Dropkick Murphys - Rose Tattoo

I've really written a lot about the Dropkick Murphys on this blog, haven't I?  Anyways, this was a pretty cool re-release of a 2013 Murphy's song, redone with Bruce, in response to the Boston Marathon Bombings of earlier this year.

I wasn't too crazy about this song when I first heard it on the new album last year, and the Bruce inclusion improves it slightly, but it's still worth giving a listen to.  It's one of those songs that I never think to listen to, but when it comes on my playlist, I find myself getting into it more and more.

Dropkick Murphys - "No Surrender"

I have written about the relationship between The Dropkick Murphys and Bruce Springsteen before, but I just discovered this cover last week.  Granted it was only recorded  less than a year ago, but still this is one of the best Springsteen covers I've ever heard.  I know most people just associate The Murphy's with Irish tunes and punk rock, but listen to just a few of their songs and you tell their is a huge Springsteen influence there too.  So it comes as no surprise that they have covered Bruce songs on many occasions.

I'm a huge fan of The Murphys and have seen them multiple times live.  Much like Bruce, they've earned their reputation by constantly being on tour and putting on stellar shows.  I'm sure that's part of the reason there is such a mutual respect between the two bands and even though there is a huge difference in the size of the crowds between Bruce and The Murphys, there is no difference in the fierce loyalty to these respective bands.  I know that seeing each band live is what turned me from a casual fan into a fanatic.

"Peg O' My Heart" featuring Bruce Springsteen!

I guess technically this should be a video of the week, but I don’t care.  Bruce is definitely a fan of punk rock.  His cover of "London Calling", his playing with The Gaslight Anthem, and times he’s invited The Dropkick Murphy’s to play along with him.  However, one thing Bruce had not done before is appeared on a punk album.  That was until last year, when The Dropkick Murphy’s released Going Out In Style.  That album featured a punk cover of the traditional Irish ballad "Peg O' My Heart" featuring none other than Mr. Bruce Springsteen!

I've always enjoyed The Dropkick Murphy’s and I know they are big fans of Bruce Springsteen.  Their covers of “Badlands” and “Born In The USA” are some of my favorite covers of Bruce songs.  When Bruce invited them to play some of his songs on stage with them I thought it was really cool of Bruce to sort of give them “the rub.”  But I never thought Bruce would appear on one of their albums.  It almost seemed beneath him, to appear with a band that wasn’t anywhere near his level.  The Dropkick Murphy’s are hardly a “no-name” band, their appearance on the soundtrack to the 2006 film The Departed gave them huge exposure.  But when they go out and tour, they play concert halls, ballrooms,  and clubs.  Bruce plays major sports arenas and stadiums.  But after all these years I should know better than to doubt Bruce.

Anyways, this is a great performance of a great song off a great album featuring a great band and a great cameo by Bruce.  In other words, it’s great.  So enjoy!