| "She's the One" | |
|---|---|
| Song byBruce Springsteen | |
| from the albumBorn to Run | |
| Released | August 25, 1975 |
| Recorded | June 1975 |
| Studio | Record Plant, New York City |
| Genre | Rock |
| Length | 4:30 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Songwriter | Bruce Springsteen |
| Producers | Bruce Springsteen,Jon Landau |
"She's the One" is a song byBruce Springsteen. Frequently featured in Springsteen and E Street Band concert performances, it first appeared on theBorn to Run album in 1975. It was also released as theB-side to Springsteen's "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" single.[1]
"She's the One" was one of the songs that Springsteen wrote before beginning to record theBorn to Run album, along with "Born to Run", "Thunder Road" and "Jungleland", although originally he was not sure whether to include it on the album.[2] Several versions of the song were recorded forBorn to Run between April and June 1975, and the June 1975 version recorded at914 Sound Studios inBlauvelt, New York is the one that was officially released.[citation needed]
The topic of the song is the rock staple of an intensely attractive, but cold-hearted woman, who causes massive emotional turmoil for her lover. Although the singer knows the woman is a liar, he wants to believe her.[3] The lyrics reflect both the joys and yearnings of summer nights.[4] Like other songs onBorn to Run, "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" and "Night", the story of the relationship is told in a flashback.[5] Musically, it has astaccato beat and a rhythm reminiscent of theBo Diddley beat.[1][4] As if to emphasize the Diddley-like riff, Springsteen has sometimes led into "She's the One" in concert with a Diddley song — either "Bo Diddley" or "Mona".[6] The percussive piano sound and the rhythms that are reminiscent of someBuddy Holly songs sound like an homage to older rock 'n' roll songs.[3]
"She's the One" has connections with other Springsteen songs. The line from "Backstreets", "I hated you when you went away" was originally a line in "She's the One".[3] "She's the One" includes references to French cream andFrench kisses, which were originally included in an early Springsteen song, "Santa Ana".[3][6] Springsteen has claimed that he wrote the song primarily because he wanted to hearE Street BandsaxophonistClarence Clemons play its sax solo, and after he wrote the melody he then changed his mind.[1]
The song has become very popular live, and has been played 565 times as of 2023.[7] Some fans have claimed that "She's the One" and "Born to Run" were first played at a concert where Springsteen opened forBonnie Raitt at Harvard Square Theater inCambridge, Massachusetts on May 9, 1974.[8] This has never been confirmed, and bootlegs of the concert do not contain either of these songs.[8] The first confirmed live performance of the song was on October 4, 1974.[citation needed]
In a contemporary review,Robert Christgau ofThe Village Voice said that "She's the One" "fails the memory ofPhil Spector's innocent grandeur".[9]Pitchfork Media's Mark Richardson felt that it is "powerful and catchy", but because "Springsteen at this point didn't know much about women or relationships", "She's the One" does not successfully portray its character.[10] On the other hand,Rolling Stone magazine later ranked it number 63 on its list of the 100 greatest Bruce Springsteen songs of all time.[11]
According to authors Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon:[12]
