There are deep cuts, and then there are deep cuts. Sure, if you’re gonna pick a Bruce Springsteen song, “Wages of Sin” is a lot less obvious than “Glory Days.” But “Wages of Sin” is practically a greatest hit compared to the tune Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Cole Gallagher dug up. It’s called “Sugarland.” A press release claims this is the first-ever cover of the tune—not many Springsteen songs you could say that about—and I can’t find much to disprove it. Well, aside from an 11-year old YouTube video with 188 views, but the release does say this is the first “official” cover. Certainly the only cover, or the only version period, you can stream on Spotify.
“Sugarland” is a Springsteen original first recorded for Born in the U.S.A., but rejected from the final album. Fourteen years later, it was considered for his outtakes box set Tracks, but rejected again. It has yet to get an official release, although, with the 40th anniversary of Born in the U.S.A. coming next year, perhaps that will change.
Gallagher performs it like a heartland-rock classic, giving it a country flavor (dig that organ solo) with horn stabs pushing it over the top. It comes off his debut EP The Confluence, which was produced by seven-time GRAMMY winner Vance Powell (Chris Stapleton, Jack White, Phish) and features members of Jason Isbell’s band the 400 Unit on all tracks. Check it out below.
