I have been a fan of the Springsteen version of this song for quite some time... However, it wasn't until I heard Nicole's version of the song (tonight on 09/14/17) that it really registered any meaning for me. It reminded me about the awful 5 years I spent working night shift. It has exactly the right amount of melancholy and regret that reflected how I felt during that time, and it is uncanny how the song accurately depicts my life back then. The first verse was my basic day to day routine, leaving at night and coming home tired in the morning. Since I was so far from my family, it was difficult to find things to do and given I was working 12 hour days, there wasn't much time to do them... So boredom set in pretty frequently. The second verse closely resembles my desire to move away from the city I was in, wanting a change in my life and who I was. Unfortunately, given the job market, I had to maintain employment where I was. My crappy little apartment just had a futon, a stool and my laptop. There wasn't much else in there and you would think the place was unoccupied if you ever walked in. The final part of the song describes how I felt; the joke was on me and and I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders on a day to day basis. The responsibility of my job and the burden of my school loans kept me where I was and I no longer had the motivation (hunger) to get out. I finally had the guts to get out and am much happier now. Goes to show what a shite job can do to your soul. It's crazy how the perspective of a song can change so much with a different singer and tone. Wow.
Glad you changed your life for the better! Really. And yes, amazing as Nicole takes the song an entirely different place. Before this version I never realised how depressed it really is. All the best to you.
I'm not a big Springsteen fan but this cover is freaking brilliant! Perfect example of an artist re-interpreting another songwriters song in their own style and putting an original spin on it that changes the entire vibe and meaning of the song. Genius, Nicole.
Best version of this song, the original doesn't even give the lyrics justice. I never realized how deep this song was until I heard her give it such emotion
OK, I agree with some commenters that this recording could pass for an unusually strong Lana Del Rey performance, but if you're thinking that Nicole is copying LDR's style, Born to Die came out in 2012, Nicole's 2nd album came out a year before. Check out her songs like "You were the Devil" that use a lot of the same nostalgic melodic devices and breathy delivery, LDR fans. Then preorder the new record.
really hearing these lyrics.....thoughtfully sexy (or is it sexily thoughtful?) I would like to hear it build to some raging guitar a'la E-street Band though!
Nicole’s performance is really well done, but I feel like there are some glaring issues. This cover I feel is a complete lack of understanding of the actual song. The song was supposed to be a bopping tune to juxtapose the meaningful lyrics to expose an issue with the American frame of mind. This song and the whole album, Born in The USA, is supposed to show how as Americans we ignore the glaring problems and obvious concerns to prolong our good times. Making the music match the lyrics makes the song just an average sad song. But Ms. Atkins did deliver a wonderful performance. Pls don’t hurt me I’m just in a literature class
See, that's the thing with music. People will interpret it in ways that are meaningful to them. Take Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes"......most would say it's a love song, but he said he wrote it about God. Point is, interpret music how you want. :)
![Shovels & Rope - "Joey" feat. Nicole Atkins [Audio Only]](/img/n.gif)
Thank you Fleishman Is In Trouble, never knew Atkins covered this ❤
Did you finish it? The youngest we will ever be is now…😭😭😭
Great series! And such a great version of Dancing in the dark. Didn’t know this one before either ❤️❤️
Fleishman in Trouble brought me here. 🥰🥰🥰
Fleishman is in trouble brought me here. And I'm 105% into it.
Me, too!
Me too!
Captivating version, also heard it in Fleishman Is In Trouble, great cover!
I don`t see the comparison between LDR and Nicole - this song and Nicole`s voice is just much more true and soulful..
Her voice is unreal.
This song is poetry. She does am amazing job
Yes please
Brilliant. It's totally another beast. Another vibe entirely.
I have been a fan of the Springsteen version of this song for quite some time... However, it wasn't until I heard Nicole's version of the song (tonight on 09/14/17) that it really registered any meaning for me. It reminded me about the awful 5 years I spent working night shift. It has exactly the right amount of melancholy and regret that reflected how I felt during that time, and it is uncanny how the song accurately depicts my life back then.
The first verse was my basic day to day routine, leaving at night and coming home tired in the morning. Since I was so far from my family, it was difficult to find things to do and given I was working 12 hour days, there wasn't much time to do them... So boredom set in pretty frequently.
The second verse closely resembles my desire to move away from the city I was in, wanting a change in my life and who I was. Unfortunately, given the job market, I had to maintain employment where I was. My crappy little apartment just had a futon, a stool and my laptop. There wasn't much else in there and you would think the place was unoccupied if you ever walked in.
The final part of the song describes how I felt; the joke was on me and and I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders on a day to day basis. The responsibility of my job and the burden of my school loans kept me where I was and I no longer had the motivation (hunger) to get out.
I finally had the guts to get out and am much happier now. Goes to show what a shite job can do to your soul.
It's crazy how the perspective of a song can change so much with a different singer and tone. Wow.
Glad you changed your life for the better! Really. And yes, amazing as Nicole takes the song an entirely different place. Before this version I never realised how depressed it really is. All the best to you.
and 85, lucky, and shaching.
Thank you, Dr Fleishman.
I'm not a big Springsteen fan but this cover is freaking brilliant! Perfect example of an artist re-interpreting another songwriters song in their own style and putting an original spin on it that changes the entire vibe and meaning of the song. Genius, Nicole.
Damn.
Oh wow....
Best version of this song, the original doesn't even give the lyrics justice. I never realized how deep this song was until I heard her give it such emotion
Beautiful!
Amen Sister
Nicole's voice reminds me so much of Melissa Ethridge. 😊
OK, I agree with some commenters that this recording could pass for an unusually strong Lana Del Rey performance, but if you're thinking that Nicole is copying LDR's style, Born to Die came out in 2012, Nicole's 2nd album came out a year before. Check out her songs like "You were the Devil" that use a lot of the same nostalgic melodic devices and breathy delivery, LDR fans. Then preorder the new record.
bravo!
Super late to the party, but so BORED of the original version of this song, and I am blown away. Love it.
Welcome to the party.
Fleisman is in trouble
A Jersey Shore girl doing an incredibly beaatiful cover of a great song by a Jersey Shore boy.
Rather naked and sincere verion of boss poetry. Nicole,s smart.
really hearing these lyrics.....thoughtfully sexy (or is it sexily thoughtful?) I would like to hear it build to some raging guitar a'la E-street Band though!
emphatically sexy.
I think Springsteen is no big deal but this version works
Check Lera Lynn's version of Fire
Fleischman Is In Trouble
When the acolyte destroys the master.....I will listen to this before the Springsteen original
" o yeah "
This is so excellent. I HATE Springsteen's voice but his music sounds beautiful reinterpreted
Nicole’s performance is really well done, but I feel like there are some glaring issues. This cover I feel is a complete lack of understanding of the actual song. The song was supposed to be a bopping tune to juxtapose the meaningful lyrics to expose an issue with the American frame of mind. This song and the whole album, Born in The USA, is supposed to show how as Americans we ignore the glaring problems and obvious concerns to prolong our good times. Making the music match the lyrics makes the song just an average sad song. But Ms. Atkins did deliver a wonderful performance.
Pls don’t hurt me I’m just in a literature class
See, that's the thing with music. People will interpret it in ways that are meaningful to them. Take Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes"......most would say it's a love song, but he said he wrote it about God. Point is, interpret music how you want. :)
Julee Cruise meets Lana Del Ray...interesting.
lana del ray? I dont know. lets regurgitate. Maybe sum fireball shots now will discern the outcum. :.)
I m a dedicated follower of Nicole but this is a no-reason recording