Studio Album · No. 21
Only the Strong Survive Songwriting Credits by Bruce Springsteen
Produced by Ron Aniello, Bruce Springsteen · Engineered by Ron Aniello, Rob Lebret, Bob Ludwig
Columbia
SoulR&BCovers
0%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 0 of 15 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 0 / 15 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 15 tracks with documented writers, by whether Bruce Springsteen carries a lyricist or composer credit.
0 trackswritten by Bruce Springsteen
15 tracksoutside writers
Bruce Springsteen's roles on this album
Share of the 15 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist0%
Composer0%
Producer100%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
15
Tracks
30
Lyricists
2
Producers
2022
Released
Awards & Recognition 1
Nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards
Data Insight
Only the Strong Survive is an album of soul and R&B covers, not Springsteen originals, paying tribute to the classic catalogs of labels like Motown, Stax, and Gamble and Huff's Philadelphia International. Produced by Ron Aniello with Springsteen, it reworks songs first cut by the Commodores, the Four Tops, Tyrone Davis, Jerry Butler, the Temptations, and others. Sam Moore of Sam and Dave guests on two tracks, and the arrangements lean on horns and strings rather than the E Street Band sound. It became Springsteen's 22nd top 10 album on the Billboard 200.
Only the Strong Survive is Bruce Springsteen's twenty-first studio album, released on November 11, 2022. Co-produced by Ron Aniello and Springsteen, it is an entirely covers album paying tribute to classic soul music of the 1960s and 1970s, featuring songs originally recorded by Jerry Butler, the Commodores, the Temptations, the Four Tops, and others. It is Springsteen's second covers album after The Seeger Sessions. Soul legend Sam Moore appears as a featured vocalist on two tracks.
Track Listing & Credits 15 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Only the Strong Survive
|
Jerry ButlerKenny GambleLeon Huff | Jerry ButlerKenny GambleLeon Huff | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Soul Days
|
Jonnie Barnett | Jonnie Barnett | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Vocals)Sam Moore (Vocals) |
| 3 |
Nightshift
|
Walter OrangeDennis LambertFranne Golde | Walter OrangeDennis LambertFranne Golde | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
#20
|
Frank Wilson | Frank Wilson | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore
|
Bob CreweBob Gaudio | Bob CreweBob Gaudio | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Turn Back the Hands of Time
|
Jack DanielsBonnie Thompson | Jack DanielsBonnie Thompson | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
When She Was My Girl
|
Larry GottliebMarc Blatte | Larry GottliebMarc Blatte | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Hey, Western Union Man
|
Jerry ButlerKenny GambleLeon Huff | Jerry ButlerKenny GambleLeon Huff | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
I Wish It Would Rain
|
Norman WhitfieldBarrett StrongRoger Penzabene | Norman WhitfieldBarrett StrongRoger Penzabene | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Don't Play That Song
|
Ahmet ErtegunBetty Nelson | Ahmet ErtegunBetty Nelson | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
Any Other Way
|
William Bell | William Bell | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
I Forgot to Be Your Lover
|
William BellBooker T. Jones | William BellBooker T. Jones | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Vocals)Sam Moore (Vocals) |
| 13 |
7 Rooms of Gloom
|
Brian HollandLamont DozierEddie Holland | Brian HollandLamont DozierEddie Holland | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 14 |
What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
|
William WeatherspoonPaul RiserJames Dean | William WeatherspoonPaul RiserJames Dean | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 15 |
Someday We'll Be Together
|
Johnny BristolJackey BeaversHarvey Fuqua | Johnny BristolJackey BeaversHarvey Fuqua | Ron AnielloBruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 33 contributors
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Frequently Asked Questions Only the Strong Survive
Are the songs on Only the Strong Survive written by Bruce Springsteen?
No. Every track is a cover of a soul or R&B classic. Springsteen wrote none of the songs; the album is a tribute to the original artists and songwriters who created them.
What is the original version of the title track 'Only the Strong Survive'?
It was originally recorded by Jerry Butler in 1968 and written by Butler with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff of Philadelphia International fame.
Whose song is 'Nightshift' on this album?
'Nightshift' is a cover of the 1985 Commodores hit, written by Walter Orange, Dennis Lambert, and Franne Golde as a tribute to soul singers Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson.
Who is the guest vocalist on the album?
Sam Moore, of the soul duo Sam and Dave, appears as a featured vocalist on two tracks: 'Soul Days' and 'I Forgot to Be Your Lover'.
Who produced Only the Strong Survive?
The album was produced by Ron Aniello together with Bruce Springsteen. Aniello also handled engineering and mixing alongside Rob Lebret, and Bob Ludwig mastered the record.
Which singles were released from the album?
'Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)' led the campaign, followed by 'Nightshift', 'Don't Play That Song', and 'Turn Back the Hands of Time'. 'Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)' reached number 20 on the UK Singles Sales Chart.
Did Only the Strong Survive win any awards?
It did not win, but it was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
Is this album connected to a follow-up?
The full MusicBrainz title is 'Only the Strong Survive: Covers, Vol. 1', signaling Springsteen intended it as the first of a planned series of covers collections.
Sources
Wikipedia: Only the Strong Survive (Bruce Springsteen album)
Only The Strong Survive - brucespringsteen.net
MusicBrainz release group - Only the Strong Survive: Covers, Vol. 1
Cover Art Archive - release group d6c1b942
Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) - Bruce Springsteen | Official Charts
Cover Art Archive: Only the Strong Survive by Bruce Springsteen