Boss Cover: Bruce Springsteen Gives Jesse Malin’s ‘She Don’t Love Me Now’ Stax Soul Treatment

Longtime Jesse Malin friend, musical collaborator and fan Bruce Springsteen shared his soulful version of Malin’s “She Don’t Love Me Now.” The cover comes from the forthcoming tribute album, Silver Patron Saints: The Songs of Jesse Malin, which arrives via Glassnote Records on September 20.

Jesse Malin is recovering from a rare spinal stroke suffered in May of 2023. Malin was left paralyzed from the waist down. Springsteen is among an impressive roster of artists who interpreted Jesse Malin’s songs for the upcoming LP which also includes Lucinda Williams, Elvis Costello, Billie Joe Armstrong, Counting Crows and many others. Proceeds from Silver Patron Saints will benefit Malin’s Sweet Relief Artist Fund.

“While I was working hard on my recovery at a clinic in Argentina, I had no idea that my friends and the producers of this record were reaching out to so many great artists to have them do versions of my songs,” explained Malin. “When I heard these versions, especially ‘She Don’t Love Me Now, it took me out of a dark time. I felt excited about life again, in a way that only music can do.”

“Bruce’s generosity, honesty and support are equally as powerful as his songwriting and performing,” noted Malin. Bruce Springsteen duetted on Malin’s song “Broken Radio,” written for his late mother, in 2007. “Bruce is one of the guys. He walks it like he talks it. You spend some time with him, and it feels like you’ve known him for years. He’s like my friends in Queens, sitting around talking about Sinatra, the Clash, and the Pogues. He has that passion and excitement for life.”

Jesse Malin originally recorded “She Don’t Love Me Now” for his 2015 album, New York Before The War. The Boss is joined by E Street Band saxophonist Jake Clemons on the new interpretation. “Bruce gave it that Stax-soul-thing that we were dreaming of when we recorded the original. It’s so surreal to me,” Malin added.

Watch the official music video for Bruce Springsteen’s cover of “She Don’t Love Me Now” below:

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band bring their tour to Washington D.C. on Saturday night. Jesse Malin returns to the stage to headline a pair of hometown benefits at New York City’s Beacon Theatre on December 1 and 2. Guests include Lucinda Williams, Jakob Dylan, Butch Walker, J Mascis, Adam and David Immy of Counting Crows, The Hold Steady, and Alejandro Escovedo, with more to be announced.