Blinded by the Light
Encyclopedia
"Blinded by the Light" is a song written and originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen
, although it is mostly known by its 1977 #1 hit version recorded by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
. It was released in the United Kingdom in August 1976, where it reached No. 6 in the BMRB
charts.
from, Bruce Springsteen's 1973 debut album Greetings from Asbury Park N.J. The band's version was unsuccessful and did not appear on the music charts.
This is commonly misheard as "wrapped up like a douche
." Springsteen himself has joked about the controversy, claiming that it was not until Manfred Mann rewrote the song to be about a "feminine hygiene product" that it became popular.
released a version of the song on their album The Roaring Silence
. The song reached #1 on both Billboard
's Hot 100 and on the Canadian RPM
chart on 19 February 1977. The Manfred Mann's Earth Band recording of "Blinded by the Light" is Springsteen's only Number 1 single as a songwriter on the Hot 100. In 2002, Danish act Funkstar Deluxe released its disco version of this song.
A "jazzified" version can be found on Springsteen's Live in Dublin
album, recorded with the Sessions Band.
The song is featured in the films Blow
and Running with Scissors
.
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
, although it is mostly known by its 1977 #1 hit version recorded by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a British progressive rock group formed in 1971 by Manfred Mann.-Formation:Having started in the 1960s with a British band that had such hits as "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" and "The Mighty Quinn", then moving on to Jazz Fusion with Manfred Mann's Chapter Three, Manfred's third...
. It was released in the United Kingdom in August 1976, where it reached No. 6 in the BMRB
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
charts.
History
"Blinded by the Light" was the first song on, and first singleSingle (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from, Bruce Springsteen's 1973 debut album Greetings from Asbury Park N.J. The band's version was unsuccessful and did not appear on the music charts.
Lyrics
The Earth Band's recording of the song features several changed lyrics. The most prominent change is in the chorus, where Springsteen's "cut loose like a deuce" is replaced with "revved up like a deuce."This is commonly misheard as "wrapped up like a douche
Douche
A douche is a device used to introduce a stream of water into the body for medical or hygienic reasons, or the stream of water itself.Douche usually refers to vaginal irrigation, the rinsing of the vagina, but it can also refer to the rinsing of any body cavity. A douche bag is a piece of...
." Springsteen himself has joked about the controversy, claiming that it was not until Manfred Mann rewrote the song to be about a "feminine hygiene product" that it became popular.
Cover versions and reissues
Manfred Mann's Earth BandManfred Mann's Earth Band
Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a British progressive rock group formed in 1971 by Manfred Mann.-Formation:Having started in the 1960s with a British band that had such hits as "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" and "The Mighty Quinn", then moving on to Jazz Fusion with Manfred Mann's Chapter Three, Manfred's third...
released a version of the song on their album The Roaring Silence
The Roaring Silence
The Roaring Silence is an album released in 1976 by Manfred Mann's Earth Band. Like other Earth Band albums, this includes material by other composers...
. The song reached #1 on both Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
's Hot 100 and on the Canadian RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
chart on 19 February 1977. The Manfred Mann's Earth Band recording of "Blinded by the Light" is Springsteen's only Number 1 single as a songwriter on the Hot 100. In 2002, Danish act Funkstar Deluxe released its disco version of this song.
A "jazzified" version can be found on Springsteen's Live in Dublin
Bruce Springsteen with The Sessions Band: Live in Dublin
Bruce Springsteen with The Sessions Band: Live in Dublin is a 2007 video and audio offering that captures in-concert performances from the Bruce Springsteen with The Seeger Sessions Band Tour recorded in November 2006 at The Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. The release consists of a concert DVD,...
album, recorded with the Sessions Band.
The song is featured in the films Blow
Blow (film)
Blow is a 2001 biopic about the American cocaine smuggler George Jung, directed by Ted Demme. David McKenna and Nick Cassavetes adapted Bruce Porter's 1993 book Blow: How a Small Town Boy Made $100 Million with the Medellín Cocaine Cartel and Lost It All for the screenplay. It is based on the real...
and Running with Scissors
Running with Scissors
Running with Scissors may refer to:* Running with Scissors , a 2002 book by Augusten Burroughs* Running with Scissors , a 2006 film based on Augusten Burroughs' memoir...
.
External links
- "Blinded by the Light" lyrics from Bruce Springsteen's official site
- Lyrics and detailed info for various versions at SpringsteenLyrics.com