Rocker Bruce Springsteen delivered a stirring rendition of “Nightshift” on Wednesday’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to bring his residency on the program to its conclusion. The Commodores’ 1985 hit is one of 15 soul and R&B covers featured on the 73-year-old musician’s recently released album, Only The Strong Survive.
Only The Strong Survive arrived last Friday, November 11 on Columbia Records. The Boss put a focus on his singing for his 21st studio album. Springsteen pulled from the record for performances of “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)” and “Turn Back The Hands Of Time” on Monday and Tuesday’s installments of The Tonight Show respectively. He will return to Fallon for a special Thanksgiving episode next week.
“Nightshift,” the most recent song Springsteen covered for Only The Strong Survive, was the title track to the Commodores’ 1985 LP. Vocalist Walter Orange wrote the tune with Dennis Lambert and Franne Golde to honor Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson in the wake of the legendary singers’ deaths the previous year.
Bruce Springsteen enlisted an impressive backing band for “Nightshift” and his other Fallon performances that featured original E Street Band keyboardist David Sancious, strings, horns, seven backing vocalists and more. Ron Aniello, who co-produced and contributed to Only The Strong Survive, played guitar.
See The Boss’ “Nightshift” from Wednesday’s Fallon below:
Bruce Springsteen reunites with the E Street Band for a massive world tour in 2023. Scroll below for the full list of dates announced thus far.
