After a short-lived marriage with Julianne Philips, Bruce Springsteen married the love of his life, Patti Scialfa. The two met before Springsteen’s marriage to Philips, and the singer decided to be friends with Patti after being impressed by her voice. In 1984, Springsteen invited her to E Street Band for the upcoming Born in the U.S.A. Tour. It was at this time that the Boss met Julianne and married her. He later convinced Patti to join the band again for the Tunnel Of Love Express tour, during which the two fell in love.
Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa began living together after the singer’s separation from Julianne. Although he was criticized for getting into a new relationship in such a short time, Springsteen believed this was true love. However, he still expressed regret for openly dating Patti before his divorce from Julianne was finalized. As of now, Bruce and Patti have been happily wed for over three decades and working together in E Street Band.
Marrying the love of your life, having the same interests, and working together sounds like a dream for many. Apparently, Bruce and Patti are lucky to live this dream. Throughout the years, the two have shared vocals on stage and performed various songs together. However, one of Springsteen’s songs is an interesting exception. While the video of ‘Stones’ features Patti’s singing, the album version doesn’t feature her vocals.
‘Stones’ appeared on Bruce Springsteen’s 2019 ‘Western Stars’ album. Following the release, the album brought Springsteen remarkable chart success and critical acclaim. The same year, a full performance of ‘Western Stars’ was filmed and released with a soundtrack that is almost identical to the album. Although many appreciated the new version, which showed Patti sharing vocals with Springsteen, the album version of ‘Stones’ didn’t feature her.
Speaking to Classic Rock a month after the film’s release, Bruce Springsteen expressed his regrets about not having Patti on the album version. Bruce frankly said that it was a ‘big mistake’ because the song is about relationships, and Patti’s vocals and their 30 years of relationship brought so much to the song on an emotional level.
Here is what Bruce Springsteen said about not having his wife Patti on the album version of ‘Stones’:
“I should have had Patti on the record, you know, that was a big mistake because it’s all about men and women; Patti brings so much, and we’ve been together for such a long time, for 30 years, and so that’s a lot of experience around that one little microphone.
So, we bring all of that the minute we lean in. Oh, my Lord, there’s this whole 30 years of emotional life together between us. She’s wonderful, and even when she’s not singing with me, if you dig deep down into the center of the film, she’s there.”
Thus, Bruce Springsteen decided to sing ‘Stones’ along with his wife Patti for the film version, but he regretted not singing it with her in the album version as well. Listening to both versions, it seems like Springsteen was right because their vocals are so harmonious that they bring much more emotion into the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRY9rPymqWc
