Wrecking Ball

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Lore & Background

The writing process for Wrecking Ball was anchored in 2011, though four key tracks predate the rest. 'Jack of All Trades' originated in 2009 after Springsteen addressed the crowd regarding the economy during a tour. The title track was also written in 2009 as a tribute to Giants Stadium before its demolition, later dedicated to the closing of Philadelphia's Spectrum. 'American Land' dates back to the 2006 Seeger Sessions, recorded but unreleased until now. 'Land of Hope and Dreams', written around 1998 or early 1999, first appeared on the 1999 Reunion Tour and was originally tracked in 2002 for The Rising sessions. These songs form a historical bridge, connecting past live performances to the studio album's urgent message about the 'ugly point' America reached after the financial crisis.

In Their Own Story

The album opens with 'We Take Care of Our Own', a track that mirrors 'Born in the U.S.A.' by contrasting patriotic choruses with verses detailing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and government failure. Tension rises in 'Death to My Hometown', an angry protest against Wall Street bankers featuring heavy Irish folk influences and Sacred Harp singing samples. The tone shifts on 'Rocky Ground', Springsteen's most experimental track, which includes a rare rap by Michelle Moore and looped gospel vocals from the Church of God in Christ Congregation. This experimentalism gives way to hope on 'Land of Hope and Dreams', where a compact, re-worked version utilizes electronic drums and a gospel choir to deliver an uplifting train metaphor for the American dream. The journey concludes with 'We Are Alive', a campfire-style acoustic number backed by mariachi horns that honors martyred strikers and protesters, asserting that while bodies lie in the dark, spirits rise to carry the fire.

Reader's Guide

Wrecking Ball arrived on March 5, 2012, in the UK and March 6 in the US. It received a Metacritic score of 78 based on 41 reviews. David Fricke of Rolling Stone called it 'the most despairing, confrontational and musically turbulent album Bruce Springsteen has ever made'. The record features only four E Street Band members: Clemons, Steven Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, and Patti Scialfa, alongside adjuncts Charlie Giordano and Soozie Tyrell. Special guests include Tom Morello and Matt Chamberlain. While the full band toured in support of the album, the studio recording leans on Sessions Band horn sections and guest artists. The production incorporates 'pots, pans, and every available hard surface' alongside traditional instruments like banjos, violins, and trumpets. Two tracks recorded for the sessions but excluded were 'American Man' and a re-recorded 'American Skin (41 Shots)', the latter appearing later on High Hopes.

Did You Know?

• The title track 'Wrecking Ball' was originally written in 2009 as a tribute to Giants Stadium before its demolition.
• 'Land of Hope and Dreams' features a studio version recorded in 2002 during The Rising sessions that remained unreleased until this album.
• 'Rocky Ground' includes the first rap ever featured on a Bruce Springsteen song, performed by Michelle Moore.
• The closing track 'We Are Alive' uses mariachi horns with a riff resembling Johnny Cash's 'Ring of Fire'.
• Clarence Clemons performs saxophone solos on 'Land of Hope and Dreams' despite dying in June 2011 before the album's release.