Bruce Springsteen Apologizes for Refusing to Allow His Song in Bono’s Gap Commercial, Tells U2 Frontman: ‘I Should Have F—ing Done It!’

Bono gave Bruce Springsteen a hard time for refusing to license his song “Girls in Their Summer Clothes” for a commercial for the clothing brand Gap in partnership with Bono’s AIDS foundation (RED).

While presenting Springsteen with the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award at Tribeca Festival, Bono started to praise the Boss’ ability to bring a Woody Guthrie sensibility to pop radio. It reminded him of his failed attempt to get Springsteen to bring it to a TV ad.

Bono was partnering with Gap for a clothing line supporting his nonprofit and recalled, “I tried to get you to give … I said, ‘Bruce, this song “Girls in Their Summer Clothes,” this is like one of the great pop songs ever … Would you think about using it for a commercial, for (RED) and the Gap?’ And you said, ‘No.'”

“That was a big mistake,” Springsteen said, drawing laughs. “I should have said yes.” He called the 2008 song one of his “personal favorites” that the “audience doesn’t really care” about.

“That was just a song that I love,” Springsteen added. “Damn it, I still think back: ‘Bono asked you to put this thing on a commercial on television.’ I should have fucking done it! People would hear it like a hit, you know? So I have to apologize.”