Simms Twins ( The ) - Soothe Me

First performance: 23/05/1975


Coverinfo

Bruce played the song 3 times ( soundchecks included ) and 7 times as a snippet:
 
 
With Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes. "Soothe Me" includes snippets of "Let's Get It On", "Good Times", "Baby Workout", and "Shout". The date on this show is very possibly inaccurate, as Southside is confirmed to have been in Los Angeles the following night and, moreover, Bruce was recording in New York City on this date. However, lacking evidence for any specific other date, Brucebase has left the listing here.
 
 
 
1975-07-22 Geneva Theatre, Geneva, NY 
sound-checked prior to the show but not performed during the show.
 
1975-02-23 Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, NY
sound-checked prior to the show but not performed during the show.
 
 
  •  Snippets
during A LOVE SO FINE
 
1975-07-22 Geneva Theatre, Geneva, NY
Bruce soundchecked the song and played at the same evening in a medley with : A Love so fine - Soothe me - Baby workout - Shout
 
1974-12-06 State Theatre, New Brunswick, NJ
One show, with Springsteen & The E Street Band the sole act on the bill. "A Love So Fine" includes an instrumental snippet of "Shout". "Soothe Me", previously only known as unidentified instrumental tune, showcased during the encores isn't known to have been performed at any other show. According to a fan present, " when Bruce did the instrumental at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, it was because he broke his guitar string and was changing it on stage, and the band played the instrumental." 
 
 
during KITTY'S BACK
Bruce soundchecked the song and played it at the same evening as a snippet in Kitty's Back in the midsection.
 
 
 
 
during  TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT
 
1999-05-29 Parkbühne Wuhlheide, Berlin, Germany
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out includes It's All RightMove On Up, Soothe Me, Red Headed Woman, and As Long As I (Can Be With You), plus Steve playing Day Tripper and Garry playing We Gotta Get Out Of This Place for their solos.
 
 
During MARY'S PLACE
 
2003-06-12 AOL Arena, Hamburg, Germany
Mary's Place includes The Monkey Time, Soothe Me, Sexual Healing, and Baby, I've Been Missing You.
 
2003-04-11 Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, BC
Mary's Place includes Soothe Me, The Monkey Time, My Girl, and Baby, I've Been Missing You.
 
2003-03-10 Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, RI
 

Songinfo

" Soothe me " is originally from the Simms Twins but popularized by Sam and Dave. The Simms Twins were originally from Elba, Louisiana. The Simms (or Sims) family moved to LA in 1948, some 11 years after twins Bobbie and Kenny were born. They were part of the Simms Sextet family gospel group from an early age, but branched out into secular music, catching the ear of Sam Cooke in 1961. Their sound was based on those fine West Coast double acts Marvin & Johnny and especially the raucous Don & Dewey, but their vocals dripped of their church background - maybe the first duo to claim that territory. Their first release, the infectious melodic "Soothe Me" was a huge hit of course and set a new standard, and even style, of male duo singing that other pairs like Sam & Dave and everybody who wanted to be Sam & Dave were influenced by. 
 
 
 
 
 

Other cover versions

  • Sam & Dave
  • it was Sam & Dave's live 1967 recording of the song that Bruce Springsteen was likely familiar with. 

Bruce on the artist

Lyrics

Soothe me, soothe me, soothe me, soothe me, soothe me
Everybody come on and clap your hands will you
Just a minute, I like it like that

Soothe me, baby, soothe me
Soothe me with your kindness
Though you know your powerful loving is
Soothing to me, one more time

Soothe me, baby, soothe me
Soothe me with your kindness
Though you know your powerful loving is
Soothing to me, over here

Oh, how I used to rumble and how I used to roam
Oh since I found this baby I'm mad
And all I want do is stay at home, at home
Everybody now

Soothe me, baby, soothe me
Soothe me with your kindness
Though you know your powerful loving is
Soothing to me, now listen to me

I used to hire a lot of girls
Had them big and small
Since I've met this baby of mine
I don't want no other girl at all

Soothe me, baby, soothe me
Soothe me with your kindness
Though you know your powerful loving is
Soothing to me, oh yeah

Soothe me, soothe me, soothe me, soothe me
Soothe me, soothe me, soothe me, soothe me, soothe me
Come on now let's do this again
That's it, come on now put your hands together

Everybody come on now
Soothe me, soothe me, soothe me, soothe me, baby
You got to soothe me, you got to pull, yeah
You gotta soothe me, soothe me