Bruce Springsteen - The Ghost Of Tom Joad

[thatfuckingtank]

This is the soundtrack to the death of the American dream...

Or the realisation that it never existed in the first place....

[citsonga74]

pretty fucking amazing!

[kentrob99]

sounds like folks nowadays let alone the 1930s, sing it Bruce, ffor all the down-and-outs and the misfortunate.

[ufuckfacesonofabitch]

Fucking Ads!

[darkpucha]

beautiful.. but the lyric is so sad.. :(

[Broatch6]

gets to you...and then it digs out your soul

[101slither]

Ahead of his time once again. This could have been written about the situation in the US, and increasingly, the world. The imbeciles are in charge.

[brucetheboss1984]

one of his boss best songs ever

[pigeonfromhell]

@vampyrhart both versions are good. Just different. springsteen centres on the desolation RATM added a big dose of anger. I listened to RATM version initially which turned me on to checking out the source....I'll probably end up reading the book

[lemmybethyname]

@pigeonfromhell it feels like this sing is about the start of a revolution where people are starving and desperate

and rages' cover is the uprising

[vampyrhart]

the RATM version kills this crap

[arisuta2]

@vampyrhart, sorry, but your musical taste is all in your arse.

[3tangle3]

@vampyrhart this is the original to be fair......so respect the lyrical genius ;) even if you choose not to like the style

[zombiestars42]

@vampyrhart stoopid

[veiga75]

adoro esta musica fantastica aconcelho a kem gosta da boa musica para aqueles dias de nostalgia

[khfghjfgf]

fokken eay now they put it baek. biciz.

[charitymarbles]

M,ayve in 50 years, someone will write about our era as hauntingly as this. I was fortunate enough to have front row seats (lined up all night) in Sydney for the Tom Joad tour. Bruce came and talked with me my wife, my mum and 10 year old son after the show. Indeed I am a devoted fan with only one critisism.....he has only been to Australia 3 times! I have been twice to the USA and hope you lot can get yourselves out of this mess. Good luck and God Speed.

[killerjurgis]

Well the highway is alive tonight

But nobody's kiddin' nobody about where it goes

I'm sittin' down here in the campfire light

With the ghost of old Tom Joad

[Myosos]

How can there be 34 morons here!?

[GabrielDhalaman]

GABRIEL DHALAMAN GHOST OF TOM JOAD

Hope you like it,i took the rock and roll of fame version...

[rolandk]

the highway is alive tonight...

[Cogniscent1]

That's who Tom Joad was, in a fine book by John Steinbeck. The Ghost of Tom Joad refers to people and things contemporary: industry moved overseas, the price of labour cheapened, unemployment, having no roof over your head, social anxiety and social ills that follow from all that. It's also had to be written for other people who don't understand or empathise much with the precarious nature of life for so many millions of people, that out of fear of radical solution serious problems get denied

[Arianemsilva]

Essa música é show... *0*

[DoctorWhoLukeStyle]

now thats a song ayyyee

[shonkilla27]

when I hear a song like that for the first time my heart fires.

[clydiefax]

yeah.................Genius

[MrMamartin]

Wow. What a song

[misteriaquinta]

Non capisco un 'acca di quello che dice, ma il pezzo con l'armonica è da brivido...

[metrokanto]

the more you shout the less people listen ... thats why the boss's version is better

[adders42]

@metrokanto

RATM are plastic rebels anyway!  Bruce has always been subtle but THERE! ;-)

[picardie01]

watch" grape of wrath," great movie (with henry fonda)

[swampyziggy123]

@picardie01 the novel is mind-blowing. The chapters with the unseen 'voice' really really make you think.

[TumblingDice1972]

tom jones? joed? or what?  boring kunt

[mcigada]

@TumblingDice1972 Tom Joad, he is from "the grapes of wrath" by Steinbeck from wick was ispired a movie with henry fonda



[mcigada]

@TumblingDice1972 Tom Joad, he is from "the grapes of wrath" by Steinbeck from wick was ispired the movie with henry fonda

[09ironmaiden]

ciao a tutti io mi chiamo giacomo e scrivo da napoli , su queste note di questa canzone meravigliosa che purtroppo mi ricorda la morte di mia madre , nel 1986 quando bruce la canto a sanremo al festival , e poco dopo mia madre mori di infarto .

[tmprogram]

fight the new world order!

[disalitervisum]

have you ever read "The Grapes of Wrath"

[negativewashout]

This, along with other songs that surely "haunted" Springsteen before anyone else heard them, are perhaps his best work, in my humble opinion.

[sadielumay]

@negativewashout

Couldn't agree more...

[beatriz15272]

Springsteen did this song inspired in the great book by John Steinbeck"Las uvas de la ira".It is even more sad once you read the book...depressing,but so good.Thanks Boss!xx

[JerzEjuice]

This story is very similar to "the trail of tears" the Native Americans had to go through...

[TheMScaracola]

Excellent*****

[chronocentric67]

i was wondering 1995 about it.....when he sings....

welcome to the NEW WORLD ORDER..........

now we know.....

[crscrl]

@chronocentric67 great comment thank you

[onclecouisti]

magnifique!!

[lambskin77]

rage wishes they could understand this!!

[FromHalo2halo]

@lambskin77 You mean you wish you could understand rage...which is weird because I did when I was 13

Both amazing songs imo

[djn00nan]

this was a springsteen song first? wow, two bands i thoroughly respect coverin eachother (like nin and cash) thats awesome

[sandy39150]

great. the one and only. bruce

[TREotrebor]

stupenda la canzone... stupende le immagini del video!!!

[90nbkk]

@rock on rage against the machine can't sing this song only the boss

[djpvok]

the ghost of tom jones? lol

[elluchadormagnifico]

@djpvok It's the Ghost of Tom Joad. Tom Joad is a character from the book The Grapes of Wrath who stood morally against corruption during the Great Depression. This song takes the perspective of Southwestern farmers who lost their land and crops to the dust bowl and who were taken advantage of by being promised good jobs in the West only to find that they were lied to to. There was no minimum wage then, and families were undercut by men willing to work for less. Many starved and suffered.

[drachir6]

@elluchadormagnifico I love what your saying, But the minimum wage is a nightmare it allows them to pay me next to nothing. It still lets people undercut me, if I ask for anymore they employ someone else. The minimum wage should be 10 pounds , If they can,t pay then don,t employ. The Labour government betrayed us . These Bastards Pinky and Perky will crucify us. But luckily the bankers etc, will still get their bonuses. They should bur n in hell , if there is one!

[elluchadormagnifico]

@drachir6 I make minimum wage as well working at a sporting goods store. I have God to thank that I have a job, because I know that there are so many worse places that I could be right now, and I am very comfortable. I must also thank God for the gift of being able to attend school so I may one day be in a better place in this earth, even though I do not need to be. May God bless you as well, sir. I hope you will receive not everything you wish for, but everything that you shall need.

[apc467]

@drachir6 yea right on. Fuck the minimum. Ive got a double degree (BSC/BSA) and now im working on the graveyard shift for a road work crew. Guess how much i earn? shieeet ive got to give 10% of my pay to the contractor and another 5% to the sub (both work for govt).... these fucks are stealing from the hardworkers who already earn next to nothing.. but yep I sure am glad that they will get their bonuses for employing hardworkers.

[adders42]

@drachir6

Under the previous Tory Gvmnt people were working for less than £2 an hr so don't blame Labour!

[drachir6]

@adders42 I have voted Labour all my life, But the last government did betray the working class, It found BILLIONS to bail out parasitical bankers, In real terms the minimum wage was worth less when they went than when they came in. At the European election for the first time in my 56 years I didn,t vote Labour. I voted for Arthur Scargills Socialist Party! The Labour Party is now just a watered down Conservative Party.

[adders42]

@drachir6

Okay we're on the same side here! I agree the last Labour Gvmnt was a watered down Tory group but thought you was condemming the Labour movement in general. The politics of this country are a shambles now - people voted Liberal in the last election and now look what we have - proposals to make the unemployed do a 40hr week "voluntarily" if they can't find paid employment - well they won't as employers will look on this in the sme way they did YTS or YUOP schemes - free labour. 1984

[drachir6]

@adders42 Thanks for your response, We are both singing from the same hymn sheet. Best Wishes!

[Raven1x]

@adders42 I was one of those who voted Liberal in the last election. On behalf of the vast majority of us, we're sorry. We never thought we'd be so utterly betrayed by the party leadership getting into bed with this radical right Tory government. I've torn up my membership now and I know I'm far from the only one.

[adders42]

@drachir6 Also have to say I too am an advocate of a £10 min wage - the current one would leave me short and I am one of the few lucky ones in social housing! As well as the bankers (who I believe should pay for their part) there is also the guilt of the greedy individuals desperate to make money on the property market thus forcing prices to rocket ludicrously. We are still feeling the fallout from Thatchers "no such thing as society" ethos. Hope she soon gets better, not!

Best wishes!

[pugilistica]

@elluchadormagnifico It's not always a case of "...men willing to work for less..." Sometimes it's a case of men willing to do a job that some others think is beneath them — even though they have no skills or qualifications or, even, experience of working in the first place. As well as being self-employed, I once worked in a Job Club trying to help people into work, many of whom simply talked about their 'entitlements' — even though they'd never done a days work in their lives!

[BowWow452]

Was this originally Rage Against The Machine's song or was Bruce Springsteen the one who made it?

[stigno89]

@BowWow452 Bruce Springsteen wrote it, RATM covered it, but they really changed the song completely, its almost like it isnt a cover (for me anyway)

[ApocalypsePlough]

This is one of the best songs he's ever written. I'd even put it in the top 5. Great lyrics. Great melody. Great message. Great song.

[jonxmoke69]

Tom Joad, main character in "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck. Incredible book about a family's struggle for survival during the Great Depression.

[bigtbake61]

it's amazing to me that Rage Against the Machine came up with there version.

[sopclint]

the boss means the man thats it

[byan85]

Welcome to the New World Order.

Brilliance.

[TTURedRaidr]

Just remember, it was the Okies who first taught the Wetbacks how to pick the fruit in California.

[crazman01]

"Welcome To The New World Order"

[GitFiddler88]

i like how this version (and yes i know this is the original) has a more "it really sucks but this is the way life is" feel to it, and Rage's has a more "im really pissed that this is the way life is" feel.

Both really powerful emotional representations of a great song.

[Jessedean12]

Red Dead Redemption!

[benzimmermanofficial]

I vote for Junip on this one.

[HappyGirl01234567890]

I had to look this up since we're reading Grapes of Wrath... lol

[audiotool87]

he has powerful lyrics

but tom morello gave this song powerful

riffs

[alternativecover]

powerful and beautiful song.

[sparti8]

Thanks Bruce listening to this gives me a will  to write

[simplyAle77]

un capolavoro...

[bccroma]

@simplyAle77 naaaaaaa....!!

[dna611]

i like rages version

[HondaRacing211]

@dna611 me too

[krevice]

@dna611 me too

[nalletill1000]

I found this through the activism and change class I took and I must say it is a very good song, even though it is a sad one.

[kyren241]

welcome to the new world order....

[sk82Fan]

LYRICALLY MY FAVOURITE SONG EVER.

It manages to tell a story of corruption through short sharp sentences. 'preacher lights a bud and and he takes a drag' AMAZING

[qbsneak92]

i quoted this song in an english essay about the grapes of wrath today haha

[ChanimalX10]

@qbsneak92 Hahaha Im actually writing a similar essay right now.

[ProstheticGod]

Harmonica Solo.. EPIC

[Robstailey]

springsteen's a great writer but nobody did this song with greater passion than Rage

[almussalix]

@Robstailey Rage does everything with that much passion, but their style is rage. this song has nothing to do with rage, its supposed to be somber. I think this is the superior version

[Anglefan12]

@almussalix This song is somber, but it's also enraging because so much of it is true. I think that as long as you believe the message of your song and sing it with all your heart, like Rage and Bruce do then it's great. I don't like looking at songs like these as "which is better" but more with a bigger meaning than a performance quality.

[Robstailey]

@almussalix

nothing to do with rage?? have you even heard of the grapes of wrath? if that doesn't make you mad, nothing does.

[almussalix]

@Robstailey Yeah, I've read the grapes of wrath. In the end there was an old man sucking on a young woman's tit and she smiled queerly. I bet you liked that.

[Robstailey]

@almussalix gee, nice job intentionally missing the point of my post bro! i guess i'll take that as a concession to my argument, since you apparently can't come up with anything logical to say back.

i win =P

[adders42]

@almussalix

Dumb as...........

[handmiadenofgod]

@Robstailey I love Rage's version, in fact I love Rage in general, but the original is just as passionate, only in a more subtle way.

[wedny22]

i am sitting down here at the campfire light, with the music from Bruce in me ear

[desmo986]

rage against the machine's version is better

[sweatersnug]

i prefer Rage's cover...

[chaimei1]

yes, and, is there somebody who have seen the film of John Ford, The Grapes of Wrath, a wanderful film of humanity and what a beauty of all these people who fight for live for hope for love!

[SithJohn93]

awesome song. it soo freakin dark.

[silentrage7]

Let his song be dedicated to those who, through no fault of their own are inside complete hardship and poverty. Let us all try to help them and appreciate our own fortune at even owning a computer to view and hear this. Help the helpless.

[cfromcinci513]

I always thought this was a Rage Against The Machine song... I like this better !!!

[SithJohn93]

@cfromcinci513 the only thing better in the Rage Against the Machine version is the overall rage and anger that Zack puts in the performance and the guitar by the always awesome Tom Morello.

[bobopatchigglerrulez]

Grapes of Wrath

[MrJtr1888]

Bruce's song is sad. Rage made it angry. I actually like both.

[Anglefan12]

@MrJtr1888 My favorite is Tom and Bruce together, you have the sadness and anger mixed, plus the unparalleled passion of both and probably the sickest solo I've ever seen performed on that large of a scale.

[emanuelorjesus]

@MrJtr1888 I took it as different generation, time has taken its toll on the people. In this version they are sad in rage against the machine...they are pissed....both are good, both pass the meaning i agree

[erjohnson227]

is this really the new youtube look?

[manoverde84]

Wow this is just as relevant today as it was back in the 30s.

[TheOILY1]

how does bruce do it always got a song for how the people are feeling what a voice for the people of the world keep it coming bruce love ya

[nikesvvoosh]

im a sucker for a good harmonica player.. springsteen and dylan are the best two i can think of

[SgtBastard101]

Don't forget Neil Young!

[overridezine]

Stevie Wonder

[godhelpme2009]

@overridezine since Bruce & Stevie are 2 of my all time favorite artists of all time I have to ask you why you sent the comment-" Stevie Wonder " . (?)

[overridezine]

@godhelpme2009 Great harmonica players - Stevie wonder. Someone down there was on about it

[godhelpme2009]

@overridezine Yow ! indeed & very true...i wasn't paying much attention to the harmonica comments. Even though it doesn't really make sense I can get caught up in the "comparison game" & rating my favorites. If we are going to be talkin' harmonica players you gotta mention Stevie Wonder. And if we are talking exclusively about artist in popular music then you probably have to put Stevie at the top of your list , that seems like "no contest" .Thanks for reply-ing & clearing up the mystery.

[KEShalid]

What is the point in commenting on politics here? No-one listens to each other.

Also, the song is awesome either way, so...

[Tigerpuffer]

@KEShalid: Thank you!!

[hardtaill70]

Bruce is a great songwriter... one of my favorites.

[tartanwolf]

Bottom line is that this song is brilliant so all the crap that's being spouted about him is pointless!

[bparker419]

Springsteen's message is about the work, faith, hope, intellect, and morality of the common working man. It shines a bright light on corruption in our society. And yes LOVE! Plus, it's his job dude! There is one of him, If there were a million he would get paid nothing. The world is a better place with his message, than without it! :)

[samuraiyao]

@bparker419 What about people who are in serious debt because of poor financial decisions, and lack of a good well income job? When I mean debt I mean student loan debt up the ass.. Do us citizen fall into that category?? We try hard and work everyday, but not paying your debt or creditors does that make me immoral?? I know I'm morally obligated to pay but How can I with not that much money and a good job??

[viletantrum]

@bparker419 Funny thing is he supports the most currupt in our country, so go figure...

[nikesvvoosh]

the ordinary Americans should rise up and take back America from these capitalistic swine

[TheChoice264]

How about unordinary Americans? That would suffice.

[junkman19571]

its alright multi millionaire bruce telling us ordinary people what we have to give up.well when he gives up 99.9999% of his wealth and gives free concerts and C.D's i'll start listening o.k.

[ColdRoses]

it's true he's rich, but messages like this need to said from a platform where people will listen.

also, for what it's worth, he gives a TON of it away to charity. it just doesn't make the papers.

[shadowscion]

Its his job, do you work for free? No, so shut the fuck up.

[ChungDukes]

Welcome to the New World Order.

[nikesvvoosh]

jackbeat that was some of the best wisest words i have heard..

[JackBeat0001]

@emmteez Socialism is the root of all evil? Ignorance is the root of all evil my friend, Something America seems to have in abundance. Socialism is fundamentally flawed but so is capitalism. Did you witness the collapse of the banks? People like you confuse capitalism with freedom. The story of Tom Joad is about the poor trying to survive in a capitalist system when things go wrong beyond their control. Not everything is black and white.

[nonodetours]

The most beautiful song

[erjohnson227]

@nonodetours I agree. It sent shivers down my spine. The lyrics alone are so powerful and moving.

[mocountry666]

I remember when he played this at the Grammy's I believe it was. This song is so much more than just a passing reference to the Grapes of Wrath.

[emmteez1]

I am with you but at least spell Canadians correctly if your gonna be a grammar nazi...lol

[manoverde84]

This song is so relevant for this generation.

[blueeyesofice]

oh shut up bruce. the ghost of tom joad doesn't like you and your spoiled brat liberal politics.

[kathymardis]

do you even know who the character Tom Joad was?

[blueeyesofice]

@kathymardis he was in grapes of wrath, right?

[TheDjango99]

I was never a Springsteen fan until I heard the RATM cover of this song. This song is amazing, and I now understand the Dylan comparisons.

[stearnsybears]

Thanks to "The Boss" for reminding me, there but for the grace of God is where I could be.

[cheomire]

has anyone thought of giving bruce the opportunity to film america as he sees it? or as he wished it was? i do love this song. rage's version is pretty good, and to extend the exposure of the song as they have i do commend them. otherwise i may have never come across the song...

[TTURedRaidr]

Well, it would be as "HE sees it", which isn't in a positive light in my opinion. I mean, the tone of this song makes me want to slit my wrists. His song "Nebraska" isn't even representative OF Nebraska, only 1 incident that happened, where at least 10 or more of those incidents happen on a regular basis in L.A., New York City, Chicago, etc. Springsteen has the total tendency to write songs with a full Socialist agenda behind him. I'll probably get thumbs down, but hey, it's my right!

[yeats64]

....brividi

[TorrMup]

Rage owns this song

[lapekosapeligrosa]

welcome to the new world order

[WHSfightclub]

haha not yet...vote liberal and it shall come

[TTURedRaidr]

Yes, controlled by the Neo-Marxists, Socialists, and other George Soros types.

[noushitaisa]

@TTURedRaidr You SAD bastard... Where are you coming from? You make no sense at all...

[Plomonsky]

You really are fighting a battle that doesn't exist. But hey.... That's your right. Just a waist of time and effort.

[bwill485]

The political undertones of this song are so powerful. Stienbeck wrote an amazing book about supporting the common man and being selfless and The Boss brought it to modern times. The story of Tom Joad is timeless

[whoopwhoop7893]

Grapes of Wrath was a good book<3 this song was written about the book. read it :]

[xsergeantd]

My hangover is last nights Wrath of Grapes

[znkp]

@xsergeantd: Wrath of Grapes is way better than the Wrath of Barley, though the acidity is worse.

[sanbsball44]

@whoopwhoop7893 Indeed, it was a great book. I think the song means so much more if you read the book.

[SunDown419]

@sanbsball44 check the finicals

[basscovers1]

tbh i likw rages version better

[skinwalkerful]

sleep in a car in south west no home no job no peace no rest

[spicyMcHAGGIS9green]

NO REST!!!!

[Bloodclub44]

wake up ppl the ...The Resistance always starts with song. LONG LIVE THE REP!!!!!

[ImaCommunist1]

Yawn shut up and enjoy. Why say something if it doesn't mean something. If he wanted to be understood it's because he wanted to. I hate how ppl like you think they are deep by telling ppl they are not.

[Tigerpuffer]

I friggi' hate how every Bruce video turns into a political talk show. People think they are deep to be able to decipher the political aspect of a songwriter, but it's even deeper to both understand it and be able to bypass discussing it long enough to enjoy it. Are people really too shallow to listen to music without turning it into a conflict? Even worse, a conflict over the internet with someone you dont know, have never seen, and has no connection with you?? I dont get it.

[TopGunOriginal]

How can you not turn this song into a "political talk show"? Its based on a book displaying flaws of capitalism (Grapes of Wrath) written by an author who advocates socialism (Steinbeck) and was covered by a anarcho-communist band (RATM).

I dont understand why your comment is arguing against commenting on something you believe when thats what your doing.

[Tigerpuffer]

Expressing opinions is great. Its healthy. I love it. But people shouldnt let it take away from enjoying the song :)

[shamrock32]

F'n love Rage Against The Machine......

[jakartabassplayer]

@Tigerpuffer Amen