Protection (Donna Summer song)

"Protection"
Single by Donna Summer
from the album Donna Summer
B-side	"(If It) Hurts Just A Little"
Released	December 1982 (Japan) 1983 (EU)
Studio	Westlake Audio, Los Angeles
Genre	Rock[1]
Length	3:35
Label	Warner Bros. (Belgium)
Songwriter(s)	Bruce Springsteen
Producer(s)	Quincy Jones
Donna Summer singles chronology
"The Woman in Me" (1983) "Protection" (1982) "Love to Love You Baby (re-issue)" (1983)

"Protection" is a song by Donna Summer, originally featured on her 1982 self-titled album which was produced by Quincy Jones. Written by Bruce Springsteen, it was released as a single in Belgium and Japan and was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Female Rock Vocal Performance alongside Linda Ronstadt, Pat Benatar, Bonnie Raitt, and Kim Carnes. In 1997 it was also included on One Step Up/Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen.^[2][3]

David Geffen approached Jon Landau, Springsteen's manager and producer, and asked if Springsteen would be interested in writing a song for Summer, who had recently signed for Geffen Records. Springsteen agreed to do so; while working with Gary U.S. Bonds, he gathered the E Street Band to record a demo. However, when Landau heard the result, "Cover Me", he persuaded Springsteen to keep that song for himself. Springsteen then wrote "Protection". He recorded a version with the E Street Band at The Hit Factory during January or February 1982 and registered it at the United States Copyright Office on March 8, 1982. In the same month Springsteen and Roy Bittan also travelled to Los Angeles to help record Summer's version of the song. Bruce and Donna allegedly also recorded a duet vocal version at her sessions but it remains unreleased. On the released version by Summer, Springsteen played the guitar solo and can clearly be heard on fadeout vocals. Springsteen's own version of the song was seriously considered for Born in the U.S.A., however it remains unreleased.^[4][5] The song peaked at No. 26 on the Spanish Los 40 chart in 1983.^[6]