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From: DomQuin
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  • Amazing! I saw the RATM version first, both versions of this song are great protest songs.

  • I have always dreamed of seeing this amazing man play live ever since I was a little girl. I can't believe my wish will come true in March this year. DREAMS DO COME TRUE!

  • He sounds like Steve Earle here.

  • Damn strong song..bruce rocks!!!!

  • Gaga !! Shut up and listen to music !!

  • Pain is pain. If you know suffering you resonate with anyone's suffering. It's too easy to be self righteous & judgmental ben smith. You don't convince me that you'ree any wiser. "Give a little to others less fortunate" with heart, not just a back handed insult. "No one ever cares about anything that doesn't concern them directly"?? You suffered more than anyone? You any real understanding of suffering? Show more compassion, "my friend". Without it your words are just ideologue!

  • Like all great songs it keeps coming back to being meaningful,with resonance today in the increasing disparities of wealth in society.

  • "Shelter- line stretching around the corner - welcome to the New World Order."

  • I don't understand how someone can write something so beautiful and great. <3 Its just amazing!

  • It will be wondered how we has people with so much talent in this era of civilization decline

  • Please post the words

  • This concerns the real welfare of all those in Africa as well @bensmith 3200. The horrors of globalization and neoliberal economics oppress the 99% of all humanity. Please watch: "the End of Poverty? Think Again" You will find it on hulu. Please. It really opened my eyes.

  • I am a modern day Tom Joad.

  • @dsmalf you just got out of prison and need to break parole to help your family move off the farm?

  • @47dmh47 something like that

  • I love THIS album! Definitely one of my fave albums by The Boss.

  • If you have always been a "have" and never a " have not" go elsewhere, you wouldn't get it. A very beautiful and real song Bruce, thank you.

  • A Rage fan myself but smart enough to know that "The Ghost Of Tom Joad" was a Springsteen cover. All the real Rage fans should have know this! The Rage cd this song was on was an album of covers!

  • It's funny how people will claim a song by the original artist is someone else's that covered it years later. And there's a fucking search engine to clarify that for them! This is the Boss' song !!!!!"The Ghost of Tom Joad" is a song by Bruce Springsteen. It is the title track to his eleventh studio album, released on November 21, 1995.

  • Do some people not understand Bruce wrote this song, not just recorded it, he WROTE it. It's the tile track to one of his albums. Good Lord people, know what you're talking about before you post on the internet and look like an total idiot.

  • i disliked this video, because to be honest, i am tired of being reminded that other people suffer so that my lifestyle can be preserved

  • Just WOW

  • Das ist sehr wahr, mein Freund

  • Wow, all do respect to Rage's version but the original ftw :)

  • I have haunting memories of seeing"I saw mommy kissing santa clause" on a hot ass night in June, and never cared too much for the hits in the 80's I heard growing up. However this piece of music, in this performance is a seriously amazing song.

  • I once went out with a girl who claimed that Bon Jovi are better than the Boss. Needless to say, it didn't last long.

  • love it

  • @sahind so we need to destroy capitialism in order to give? I dont follow. You dont understand... how do you create a revolution without plunging the world into anarchy. Keep a close eye on whats going to happen in Lybia

  • " Shelter line stretching around the corner...welcome to the New World Order"

  • Incredible !!!

  • Bruce.

  • so i'm a sinner and i only recently found out that springsteen wrote this song. all i can say is wow, it is truely amazing to hear him sing it. its much more haunting without the angry overtones of RATM ( i also love that version for its anger) i have a whole new respect for him. thanks for sharing :)

  • @syndicate, rage covered this from springsteen you fuckin idiot, if your gonna talk shit than get ur facts straight. rage is my favorite band but i speak the truth an the truth is your a fuckin retard mate

  • @pirculator the songs not about him dumb ass. its about tom joad, a guy who violated his parol an risked spending the rest of his life in prison to help his family move to california an find a better livingg. tom joad is an inspiration an someone to look up too an respect the fuck out of, an if u dont respect him or springsteen for bringing his spirit to life than go fuck yourself.

  • Screw Springsteen and his 50 million dollar homes. The guys full of shit!

  • Man... Music culture is on it's low!!! When somebody says that the Boss ripped off Rage Against the Machine on this song, it just drives my crazy. Please, listen and learn. And then, post a comment.

  • ,,,,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 my own ghost,,,,

     woooooow that great song !!

  • great song

  • He sounds a little angry.

  • @jamesmcc8888 No shit, Sherlock?

  • "got a one way ticket to the promised land.. a hole in your belly and a gun in your hand.." Bruce can just keep the lines coming.. A storyteller.. the finest one I have ever had the pleasure to hear...

  • I can't believe springsteen would rip off rage against the machine like this. shame!

  • @SyndicateLeadr ... fyi.. Springsteen wrote it.. 1995.. 

  • @SyndicateLeadr Begone, troll.

  • @SyndicateLeadr

    are you stupid?

  • @SyndicateLeadr I HOPE you're kidding.

  • @SyndicateLeadr You must really be a young lad - Bruce recorded the song a few years B E F O R E rage covered it. Mental midget of the highest degree...

  • @nkkcboss Do your research! This was rage!

  • This song was written in 1995, looks like Bruce was able to see about 15-20 years into the future.

  • Amazing..Bruce is a true AMERICAN original and a great artist. If you clicked dislike to this performance you are indeed in need of an education concerning great musical performances.

  • love this song... really amazing :) bruce is the best

  • maybe if we all had everything lost,taken,denide then the world would change

  • All 8 of them

  • everyone should check out junip's cover of this, it is pretty solid.

  • Fantástica... este album acustico é extremamente bom...

  • anyone know what key that harmonica is?

  • @worldpeacenow2 most likely A minor

  • @worldpeacenow2 its e flat i just played this song at a coffee house

  • Thank you The Boss.

  • this guy is a super star and this song is just too good, some songs just reach you and this one reached me by the first blow of the mouth organ then it blew me away..

  • So good. Thats all I have to say. The boss is, so good.

  • We need a revolution!

  • @bensmith3200 against what? Ever been to Africa? Millions of people die from lack of food while millions more die in the 1st world from over indulgence.. We don't need a revolution my friend, all we gotta do is give a little to others who are less fortunate. That simple.. but I guess no one gives a fuck about anything that doesnt concern there own welfare directly

  • @apc467

    I care a whole lot about other people's welfare. That's why I believe that America, and every other place in the world, is in need of a revolution. World poverty, starvation, and the inequitable distribution of wealth are political phenomenon; they are inherent features of capitalism. In order to end poverty, starvation, and inequity, we have to end this system. We have to "bring to birth a new world on the ashes of the old."

  • @apc467 well said my freind

  • @apc467 i think the song was done for the great depression, many were dying during those times

  • @geremygilbert1 correct this song is based on the book "the grapes of wrath" which took place during the great depression. "tom joad" being the main character of the book.

  • @apc467 well said we humans really r full of it but sometimes we step beyond  our limitations and do the right thing

  • @apc467

    Well I served in the Australian Army in Somalia 1992-1993 the Somalis "DON'T WANT HELP" I have seen and heard this first hand so "FUCK THE HELL UP" or take up Arms and help as that is their way

  • @apc467 Amen.

    I give all and have nothing.

    Somehow I remain afloat..

    Karma?

    God?

    Goodwill and peace on earth...

  • The real studio version is the best - Anyway it's the same song . Love it !

  • And he steps away, just like that, but now I've got something stuck in my ear

  • What kind of sparse idiot clicks "dislike" on a song like this?

  • @oneaware I believe you've answered your own question! Only an idiot "dislikes" this.

  • @oneaware I am guessing Republicans?

  • @oneaware Someone who thinks Rage Against the Machine wrote this song.

  • @oneaware People that don't know the relevence of Tom Joad's character,probably.

  • @oneaware diejenigen die die Aussage des Textes nicht kapieren -.-

  • @oneaware San but true man...... This song is amazing.

  • Here's to those of us who are still travelling down route 66. We're all migrants when we have to be and when we have the strength to be.

  • The grapes of wrath

  • @dued27 Yes, it is a classic those days of the dust bowl are still with us, think Katrina...

  • ~Please donate food to your local food pantry, we need you

  • Very nice song!

  • Brilliant song, based on a brilliant book by one of the best novelists of all time

  • Thank you for writing songs that touch our hearts and shake up our souls. Thank

    you more than anything else for being you. I think the Boss is a veritable Rock and Roll prophetic genus. Please continue to communicate. .

  • This version gave me chills..

  • I think that the 1996 live version he did as a guest in an Italian TV Show "Sanremo" is much more "real" and moving.

    copy and paste

    v=Aft0GuWtCyM

    after the question mark in the address bar.

    (it's with italian subtitles)

  • @DesolationSong Thanks! Great tip!.. and i agree completely

  • Tom Morello is a great guitar player. LaRocha is a douchebag..they should go live in Cuba if they think it's bad here. They are typical neo-socialists who have gotten rich crowing against the very 'machine' that has made them rich. It's all a shtick. Springsteen is a socialist too, but a well intentioned one.

  • @LudwigVonSpeedking....wait so if they're both socialists how is springsteen "well intentioned"...and yes RATM has been very sucessful....but if their socialism is "shtick" then they are very committed to it...they've protested at both major parties national conventions, and contributed to many organizations, as well as started Axis of Justice...Im not a huge RATM fanboy but they are very talented musicians with a stand...i dont know many other bands today that can say that...

  • @bmurray714 My point is that the whole "social justice" trip is just a vehicle for them to get rich.....if they really believed that way they would perform for free. I never said they weren't talented...it's just a schtick. Just like Slayer or Bozo the Clown. It's an act......and a person can be a well intended socialist. Socialism in it's true form is a great concept. But impractical when applied to the real world.

  • @LudwigVonSpeedking i understand your point, but my point is i think your wrong. i dont think its an act for them. becuase if it is the're incredibly dedicated to said act, look at Axis of Justice, all the work they've done for the zapistas, lenoard peltier, etc. theyve been arrested many times. i dont think people would take an act to that extreme

  • @LudwigVonSpeedking

    Yeah, thats right pal. Anyone who sings about or speaks up for the down-trodden and the poor is a socialist. Anyone who takes the side of the "have-nots" is a stalinist

  • @Pattonash it only makes them socialist when they want to take from one and give it to another. That's called social justice. I call it thievery.

  • @LudwigVonSpeedking It's simplistic to suggest that 1) they are socialist, and 2) they should play for free. No modern day American is a true socialist. What passes for a socialist today is someone who is for taxing the rich more than they already are and distributing the proceeds "equitably". Both political parties that are in control subscribe to a graduated tax system. The Dems just want a higher upper rate. And, if they were socialists, the government would own the band. Possible? No.

  • @RudyCasordapek, here's the problem with the tax structure you are talking about, and I appreciate your sincere and polite demeanor. Whenever the rich are taxed, they don't pay that tax. They simply pass the tax on to the middle class.

  • I love Springsteen and Steinbeck. But Steinbeck was an admitted socialist who fabricated many of the atrocities (kerosene oranges for example) in "Grapes". A different pespective by Merle Haggard who lived during these times and was the poor son of a migrant worker might be enlightening. Hag says "Grapes" was not an accurate depiction of these times. And I will respect Tom Morello and Rage when they give half of their money they have earned to the poor like they expect the rest of us to do.

  • For Jason.. 21st century Tom Joad.. We will miss you so much but we will never forget what you did for the poor, the frightened and the lost.. God Bless you J

  • I'm shivering.......

  • @pizzeffichi Then pull the dildo out champ!

  • @tinclunge123 Se' più cojone del lumammano. O prova a tradurre, fava!

  • epohalno.....obozavam ga!!!

  • I don't think it is necessary to waste time arguing over Springsteen vs. Rage as far as song versions. They are obviously apples and oranges in genre and it is obvious there is mutual respect as they have performed the song together at MSG. Check it out on you tube and you will see that version is pretty amazing too. The key to this song for me is clearly the lyrical genius.

  • @eyewall41 totally agree, both songs are powerful in their own ways, I think rages appeals to a younger generation, which now is in their 20's and 30's. Where as bruces was meant for the 20's and 30's right off the start and now its for the 40's and 50's

  • FANTASTIC to see it THIS real....thank you for this.

  • Since this album released in 1995 or 1996, the stem of American Economy were beginning to collapse.

  • If you ever see this Bruce, amazing, full of depth and feeling. Im still in another world humming this in my mind and ive just enjoyed it for the fifth time, Gonna check out other versions apparently live is pretty good too.

    Kinda touched my soul..... the way the mouth organ wails ..haunting balad.......

  • Beautiful...

  • Splendida................Dovun­que qualcuno lotta per ottenere la libertà .....

  • which tune is the harp????

  • jsb779 - Check out Nebraska for some soul searching Bruce. Nothing else like it.

    I am 51 and loved Bruce ever since he came out. I wish he'd visit San Diego. He always by-passes us when he comes to So-Cal. I saw him in concert in Rotterdam in 1980 or 1981. It was on "The River" Tour. AWESOME CONCERT! If you ever get the chance-GO!

  • Reminds me of Joe Hill

  • one reason why Youtube is a great site - you stumble excellent versions of songs like this - wow - must have watched this 10 times straight

  • There's something about when brings says those words, then breathe's life in the harmonica. No one else could do that.

  • I was young when I got into Bruce, I think I was about 12, back in '92 when Human Touch and Tucky Town came out, I got them both for Christmas and listened to them non-stop. Then I got into his older stuff, like Tunnel Of Love, River and Darkness. All those albums, Lucky Town, Ghost Of Tom Joad, and U.S.A. -- especially now. The only difference is that now, I understand his lyrics. I understand what he is saying, sometimes that is the best part of his music. His words are the finest poetry.

  • this is one of my favourite songs of all time

  • RIP Danny...great version...

  • Comment removed

  • ive been listening to the boss since i was a kid and i think all his shit is great whether its the deeper acoustic stuff or the funky upbeat./ i really dig tunnel of love

  • look for johnny 99 and the rest of the nebraska album

  • No words. 10/5

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  • In my opinion the best version of this is the live version with tom morello.

  • If only we all had the strength and courage to be our own Tom Joad, perhaps real change could be achieved and true equality and democracy could prosper. -Todd Curl

  • Now Tom said "Mom, wherever there's a cop beatin' a guy

    Wherever a hungry newborn baby cries

    Where there's a fight 'gainst the blood and hatred in the air

    Look for me Mom I'll be there

    Wherever there's somebody fightin' for a place to stand

    Or decent job or a helpin' hand

    Wherever somebody's strugglin' to be free

    Look in their eyes Mom you'll see me."

  • oh yeah ive heard of peak oil of course. what i was getting at was: is there anyone out there who resembles tom joad

  • @cheomire @cheomire Unfortunately, although a character in a novel about America during the 1930s depression, today there are millions of people today living in similar poverty. Where do you think people who have lost their houses are living?

    The people John Steinbeck was writing about in "The Grapes of Wrath" didn't even have Social Security if disabled or too old to work. No food stamps. They begged.

    Ending Social Security and other safety net programs is Principle IA of the Tea Party

  • great song, but seriously does anyone get inspired to follow the lyrics? i mean, thousands of people went with swing low sweet chariot on their lips; we shall overcome; amazing grace; those stereotypical gospel songs, but this song, ghost of tom joad, does anyone follow it?

  • @cheomire

    W/ all of the homeless ppl sadly out there, I believe this song is incredibly more meaningful than ever! Talkin' about hunger, homelessness, fighting for jobs/turf/etc, how much closer can a song get to be touching the situations right on the nose? Makes me cry every time I hear it. sigh. Truly!!!

    Just gotta listen & look closer, imo, cheomire.

    Respectfully,

    banjodawgg

  • @banjodawgg Well put. It's a tragedy.

    When you can't find a job, pay rent, feed yourself, or worse, your children, or provide them with healthcare or even a decent education because, if homeless, you're moving all the time, you're talking about poverty right out of the 1930s, "the good ol' days" of low taxes and a balanced budget.

    Read about FDR, President from 1933 until 1944. He was *hated* by Republicans, and his programs still are.

  • there's a new and good version of this up on his website right now!

  • I love this song, and I will love this song for ever and ever!

  • hi bigpineapple,

    the harp he uses is an "Eb"

    greetings from germany

  • @simmon85 thanks very much for the reply!

    it's much appreciated

  • could anyone say which key the harmonica is in? I know the original is in D, but he's got a capo on 3rd on this, so it's different -can anyone help?

  • @Bigpineapple we do the song in the key of "C :

  • @ksstoryteller Thanks for the reply :)

  • Oh how I love it, such special memories of seeing the tour live at Massey Hall in Toronto when Bruce blew us a kissx He is so gorgeous!

  • a "poet" once said 'the times, they are a changing.' Bob.D.

    start the revolution.... RAGE!

  • love this song both this and the rage version though for different reason I like this version for its sort of quiet tear jerking power where as the rage version has a stand up and pound your fist to the wall type power

  • love this song and video. Watched it three times in past 2 days. I forgot about that album. Kind of rediscovering it this week.

  • damn there was such a nice live vid here of this brilliant song, but the user deleted it..

    man he looked so cool with his hair styled back and the shirt and his black guitar!!

    BRUCE for life!!

  • yo boris, i'm glad yer a bruce fan.

    bruce has always been open about Dylan being his main inspiration for music making.

    i'm sure you've seen springstein live and realize that he doesn't do the whole acoustic guitar/harmonica much.

    it's just his homage to one of his heroes. i dunno about you, but if i could, i'd definitely try and perform a song in the same style as someone who inspires me.

  • Comment removed

  • Look for "Accross the border" taken from the same album

  • @profittlich Nebraska is a really good album if you like this style of Bruce too...

  • @profittlich Pretty much the whole album this song was taken off of. 'The Ghost of Tom Joad'. Also try his other albums titled 'Devils and Dust' and 'Nebraska'. All three albums are songs similar to this one.

  • @profittlich You should also check out his album, "We Shall Overcome". It's all traditional American folk songs.

  • "The ghost of Tom Joad" Album

     "Nebraska" Album

    "Thunder road" from "In concert MTV Plugged"

  • Wonderful

  • that's one of the most beautiful songs i've ever heard ......i'm just speechless ....so much emotion .....so much....wow ....that just blew me away .....

    bruce your the best !

  • What would we have become without The Boss?

  • wow...so powerful...i remember discussing this song in a college class on the dust bowl and the grapes of wrath. for over an hour we couldn't agree whether the final outlook was more hopeful or really entirely pessimistic. or neither and just melancholic. that's true art when something causes such different emotions with a room full of smart people.

  • "smart people"...bunch of assholes...

  • GREAT....

  • Holly hell, this song is so powerfull!

  • Einfach nur schöööööööööööööön... und geil ;)

  • such a beautiful song....chilling!

  • beautiful

  • Bruce really is ZEH BOSS!

  • A legend.

  • @avg005 I'm obliged to agree.

  • i really got the chills so great.

  • this is tops listen to the words and its the world today.recession and homless ppl..sorry about my spelling is wrong sometimes.

  • Yeah, exactly...this song sounds so chilling today, when we again see what means to have parents, friends and relatives struggling to make ends meet...And it hurts so badly...

    Damn...I almost got tears in my eyes...

  • Rage Against The Machine should learn something from this, before making an anal cover of this master piece.

  • You have to realize that Rage Against the Machine represents a completely different genre, and their cover is good as it is! (Not to mention that they only used the lyrics of the song, because it represents their view of social justice and freedom). I personally like both versions. And the only thing that I can say is that don't listen to the RATM version if you don't like it. But don't say that they have to learn! Please understand that IT IS A DIFFERENT GENRE!

  • I 100% agree with you.

  • @Totyi

    absolutelly well said and right!!

  • @Totyi Tom Morello kicks....The best guitar solo since Hendrix ... is that the version?

  • @Totyi you are not the one who makes the decisions of whats good and not, you dimwit, every individual does.

  • @Totyi

    There is some point you'll see.

    Dont come on here acting like the God you are not.

    The view you see is the one you follow.....

    Really, you're about the most ignorant person that has ever typed on here.