Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Because the Night

Co-written and first recorded by Bruce Springsteen (1978, released 2010).
Hit version by Patti Smith Group (US #13/UK #5 1978).

From the wiki: “Written by Bruce Springsteen, ‘Because the Night’ song was first recorded by Springsteen during sessions for the Darkness on the Edge of Town album. He was not satisfied with it; the Patti Smith Group was working on Easter in the studio next door, with engineer/producer Jimmy Iovine working on both albums. Iovine gave Smith a tape of the song; she recast it, including ‘Because the Night’ on Easter, becoming the first single released from that album.

“Though it was never released on any of Springsteen’s studio albums, in concert, beginning with his Darkness Tour, Springsteen would often perform the song with his own lyrics. The song was first performed live at a Patti Smith concert at CBGB’s in New York City on December 30, 1977, with Springsteen joining on vocals and guitar.

“The only two commercially-released recordings of a Springsteen version of the song were in the 1986 box set Live/1975–85, where Smith was listed as co-writer; and the 2010 compilation album The Promise (using the original studio recording from the Darkness on the Edge of Town sessions).”

Patti Smith Group, “Because the Night” (1978):

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