By Bob Makin
originally published: 06/16/2023
Asbury faves The Weeklings have dropped a power-popping rockabilly-flavored cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire,” the Makin Waves Song of the Week. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEM RECORDS
The Beatles-centric Asbury Park all-star band The Weeklings switch gears with their latest single to pay homage to New Jersey icon Bruce Springsteen.
Their ambitious new cover of the “Born in the USA”-era hit is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “I’m on Fire” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on June 16 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin or MixCloud.
The Weeklings — vocalist-bassist Glen Burtnik, aka “Lefty”; vocalist-guitarist Bob Burger, aka “Zeek”; lead guitar-vocalist John Merjave, aka “Rocky”; and drummer-vocalist Joe Bellia, aka “Smokestack” — cut an explosive, rockabilly-style version of the classic Bruce Juice. Their version features a ripping “nod-to-James Burton" guitar solo and vocal pops inspired by Elvis backing vocalists The Jordanaires.
In 1985, Springsteen's stark song of forbidden lust, the fourth single released from his massively successful album “Born In The USA,”shot up to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
The Weeklings envision "I'm On Fire" in a different way, belying the sinister lyric with a bright, cheerful uptempo groove. This marks the first time The Weeklings recorded a song from Springsteen's catalog.
They are best known as America's most unique celebration of the music and muse of The Beatles. Live performances include explosive renditions of Beatles classics, re-imagined versions of Beatles fan faves, ’60s garage and power-pop remakes, and Beatles-inspired power-pop originals.
However, Glen is certainly no stranger to Bruce. They frequently performed together when The Boss would sit in at the Stone Pony with Cats on a Smooth Surface, which happened nearly every Sunday in the Summer of ’ 82.
The Weeklings’ collective resume is astounding. Individually, members have played with Styx, Beatlemania on Broadway, Dave Mason, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, ELO Part 2, Liverpool and more. Three of the them are in another band that has some E Street magic, Springsteen drummer Max Weinberg’s Jukebox.
You can hear The Weeklings nationally on SiriusXM’s Little Steven’s Underground Garage, The Beatles Channel, The Loft, E Street Radio and on independent terrestrial and internet stations around the world. And you can see them live July 14, Somers Point Beach Concert Series; July 20, Alexrod Performing Arts Center, Deal; Aug. 24, Hamilton House Concerts, Staten Island, N.Y.; Oct. 4, Hall of Records, Freehold; Oct. 13, South Orange Performing Arts Center; Nov. 3, Lizzie Rose Music Room, Tuckerton, and Nov. 24, New Hope Winery.
For more, visit http://www.weeklings.com.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
EVENT PREVIEWS
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Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul to Headline Concert at ParkStage on July 17th
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul will headline a concert at ParkStage on Friday, July 17, 2026 that fans of Jersey music will love. The lineup includes Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Jake Clemons Band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Gary U.S. Bonds, and The Weeklings. Showtime is 4:00pm.
Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- The Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. The concert is presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners.
LoMotion Live Presents America at 250: A Celebration in Song to Benefit Elks Army of Hope
(PARSIPPANY, NJ) -- LoMotion Live invites the community to an inspiring evening of music, storytelling, and patriotism with America at 250: A Celebration in Song, a special benefit cabaret on Friday, July 17, 2026 at the Parsippany Arts Center. Showtime is 7:30pm. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Elks Army of Hope, a charitable program dedicated to providing assistance to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families during times of need.
The Menzingers to Celebrate Album Release at Stone Pony on Friday
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Stone Pony presents The Menzingers' Album Release Show on Friday, July 17, 2026. The band will be celebrating the release of "Everything I Ever Saw". At this point, the Philadelphia punk legends are an absolute institution.
Grounds For Sculpture and Third Way Cultural Alliance to Present an Intimate Evening of Art and Music on July 18th
(HAMILTON, NJ) -- Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) and Third Way Cultural Alliance announce a special evening celebrating the power of creative freedom through music, art and conversation. "Creative Freedom: A Salon Experience featuring Marshall Allen, Salvador Jiménez-Flores and Jamaaladeen Tacuma," will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
bergenPAC presents Swingtime Big Band on Saturday
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- New York's high-powered Swingtime Big Band returns to Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Saturday, July 18, 2026 to celebrate America250 by showcasing the popular music that kept Americans dancing for decades—from the Lindy and Fox Trot to the Cha Cha to the Twist! Showtime is 8:00pm.
DePue Brothers Band to Bring "Grassical" Music to Sewell
(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes the DePue Brothers Band on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3:00pm. In a departure from the series' customary chamber music fare, the DePue Brothers Band has long coined their music with the term "grassical," the combination of bluegrass with jazz, blues, rock, folk, and classical.
Albert Music Hall's "Back to Our Roots" Benefit on Sunday to Support Preservation of Pinelands Music History
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will present Back to Our Roots, a special fundraising concert on Sunday, July 19, 2026, inviting music lovers to enjoy an afternoon of live performances while helping preserve an important piece of New Jersey's musical heritage.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 7:30pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
