Bruce Springsteen: Pink Cadillac

Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark,” the first single from his 15 times platinum “Born in the USA” album, was paired with a non-album cut – “Pink Cadillac.” While the A-side charted at #2 on the Hot 100 and at #1 on the Rock charts, the B-side was an album radio favorite in 1984.

The song would not be released on an album until 1998 when it appeared on the Springsteen’s “Tracks” compilation. It was later covered by Natalie Cole in 1987 and was subsequently released as the third single from her “Everlasting” in 1988. Her version peaked at #5.

Springsteen was highly complementary of Cole’s version who was impressed that a woman would record the tune. He had different ideas in 1983 when he prevented Bette Midler from releasing the song on her “No Frills” LP. His reasoning was that it was not a song that was appropriate for a woman to sing. Midler returned to the studio and replaced the cut with a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Beast of Burden.”