FOR YOU

Greg Kihn's cover version

Princess cards she sends me with her regards
Barroom eyes shine vacancy, to see her you gotta look hard
Wounded deep in battle, I stand stuffed like some soldier undaunted
To her Cheshire smile, I'll stand on trial, she's all I ever wanted
But you let your blue walls get in the way of these facts
Honey, get your carpetbaggers off my back
You didn't even give me time to cover my tracks
You said, "Here's your mirror and your ball and jacks"
It's not what I came for

I came for you, for you, I came for you, but you did not need my urgency
I came for you, for you, I came for you, but your life was one long emergency

Crawl into my ambulance, your pulse is getting weak
Reveal yourself all now to me girl while you still got the strength to speak
'Cause they're waiting for you at Bellevue with their oxygen masks
But, but I could give it all to you now, if only you could ask
But don't call your surgeon, even he says it's too late
It's not your lungs this time, it's your heart that holds your fate
Don't give me money, honey, I don't want it back
You and your pony face and your union jack
Yes, you know it's true

I came for you, for you, I came for you, but you did not heed my urgency
I came for you, for you, I came for you, but your life was one long emergency

[instrumental break]

Yeah, so you left to find a reason, the one you're living for
It's not your nursery mouth that I came back for
It's not the way you're stretched out on that floor
'Cause I've broken all your windows and I rammed through all your doors
And you should know that's true

I came for you, for you, I came for you, but you did not need my urgency
I came for you, for you, I came for you, but your life was one long emergency
I came for you, for you, I came for you, but you did not heed my urgency
I came for you, for you, I came for you, but your life was one long emergency
I came for you, for you, I came for you
For you, for you, I came for you
For you, for you, I came for you

Info

The above lyrics are for Greg Kihn's cover version of FOR YOU. He released it on his 1977 album Greg Kihn Again. Kihn's version of the song has some of the lyrics edited-out and features a more punched-up arrangement. This got the attention of Bruce Springsteen who gave it favorable comments.

Greg Kihn -- Greg Kihn Again

LP - Berserkley (JBZ-0052) - USA, 1977

Besides Springsteen, Kihn was the first to record FOR YOU and the only to release it before the eighties. He also recorded two other Springsteen tracks: the previously unreleased RENDEZVOUS in 1979 and THUNDER ROAD in 1998.

Other Official Releases

Greg Kihn released his cover version of FOR YOU as a single in 1977, with MOOD MOOD NUMBER on the B-side. The single was issued in Europe only. The song was also included on several other official releases, including four Bruce Springsteen tribute albums.

Greg Kihn -- "For You / Mood Mood Number"

7" single - Beserkley (BZZ4) - UK, 1977

Greg Kihn -- "For You / Mood Mood Number"

7" single - Beserkley (11634) - Holland, 1977

Various artists -- Catch A Wave

2x10" - no label (NICE 1) - UK, 1977

Various artsists -- Beserkley's Back!

LP - Beserkley (JBZ-0067) - USA, 1979

Greg Kihn -- Kihnsolidation: The Best Of Greg Kihn

LP - Rhino / Beserkley (R1 70900) - USA, 1989
CD - Rhino / Beserkley (R2 70900) - USA, 1989
MC - Rhino / Beserkley (R4 70900) - USA, 1989

Also includes The Greg Kihn Band's cover version of RENDEZVOUS.

Various artists -- Cover Me

CD - Rhino (R2 70700) - USA, 1989

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. It's a reissue of the 1986 release of the same title. It includes three tracks not found on the 1989 reissue and is missing one track found only on the 1986 release.

Greg Kihn -- Kihnest Hits

CD - Silenz Records (269548 2) - Holland, 1991

Various artists -- The Bruce Springsteen Songbook

CD - Connoisseur Collection (VSOP CD 224) - UK, 1996

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Greg Kihn Band -- Kihnspiracy

CD - Wooded Hill Recordings / Beserkley Records (HILL CD 19) - UK, 1997

Originally released on vinyl in 1983, but this reissue includes 6 bonus tracks not found on other releases, including FOR YOU.

Greg Kihn -- Kihnspicuous Taste: The Best Of Greg Kihn 1975-1986

2xCD - Recall (SMD CD 116) - UK, 1997

Also includes The Greg Kihn Band's cover version of RENDEZVOUS.

Various artists -- "Home Of The Hits" The Best Of Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers

2xCD - Castle Music / Essential (ESDCD 786) - UK, 1999

Disc 1 consists of hits by Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers, while disc 2 consists of Beserkley Records bands hits, including tracks by Greg Kihn.

Greg Kihn -- All The Right Reasons (Anthology)

CD - Castle / Essential (ESMCD 867) - UK, 2000
DVD audio - Silverline (288079-9) - USA, 2002

Also includes The Greg Kihn Band's cover version of RENDEZVOUS.

Various artists -- "Home Of The Hits" The Best Of Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers

2xCD - Sanctuary / Castle Music / Essential (06076-81169-2) - USA, 2002

Disc 1 consists of hits by Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers, while disc 2 consists of Beserkley Records bands hits, including tracks by Greg Kihn.

Greg Kihn -- Best Of Kihn

CD - Beserkley/Sanctuary/Castle (06076 81243-2) - USA, 2003
CD - Beserkley/Sanctuary/Castle (RAWCD 243) - USA, 2003

The version with catalog number "RAWCD 243" was issued by Columbia House. Also includes The Greg Kihn Band's cover version of RENDEZVOUS.

Various artists -- Born To Run 2003 Volume One

CD - Uncut (2003 04A) - UK, 2003

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. It's a free CD (volume 1 of 2) issued exclusively with the April 2003 issue of Uncut magazine.

Various artists -- The Beserkley Story: The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Clothes On!

2xCD - Castle Music (CMDDD 1023) - UK, 2004

Also includes The Greg Kihn Band's cover version of RENDEZVOUS.

Various artists -- If I Were The Boss: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen

CD - Castle (CMQCD1422) - UK, 2006

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Greg Kihn Band -- Best Of Beserkley '75-'84

CD - Riot Media (RR-2012-01) - USA, 2012

Also includes The Greg Kihn Band's cover version of RENDEZVOUS.

Credits / References

Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake at BTX and Greasy Lake). Some of the above info is taken from the Nebraska website.

Request

Please contact me if you have scans or info about any official release containing Greg Kihn's cover of FOR YOU that's not mentioned on this page. An Australian pressing of the "For You / Mood Mood Number" single does exist.

Any additions, comments, or corrections to this page are welcome. You can contact me via the below form or by email: .

Available Versions

List of available versions of FOR YOU on this website:

Page last updated: 01 Dec 2016