Bruce Springsteen’s favourite song of all time

There are many singers throughout the world who would be positively quaking in their boots to take a seat in the BBC Radio 4 studios to be quizzed on their life and music tastes for Desert Island Discs. However, when Bruce Springsteen came to town, we’re pretty sure it was the entire BBC that was shaking from the impending esteem of one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century.

The show has been running for nearly 80 years and has welcomed some of the most important people the entire world has ever known. From actors and musicians to world leaders and forward-thinkers. The premise is simple: you’re trapped on an inescapable desert island with only a few items from home for comfort, one of which is eight songs that you can play over and over again. The Boss, Springsteen, picks eight songs he simply couldn’t live without.

The list of songs is impressive enough, but there is always one moment near the end of the show that catches out most of the guests. Having narrowed down a lifetime of loving music into just eight songs – think how difficult that is – the next choice is to pick your favourite from that list, your favourite song of all time. “Which song would you save from the waves?” It’s always a difficult question, and Springsteen acknowledges it, “That’s a tough question,” he responds.

“It’d have to be ’Like a Rolling Stone!’ says The Boss, having selected the track latterly in the conversation. His most poignant choice is that of a kindred spirit. “This could be at the top of the list,” says Springsteen when selecting Bob Dylan’s iconic song. The star reflects, “The first time I heard it, it came out of the radio. I didn’t know anything about Dylan’s acoustic music. I was a creature of top 40, so the first time I really heard him with this song, it just instantly started to change my life.”