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Bruce Springsteen apologized for refusing Bono’s request to use his song \u201cGirls in Their Summer Clothes\u201d in a Gap commercial in support of his campaign to fight AIDS<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
\u201cThat was a big mistake,\u201d Springsteen admitted<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
Bono presented the musician with the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award at Tribeca Film Festival on June 13<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Bruce Springsteen<\/a> admitted that not letting Bono<\/a> license \u201cGirls in Their Summer Clothes\u201d for a Gap commercial years ago was a \u201cbig mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n While presenting him with the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award at the Tribeca Film Festival<\/a> on Saturday, June 13, the U2 frontman recalled Springsteen rejecting his request to include the 2008 song in a Gap commercial that was in support of RED<\/a>, his and Bobby Shriver’s campaign to fight AIDS.<\/p>\n \u201cI said, \u2018Bruce, this song \u2018Girls in Their Summer Clothes,\u2019 this is like one of the great pop songs ever,’ ” Bono, 66, recalled. \u201cHe goes, \u2018It’s not bad, is it?’ I said, \u2018Would you think about using it for a commercial like for RED through Gap?’ You said, \u2018No.’ \u201d<\/p>\n Thinking back to that moment, Springsteen, 76, admitted that his decision was a \u201cbig mistake\u201d and apologized for refusing the opportunity.<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThat was a big mistake … I should have said yes,\u201d Springsteen said. \u201cThat was just a song that I loved, and damn it, I still think back. I said, \u2018Bono asked me to put this thing in a commercial on television, I should have f—ing done it, then people would hear it like a hit.’ So I have to apologize, I should have done that.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to Bono praising the musician for his ability to bring a Woody Guthrie<\/a> sensibility to pop radio and having produced some \u201cgreat\u201d music over the years, Robert De Niro<\/a> emphasized that Springsteen is also \u201ca man who knows how to use his voice\u201d to move people with the music he creates.<\/p>\n \u201cHe uses it to give voice to the powerless and uses it to lead the resistance,\u201d he said before Springsteen was presented the award, honoring his efforts to advance equality, dignity and human rights. \u201cHe is fearless and direct.\u201d<\/p>\n