History of Janey Needs A Shooter- Originally recorded in January 1973, as a demo with piano and vocal. It was recorded on 4 inch reel tapes by Mike Appel and Jim Cretecos This was used as a publishing demo. Session log documents from 914 Studios indicate that a Spanish-flavored, full band arrangement of this song was recorded at some point during the sessions for Born to Run. In 1977, it was recorded in a studio rehearsal in a full band arrangement in a version with fewer verses. In 1979, Bruce resurrected the song again and recorded it in a few partial takes as demos with acoustic guitar. The song has never been released, however, in 1994 the four inch reel tape is auctioned off, along with three other songs recorded at the same session in 1973. The song is said to have been co-written with Warren Zevon, but the song was actually written by Zevon from knowledge of the title “Janey Needs A Shooter”. He learned of the title in the late 1970’s, and had this to say, “I’d heard this Springsteen song title from his manager, Jon Landau. I asked Bruce about it so many times, he finally said, ‘You like it so much, why don’t you write it?’ Warren Zevon said, "In 1979, I did write a few lines, (called, "Jeannie Needs a Shooter.") T-Bone Burnett added something. I cut a track and actually put strings on it, then showed up at Bruce’s house in Asbury Park in the middle of the night. He was asleep on the sofa in front of a videotaped baseball game, I roused him and played what I had for him. ‘It’s nice,’ he said, ‘but where are all the other verses?’ I just smiled.” It was originally released by Zevon on his Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School album in 1980. The Warren Zevon song was release on The Bruce Springsteen Songbook compilation in 1996.
A long long time ago, in New Jersey in 1972, Janey had no gun, all she had or could have had, was a guy, a 'shooter' who just took care and loved her, without side, unconditionally.
I fully agree with this meaning. I found several bizarre meanings of this song but I think this is the one that I feel closer to the Bruce one. I'd like to read something about, directly from Bruce's statements but I don't find anything about. Any link?
@bulbheadmyass Bruce originally wrote it but While the two were collaborating, Warren said he liked the title so bruce told him to use it. The actual lyrics of the two songs are totally different though. and Warren's version is Jeannie not Janey
Nice to see this gem rerecorded on the Boss' new album.
History of Janey Needs A Shooter- Originally recorded in January 1973, as a demo with piano and vocal. It was recorded on 4 inch reel tapes by Mike Appel and Jim Cretecos This was used as a publishing demo. Session log documents from 914 Studios indicate that a Spanish-flavored, full band arrangement of this song was recorded at some point during the sessions for Born to Run. In 1977, it was recorded in a studio rehearsal in a full band arrangement in a version with fewer verses. In 1979, Bruce resurrected the song again and recorded it in a few partial takes as demos with acoustic guitar. The song has never been released, however, in 1994 the four inch reel tape is auctioned off, along with three other songs recorded at the same session in 1973. The song is said to have been co-written with Warren Zevon, but the song was actually written by Zevon from knowledge of the title “Janey Needs A Shooter”. He learned of the title in the late 1970’s, and had this to say, “I’d heard this Springsteen song title from his manager, Jon Landau. I asked Bruce about it so many times, he finally said, ‘You like it so much, why don’t you write it?’ Warren Zevon said, "In 1979, I did write a few lines, (called, "Jeannie Needs a Shooter.") T-Bone Burnett added something. I cut a track and actually put strings on it, then showed up at Bruce’s house in Asbury Park in the middle of the night. He was asleep on the sofa in front of a videotaped baseball game, I roused him and played what I had for him. ‘It’s nice,’ he said, ‘but where are all the other verses?’ I just smiled.” It was originally released by Zevon on his Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School album in 1980. The Warren Zevon song was release on The Bruce Springsteen Songbook compilation in 1996.
Interesting. Is this that recording?
Glad to see this come to light on an album
Love this and the 78-version of this song! Bruce is amazing.
A long long time ago, in New Jersey in 1972, Janey had no gun, all she had or could have had, was a guy, a 'shooter' who just took care and loved her, without side, unconditionally.
I fully agree with this meaning. I found several bizarre meanings of this song but I think this is the one that I feel closer to the Bruce one. I'd like to read something about, directly from Bruce's statements but I don't find anything about. Any link?
A friend of mine told me and i agree with her that probably not "unconditionally" but "how she likes to be loved" (because he knows her style)
It's fun to compare this version to the one on the "Letter to you" album. This is surprisingly one of favorites on the newer release.
woah...by far the best version ive heard. really wraps you up into the whole story in a much more intimate way.
Here before letter for you releases. Curious how it’s gonn sound
@bengraham21
Yep, it's 'Visions of Johanna'. The verses are, anyway. I wonder if that's why he didn't release it? It's a lovely song, anyway.
Why doesn´t he play this song?!
I saw several times this "sign request" in concerts...
@bulbheadmyass Bruce originally wrote it but While the two were collaborating, Warren said he liked the title so bruce told him to use it. The actual lyrics of the two songs are totally different though.
and Warren's version is Jeannie not Janey
Amo
He’s never been this good since 1976….
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💖💖💖💖💖🔥👏🏻👌🏻
This is incredible. Where is this from? Is it on a bootleg? When do you think it was recorded?
moocow117 1972!!!
It's on a boot - Greetings From Asbury Park [Expanded Edition]
@bulbheadmyass Warren wrote the first verse ( his recorded version) and Bruce finished the song
What's this song about?
H