How Bruce Springsteen Influenced Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘Tug of War’

Bruce Springsteen and Carly Rae Jepsen seem like an unlikely pairing. For one interview, Jepsen discussed the inspiration behind Tug of War. Not so surprisingly, she was sure to mention classic rock artists like the “Born to Run” musician. 

Carly Rae Jepsen is the artist behind ‘Call Me Maybe’ and ‘Cut To the Feeling’

Most know this pop singer for tracks like “I Really Like You,” “Call Me Maybe,” and “Cut To the Feeling.” Jepsen burst onto the music scene with her 2008 album Tug of War. 

Even though it showcased Jepsen’s love for pop music, there were also elements of rock music. That’s mainly because of Jepsen’s upbringing and her parents’ affinity for artists like Van Halen and James Taylor.

Carly Rae Jepsen drew inspiration from Van Halen and Bruce Springsteen for her 2008 release ‘Tug of War’

Fans named Jepsen is the queen of pop. However, this artist took inspiration from some hardcore rockers. That includes Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen — the artist behind songs like “I’m On Fire,” “Born to Run,” and “Dancing in the Dark.”

“I grew up in my parents’ house, which was very folk-inspired: Van Halen, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen,” Jepsen said during an interview with Time Entertainment. “So my first record [2008’s Tug of War,] released after a stint on Canadian Idol] really reflected my parents’ taste — and mine.” 

Even if she is one of pop music’s biggest names, it’s unclear if Jepsen has ever met Van Halen, Taylor, or Springsteen. This musician did collaborate with several well-known artists, though. In recent years, that included a partnership with Bleachers’ frontman Jack Antonoff. 

“That got my career going in Canada,” she added in the same interview. “And Justin [Bieber] gave me an instant leg up with the rest of the world.”

At the time, Bieber signed Jepsen to his United States-based record label. Within a matter of weeks, Jepsen was outselling him on iTunes. That’s primarily thanks to her 2012 hit “Call Me Maybe.” 

Later, Bieber appeared in the 2015 YouTube video for Jepsen’s “I Really Like You,” enjoying a cameo alongside Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, and The Green Mile actor Tom Hanks. The production earned millions of views, while the song itself snagged millions of streams on the music platform Spotify. 

Carly Rae Jepsen performed the ‘Fuller House’ theme song

Years following Tug of War’s debut, Jepsen continued to make music. In 2019, the artist released Dedicated. The following year, she debuted Dedicated Side B, earning praise from fans in the process. 

Jepsen is also the singer behind the Fuller House theme song. She put a new spin on the iconic theme song from Full House, with “Everywhere You Look” starting every episode of Netflix’s original spinoff series. 

Music by Jepsen, including Tug of War, is available on most major streaming platforms.