Cover Me is a driving rock song written by Bruce Springsteen in January 1982, originally composed at the request of David Geffen, who sought material for Donna Summer. After Springsteen recorded a demo at The Hit Factory, manager Jon Landau recognized the song's commercial potential and insisted it be kept for Springsteen's own use. Summer received a different Springsteen composition, Protection, instead. The song ultimately appeared on the 1984 album Born in the U.S.A., where it became the second of seven top-ten singles from that record, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. Musically, the composition features an insistent rhythmic pulse and an urgent, hook-driven melody built around Springsteen's raw vocal pleading for shelter and refuge amid stormy imagery. The arrangement pairs fierce guitar work with piano, organ, bass, and drums, creating a sound that balances rock grit with danceable energy. The album version retains its original demo-like directness, as the track was never formally re-recorded beyond the initial session. Producer Arthur Baker later created a twelve-inch remix known as the Undercover Mix, which recast the song with dub and reggae elements, added percussion, and new backing vocals by Jocelyn Brown. This remix influenced Springsteen's subsequent live arrangements of the song, which incorporated ominous introductions and extended guitar showcases. Cover Me has attracted virtually no covers by other artists and remains primarily associated with Springsteen's recordings.
