Bruce Springsteen Apologizes for Refusing to Allow His Song in Bono’s Gap Commercial, Tells U2 Frontman: ‘I Should Have F—ing Done It!’

During the Tribeca Festival, Bono publicly called out Bruce Springsteen for declining to license his track "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" for a commercial. The U2 frontman had been working with the Gap on a clothing line that supported his AIDS charity (RED), and he saw the song as a perfect fit for the campaign. As Bono presented Springsteen with the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award, he recounted the failed pitch, noting that he had told the Boss the 2008 song was "one of the great pop songs ever." Springsteen's blunt refusal was met with laughter when he admitted, "That was a big mistake. I should have said yes."

Springsteen later explained that "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" was a "personal favorite" that never connected with mainstream audiences, making him regret his decision. "Damn it, I still think back: 'Bono asked you to put this thing on a commercial on television.' I should have fucking done it! People would hear it like a hit," he said, offering a heartfelt apology. The exchange highlighted the intersection of music and activism, a theme that ran through the entire evening. Bono, whose band U2 has long championed social causes through campaigns like (RED), praised Springsteen for channeling the spirit of folk legend Woody Guthrie into pop radio—a quality that made his music both accessible and politically resonant.

The event opened with introductions from Tribeca Festival founders Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal, who set the stage for Bono's tribute. "Bruce Springsteen is America," Bono declared, describing the "Born to Run" icon as a poet who transformed the voices of everyday people into anthems. "We honor him tonight as a musician and poet and as an activist and a patriot." The two musicians then discussed Springsteen's Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour, which has featured pointed critiques of President Donald Trump and performances of protest songs like "Streets of Minneapolis," a track addressing ICE detention policies. This tour, experts note, reflects Springsteen's long-standing commitment to social commentary, dating back to albums like "Nebraska" and "The Ghost of Tom Joad."

To close the evening, Patti Smith, backed by Tony Shanahan, delivered a stirring rendition of her 1988 anthem "People Have the Power" in Springsteen's honor. The performance took on added significance given Smith's own history of activism, including her recent protests against climate change and political censorship. Springsteen and Bono then joined her on stage, joyfully singing backup vocals on the chorus, before Springsteen remained alone to perform an acoustic version of "Land of Hope and Dreams" for the crowd in Lower Manhattan. The song, a staple of his live shows, served as a fitting end to a night celebrating music's ability to inspire change—a sentiment echoed by both artists throughout the event.