The Beatles left an undeniable mark on Bruce Springsteen, shaping his musical journey from the moment he first heard their songs. Their sound, energy, and innovation resonated with him, inspiring the path he would later carve in rock and roll. For Springsteen, The Beatles were more than just a band—they were a revelation.
Despite his admiration for the group as a whole, one member stood out to him above the rest. Among his list of favorite vocalists, only one Beatle earned a spot. It’s a choice that reveals as much about Springsteen’s musical tastes as it does about his personal connection to the band.
Springsteen’s admiration for this particular singer highlights what he values most in a voice: raw emotion, authenticity, and a unique ability to captivate. His explanation for why this Beatle topped his list is as compelling as the music itself.
The Only Beatle on Springsteen’s Favorites
When Rolling Stone asked Bruce Springsteen to rank his 25 favorite singers, the list featured some of the most iconic voices in music history. At the top was Ray Charles, followed by legends like Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, and Smokey Robinson. Among these celebrated artists, Springsteen made room for one Beatle.
Though he has performed with Paul McCartney on several occasions, McCartney didn’t make the cut. Springsteen’s admiration for the Beatles led him to choose John Lennon instead. Lennon’s spot on the list reflected the profound impact his voice had on Springsteen.
Springsteen placed Lennon in the fourth spot, highlighting his deep respect for the former Beatle. To Springsteen, Lennon’s voice captured raw emotion and authenticity, qualities that have clearly resonated with the legendary rocker.
Springsteen’s First Encounter With The Beatles
Bruce Springsteen vividly recalls the exact moment he first heard The Beatles. Riding in the car with his mother, the sound of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” burst through the radio, capturing his attention like nothing before. In his memoir Born to Run, he described the moment as electric, asking himself why it sounded so different—and why it thrilled him so much.
That one song ignited a spark in Springsteen, leaving him hungry for more. He became obsessed with their music, tracking down every Beatles record he could find in his New Jersey hometown. Each discovery deepened his admiration for the band.
For Springsteen, The Beatles weren’t just a band; they were a transformative experience. Their music shaped his perspective on what rock and roll could be and left a lasting imprint on his artistic journey.
Springsteen’s Beatles Obsession
Bruce Springsteen lived for every new Beatles release, eagerly collecting their records and scouring magazines for unseen photos. He didn’t just admire the band—he dreamed of being one of them. Their music and style became an obsession that fueled his imagination.
Determined to emulate his idols, Springsteen cut his hair to match their iconic look and adopted their fashion, even if it made him a target for bullying. He embraced the risk, believing it was a small price to pay to embody the spirit of The Beatles.
In his memoir Born to Run, Springsteen described this transformation vividly. He imagined himself with straight hair, acne-free skin, and dressed in a shiny Nehru suit with Cuban-heeled boots. “I didn’t want to meet the Beatles,” he admitted. “I wanted to be the Beatles.”
Lennon Once Talked About Springsteen
John Lennon once shared his thoughts on Bruce Springsteen’s rising stardom, expressing concern about the inevitable shift in public opinion. In one of his final interviews with Rolling Stone, Lennon praised Springsteen’s talent but warned about the challenges of staying on top. “God help Bruce Springsteen when they decide he’s no longer God,” Lennon said.
Having faced the highs and lows of fame himself, Lennon spoke from experience. He explained how fans and the press often turned on musicians, no matter their success. “Right now his fans are happy,” he said, but cautioned that as Springsteen’s career evolved, he would face criticism and pressure to meet expectations.
Lennon highlighted the emotional toll of fame, likening the cycle of adoration and backlash to a machine. “It goes up and down, up and down,” he said, referencing his own experiences and those of Mick Jagger. For Lennon, surviving fame required resilience, a lesson he hoped Springsteen would take to heart.