| SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT - V1a | uncirculating | |
| SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT - V1b | 4:57 | GREETINGS / ESSENTIAL: 2003 / BESTOF / 1973 single |
Note: "Spirit In The Night" was written in mid-August, 1972 in response to Clive Davis's request for some radio material. Springsteen first tried using the music from "The Fever", but quickly thought otherwise and composed a fresh melody. V1a was recorded on September 11, 1972 at 914 Sound Studios, Blauvelt, New York. The Greetings take had Bruce playing multiple instruments, alongside Clarence Clemons, Vini Lopez, and session man Harold Wheeler (providing additional piano). Final dubs and mixing were completed on October 26, 1972, and the song was issued as a single, backed with "For You" and hard on the heels of "Blinded By The Light", on May 11, 1973, produced by Bruce Springsteen, Mike Appel, and Jim Cretecos. A stereo fold down mono version is available as the b-side of the white label promo 45.