What I'm listening to: Matthew Peters

“Spirit In the Night (Live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London '75)” by Bruce Springsteen

“Spirit in the Night” was featured in a new documentary about Bruce Springsteen called “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.” This track played in the background of a cinematic scene showing Springsteen rocking out on stage performing the same song 50 years apart.

While Springsteen’s rendition of the track during his 2023 tour was excellent, nothing can beat the seven-and-a-half-minute ballad he performed live at the Hammersmith Odeon.

At only 26 years old, Bruce Springsteen and his band flew to London to perform a once-in-a-lifetime concert. Springsteen showed incredible composition for such a young and scrappy musician and won the crowd over quickly.

Clarence Clemons wailed on the saxophone, and Springsteen belted this unforgettable song, which fused Rock and Roll with Jazz.

In the middle of the song, Springsteen cut out the instruments one by one, until the arena was completely silent. He then builds it for one more grand chorus to end the track.

Spirit in the Night is one of Bruce Springsteen’s best works and deserves more recognition. -Matthew Peters

Matthew Peters is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mbp5830@psu.edu.