Bruce Springsteen Busts Out ‘If I Was The Priest’ For 1st Performance In Over 50 Years

Bruce Springsteen treated fans in Houston to a huge surprise last night when he performed “If I Was The Priest” with the E Street Band for the first time. “If I Was The Priest” was one of two tour debuts to make the setlist on Tuesday at the Toyota Center.

Springsteen wrote “If I Was The Priest” over 50 years ago and finally recorded the song for his 2020 album, Letter To You. The last known performance of the tune came on May 2, 1972 at New York City’s Gaslight Au Go Go according to Brucebase. The gap between “If I Was The Priest” performances marks the longest for any song in Springsteen history as Rolling Stone pointed out.

The Boss trotted out “If I Was The Priest” towards the middle of last night’s concert in response to a sign hoisted by an audience member. “I wrote this song … I was 22 … 50 years ago,” Springsteen told the crowd. “I still don’t have a clue what the fuck it’s about.”

Watch fan-shot footage of the bust out below:

Both guitarist Steven Van Zandt and fiddler Soozie Tyrell were back in action last night after missing shows due to COVID. However, guitarist Nils Lofgren tested positive and was unable to perform in Houston. The concert started with the tour’s first “Night” after “No Surrender” opened the initial five shows of the trek. “No Surrender” filled the two-slot at the Toyota Center.

The rest of last night’s setlist was similar in form to other tour stops. In addition to “If I Was The Priest,” four other cuts from Letter To You were played while “Nightshift” and “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)” represented The Boss’ 2022 covers album, Only The Strong Survive. “Prove It All Night,” “The Promised Land,” “The E Street Shuffle,” “Badlands,” “Born To Run” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” were among the many classics performed.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band continue the tour on Thursday night in Austin.