “Stayin’ Alive”  was simply a disco hit. Then, in 2014, Bruce Springsteen covered it and made it into much more than a disco song. 

Alive, Live

At the end of their 2014 Australian tour, Bruce and his large band performed “Stayin’ Alive”  live on stage in Brisbane.

The full rock ensemble, backed by horns, strings, and soul singers, made it sublime. The dark, shadow-shrouded stage set the perfect mood for this song – which is essentially about surviving a dismal situation. Here in Springsteen’s version, there is none of the glitz and glam of the escapist disco ethos.    (Image source)

A Better Life

Springsteen not only gave the song "new life"  (as Luc Knight stated in his comment). He also gave it a much better life, and maybe a more meaningful one.    

Kudos to Bruce for reinterpreting it, revitalizing it, and transforming it into something close to a masterpiece.

Bruce Springsteen

Springsteen has been a rock music icon since his third album, “Born to Run,”  became a major hit in 1975. Its powerful, personal, and poetic descriptions of the lives of American youth continue to resonate even today.  

A Poet

While he is most often identified as a rock musician, he has also become well-known for his excellent folk music. In many ways, he has become the pre-eminent poet of Americana of his time. 

A Person

Over the course of his career, he has sold more than 64 million records, and received numerous awards – including an astounding 20 Grammy awards.   (Image source)

In 2013, the MusicCares Foundation bestowed on Springsteen what may be the greatest honor, naming him simply “Person of the Year.” 

Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk,
I'm a woman's man: no time to talk.
Music loud and women warm,
I've been kicked around since I was born.

And now it's all right. It's OK.
And you may look the other way.
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man.

Whether you're a brother
Or whether you're a mother,
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Feel the city breakin'
And everybody shakin',
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive.

Well, now, I get low and I get high,
And if I can't get either, I really try.
…. I get by ….. Got the wings of heaven on my shoes.
I'm a dancin' man and I just can't lose.

You know it's all right. It's OK.
I'll live to see another day.
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man.

Whether you're a brother
Or whether you're a mother,
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Feel the city breakin'
And everybody shakin',
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive.

Life goin' nowhere. Somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life goin' nowhere. Somebody help me, yeah.
Stayin' alive.

Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk,
I'm a woman's man: no time to talk.
Music loud and women warm,
I've been kicked around since I was born.

And now it's all right. It's OK.
And you may look the other way.
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man.

Whether you're a brother
Or whether you're a mother,
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Feel the city breakin'
And everybody shakin',
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive.

Life goin' nowhere. Somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life goin' nowhere. Somebody help me, yeah.
I'm stayin' alive.
   [Repeat chorus 4 x]

        Bee Gees – “Stayin’ Alive”    
          (Right-click to hear on YouTube)


Lyrics by Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – RollingStone.com
Reference – Wikipedia

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Links to my other series ...

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”
          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”  

          Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"  
          Vocab-Ability – "Index"  to all Chapters and Sections  

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"  
          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"  

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Having listened to both the original version and the cover version, I can say that Bruce did a good job. And you also did a good job by bringing this entry before us. Also, I agree that Bruce brought life to this song.

Oh Radical!

Wow... I used to sing to this song while growing up without necessarily knowing the lyrics!
I am feeling nostalgic... thanks for sharing

I remember hearing it often, but I never sang it, cuz I was not into disco. But it was surprising to find out what the song really said.

How inspiering!

Thank you. That was awesome!!!

Epic!

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