Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration
Original post date: December 6, 2012
“The times are tough now, just getting tougher…”
In 1984, Bruce Springsteen was riding a tidal wave of success thanks to his Born in the U.S.A. album, which launched a string of chart-topping singles that fused heartland rock with a radio-friendly polish. One of the album’s standout tracks was “Cover Me,” a brooding, desperate plea for emotional shelter amidst an increasingly hostile world. While not originally intended for Springsteen himself—he had written it for disco queen Donna Summer—the track took on a rawer edge in his hands, becoming the second single released from the LP.
What’s most fascinating for dance and remix fans is that “Cover Me” was also given the extended mix treatment, transforming its moody rock energy into something surprisingly club-ready. The “Undercover Mix” (also referred to as the Dance Remix) clocked in at over 6 minutes and was released on 12″ vinyl, complete with dub and radio edit versions. Remixed by Arthur Baker, who had already made waves with Afrika Bambaataa and later worked with New Order and Hall & Oates, this version of “Cover Me” added electronic percussion, echo effects, and a pulsing bassline that pushed Springsteen into dance-rock territory—a rarity at the time.
This remix is a perfect example of that brief mid-’80s window when rock artists weren’t afraid to court the dancefloor. Baker’s production doesn’t overwhelm the original’s grit—it complements it, turning “Cover Me” into a darker, almost post-apocalyptic groove. Springsteen’s passionate vocals remain front and center, but now they echo into cavernous spaces, as if calling out from the depths of Reagan-era America.
The 12″ single also includes the Dub Version, which strips the song to its rhythmic core, teasing out fragments of guitar and vocal over a deep groove. For collectors and remix lovers, these versions show just how versatile Springsteen’s music could be when placed in the right hands.
“Cover Me” peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of The Boss’s most enduring hits. But for those of us digging in the crates, the dance remix takes the song to unexpected, exhilarating places.
Though Springsteen wasn’t typically associated with the club scene, the success of “Dancing in the Dark” and “Cover Me” on the dance charts showed his crossover appeal. The Undercover Mix of “Cover Me” actually reached #11 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Disco Club Play chart, giving Bruce a surprising but welcome presence in nightclubs.
SIDE A:
Cover Me (Undercover Mix) 6:12
Cover Me (Dub I) 4:12
SIDE B:
Cover Me (Radio) 3:49
Cover Me (Dub II) 4:13
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Cover Me | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #7 |
| 1984 | Cover Me | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #2 |
| 1984 | Cover Me | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play | #11 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 44-05087, Columbia – 44 05087
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo, Pitman Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Rock & Roll, Pop
CREDITS:
- Design – Andrea Klein
- Mastered By – George Marino
- Mixed By – Bob Clearmountain
- Photography By – Annie Leibovitz
- Producer [Additional 12″ Production], Remix – Arthur Baker
- Recorded By – Bill Scheniman
- Remix – Toby Scott
NOTES:
Special Versions From The Columbia Lp: “Born In The U.S.A.” QC 38653.
Based on original production by: Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, Steve Van Zandt.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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I’m taking a short break from my Shep Pettibone run to fill a few requests. The first is another rare gem to add to my “Closet 80s” series—a track that never got its due but still shines in all the right ways.
