Even for devoted Bruce Springsteen fans, some artistic choices leave room for head-scratching. One such instance is the decision to arrange the iconic “Dancing In The Street Song” as a raw, guitar-heavy jam for his early band, Steel Mill. While the Boss’s creativity is rarely questioned, this particular rendition of a classic raises an eyebrow, especially when considering the song’s original spirit.
The original “Dancing in the Street,” delivered by Martha and the Vandellas, is a quintessential Motown anthem that soared to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1964. Its infectious energy and danceable rhythm have made it a timeless hit, covered by numerous artists across genres, from The Mamas & The Papas to Van Halen’s unexpected collaboration with David Bowie and Mick Jagger. Yet, Martha and the Vandellas’ version remains the gold standard, a cultural touchstone so significant it’s preserved in the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry.
Springsteen’s foray into “Dancing in the Street” occurred early in his career. At just 20 years old, he introduced it as a show opener for Steel Mill throughout 1970. A surviving audio recording from a performance at a Richmond, Virginia parking deck offers a glimpse into this early interpretation.
“Dancing in the Street” might seem like an ideal choice to ignite a live performance, particularly for a band aiming to get the audience moving. However, Steel Mill was far from a typical dance band. Their strength lay in extended instrumental jams and a raw, hard-rocking sound.
Steel Mill excelled as a jam band, transforming songs into lengthy improvisational explorations. “Dancing in the Street” was no exception, often stretching well beyond the ten-minute mark in live performances, morphing into a vehicle for instrumental prowess rather than dance floor grooves.
Around the time of the parking deck performance, Bruce Springsteen expanded Steel Mill’s vocal dynamic by inviting local singer Robbin Thompson to join as a co-vocalist. During Steel Mill’s final months before disbanding in January 1971, “Dancing in the Street” frequently became part of a medley, interwoven with Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women” and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary,” further pushing the boundaries of the original song’s danceable nature.
Recordings from this period capture Springsteen and Thompson trading lead vocals in these extended jams, sometimes reaching nearly thirteen minutes. These performances highlight Bruce’s developing guitar skills, showcasing impressive lead work, albeit in a style that prioritized rock improvisation over the song’s inherent dance rhythm.
With the dissolution of Steel Mill in January 1971, “Dancing in the Street song” largely disappeared from Bruce Springsteen’s setlists.
However, the song wasn’t entirely forgotten. Springsteen has occasionally teased lines from “Dancing in the Street” within other songs. Keen listeners might recognize a familiar guitar chord progression around the 10:30 mark in the live Steel Mill recording, a motif Bruce later revisited and fully realized in his rendition of the “Detroit Medley,” a more traditional and celebrated Motown cover in his later career.
Dancing in the Street Song First Performed: December 31, 1969 (Big Sur, CA)
Last Performed: January 22, 1971 (Asbury Park, NJ)
