"Cover Me" was one of the first songs recorded for the lengthy set of sessions that produced the album, and in fact was recorded as a demo, as the song was to be given to disco queen Donna Summer. However, Springsteen's manager Jon Landau heard the result and decided the combination of Springsteen's rock impulse, fierce guitar solo, and a strong (if unsubtle) dance beat had hit potential, and so kept the song for the upcoming Springsteen album, not even bothering to re-record it. Donna Summer was given "Protection" instead. Springsteen even recorded a duet with Summer, but it was never released. Springsteen was still unsure about "Cover Me", and Landau had to constantly argue to keep it included on the album.