Trapped

[vitordragon]

Jimmy Cliff is great, but Bruce sings with his heart... like a real guy who´s not able to break free from a bad relationship. Who never felt trapped? Greetings from São Paulo, Brazil.

[JeepersCreepersJJP]

@tamerswan it can be interpreted as that, but the original meaning is being trapped in prison under the apartheid system.

[poidog44]

@JeepersCreepersJJP That makes more sense with the reference to chains and But I'll teach my eyes to see, beyond these walls in front of me. And someday I'll walk out of here again.

[TheDavelogan]

The good thing about Jimmy Cliff is that despite Springsteen's cover being better he has tons of other great songs that can't be made better.

[kw21925]

I knew Jimmy Cliff wrote this, but I only ever heard Bruce's version, which I love. But this performance is so damned infectious, I may end up liking it even more! What a great groove!

[7629925]

springsteen made it great as jimi turned watchtower from ok to classic

[jr774]

Go Jimmy!! What a great singer, dancer and performer, and what a great song!

[KleWdSide]

Awful compared to Springsteen's version.

[biddlehall1]

@KleWdSide You wouldn't say that if you had seen him at Lollapalloza 2010.  He was GREAT!!!!

[donedave]

On rare occasions I think cover versions of songs outdo the originals; Elton John's cover of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" comes to mind as an example; I love Jimmy Cliff, but Springsteen's version is superior.

[Kcunningham17]

@donedave you are right bruce's version is better, but no one has ever covered a beatles song and made it better, thats just a fact.

[donedave]

@Kcunningham17 with all do respect, it's not a "fact" but a personal observation. I think EJ's cover of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" IS superior (I suspect John Lennon, who played on EJ's cover, would concur- I do know John stated in interviews before he died that he disliked "Lucy..." and wished he could've rerecorded it). I haven't yet heard any covers of Bruce's songs that I think are superior to his own versions (though I 've heard some good covers of his songs!)

[Kcunningham17]

@donedave i still beg to differ, lennons lack of confidence in his own work is just part of his somewhat insecure personality, the ground breaking innovative recording techniques used on sgt peppers have never been equaled in the music industry,elton john ruins the verses with his flamboyant voice, and the harmonies of the chorus can no where compete with those of paul mccartney and john lennon together , and goin by popularity beatles version has 2 million views , eltons has 75000

[donedave]

@Kcunningham17 Oh I agree SGT. Pepper's is a monumental work, a lovely piece of pop songcraft & a truly magnificent production! I just happen to think EJ's version of "LSD" (ha!) is superior. It's an opinion, one that you don't share. Facts are obviously objective, such as Sarah Palin being a complete waste of time & space. ha! (Bruce, being the loyal progressive Democrat would most surely agree w/ me here!)

[JeepersCreepersJJP]

@Kcunningham17 you must be very young indeed. Bruce Spr version of this is different not better or worse in any way. And the Beatles covers stuff, well maybe you don't have the experience in the world of music, but try YT just a few alternatives: try Ray Charles live version Eleanor Rigby, Emmylou Harris Here There Everywhere and hundreds more alternatives. Great learning experience.

[Kcunningham17]

@JeepersCreepersJJP I've listened to most of the Beatles covers. The only one that even comes close to the original is Pearl Jam's I've Got a Feeling or U2's Helter Skelter Live

[poidog44]

@Kcunningham17 Fact or opinion?

[davesmum2005]

Oh yes. I love the old version faaaar better. That song really gets me.

[newosnil]

A versão feita por Bruce é incrível, mas prefiro a levada reggae de Jimmy Cliff.

[GenkiSugiru]

I love Jimmy Cliff, but I think Bruce's version captures the spirit of the lyrics so much better than this original. The song is about a guy feeling trapped in a bad relationship. Jimmy sings this in what seems to me to be a feel good, upbeat style, which doesn't fit the lyrics. Bruce sings it in a soulful style conveying the hurt and pain communicated in the lyrics. In my opinion, the Bruce cover takes a very good song and makes it great.

[WadeBlazingame34]

GenkiSugiru: Bruce could take a Nickelback song and give it soul. :)

[JohnTaupin]

@WadeBlazingame34 SO TRUE!!

[alienlivingform]

@GenkiSugiru That's a second version of the song m8 The first version is waaay better, trust me

[chefdude65]

Thanx for the post!

[niljuanzo]

Holy shit, Look how young letterman looks.

[ajnaguy]

Thanks for the post - reminds me of when late-night TV was worth staying up for, although Dave still pulls some musical guests that are off the beaten track (thanks may be due to Paul Schaffer for that).

[seamusmac]

stunning. Jimmy rules. Yeah, Bruce does a great version but he'd be the first to pay ultimate homage to Jimmy for the song. Its the songwriter who deserves the accolades, gang...

[Tunnelof]

Not bad,but springsteen`s version is awesome

[SxMm7HG9]

I think it's better from springsteen, but well thanks to cliff....

[dtreworgy]

ya, it's the circle...Trapped is one of my favorites to hear the Boss play live in concert...and while his Blinded by the Light is good, I really love what Manfred Mann did with it...doesn't happen too often, but sometimes the cover can take inspiration from the original and be amazing...thanks Jimmy!

[ShallowPete]

Have you heard Bruce's new cover of Blinded (can you cover your own song?). He performed it wit the Sessions Band on his 06 tour. Really turns that song on it's head.

[TelecasterLORD73]

Agree

[123gogary]

Vocals beautiful - majestic

[soxfan2514]

Yeah thanks for the lyrics Jimmy Cliff, but the Boss OWNS this song!

[xBornToRunx]

Bruce turned this song around. . fair fucks to jimmy cliff for the lyrics though !!

[nrobnas43]

I want this cd so frigin bad. I keep looking for it and trapped is to my knowledge only on this and it's not available. Bruce does a fine job with it, but Jimmy rules. He's got soul.

[yelldagain]

Yes I had this on a single from 1972 bought it on a day trip to France (In Bolougne or Calais) I think the A side was struggling Man?..I may be wrong but really liked the Trapped song...

[z8it]

What a great song! Kudos to the writer!

Every once in awhile another Artist other than the writer brings something intangible and powerful and well, magic to a song....

Like; Bruce's version of this classic or Johnny Cash doing Trent Reznor's HURT or Bonnie Raitt doing John Hiatt's THING CALLED LOVE...

I always love to hear the writer's interpetation his own song, and see how that song can inspire another singer.

Thank God for performing Songwriters.

[jr774]

What an amazing song and wonderful performance from one of music's finest performers. Jimmy Cliff's voice is fantastic and he is in fine form here.

[xBornToRunx]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHA

[drapesofbc]

Powerful stuff

[thescreendoorslams]

Thanks for posting this.

[nrobnas]

thanks for posting. I have been searching for Trapped by Cliff for awhile. first heard bruce do it and learned it was a cliff song. I love JImmy cliff and would love to buy goodbye yesterday. I only have movie soundtrack, and greatist hits albums

[BrunoLeBoss]

Unbelievable. It sounds so different than Bruce's version, which I prefer, except for the chorus.

[KleWdSide]

WAYYYYYYYY different haha. But that's Springsteen, for you. He always creates his own version :)

[LotteryRuss]

Bruce Springsteen unearthed another gem to cover and I always wanted to hear the original.Brilliant find & worth a listen

[KungFuPowa]

Bravo !!!,

[jujube343]

hell yea, hes the best ever!!!!!

[jsethier]

Thank you for posting this video. I've been looking for this recording. Do you know when this video was recorded? Dave's looking pretty young.

[dickeyboyz]

Thanks for the "thanks"! I believe it was 1989 or 1990. It was right after the release of his album Images which came out in '89.

[CAUZEFEKT]

you sure ? bruce's version was on the ''we are the world soundtrack'' so how could this be 89-90 when watw was out mid 80's.

[johnnydinkis2]

Trapped was originally recorded by Cliff around 1972. The images album had a new version.

[CAUZEFEKT]

ok. all i know is my bro would listen to my moms we are the world tape when driving her car late 90s. and i know bruce didnt write it, tho he brought more emotion and angst to the tune. whatever. blessings to mr cliff and bruce the boss and to yiu also. happy birthday to me

[ShallowPete]

The original Cliff version is much more emotional than this new version from Images. Bruce is still the Boss, but Cliff is also a champ. They sang together a few times on Brucew's '92 tour, and Bruce also does a great Many Rivers to Cross on that tour, but of course Cliff does that song best too.

[caimano]

Thanks for the video dickeyboyz. I once thought Bruce Springsteen's 'Trapped' was his best song. I admit I just found out that he didn't write it and I am a bit disheartened, but Jimmy Cliff brings all the happiness back. This performance is so awesome.

[dickeyboyz]

Always a pleasure to post something that draws positive feedback.  I'm a Jimmy Cliff fan and I too originally thought this was a "Bruce" penned tune. Jimmy Cliff is great live. I have a few other tunes on video. I'll try & get them posted too.

[Skeletorical]

@caimano im in the same boat