"For You" was recorded at 914 Sound Studios in Blauvelt, New York on June 27, 1972, the same day as the rest of the album except "Blinded by the Light" and "Spirit in the Night".[1] Musicians participating in these sessions included future E Street Band members David Sancious, Garry Tallent and Vini Lopez.[1] It is a climactic, percussion-driven song. Unlike many other songs on Springsteen's debut album, it takes the time to pace and build.[2]
The lyrics[3] are about a woman who has attempted suicide.[4][5] She does not need the singer's "urgency" even though her life is "one long emergency" as Springsteen sings in the chorus (along with "and your cloud line urges me, and my electric surges free"). The singer is committed to doing anything to save her, and admires her ability to hang on.[4]
The song was also covered by Greg Kihn on his 1977 album Greg Kihn Again.[6] Kihn's cover received favorable comments from Springsteen.[6] It was also included on the compilation album Best of Kihn.[7]
Like "Blinded By The Light" (on The Roaring Silence) and "Spirits in the Night" (on Nightingales & Bombers), this song was covered by Manfred Mann's Earth Band, appearing on their album Chance.[8] As with Manfred Mann Earth Band's previous Springsteen covers, they used a more forceful, rocking arrangement in "For You" than Springsteen did.[8] The Earth Band version built from a more temperate beginning to an explosion of sound in the bridge, and incorporates five guitars and a keyboard solo by Manfred Mann 3/4 of the way into the song.[8] The song was also included on the compilation albums The Best of Manfred Mann's Earth Band and Blinded by the Light & Other Hits.[8] Though the song received FM airplay, the single release did not achieve the success of their other Springsteen covers.
