Bruce Springsteen’s cover of Jesse Malin’s “She Don’t Leave Me Now” has been unveiled in advance of a tribute album benefitting the latter musician. The track is the latest single from Silver Patron Saints: The Songs of Jesse Malin, set for release on September 20th.
As previously announced, proceeds from the tribute album will help pay Malin’s medical bills and rehabilitation costs, after the singer-songwriter suffered a spinal stroke last year that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Previous singles include Bleachers’ take on “Prisoners of Paradise” and Billie Joe Armstrong’s rendition of “Black Haired Girl.”
Malin, known for his solo work and as the frontman of the New York punk band D Generation, was honored to have someone as legendary as Springsteen contribute “She Don’t Love Me Now” to the tribute album. “Bruce gave it that Stax-soul-thing that we were dreaming of when we recorded the original,” said Malin of Springsteen’s version of the 2015 song. “It’s so surreal to me.” The track features Springsteen backed by members of Malin’s solo band, as well as E Street Band saxophonist Jake Clemons.
The friendship between Malin and Springsteen goes back several years, as Springsteen previously duetted on Malin’s 2007 track “Broken Radio.”
Malin added, “Bruce’s generosity, honesty and support are equally as powerful as his songwriting and performing. Bruce is one of the guys. He walks it like he talks it. You spend some time with him, and it feels like you’ve known him for years. He’s like my friends in Queens, sitting around talking about Sinatra, the Clash, and the Pogues. He has that passion and excitement for life.”
The singer-songwriter says that hearing other musicians’ covers of his songs helped him through some of the most difficult times of his ongoing recovery.
“While I was working hard on my recovery at a clinic in Argentina, I had no idea that my friends and the producers of this record were reaching out to so many great artists to have them do versions of my songs,” said Malin. “When I heard these versions, especially ‘She Don’t Love Me Now,’ it took me out of a dark time. I felt excited about life again, in a way that only music can do.”
In addition to Springsteen, Armstrong, and Bleachers, Silver Patron Saints: The Songs of Jesse Malin includes covers of Malin’s solo songs and D Generation tunes from Lucinda Williams and Elvis Costello, The Hold Steady, Counting Crows, Dinosaur Jr., Rancid, The Wallflowers, and more. Pre-orders are available here.
Malin will make his return to the stage during a two-night stand December 1st and 2nd at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, with proceeds going toward his Sweet Relief fun. He’ll be joined on the bill by Lucinda Williams, Jakob Dylan, Butch Walker, J Mascis, member of Counting Crows, The Hold Steady, and Alejandro Escovedo. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
Hear Bruce Springsteen’s cover of Jesse Malin’s “She Don’t Love Me Now” below, and donate to Jesse Malin’s Sweet Relief fund at this location.