Showing us who's Boss

Various Artists Springsteen's Country

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The Boss has long shared common ground with the “three chords and the truth” school of country music. His songs reflect blue-collar lives and ooze heartfelt emotion.

Bruce, who acknowledges the great Hank Williams as an influence, has covered standards like Rhinestone Cowboy live, and captured a cool Nashville vibe on Western Stars.

This compilation sees 20 country stars cover his songs, opening with Johnny Cash's 1983 version of Johnny 99, its upbeat feel subverted by the sour lyrical tale of a desperate man driven to crime. (His cover of Springsteen's Highway Patrolman from the same album was even better.)

Travis Tritt repurposes Tougher Than The Rest, a song for older lovers, for country perfectly. And Lera Lynn’s version of Fire is sublime.

Has a song this hot ever sounded so cool?