Only the Strong Survive by Bruce Springsteen

Only the Strong Survive

by Bruce Springsteen

Released: November 11, 2022

Soul, R&B

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Title Meaning.

01

The Album

"Only the Strong Survive" is the twenty-first studio album by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on November 11, 2022, through Columbia Records. He recorded the album at his Thrill Hill Recording studio in New Jersey, following his sessions for Letter to You (2020). The second single, "Nightshift," had a music video follow on October 14, while the third single, "Don't Play That Song," was accompanied by a music video on October 28.

02

Inside the Recording

The album was produced by Ron Aniello, who played all the instruments except for Springsteen's guitar and piano, and the horns, which were played by the E Street Horns.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The album is a cover album featuring songs…

The album is a cover album featuring songs from the R&B and soul genres, marking his second such album after We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions in 2006.

The album was announced on September 29, 2022…

The album was announced on September 29, 2022, alongside the release of "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)," a cover of Frank Wilson's song.

In mid-September 2022, Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner…

In mid-September 2022, Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner revealed that Springsteen was planning to release a new album before the year was out.

Springsteen confirmed the news on September 29, stating…

Springsteen confirmed the news on September 29, stating that he wanted to make an album where he could "just sing" and pay homage to the "great American songbook" of the 1960s and 1970s.

The album also features two duets with Sam…

The album also features two duets with Sam Moore.

Start listening here

Essential Tracks

01

Only the Strong Survive

"Only the Strong Survive" is the twenty-first studio album by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on November 11, 2022, through Columbia Records.

02

Nightshift

The second single, "Nightshift," had a music video follow on October 14, while the third single, "Don't Play That Song," was accompanied by a music video on October 28.

03

Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)

The album was announced on September 29, 2022, alongside the release of "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)," a cover of Frank Wilson's song.

04

Turn Back the Hands of Time

The fourth single, "Turn Back the Hands of Time," also received a music video, released on November 11, 2022.

05

Don't Play That Song

The second single, "Nightshift," had a music video follow on October 14, while the third single, "Don't Play That Song," was accompanied by a music video on October 28.

Then

Reception

The album's title comes from its opening track, a cover of Jerry Butler's "Only the Strong Survive." Springsteen's version of the album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Only the Strong Survive" is the twenty-first studio album by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on November 11, 2022, through Columbia Records. The album is a cover album featuring songs from the R&B and soul genres, marking his second such album after We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions in 2006. The album was announced on September 29, 2022, alongside the release of "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)," a cover of Frank Wilson's song. The album's title comes from its opening track, a cover of Jerry Butler's "Only the Strong Survive." Springsteen's version of the album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.

In mid-September 2022, Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner revealed that Springsteen was planning to release a new album before the year was out. Springsteen confirmed the news on September 29, stating that he wanted to make an album where he could "just sing" and pay homage to the "great American songbook" of the 1960s and 1970s. He recorded the album at his Thrill Hill Recording studio in New Jersey, following his sessions for Letter to You (2020). The album was produced by Ron Aniello, who played all the instruments except for Springsteen's guitar and piano, and the horns, which were played by the E Street Horns. The album also features two duets with Sam Moore.

In the lead-up to the album's release, Springsteen began promoting it with teaser videos on social media, including audio snippets of some of the covers. A music video for the album's first single, "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)," was released on September 29. The second single, "Nightshift," had a music video follow on October 14, while the third single, "Don't Play That Song," was accompanied by a music video on October 28. The fourth single, "Turn Back the Hands of Time," also received a music video, released on November 11, 2022.

To promote the album further, Springsteen appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for four episodes from November 14 to 16, 2022, and made a special appearance on the show for a Thanksgiving episode on November 24, 2022.

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