This Little Girl

Gary U.S. Bonds Stages a Comeback With "This Little Girl"

The story of "This Little Girl" is one of rock and roll's great comeback tales. Gary U.S. Bonds, a star of the early 1960s who had scored major hits before fading from the charts, made a triumphant return in 1981 with the help of a famous admirer. "This Little Girl," co-written and produced by Bruce Springsteen, arrived in the spring of 1981 as a driving, energetic single that returned Bonds to the top of the charts after nearly two decades away.

A Comeback Two Decades in the Making

Bonds came to this song as a veteran returning to the spotlight. He had been a star of the early 1960s with a string of energetic hits before his career faded, but he made a remarkable comeback in 1981 with the support of Bruce Springsteen, a longtime fan. Springsteen and his bandmate Steven Van Zandt championed Bonds, co-writing and producing material for his comeback album. "This Little Girl" was the centerpiece of that effort, a song written by Springsteen that brought Bonds roaring back to commercial relevance after nearly twenty years away from the charts.

The Sound of Energetic Roots Rock

Musically the song is a driving, energetic rocker that blends Bonds's classic rock and roll style with Springsteen's roots-rock sensibility. The arrangement is propulsive and anthemic, built around a strong groove and the kind of heartland rock energy that defined Springsteen's work. There is a vital, joyful quality to the recording, the sound of a veteran rejuvenated by fresh material and a famous collaborator. Bonds's voice carries the energy and conviction of his early hits. It captures a triumphant fusion of classic rock and roll and the roots-rock revival of the era.

A Triumphant Run Toward the Top

The chart performance confirmed the comeback's success. "This Little Girl" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 dated April 25, 1981, at number 67. It climbed rapidly over the following weeks, jumping to 40, then 31, then 25 and 23, before peaking at number 11 on the chart dated June 20, 1981. The single enjoyed a substantial run of eighteen weeks on the Hot 100. Reaching number eleven was a remarkable achievement for a comeback nearly two decades in the making, confirming the success of the Springsteen-backed revival. The strong climb reflected the song's energetic appeal and the goodwill surrounding Bonds's return.

A Comeback for the Ages

Within Gary U.S. Bonds's career, "This Little Girl" stands as a triumphant late-career highlight. His comeback, championed by Bruce Springsteen, became one of rock and roll's most celebrated revival stories. The song captures the energy and joy of a veteran rejuvenated by fresh material and famous support. For fans of rock and roll, it offers an inspiring example of a comeback against the odds, an energetic, Springsteen-penned hit that returned a deserving veteran to the spotlight after nearly two decades away.

The Springsteen Connection

The role of Bruce Springsteen in this comeback reflected his deep love for the rock and roll of his youth. A longtime admirer of Bonds, Springsteen used his considerable influence to help revive the career of an artist he revered, co-writing and producing material and lending his star power to the project. That generosity reflected Springsteen's reverence for rock and roll history and his desire to honor the artists who had inspired him. "This Little Girl" became the most successful product of that collaboration, a song that demonstrated how a famous champion could help return a deserving veteran to prominence, a heartwarming example of one generation honoring another and keeping the spirit of classic rock and roll alive.

Press play and feel that joyful energy; this is Gary U.S. Bonds roaring back to life with a little help from a famous fan.

"This Little Girl" — Gary U.S. Bonds's singular moment on the 1980s charts.