Pink Cadillac ( song ) - wikipedia Pink Cadillac ( song ) `` Pink Cadillac '' Single by Bruce Springsteen A-side `` Dancing in the Dark '' Released May 3, 1984 ( 1984 - 05 - 03 ) Format 7 - inch single Recorded Genre Rock Length 3 : 33 Label Columbia Songwriter ( s ) Bruce Springsteen Producer ( s ) Bruce Springsteen Jon Landau Chuck Plotkin Steven Van Zandt Bruce Springsteen singles chronology `` Fade Away '' ( 1981 ) `` Pink Cadillac '' ( 1984 ) `` Cover Me '' ( 1984 ) `` Pink Cadillac '' is a song by Bruce Springsteen released as the non-album B - side of `` Dancing in the Dark '' in 1984. The song received moderate airplay on album - oriented rock radio, appearing on the Billboard Top Tracks chart for 14 weeks, peaking at number 27. The song was also a prominent concert number during Springsteen 's 1984 - 85 Born in the U.S.A. Tour. Like Prince 's `` Little Red Corvette '', `` Pink Cadillac '' follows the tradition of the Wilson Pickett R&B classic `` Mustang Sally '' in using automobile travel as a metaphor for sexual activity, particularly as sung by Springsteen as the lyric : `` I love you for your pink Cadillac '' was originally a veiled pudendal reference. Springsteen, in fact, vetoed the first attempt by a female singer to release a version of `` Pink Cadillac '', that being Bette Midler in 1983. However, `` Pink Cadillac '' had its highest profile incarnation via an R&B interpretation by Natalie Cole, which became a top - ten single in 1988. Contents 1 Bruce Springsteen version 1.1 Background 1.2 Recording 1.3 In concert 1.4 Personnel 2 Cover versions 2.1 Natalie Cole version 2.2 Jerry Lee Lewis version 2.3 Other versions 3 References 4 Further reading Bruce Springsteen version Background Springsteen originally wrote `` Pink Cadillac '' as `` Love Is a Dangerous Thing '' in December 1981 ; this version was lyrically distinct from the eventual `` Pink Cadillac '' except for the line `` Eve tempted Adam with an apple '', which Springsteen decided to make the basis for a more lighthearted lyric. The first lyrics Springsteen wrote for `` Pink Cadillac '' were : `` They say Eve tempted Adam with an apple but man I ai n't going for that / I know it was her pink Cadillac ''. The auto imagery was inspired by Elvis Presley 's 1954 rendition of `` Baby Let 's Play House '' in which Presley replaced the original lyric : `` You may get religion '' with : `` You may have a pink Cadillac '', a reference to the custom painted Cadillac that was then Presley 's touring vehicle. Recording First recorded by Springsteen in an acoustic version in early January 1982 in the session whose tracks would comprise the Nebraska album, `` Pink Cadillac '' was not formally recorded by Springsteen until the sessions for his Born in the U.S.A. album, in the spring of 1983. At the end of one session, when most of the crew had left the studio, Springsteen impulsively cut a basic track of him singing `` Pink Cadillac '' to his guitar accompaniment ; this track was completed with the E Street Band the following morning. Although not included on the completed Born in the U.S.A album, being bumped from the track list that April in favor of `` I 'm Goin ' Down '', `` Pink Cadillac '' was released in 1984 as the B - side of the album 's lead single, `` Dancing in the Dark ''. The track would appear as one of two songs ( along with `` Cover Me '' ) on a CD3 released in 1988, but was not included on any Springsteen album until Tracks in 1998, and 18 Tracks in 1999, both these titles being anthologies of Springsteen 's outtakes - and - B - sides. Springsteen 's version of `` Pink Cadillac '' is often compared to the Peter Gunn theme by Henry Mancini, which it resembles in its main riff and saxophone break. In 2006, Bruce Springsteen appeared on a recording of `` Pink Cadillac '' by Jerry Lee Lewis on his album Last Man Standing. In concert Performing the song live, Springsteen explained the song as being `` about the conflict between worldly things and spiritual health, between desires of the flesh and spiritual ecstasy, '' in a long tongue - in - cheek spoken introduction. Springsteen performed the song at a concert in Turku, Finland, on May 7, 2013. The song was requested by fans and chosen by Springsteen as part of a Springsteen tradition where Springsteen collects signs suggesting songs to be played from fans in the front rows and then chooses a few of those songs ( not otherwise on the setlist ) to be played. Personnel Bruce Springsteen -- lead vocals, lead guitar Clarence Clemons -- saxophone Garry Tallent -- bass guitar Max Weinberg -- drums Cover versions `` Pink Cadillac '' Single by Natalie Cole from the album Everlasting B - side `` I Wanna Be That Woman '' Released February 1988 Format 7 - inch single Genre Urban adult contemporary, dance - pop Length 4 : 14 ( Radio Mix ) 4 : 20 ( Album Version ) Label EMI - Manhattan Songwriter ( s ) Bruce Springsteen Producer ( s ) Dennis Lambert Natalie Cole singles chronology `` I Live for Your Love '' ( 1987 ) `` Pink Cadillac '' ( 1988 ) `` When I Fall in Love '' ( 1988 ) Natalie Cole version In mid 1987, Natalie Cole recorded `` Pink Cadillac '' at the suggestion of producer Dennis Lambert ; Cole recalls : `` I thought to myself, ' I 'm too old to be doing this kind of stuff ', but then I 'd never worked with anyone quite like Dennis before. He was very passionate about his work ( and ) his enthusiasm gave me the confidence that I could pull ( the song ) off. '' The track was intended for an album release on the Modern label ; that project was canceled and Cole 's `` Pink Cadillac '' and another Lambert production : `` I Live For Your Love '', were picked up by EMI - Manhattan Records to appear on Cole 's 1987 album Everlasting. `` Pink Cadillac '' was released as that album 's third single in March 1988, returning Cole to the Top Ten for the first time since 1978 in April 1988 to ascend to a # 5 peak - matching Cole 's previous Pop chart best with `` I 've Got Love on My Mind '' - that May. Cole 's `` Pink Cadillac '' also reached # 9 R&B, # 16 A / C and - via a remix by David Cole ( no relation ) and Robert Clivilles - # 1 on Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. According to Cole, `` word got back '' to her that Bruce Springsteen `` thought it was very cool that a woman could ( sing `` Pink Cadillac '' ) and it would come out so great ``. ( Springsteen had vetoed a 1983 release of Bette Midler 's version of the song as gender - inappropriate, as detailed below. ) The song was played on the 7836th episode of the American daytime television soap opera General Hospital on November 11, 1993, during a scene when Luke & Laura were in a pink cadillac car on their way to GH. Natalie Cole single / International chart performance Australia Austria Canada Finland France Germany Ireland Neth - erlands New Zealand Switzer - land UK # 6 # 11 # 4 # 9 # 34 # 5 # 4 # 26 # 4 # 2 # 5 Jerry Lee Lewis version `` Pink Cadillac '' Single by Jerry Lee Lewis featuring Bruce Springsteen from the album Last Man Standing Released December 2006 Format 7 - inch single Recorded 2005 Genre Rock and roll country rock blues rock Length 3 : 59 Label Shangri - La Records Songwriter ( s ) Bruce Springsteen Jerry Lee Lewis featuring Bruce Springsteen singles chronology `` Honky Tonk Women '' ( 2006 ) `` Pink Cadillac '' ( 2006 ) Legendary rock and roll pianist Jerry Lee Lewis covered the song on his 2006 album Last Man Standing with additional vocals by Springsteen himself. The single was released in December 2006 on country music stations in the United States. The computer - animated music video premiered on CMT in November 2006. Other versions Bette Midler added `` Pink Cadillac '' to the set list for her 1982 - 83 De Tour tour and recorded the song for inclusion on her 1983 No Frills album ; however, Springsteen blocked the release of Midler 's version on the grounds that `` Pink Cadillac '' was n't a `` girl 's song ''. According to the Midler biography Still Divine by Mark Bego, Midler was severely disappointed by Springsteen 's veto, which forced her to record a new track ( `` Beast of Burden '' ) for No Frills at considerable expense. Midler 's August 1984 video release Art or Bust video - comprising footage from the two De Tour concerts at the University of Minnesota - included `` Pink Cadillac '' as the opening number. Aretha Franklin is sometimes mis - credited as a singer of `` Pink Cadillac '' as the imagery occurs in her 1985 comeback hit `` Freeway of Love '' with the same metaphoric sense as in the Springsteen original, the lyric being : `` We 're going riding on the freeway of love in my pink Cadillac ''. `` Pink Cadillac '' has long been a staple of Melissa Etheridge 's live repertoire ; at a 2 October 1996 Milwaukee concert by Etheridge, Bruce Springsteen joined her onstage to close the show with a duet of `` Pink Cadillac ''. Etheridge has never recorded `` Pink Cadillac '' although her live performance is widely available as a bootleg recording. Carl Perkins recorded a version of `` Pink Cadillac '' on his album Friends, Family & Legends of 1992. Originally released on the album Killbilly Hill and again on their greatest hits album, 1980s country / rock band, Southern Pacific has a live recording of `` Pink Cadillac ''. Brian Conley recorded `` Pink Cadillac '' for his 1993 Brian Conley Sings album. The 2003 album Light of Day : A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen includes a rendition of `` Pink Cadillac '' by Graham Parker. It appeared on the 2004 album Live in Asbury Park, Vol. 2 by Clarence Clemons and Temple of Soul. References Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel. Rock Tracks ( 2002 ) : 132 Jump up ^ Himes, Geoffrey ( 2005 ). Born in the U.S.A. New York City : Continuum International. p. 44. ISBN 0 - 8264 - 1661 - 6. Jump up ^ Brucebase, On The Tracks : Nebraska Jump up ^ Brucebase, On The Tracks : Born In The USA Jump up ^ `` 100 Greatest Bruce Springsteen Songs of All Time -- 84 : ' Pink Cadillac ' ''. Rolling Stone. January 16, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Bruce Springsteen Concert Setlist at XL Center, Hartford on October 25, 2012 ''. setlist.fm. Retrieved 2014 - 06 - 28. Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel ( 2004 ). Hot Dance / Disco : 1974 - 2003. Record Research. p. 61. Jump up ^ Cole, Natalie ( 2002 ). Angel on My Shoulder ( Mass market paperback ed. ). New York City : Warner Books. pp. 257, 258. ISBN 0 - 446 - 61207 - 3. Jump up ^ `` Bette on the Boards ''. Retrieved 5 January 2010. Jump up ^ The Press - Courier, 15 August 1984. Jump up ^ Luck, Joyce ( 1997 ). Melissa Etheridge : Our Little Secret. Toronto ON : ECW Press. p. 54. ISBN 1 - 55022 - 298 - 8. Jump up ^ `` Highbeam ''. Retrieved 4 February 2010. Jump up ^ `` Melissa Etheridge Official Site ''. Retrieved 4 February 2010. Further reading Marsh, Dave. Glory Days : Bruce Springsteen in the 1980s. Pantheon Books, 1987. ISBN 0 - 394 - 54668 - 7. Bruce - base recording sessions history Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Bruce Springsteen Garry Tallent Roy Bittan Max Weinberg Steven Van Zandt Nils Lofgren Patti Scialfa Jake Clemons Charles Giordano Soozie Tyrell Former members Ernest Carter Clarence Clemons Danny Federici Vini Lopez David Sancious Former touring musicians Everett Bradley Barry Danielian Clark Gayton Curtis King Suki Lahav Ed Manion The Miami Horns Cindy Mizelle Michelle Moore Tom Morello Curt Ramm Jay Weinberg Studio albums Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. ( 1973 ) The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle ( 1973 ) Born to Run ( 1975 ) Darkness on the Edge of Town ( 1978 ) The River ( 1980 ) Nebraska ( 1982 ) Born in the U.S.A. ( 1984 ) Tunnel of Love ( 1987 ) Human Touch ( 1992 ) Lucky Town ( 1992 ) The Ghost of Tom Joad ( 1995 ) The Rising ( 2002 ) Devils & Dust ( 2005 ) We Shall Overcome : The Seeger Sessions ( 2006 ) Magic ( 2007 ) Working on a Dream ( 2009 ) Wrecking Ball ( 2012 ) High Hopes ( 2014 ) Live albums & Bruce Springsteen Archives Live 1975 -- 85 ( 1986 ) In Concert / MTV Plugged ( 1993 ) Live in New York City ( 2001 ) Hammersmith Odeon London ' 75 ( 2006 ) Live in Dublin ( 2007 ) Live from the Carousel ( 2011 ) Apollo Theater 3 / 09 / 12 ( 2014 ) The Agora, Cleveland 1978 ( 2015 ) Tower Theater, Philadelphia 1975 ( 2015 ) Nassau Coliseum, New York 1980 ( 2015 ) Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey 1984 ( 2015 ) LA Sports Arena, California 1988 ( 2015 ) Schottenstein Center, Ohio 2005 ( 2015 ) Ippodromo delle Capannelle, Rome 2013 ( 2015 ) Arizona State University, Tempe 1980 ( 2015 ) The Christic Shows 1990 ( 2016 ) HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY, 11 / 22 / 09 ( 2016 ) Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO, 8 / 23 / 08 ( 2017 ) Olympiastadion, Helsinki, July 31, 2012 ( 2017 ) Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 10 / 20 / 09 ( 2017 ) Palace Theatre, Albany 1977 ( 2017 ) Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, NY 1977 ( 2017 ) King 's Hall, Belfast March 19, 1996 ( 2017 ) The Summit, Houston, TX December 8, 1978 ( 2017 ) Compilations Greatest Hits ( 1995 ) 18 Tracks ( 1999 ) The Essential Bruce Springsteen ( 2003 ) Greatest Hits ( 2009 ) The Promise ( 2010 ) Collection : 1973 -- 2012 ( 2013 ) Chapter and Verse ( 2016 ) Box sets The Born in the U.S.A. 12 '' Single Collection ( 1985 ) Tracks ( 1998 ) The Collection ( 2004 ) Born to Run : 30th Anniversary Edition ( 2005 ) The Collection 1973 -- 1984 ( 2010 ) The Promise : The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story ( 2010 ) The Album Collection Vol. 1 1973 -- 1984 ( 2014 ) The Ties That Bind : The River Collection ( 2015 ) EPs Live Collection ( 1987 ) Chimes of Freedom ( 1988 ) Blood Brothers ( 1996 ) PBS Exclusive ( 2007 ) Magic Tour Highlights ( 2008 ) American Beauty ( 2014 ) Singles `` Blinded by the Light '' ( 1973 ) `` Spirit in the Night '' ( 1973 ) `` 4th of July, Asbury Park ( Sandy ) '' ( 1974 ) `` Born to Run '' ( 1975 ) `` Tenth Avenue Freeze - Out '' ( 1976 ) `` Prove It All Night '' ( 1978 ) `` Badlands '' ( 1978 ) `` The Promised Land '' ( 1978 ) `` Rosalita ( Come Out Tonight ) '' ( 1979 ) `` Hungry Heart '' ( 1980 ) `` Fade Away '' ( 1981 ) `` Sherry Darling '' ( 1981 ) `` The River '' ( 1981 ) `` Cadillac Ranch '' ( 1981 ) `` Point Blank '' ( 1981 ) `` Atlantic City '' ( 1982 ) `` Open All Night '' ( 1982 ) `` Dancing in the Dark '' ( 1984 ) `` Cover Me '' ( 1984 ) `` Born in the U.S.A. '' ( 1984 ) `` I 'm on Fire '' ( 1985 ) `` Glory Days '' ( 1985 ) `` I 'm Goin ' Down '' ( 1985 ) `` My Hometown '' ( 1985 ) `` Santa Claus Is Comin ' to Town '' ( 1985 ) `` War '' ( 1986 ) `` Fire '' ( 1987 ) `` Brilliant Disguise '' ( 1987 ) `` Tunnel of Love '' ( 1987 ) `` One Step Up '' ( 1988 ) `` Tougher Than the Rest '' ( 1988 ) `` Spare Parts '' ( 1988 ) `` Human Touch '' ( 1992 ) `` 57 Channels ( And Nothin ' On ) '' ( 1992 ) `` Better Days '' ( 1992 ) `` Streets of Philadelphia '' ( 1994 ) `` Secret Garden '' ( 1995 ) `` The Ghost of Tom Joad '' ( 1996 ) `` Sad Eyes '' ( 1999 ) `` The Rising '' ( 2002 ) `` Lonesome Day '' ( 2002 ) `` Waitin ' on a Sunny Day '' ( 2003 ) `` Devils & Dust '' ( 2005 ) `` All The Way Home '' ( 2005 ) `` Radio Nowhere '' ( 2007 ) `` Girls in Their Summer Clothes '' ( 2008 ) `` Working on a Dream '' ( 2008 ) `` My Lucky Day '' ( 2008 ) `` The Wrestler '' ( 2009 ) `` We Take Care of Our Own '' ( 2012 ) `` Death to My Hometown '' ( 2012 ) `` High Hopes '' ( 2013 ) `` Just Like Fire Would '' ( 2014 ) Charting songs `` Be True '' ( 1981 ) `` Ramrod '' ( 1981 ) `` Nebraska '' ( 1982 ) `` Johnny 99 '' ( 1982 ) `` No Surrender '' ( 1984 ) `` Stand on It '' ( 1985 ) `` Trapped '' ( live ) ( 1985 ) `` Because the Night '' ( live ) ( 1986 ) `` Chimes of Freedom '' ( live ) ( 1988 ) `` Youngstown '' ( 1995 ) `` American Skin ( 41 Shots ) '' ( 2001 ) `` Pay Me My Money Down '' ( 2006 ) `` Long Walk Home '' ( 2006 ) `` My City of Ruins '' ( 2011 ) `` Rocky Ground '' ( 2012 ) Other notable songs `` Growin ' Up '' ( 1973 ) `` For You '' ( 1973 ) `` Incident on 57th Street '' ( 1973 ) `` The Fever '' ( 1973 ) `` Thunder Road '' ( 1975 ) `` Night '' ( 1975 ) `` Backstreets '' ( 1975 ) `` She 's the One '' ( 1975 ) `` Meeting Across the River '' ( 1975 ) `` Jungleland '' ( 1975 ) `` Adam Raised a Cain '' ( 1978 ) `` Racing in the Street '' ( 1978 ) `` Darkness on the Edge of Town '' ( 1978 ) `` Stay '' ( 1979 ) `` The Ties That Bind '' ( 1980 ) `` Independence Day '' ( 1980 ) `` Out in the Street '' ( 1980 ) `` Stolen Car '' ( 1980 ) `` Wreck on the Highway '' ( 1980 ) `` Highway Patrolman '' ( 1982 ) `` Darlington County '' ( 1984 ) `` Working on the Highway '' ( 1984 ) `` Downbound Train '' ( 1984 ) `` Bobby Jean '' ( 1984 ) `` Pink Cadillac '' ( 1984 ) `` Jersey Girl '' ( 1986 ) `` Light of Day '' ( 1993 ) `` The New Timer '' ( 1995 ) `` Land of Hope and Dreams '' ( 2012 ) `` Hunter of Invisible Game '' ( 2014 ) Video releases Video Anthology / 1978 -- 88 ( 1989 ) In Concert / MTV Plugged ( 1992 ) Blood Brothers ( 1996 ) The Complete Video Anthology / 1978 -- 2000 ( 2001 ) Live in New York City ( 2001 ) Live in Barcelona ( 2003 ) VH1 Storytellers ( 2005 ) Wings For Wheels ( 2005 ) Hammersmith Odeon London ' 75 ( 2005 ) Live in Dublin ( 2007 ) Magic Tour Highlights ( 2008 ) London Calling : Live in Hyde Park ( 2010 ) The Promise : The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town ( 2010 ) Springsteen & I ( 2013 ) Born in the U.S.A. Live : London 2013 ( 2014 ) A MusiCares Tribute to Bruce Springsteen ( 2014 ) Bruce Springsteen 's High Hopes ( 2014 ) High Hopes in South Africa ( 2014 ) Hunter of Invisible Game ( 2014 ) Concerts Born to Run tours ( 1974 -- 77 ) Darkness Tour ( 1978 ) The River Tour ( 1980 -- 81 ) Born in the U.S.A. Tour ( 1984 -- 85 ) Tunnel of Love Express ( 1988 ) Human Rights Now ! ( 1988 ) Bruce Springsteen 1992 -- 1993 World Tour ( 1992 -- 93 ) Ghost of Tom Joad Tour ( 1995 -- 97 ) Reunion Tour ( 1999 -- 2000 ) Rising Tour ( 2002 -- 03 ) Vote for Change ( 2004 ) Devils & Dust Tour ( 2005 ) Seeger Sessions Band Tour ( 2006 ) Magic Tour ( 2007 -- 08 ) Working on a Dream Tour ( 2009 ) Wrecking Ball Tour ( 2012 - 13 ) High Hopes Tour ( 2014 ) The River Tour 2016 ( 2016 ) Summer ' 17 ( 2017 ) Springsteen on Broadway ( 2017 - 18 ) Related Discography E Street Band Steel Mill The Sessions Band The Miami Horns Born to Run autobiography E Street Radio Little Steven 's Underground Garage Outlaw Pete Mike Appel Jon Landau Brendan O'Brien Bob Clearmountain The Max Weinberg 7 Southside Johnny Joe Grushecky Badlands : A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen 's Nebraska Greetings from E Street Book Natalie Cole Studio albums Inseparable ( 1975 ) Natalie ( 1976 ) Unpredictable ( 1977 ) Thankful ( 1977 ) I Love You So ( 1979 ) We 're the Best of Friends ( 1979 ) Do n't Look Back ( 1980 ) Happy Love ( 1981 ) Unforgettable -- A Musical Tribute to Nat King Cole ( 1983 ) I 'm Ready ( 1983 ) Dangerous ( 1985 ) Everlasting ( 1987 ) Good to Be Back ( 1989 ) Unforgettable... with Love ( 1991 ) Take a Look ( 1993 ) Holly & Ivy ( 1994 ) Stardust ( 1996 ) Snowfall on the Sahara ( 1999 ) The Magic of Christmas ( 1999 ) Ask a Woman Who Knows ( 2002 ) Leavin ' ( 2006 ) Still Unforgettable ( 2008 ) Caroling, Caroling : Christmas with Natalie Cole ( 2008 ) Natalie Cole en Español ( 2013 ) Compilation albums The Natalie Cole Collection ( 1987 ) Live albums Natalie Live ! ( 1978 ) Singles `` This Will Be '' `` Inseparable '' `` Sophisticated Lady ( She 's a Different Lady ) '' `` I 've Got Love on My Mind '' `` Our Love '' `` Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds `` What You Wo n't Do for Love '' ( with Peabo Bryson ) `` I Live for Your Love '' `` Pink Cadillac '' `` When I Fall in Love '' `` Miss You Like Crazy '' `` Starting Over Again '' `` Unforgettable '' ( with Nat King Cole ) `` A Smile Like Yours '' `` Day Dreaming '' Filmography Cats Do n't Dance ( 1997 ) Freak City ( 1999 ) De-Lovely ( 2004 ) Grey 's Anatomy ( 2006 ) The Real Housewives of Miami ( 2011 ) The Real Housewives of New York City ( 2011 ) Related articles Discography Nat King Cole ( father ) Maria Cole ( mother ) Carole Cole ( sister ) Eddie Cole ( paternal uncle ) Ike Cole ( paternal uncle ) Freddy Cole ( paternal uncle ) Lionel Cole ( paternal first cousin ) Book : Natalie Cole Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pink_Cadillac_(song)&oldid=852004895 '' Categories : 1984 songs 1988 singles Billboard Dance Club Songs number - one singles Bruce Springsteen songs Bette Midler songs Natalie Cole songs Songs about automobiles Songs about sexuality Song recordings produced by Jon Landau Songs written by Bruce Springsteen Columbia Records singles EMI Records singles Manhattan Records singles Hidden categories : Articles with hAudio microformats Talk Contents About Wikipedia Français Edit links This page was last edited on 26 July 2018, at 00 : 21 ( UTC ). 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Question: who wrote the original lyrics to pink cadillac
Answer: Bruce Springsteen