Bruce Springsteen will be releasing a new album on January 14, even if none of it is entirely new. High Hopes will bring together new recordings of a few well-known Springsteen classics, some tracks The Boss has only ever played in a live setting, as well as a few covers.
"This is music I always felt needed to be released. From the gangsters of 'Harry's Place,' the ill-prepared roomies on 'Frankie Fell in Love' (shades of Steve and I bumming together in our Asbury Park apartment) the travelers in the wasteland of "Hunter of Invisible Game," to the soldier and his visiting friend in "The Wall", I felt they all deserved a home and a hearing. Hope you enjoy it," Springsteen wrote in a statement.
Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, who's been touring with Springsteen and the E Street Band in lieu of Ronnie Van Zandt, suggested during the group's Australian tour that they add "High Hopes," a Tom Scott McConnell cover to the setlist. The move inspired Springsteen to revisit more of his old catalogue.
Aside from the title track, Springsteen also demonstrates a yearning for punk, covering Suicide's "Dream Baby Dream" and the Saints' "Just Like A Fire Would." Some, such as "The Ghost of Tom Joad," are familiar to both Morello (who covered the track with Rage) and fans. The vocalist seemed most interested in sharing "The Wall," a tribute to an old idol of Springsteen's who died during the Vietnam War. The song has been played before in concert, but never recorded. It was confirmed that late saxophonist Clarence Clemons would appear on at least one track, although no word was given as to which it would be. "The Wall," "Frankie Fell in Love," "This Is Your Sword" and "Down in the Hole" are the pony tracks that don't list Morello as appearing however, which might suggest that they are older recordings.
You can listen to the song "High Hopes" and check out the full tracklist below:
01) "High Hopes" - featuring Tom Morello
02) "Harry's Place" - featuring Tom Morello
03) "American Skin (41 Shots)" - featuring Tom Morello
04) "Just Like Fire Would" - featuring Tom Morello
05) "Down in the Hole"
06) "Heaven's Wall -featuring Tom Morello
07) "Frankie Fell in Love"
08) "This Is Your Sword"
09) "Hunter of Invisible Game" - featuring Tom Morello
10) "The Ghost of Tom Joad" - duet with Tom Morello
11) "The Wall"
12) "Dream Baby Dream" - featuring Tom Morello
