Bruce Springsteen with Tom Morello 2008 - The Ghost Of Tom Joad
According to the Washington Post. It's off. In fact it was never on.
But a source in Springsteen's camp tells The Washington Post that The Boss won't be anywhere near Invesco Field on Thursday.
"He's definitely not performing nor attending and has never planned to do so," says the source, who is privy to Springsteen's schedule.
-
Washington Post August 26, 2008
Nonetheless we can still enjoy him here.
more...
Tom Joad is the protagonist in John Steinbeck's, "The Grapes Of Wrath", a book that changed the world. This verse is a close quote from one of Tom Joad's most famous speeches in the book.
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."
- Ghost Of Tom Joad lyrics at brucespringsteen.net
This song describes the new hobo culture developing in the US comparing them to the migrant workers during the depression and dust bowl days portrayed by Tom Joad.
For those looking for a deep analysis I found this academic take on the Springsteen CD, "The Ghost Of Tom Joad" called "From Badlands to Better Days: Bruce Springsteen Observes Law and Politics" by William Haltom and Michael W. McCann.
From Badlands to Better Days: Bruce Springsteen Observes Law and Politics
Same article in html
Please commiserate with me in the comments. I was so hoping to see The Boss at the convention. Also let's have an open discussion about the meaning of Springsteen's lyric and how it applies to the politics of today.
Thanks,
Hairy Larry