The original version of "Spirit in the Night" was released on Bruce Springsteen's debut album,
Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. It was one of the last songs to be written and recorded. Springsteen and producer Mike Appel submitted the finished album to Columbia Records on August 10, 1972, but
Clive Davis, president of the record label, was concerned that none of the tracks had the commercial appeal required to be released as a single. Springsteen quickly wrote, and on September 11 recorded, two additional songs, "Spirit in the Night" and "
Blinded by the Light". "Spirit in the Night" has been described as the one song on the album on which the music and narrative fit together. Clemons' sax playing and Lopez' drumming match the freedom and ebullience described in the lyrics. But although their escape to the freedom of Greasy Lake is short lived, the emphasis is on the friends' togetherness.
Live performances Although the release of the song as a single was unsuccessful, "Spirit in the Night" was a favorite at Springsteen concerts into the 1980s. Live versions of the song have appeared on the 3-CD compilation
Live/1975–85 and on both the CD and video versions of ''
Hammersmith Odeon London '75, released in 2006. A version with Springsteen playing the song solo on piano appears on the 2003 DVD Live in Barcelona. This version is memorable as Springsteen has to start the third verse over again after playing the wrong chords on piano. The studio version of the song was released on the compilation album The Essential Bruce Springsteen'' in 2003. With 572 live performances as of May 2020, "Spirit in the Night" is, behind "Growin' Up", by far the most frequently played song from
Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. The song live involves important crowd participation, with the audience singing the "all night" verse during the chorus while Springsteen interacts very closely with the front rows, sometimes even throwing himself into the pit. In the 1970s, the twenty-something Springsteen usually played "Spirits" third, and nightly ventured out into the audience, sometimes with Clarence Clemons in tow.
Personnel Personnel according to
Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. liner notes, authors Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon: •
Bruce Springsteen – vocals, bass, piano, congas, handclaps, organ (?) •
Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez – drums, handclaps •
Clarence Clemons – saxophone, backing vocals, handclaps •
Harold Wheeler – piano ==Manfred Mann's Earth Band version==