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Only the Strong Survive (Bruce Springsteen album)

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Only the Strong Survive
Studio album by
Bruce Springsteen
ReleasedNovember 11, 2022 (2022-11-11)
RecordedThrill Hill Recording, New Jersey, US
Genre
Length50:24
LabelColumbia
Producer
Bruce Springsteen chronology
The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts
(2021) 		Only the Strong Survive
(2022)
Singles from Only the Strong Survive
  1. "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)"
    Released: September 29, 2022
  2. "Nightshift"
    Released: October 14, 2022
  3. "Don't Play That Song"
    Released: October 28, 2022
  4. "Turn Back the Hands of Time"
    Released: November 11, 2022

Only the Strong Survive is the twenty-first studio album by Bruce Springsteen, released on November 11, 2022, through Columbia Records.[3] The album is a cover album of R&B and soul songs, and his second cover album following We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006). It was announced on September 29, 2022, along with the release of "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)", a cover of the song by Frank Wilson.[4] The singles "Nightshift", "Don't Play That Song" and "Turn Back the Hands of Time" followed throughout October and November 2022.

Background and recording

In mid-September 2022, Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner revealed that Springsteen planned to release a new album before the end of the year.[5] Springsteen formally announced the record on September 29, and expressed in a statement that he "wanted to make an album where [he] just sang" and tried to "do justice" to "the great American songbook of the '60s and '70s".[6] He recorded the album at his Thrill Hill Recording studio in New Jersey following his sessions for Letter to You (2020).[7] The album was produced by Ron Aniello, who played all the instruments except Springsteen's guitar and piano, and horns played by the E Street Horns.[3] It also includes two duets with Sam Moore.[6]

Promotion

Springsteen began promoting the album by posting teaser videos on social media in September 2022, including audio snippets of the covers. A music video was released for the album's first single, "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)", on September 29. A music video for the album's second single, "Nightshift", was released on October 14. A music video for the album's third single, "Don't Play That Song", was released on October 28. The album's fourth single, "Turn Back the Hands of Time" also received a music video on November 11, 2022.[8]

Springsteen will promote the album's release with four appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon from November 14 to 16, 2022, along with a special Thanksgiving episode on November 24, 2022.[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.1/10[9]
Metacritic74/100[10]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
Clash8/10[12]
Classic Rock[13]
The Guardian[14]
musicOMH[15]
NME[16]
Paste7.8/10[17]
Pitchfork7.0/10[18]
PopMatters8/10[19]
The Telegraph[20]

On Metacritic, Only the Strong Survive received a score of 74 out of 100 based on sixteen critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[10] Erica Campbell of NME felt that Springsteen "resurrects these classics as a means of celebration, pointing back to some of the strongest songwriters and vocalists of all time with 15 huge and heartfelt tributes, as opposed to just churning out shallow reimaginings".[5] Jonathan Bernstein of Rolling Stone wrote that although it is a "shame" that aside from horn players and a "Sam Moore cameo, none of the soul-steeped musicians from Springsteen's past are to be found on his R&B love letter" and "even if the arrangements occasionally feel static in their mimicry, Springsteen's voice shines and sparkles".[1]

Clash's Emma Harrison described Only the Strong Survive as "an astute sonic journey through a genre that has always resonated with The Boss", writing that it is "unequivocally clear" the "passion" Springsteen has for the genres of soul and R&B, as well as an "ideal opportunity for a new audience to discover glorious discoveries from a rock 'n' roll stalwart".[12] Michael Elliott of PopMatters agreed that Springsteen's "love for this timeless, joyous soul music is jubilant and infectious", opining that while his lead vocal "mostly delivers" and his "robust rasp is perfect for" the album, there are moments where he "struggles, sounding rushed, as the song overpowers him".[19]

Reviewing the album for musicOMH, John Murphy remarked that "the record works best when it dives into less familiar territory", calling the album "pretty much Bruce does karaoke, but when it's done this well and with so much obvious love for the source material, it's irresistible".[15] Neil McCormick of The Telegraph found that the album "remind[s] us how much R'n'B filtered into the epic rock sound he ultimately developed" and compared it to "stumbling into the world's greatest bar band playing the world's greatest setlist at the wildest shindig ever thrown".[20] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote that the tracks chosen for the album "demonstrate deep knowledge and good taste" and "enjoyable enough" that "Springsteen and Aniello aren't exactly re-interpreting these 15 songs: they're merely playing them for a lark".[11]

Sam Sodomsky of Pitchfork wrote that the album has "character, and more than that, it's got energy: Springsteen has never sounded quite so lighthearted, so unburdened, on record", summarizing that Springsteen "seems more driven by the act of creating itself: lighting a spark" and knowing others could find the "hope" in the songs that they originally "provided for him".[18]

Track listing

Only the Strong Survive track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artist(s)Length
1."Only the Strong Survive"
Jerry Butler2:59
2."Soul Days" (featuring Sam Moore)Jonnie BarnettDobie Gray3:58
3."Nightshift"
Commodores4:56
4."Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)"Frank WilsonFrank Wilson2:27
5."The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore"
Frankie Valli3:44
6."Turn Back the Hands of Time"
  • Jack Daniels
  • Bonnie Thompson
Tyrone Davis3:07
7."When She Was My Girl"
Four Tops3:17
8."Hey, Western Union Man"
  • Butler
  • Gamble
  • Huff
Jerry Butler3:53
9."I Wish It Would Rain"
The Temptations3:24
10."Don't Play That Song"
Ben E. King3:34
11."Any Other Way"William BellWilliam Bell2:54
12."I Forgot to Be Your Lover" (featuring Sam Moore)
William Bell2:28
13."7 Rooms of Gloom"Holland–Dozier–HollandFour Tops2:39
14."What Becomes of the Brokenhearted"
Jimmy Ruffin3:31
15."Someday We'll Be Together"
Johnny & Jackey, popularized by Diana Ross & the Supremes3:33
Total length:50:24

Personnel

  • Bruce Springsteen – lead vocals, guitar, piano
  • Ron Aniello – drums, bass, percussion, guitar, vibes, piano, organ, glockenspiel, keyboards, farfisa, background vocals
  • The E Street Horns
  • Sam Moore – vocals (tracks 2 and 12)
  • Rob Mathes – string arrangements
  • Soozie Tyrell – backing vocals
  • Lisa Lowell – backing vocals
  • Michelle Moore – backing vocals
  • Curtis King Jr. – backing vocals
  • Dennis Collins – backing vocals
  • Fonzi Thornton – backing vocals
  • The New York Symphonics - strings

Charts

Chart performance for Only the Strong Survive
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[21] 3
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[22] 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[23] 2
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[24] 3
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[25] 8
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[26] 4
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[27] 1
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[28] 3
French Albums (SNEP)[29] 3
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[30] 1
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[31] 23
Irish Albums (OCC)[32] 2
Italian Albums (FIMI)[33] 2
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[34] 15
Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon)[35] 35
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[36] 21
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[37] 4
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[38] 1
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[39] 12
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[40] 3
Scottish Albums (OCC)[41] 1
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[42] 2
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[43] 1
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[44] 1
UK Albums (OCC)[45] 2
US Billboard 200[46] 8

References

  1. ^ a b Bernstein, Jonathan (November 4, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen Turns Soul Oldies Into Living History on 'Only the Strong Survive'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Heching, Dan (November 9, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen to take over 'The Tonight Show' hosted by (his best impersonator) Jimmy Fallon". MSN. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Strauss, Matthew (September 29, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen Announces New Album Only the Strong Survive, Shares Video for Frank Wilson Cover: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  4. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (September 29, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen announces new album with cover of Frank Wilson's "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Richards, Will (September 28, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen teases release of new music tomorrow". NME. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Springsteen takes on Temptations, Supremes, Four Tops". The Washington Post. September 29, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  7. ^ Kaufman, Gil (September 29, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen Announces 'Only the Strong Survive' R&B Covers Album". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  8. ^ Jordan, Chris (November 11, 2022). "Springsteen releases new 'Only The Strong Survive' video for 'Turn Back the Hands of Time'". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved November 11, 2022 – via Yahoo!.
  9. ^ "Only the Strong Survive by Bruce Springsteen Reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Only the Strong Survive by Bruce Springsteen Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Bruce Springsteen: Only the Strong Survive Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Harrison, Emma (November 8, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen – Only The Strong Survive | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  13. ^ Roberts, Chris (November 11, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen: Only the Strong Survive album review". Classic Rock. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  14. ^ Empire, Kitty (November 12, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen: Only the Strong Survive review – the Boss plays it safe". The Guardian. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  15. ^ a b Murphy, John (November 8, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen – Only The Strong Survive: Covers Vol 1". musicOMH. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  16. ^ Campbell, Erica (November 9, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen – 'Only The Strong Survive' review: a joyful ode to the greatest soul songs". NME. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  17. ^ Danton, Eric R. (November 14, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen: 'Only the Strong Survive' Album Review". Paste. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  18. ^ a b Sodomsky, Sam (November 11, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen: Only the Strong Survive Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  19. ^ a b Elliott, Michael (November 7, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen: Only the Strong Survive (Album Review)". PopMatters. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  20. ^ a b McCormick, Neil (November 4, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen, Only the Strong Survive, review: 'The Boss' turns from rock to soul – and has the time of his life". The Telegraph. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  21. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  22. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Bruce Springsteen – Only the Strong Survive" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  23. ^ "Ultratop.be – Bruce Springsteen – Only the Strong Survive" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  24. ^ "Ultratop.be – Bruce Springsteen – Only the Strong Survive" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  25. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of November 26, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  26. ^ "Hitlisten.NU – Album Top-40 Uge 46, 2022". Hitlisten. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  27. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Bruce Springsteen – Only the Strong Survive" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  28. ^ "Bruce Springsteen: Only the Strong Survive" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  29. ^ "En exclusivité, voici les 10 premiers du Top Albums de la semaine ! 💿 Classement complet lundi 😉". SNEP. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  30. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Bruce Springsteen – Only the Strong Survive" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  31. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2022. 46. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  32. ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  33. ^ "Album – Classifica settimanale WK 46 (dal 11.11.2022 al 17.11.2022)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  34. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2022-11-21/p/2" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  35. ^ 週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年11月21日付 （2022年11月07日～2022年11月13日） [Weekly Digital Album Ranking dated November 21, 2022 (November 7, 2022 – November 13, 2022)] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  36. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of November 16, 2022". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  37. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  38. ^ "Album 2022 uke 46". VG-lista. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  39. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  40. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Bruce Springsteen – Only the Strong Survive". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  41. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  42. ^ "Top 100 Albums Weekly". El portal de Música. Promusicae. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  43. ^ "Veckolista Album, vecka 46". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  44. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Bruce Springsteen – Only the Strong Survive". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  45. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  46. ^ Caulfield, Keith (November 20, 2022). "Taylor Swift's 'Midnights' Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200 for Third Week". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
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