Manfred Mann! Learn your rock history, son. That was a very early Bruce Springsteen song, when he was just a promising young musician and not yet BRUUUUUCE. Manfred Mann covered it and is probably remembered for it more than the original artist but he sure didn't write it. I had forgotten that, you're right.
However, Manfred Mann made it better :)
You'll probably accuse me of much more when I say this, but I'm not a Springsteen fan. Certainly don't have anything against him, I'm just not a fan of his music.