I’ve been listening to Southside Johnny since I posted Hearts Of Stone in August. This one is just a damn good song. I’ve never been to New Jersey but Southside Johnny and Springsteen make me feel like I did. Asbury Park has served as a musical mecca for decades. I’m hoping that one day I will get there.
This song was written by Bruce Springsteen and Bruce recorded it, but it’s Southside Johnny’s version, that is remembered. For many years, the only version of “The Fever,” ever officially released was the Southside Johnny and Asbury Jukes recording released on their debut album I Don’t Want to Go Home in 1976.
I Don’t Want to Go Home serves as a tribute to this music scene, depicting the energy and allure of Asbury Park through its lyrics that pick up from where Bruce left off.
Steve Van Zandt, turned out to be the secret weapon on this album, producing the sessions and writing three of the album’s songs, and Southside vocals are powerful on every track. Ronnie Spector is also on another Springsteen track called You Mean So Much To Me.
The only way Springsteen fans heard his version was through bootlegs. In 1999 Springsteen released “The Fever,” on the 18 Tracks CD which featured his 1973 version of the song.
The Fever
When I get home from my job,I turn on my TVBut I can’t keep my mind on the showWhen I lay down at night,I don’t get no sleepSo I turn on the radioBut lord, the only thing I hearIs you whisp’rin’ in my earThem words that you used to sayWell now the days grow longer,My love grows strongerAnd the fever gets worse every dayI got the fever for this girl
He’s got the fever, oh he’s got the fever,Nothing that a boy can doWhen he’s got the fever for a girlHe’s got the fever, oh he’s got the feverLeft this little boy blue
I can remember coming home,See you standing at the stoveWith the dishes on the table,Dinner ready to goWell maybe out to a movie showSomething that you like to seeBecause you were my sun in the morning,You were my moon at nightWhen I think about you, makes me feel alrightWell now the days grow longer,The love just grows strongerAnd the fever gets so bad at night
He’s got the fever, oh he’s got the fever,Nothing that a boy can doWhen he’s got the fever for a girlHe’s got the fever, oh he’s got the feverLeft this little boy blueAll right
PowerPop... An Eclectic Collection of Pop Culture 
Great song and with a sweet soul vibe, Max. The arrangement has Little Steven written all over it! Given Southside Johnny is a local music hero, sadly, I know relatively little about his music.
You’re welcome to Jersey any time, Max. Asbury Park is about a 40-minute drive from my house. I’ve been there many times. It’s a very cool place for music!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I would like to go there one day! Just to catch a few shows there….and you will be the first I call up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a deal, Max. You can stay at my place! Catching a show together would be a lot of fun! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be! I want to feel that atmosphere than I’ve read about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one. Surprising (not to Randy though, I bet) lesser-known Bruce songs have been covered by other artists. Even his throwaways can be good to many other artists. Irony on this one is that I don’t know Springsteen’s version but I guess I have it- that ’18 Songs’ is one of limited number of albums of his I do have here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is one where Southside Johnny’s is better known than Bruces…almost like Because the Night with Patti Smith.
LikeLike
Lol as it happens I was introduced to SSJ long ago via my best buddy who got me into Bruce.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A really nice song; Good love songs don’t ever get old.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Fever is one of my favourite Springsteen songs – should have made it onto The Wild…
LikeLiked by 2 people
It would have fit on there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Take out Wild Billy’s Circus Story and sub in The Fever, and it’s a contender for the best album ever made IMO.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow…that is saying a lot coming from you.
LikeLike
The intro grabs you right away. Talk about a song that sets the mood. I’ve cranked this song many times with the lights off late at night. Hard to pick a favorite Springsteen song for me but this is near the top. Johnny owned it. Love everything about this cut. Backgound, vocals, harp, horns and that killer sax and like I said , Johnny is living this one. Great tunes today Max, right up CB’s alley. The live cut with the 3 buddies brings back memories. Man do they like to have a good time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve watched a lot of live clips of them and they do have a great time whoever is playing with them….I told Christian I would love to visit Ashbury to soak up that vibe…he lives a few miles away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He sounds a lot like Bruce. Good tune and first time to my knowledge hearing it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Bringing back memories for me as well, been a long time since I listened to either version. Only been in Jersey a few times but never into the clubs, would not mind getting there once myself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do want to do it…just to catch the vibe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of Jon Bon Jovi’s biggest influences was Southside Johnny
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh cool…I never knew that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“The Fever” has that rare quality of sounding like a long-lost classic song the first time you hear it. In NYC back in the day, the Bruce demo version got a lot of play on WNEW-FM since it was sort of an official release. I could just picture the DJ having to load a reel-to-reel tape in the studio to play it. But Johnny sure did nail it on the Jukes debut LP and saw him sing it at the Pony many times in the late 70s. As for vsiting the Boardwalk, it ain’t what it used to be but it’s still a fun trip and there’s cool things to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading Mike… i can’t believe it’s not a well known song…I would love to make a trip there.
LikeLike