I've seen Bruce Springsteen 108 times in concert including 8 times this year alone. In 2014 I was lucky to see Bruce when Tom Morello was temporarily in his band. When they played this song I was mesmerized by Tom. It is still the most amazing guitar performance I have ever seen live.
The thing about Bruce is his voice tends to take on the character he is inhabiting. In this case the outcast, down trodden, forgotten who are suffering and living rough, as depicted in the book, The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck. Listen to Nebraska where he is telling a story using the voice of Charles Starkweather, a serial killer. There is a coldness and matter of factness in his tone. I'm On Fire, the voice of longing and lust. You're Missing, a voice of pain and loss. The anger of Youngstown. If you listen to the lyrics and the tone of, or affliction in his voice they go together to create the portrait of the person telling the story.
Arm The Homeless on Tom's guitar is a statement for people to rise together and sometimes the invisible to be visible is to scare those with blinders on. I have worked with the homeless populations if Vancouver and Winnipeg for the last 25 years. And I agree sometimes with Tom.
I saw Springsteen on Sep. 23, 1985 at Mile High stadium in Denver.... We were on the 50 yard line and the stage was on the 20 yard line... We were suppose to see the show on the 20th but it was rained out so we had to come back on the 23rd......I was one of 78 thousand people that celebrated Springsteen's 36th birthday that night...... Best show I ever saw and the ticket ran me $25
Tom Morello equals Rage Against the Machine. Tom Joad Main character in Jon Steinbeck Novel depicting depression -era Midwesternors fleeing the Dustbowl to California. Where police refused to let them in.
It is about giving them the tools they need, or giving them a hand up, you're correct, but it's very much about giving them weapons too. It's a common leftist counterpoint to the right wing's 2nd amendment loving crowd, who states all citizens should have the right to bear arms, but they have no problem that the system is set up so low income and people of color have a much harder time using the right to bear arms. It's sorta tongue in cheek, but sort like hell yeah, they deserve to be able protect themselves too.
I'd say you're right in saying that "Love is one of the largest factors in change." I may even take a bit further and say it's the only factor in change. Everything else is and leads to the same old same old.
Bruce is the Woody Guthrie of multiple generations. If you like this kind of social justice art from Bruce, check out 41 Shots (Live in NYC). Very sad but excellent.
To understand who Tom Joad is it would help to see Henry Fonda’s portrayal of him in the short clip titled “The Grapes of Wrath: Tom Joad will be Everywhere” from the classic 1940 movie.
I saw Bruce live 11 years ago, it was his second longest show he had ever done at that time. One of my best moments in my life. I agree that his voice is not on top here, but Tom's guitar playing is :)
You can arm the homeless…not weapons .. but hope…dignity..shelter and nourishment! …many are veterans ignored by the very Country they fought for …disgusting!
I actually have seen this..shout out to the guy with the request but more so to you for getting stuff in that you just don't see anywhere else. And that New World Order line is as old as this song which was written at least 25 years ago. Same old song and dance..people get scared to bring up certain words that's because people are scared to bring them up lol..so there's no dialogue of it. If enough people start speaking instead of being scared to say certain things that narrative will change. World has been in the same old rut for years and years, not much has changed unfortunately. And last but not least Tom Morello needs to be in this greatest guitarist ever conversation..thank you Ms Madi!
Tom Joad is a literal character from a novel by a U.S. Author from about 80-100 years ago. I believe he’s almost like a U.S. Robin Hood but I haven’t googled the exact details so people can correct t me if I’m wrong. However, that’s my basic understanding. Anyway, an amazing performance by all involved, so meaningful and soulful.
Tom Joad was a character in John Steinbeck's novel Grapes of Wrath which is a Depression era story in which the main character (Tom) was forced to leave his native Oklahoma to work low paying jobs. The story was set almost 90 years ago. A further testament to how little some things have changed.
I think “arm the homeless” is the way to go. Lending a helping hand is great, but people should be provided with what is needed to help themselves. Nobody should depend on charity in order to survive in this age of humanity.
Hi Maddy, I have always seen Tom's "Arm the homeless" as an homage to Woody Guthrie who famously wrote "This machine kills fascists" on his guitar. Both can be interpreted as violent messages, but can also be read as metaphors. The first can be about empowerment, the second about supporting the anti-fascist aspect of World War II. Guthrie also has a song about Tom Joad. "The Ghost of Tom Joad" represents an interesting nexus of cultural and historical threads, especially when you throw in Rage Against the Machine.
Definitely check out the original. Much more haunting although this is a spectacular version. The original has more of a haunting campfire feel. I love how Bruce is a bandleader and never shies away from letting another person shine! We still need some hippies in this world fyi!
Bruce is always generous with other musicians; stepping aside to let them have the spotlight. I was lucky enough to see the first time Tom played this song with them in Anaheim. It was stunning! Everyone was blown away. Morello tells Howard Stern the story of how this came to be. It’s on a YT video. Highly recommend watching it.
I never knew Tom Morello could sing! I only knew him as one of the most innovative guitarists ever, you caught a glimpse of his Rage Against The Machne / Audioslave stylings here.
One of The Boss's finest compositions. This was originally a more acoustic song but the band were absolutely amazing here (and I DON'T agree with you about Bruce's voice) but I love your reactions. 🙋♂
Saw these guys do this song in the tour of Australia when Tom filled in as a band member. This and Shackled and Drawn were the two best songs for this pairing.
Have been homeless, wandered the highways riding my thumb. A vet, I was restless. My travels brought me close to many different people. I have watched my country change. My suggestion for you tonight, Maddy, is Steppenwolf, Suicide/America/Monster. A song as important now as it was 50 years ago. Peace to you.
Monster is an awesome epic that is still sadly relevant today. I saw this in the front row in the early 70s, John Kay was spitting out those lyrics mere feet away. Rock On! 🎸
Our government has not been kind to those who risk their lives for our country. Thank you so much for your service. If you haven’t seen it already, I highly recommend watching Springsteen’s 1975 Hammersmith Odeon performance of “Lost in the Flood”. That whole concert is legendary. But, that particular song is mind blowing. Gotta warn you that it’s about a vet returning home from Vietnam, and it’s deep.
Great performance from a concert full of them, in 2009 they had the Concerts for the Rock and Roll Hall of fame and TONS of great performers played there, another killer was U2 backing Mick Jaeger in Gimme Shelter with Fergie doing the female vocals and really sparking with Mick, it was a great version of this classic song, see it and the rest of the great shows as you can, well worth your time. You will be very entertained! Enjoy. 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎷🎶
2009 was a great year for the R & R HoF! Fergie really surprised me with her stellar performance. Keeping up with Mick, and then some, is not an easy thing to do.
Maddy, sometimes it’s best not to jump right in and comment prematurely. Had you waited, I think/hope you would have realized that there’s nothing wrong with Bruce’s voice here. He’s singing with the grit and depth of emotion that this song evokes. You need not say the first thing that comes to mind because it’s often off the mark.
Tom Morello also did a collaboration with Chris Stapleton on the song "The War Inside". I do prefer the Rage Against The Machine version over this one.
The Voices of the People aren't going to be polished. Too much pain. The Tribunes of the People were shot down in the decade after I was born, and it's been downhill since. A lot more homeless and a lot more billionaires, you would be a fool to think they're not related. Tom Joad is the major character from the book The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, the Great Depression.
You talk of change. What is really sad about this song is that it was written in the late 20th century referencing a character written about in the 1930s. And yet it is still relevant now in the 21st century. Nothing changes
The Grapes of Wrath (1940)...[ movie based on the book] Yes its very tought today but this song is a story is about Tom Jode's family and 100's of other families during the 1930s dust bowl in the midwest and remember this right in the midst of the great depression. We think times are tough now check out the movie and you'll get an idea of what "Tom Jodes family and so many other families had to deal with. Scratching 8 tracks ? Thats an idea but tossing those objects of mystery is a better one 😂 You are thinking of a DJ scratching on ablums it was an art back in the day ! ✌️🙂
I believe "The Grapes of Wrath" is the book that earned John Steinbeck the Nobel Prize for Literature. In my opinion it is the story of the American spirit and every American should read it at least once.
Tom Morello is the guitarist for Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine - the latter being a super-progressive band. Check out "Killing In the Name Of" - a song that kept the Xmas songs from. their normal number 1 position in the UK years after its release.
Those that are just making it by.... This is a huge part of our population. What i do for work the average person cannot do, but i make a few dollars more than minimum wage in my state. I'm busting my ass to learn more and move up but it's much more difficult to make it in this country than before.
Maddy - nice reaction to a fantastic and incredible live performance of a powerful song. But: Don’t sit and blink your eyes at what Morello has written on his guitar. Instead think about the wider implications of this song, the implications that you have yourself just outlined. Morello means something with this, and he is referencing something with this. Be curious. And this is one of the best live performances of all times ever.
Maddy, please one day could you react to Bruce Springsteen's live cover version of the Bee Gees classic 'Staying Alive' from his gig in Brisbane, Australia in 2014. It's really special. Thanks! 🙋♂
Yes! Yes! Yes! Another fun one from Australia is when he does a stump-the-band request for “Never Can Tell”. They’ve never rehearsed it, and more than half the band has never even heard the song. He has to teach the horn section the basics, and creates magic right before our eyes. It’s so joyful and absolutely amazing!
@@Ellellemm22 I can't find any videos of them playing "You Never Can Tell" in Australia. Was it Perth?, Brisbane? Melbourne? But.. there's audio of them playing it as far back as 1974, and for sure they resurrected it in 2009 for the Working On A Dream tour.
Love the original. Kind of hated this version. I know they were trying to punk it up and hammer the message across. But at points, Bruce sounded as if he were trying to pinch out a loaf. The fiddle and mandolin(?) made it sound like an Irish bar tune. Morello's obnoxious smirk and shout are wrong for the song. His guitar wankery at the end totally ruined the message. When you have a chance, please listen to the original. Heck, listen to the whole album.
I've seen Bruce Springsteen 108 times in concert including 8 times this year alone. In 2014 I was lucky to see Bruce when Tom Morello was temporarily in his band. When they played this song I was mesmerized by Tom. It is still the most amazing guitar performance I have ever seen live.
Jealous
The thing about Bruce is his voice tends to take on the character he is inhabiting. In this case the outcast, down trodden, forgotten who are suffering and living rough, as depicted in the book, The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck. Listen to Nebraska where he is telling a story using the voice of Charles Starkweather, a serial killer. There is a coldness and matter of factness in his tone. I'm On Fire, the voice of longing and lust. You're Missing, a voice of pain and loss. The anger of Youngstown. If you listen to the lyrics and the tone of, or affliction in his voice they go together to create the portrait of the person telling the story.
Great reaction Maddy. Tom Joad was the main character in The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck, a novel about Americans struggling in the Great Depression.
My favorite author and one of my favorite books.
One of the greatest book of all time.
Tom Joad is from Grapes of Wrath. He gives a speech in that story that is basically the 3rd verse of this song.
Arm The Homeless on Tom's guitar is a statement for people to rise together and sometimes the invisible to be visible is to scare those with blinders on. I have worked with the homeless populations if Vancouver and Winnipeg for the last 25 years. And I agree sometimes with Tom.
Thanks for reminding people to donate, volunteer and to get involved, you are a good person.
I saw Springsteen on Sep. 23, 1985 at Mile High stadium in Denver.... We were on the 50 yard line and the stage was on the 20 yard line... We were suppose to see the show on the 20th but it was rained out so we had to come back on the 23rd......I was one of 78 thousand people that celebrated Springsteen's 36th birthday that night...... Best show I ever saw and the ticket ran me $25
you really should go again. LOL
Tom Morello equals
Rage Against the Machine.
Tom Joad
Main character in Jon Steinbeck
Novel depicting depression -era
Midwesternors fleeing the Dustbowl to
California.
Where police refused to let them in.
Oooh!!
Arm doesn't mean weapons, it is more about, giving them the tools to succeed.
It is about giving them the tools they need, or giving them a hand up, you're correct, but it's very much about giving them weapons too. It's a common leftist counterpoint to the right wing's 2nd amendment loving crowd, who states all citizens should have the right to bear arms, but they have no problem that the system is set up so low income and people of color have a much harder time using the right to bear arms. It's sorta tongue in cheek, but sort like hell yeah, they deserve to be able protect themselves too.
I'd say you're right in saying that "Love is one of the largest factors in change." I may even take a bit further and say it's the only factor in change. Everything else is and leads to the same old same old.
Great..great performace..hits you in the soul...💔
Bruce Springsteen plays guitar like a craftsman, and Tom Morello plays like a virtuoso.
Bruce writes like a Nobel Prize winning poet. If there was a Nobel for guitarists, Tom would be a Nobel Prize winning guitarist.
Bruce is the Woody Guthrie of multiple generations. If you like this kind of social justice art from Bruce, check out 41 Shots (Live in NYC). Very sad but excellent.
"His voice is worn out..." Hilarious.
It is deep song 👍🏻👍🏻🎸🎸
"Arm the Homeless" give them the strength to fight back.
“Sitting by the campfire waiting for the ghost of Tom Joad”
In the book GOW, Tom Joad rose up and led the resistance. Leader of the People.
To understand who Tom Joad is it would help to see Henry Fonda’s portrayal of him in the short clip titled “The Grapes of Wrath: Tom Joad will be Everywhere” from the classic 1940 movie.
I saw Bruce live 11 years ago, it was his second longest show he had ever done at that time. One of my best moments in my life. I agree that his voice is not on top here, but Tom's guitar playing is :)
His guitar playing on the other hand is that of a man with something to say and prove, just an outstanding performance supporting Tom.
Tom morello always has something important written on his guitar. He is also a person who helps the homeless a lot.
He singing this song perfectly!
You can arm the homeless…not weapons .. but hope…dignity..shelter and nourishment! …many are veterans ignored by the very Country they fought for …disgusting!
Bruce!!!!!!!
Great song. Not sure about the pyrotechnics from Tom at the end. Not very E Street and why bother when you've got Nils on stage. But triffic song.
I actually have seen this..shout out to the guy with the request but more so to you for getting stuff in that you just don't see anywhere else. And that New World Order line is as old as this song which was written at least 25 years ago. Same old song and dance..people get scared to bring up certain words that's because people are scared to bring them up lol..so there's no dialogue of it. If enough people start speaking instead of being scared to say certain things that narrative will change. World has been in the same old rut for years and years, not much has changed unfortunately.
And last but not least Tom Morello needs to be in this greatest guitarist ever conversation..thank you Ms Madi!
Tom Joad is a literal character from a novel by a U.S. Author from about 80-100 years ago. I believe he’s almost like a U.S. Robin Hood but I haven’t googled the exact details so people can correct t me if I’m wrong. However, that’s my basic understanding. Anyway, an amazing performance by all involved, so meaningful and soulful.
THIS SONG WAS WRITTEN 28 YEARS AGO - THINGS ARE NOT GETTING BETTER
Oh wow 😵💫
Sad, but true.
This song is more relevant today than when he wrote it in ‘95.
Tom Joad was a character in John Steinbeck's novel Grapes of Wrath which is a Depression era story in which the main character (Tom) was forced to leave his native Oklahoma to work low paying jobs. The story was set almost 90 years ago. A further testament to how little some things have changed.
It's okay for me.
I think “arm the homeless” is the way to go. Lending a helping hand is great, but people should be provided with what is needed to help themselves. Nobody should depend on charity in order to survive in this age of humanity.
Tom is character from the book Grapes of wrath about dust bowl in the30's
Oh wow!
Hi Maddy, I have always seen Tom's "Arm the homeless" as an homage to Woody Guthrie who famously wrote "This machine kills fascists" on his guitar. Both can be interpreted as violent messages, but can also be read as metaphors. The first can be about empowerment, the second about supporting the anti-fascist aspect of World War II. Guthrie also has a song about Tom Joad. "The Ghost of Tom Joad" represents an interesting nexus of cultural and historical threads, especially when you throw in Rage Against the Machine.
Definitely check out the original. Much more haunting although this is a spectacular version. The original has more of a haunting campfire feel.
I love how Bruce is a bandleader and never shies away from letting another person shine!
We still need some hippies in this world fyi!
Bruce is always generous with other musicians; stepping aside to let them have the spotlight. I was lucky enough to see the first time Tom played this song with them in Anaheim. It was stunning! Everyone was blown away. Morello tells Howard Stern the story of how this came to be. It’s on a YT video. Highly recommend watching it.
I never knew Tom Morello could sing! I only knew him as one of the most innovative guitarists ever, you caught a glimpse of his Rage Against The Machne / Audioslave stylings here.
Are you listening? He CAN'T sing.
@@bossfan49 Disagree, Tom's Dylan-esque tone fit the lyrics of this song perfectly, just like Bruce's angry tone did the same.
One of The Boss's finest compositions. This was originally a more acoustic song but the band were absolutely amazing here (and I DON'T agree with you about Bruce's voice) but I love your reactions. 🙋♂
That was deep
Agreed
Saw these guys do this song in the tour of Australia when Tom filled in as a band member. This and Shackled and Drawn were the two best songs for this pairing.
Have been homeless, wandered the highways riding my thumb. A vet, I was restless. My travels brought me close to many different people. I have watched my country change. My suggestion for you tonight, Maddy, is Steppenwolf, Suicide/America/Monster. A song as important now as it was 50 years ago. Peace to you.
Hugs to you 🩷🩷🩷
Monster is an awesome epic that is still sadly relevant today. I saw this in the front row in the early 70s, John Kay was spitting out those lyrics mere feet away. Rock On! 🎸
Our government has not been kind to those who risk their lives for our country. Thank you so much for your service.
If you haven’t seen it already, I highly recommend watching Springsteen’s 1975 Hammersmith Odeon performance of “Lost in the Flood”. That whole concert is legendary. But, that particular song is mind blowing. Gotta warn you that it’s about a vet returning home from Vietnam, and it’s deep.
Great performance from a concert full of them, in 2009 they had the Concerts for the Rock and Roll Hall of fame and TONS of great performers played there, another killer was U2 backing Mick Jaeger in Gimme Shelter with Fergie doing the female vocals and really sparking with Mick, it was a great version of this classic song, see it and the rest of the great shows as you can, well worth your time. You will be very entertained! Enjoy. 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎷🎶
2009 was a great year for the R & R HoF! Fergie really surprised me with her stellar performance. Keeping up with Mick, and then some, is not an easy thing to do.
Maddy, sometimes it’s best not to jump right in and comment prematurely. Had you waited, I think/hope you would have realized that there’s nothing wrong with Bruce’s voice here. He’s singing with the grit and depth of emotion that this song evokes. You need not say the first thing that comes to mind because it’s often off the mark.
Tom Morello also did a collaboration with Chris Stapleton on the song "The War Inside".
I do prefer the Rage Against The Machine version over this one.
I don't know if you know this or not, but this is a Springsteen song that Rage covered.
@charleswharmbyiii8401 fully aware. The whole album was covers. I like Zachs pace and their overall tone more.
Just my opinion 😀
Beautiful!
excellent choice...Grapes of Wrath ..Tom Joad
RATM does the best version of this if you haven't heard it you need to compare it to this... Trust me I think you'll enjoy it much better.
I was going to post this too. You beat me to it! Zach sang this way better.
I prefer the quieter original Bruce version! It is more haunting!
I don’t know if anyone answered but Tom Joad is from “The Grapes of Wrath”
I'll take a nils lofgren solo anu day
The Voices of the People aren't going to be polished. Too much pain. The Tribunes of the People were shot down in the decade after I was born, and it's been downhill since. A lot more homeless and a lot more billionaires, you would be a fool to think they're not related. Tom Joad is the major character from the book The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, the Great Depression.
🩷
ah I found this a year or so ago, way cool.
You talk of change. What is really sad about this song is that it was written in the late 20th century referencing a character written about in the 1930s. And yet it is still relevant now in the 21st century. Nothing changes
Springsteen is the greatest singer/songwriter ever.
Well said maddy
The Grapes of Wrath (1940)...[ movie based on the book] Yes its very tought today but this song is a story is about Tom Jode's family and 100's of other families during the 1930s dust bowl in the midwest and remember this right in the midst of the great depression.
We think times are tough now check out the movie and you'll get an idea of what "Tom Jodes family and so many other families had to deal with.
Scratching 8 tracks ? Thats an idea but tossing those objects of mystery is a better one 😂
You are thinking of a DJ scratching on ablums it was an art back in the day ! ✌️🙂
I believe "The Grapes of Wrath" is the book that earned John Steinbeck the Nobel Prize for Literature. In my opinion it is the story of the American spirit and every American should read it at least once.
It was required reading in my high school English class. Great book. I love Steinbeck.
Tom Morello is the guitarist for Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine - the latter being a super-progressive band. Check out "Killing In the Name Of" - a song that kept the Xmas songs from. their normal number 1 position in the UK years after its release.
Rage Against The Machine did a cover of this. Love Springsteen version but RATM version blew my mind.
Loved it "The Boss" brought it, and Tom _______ ripped it. Yeah, the NWO is interesting. The Under- represented, will have our day soon. 😢
Those that are just making it by.... This is a huge part of our population. What i do for work the average person cannot do, but i make a few dollars more than minimum wage in my state. I'm busting my ass to learn more and move up but it's much more difficult to make it in this country than before.
Definitely!
Have you heard the rage against the machine version?
Maddy - nice reaction to a fantastic and incredible live performance of a powerful song. But: Don’t sit and blink your eyes at what Morello has written on his guitar. Instead think about the wider implications of this song, the implications that you have yourself just outlined. Morello means something with this, and he is referencing something with this. Be curious.
And this is one of the best live performances of all times ever.
Bruce's voice sounds the same as he always has. I don't hear any difference.
And he's currently 75 years old. He sounds GREAT!
Btw homelessness is not a thing in Sweden. Yes, there are a few but they are taken care of in their will to live out of grit.
Nice reaction beautiful! 😘
Darealdeal
It just doesn't have to be this way.
I need those frames
Maddy, please one day could you react to Bruce Springsteen's live cover version of the Bee Gees classic 'Staying Alive' from his gig in Brisbane, Australia in 2014. It's really special. Thanks! 🙋♂
Yes! Yes! Yes! Another fun one from Australia is when he does a stump-the-band request for “Never Can Tell”. They’ve never rehearsed it, and more than half the band has never even heard the song. He has to teach the horn section the basics, and creates magic right before our eyes. It’s so joyful and absolutely amazing!
@@Ellellemm22 I can't find any videos of them playing "You Never Can Tell" in Australia. Was it Perth?, Brisbane? Melbourne? But.. there's audio of them playing it as far back as 1974, and for sure they resurrected it in 2009 for the Working On A Dream tour.
ok staighten your hair and no glasses you look too hot
Love the original. Kind of hated this version. I know they were trying to punk it up and hammer the message across. But at points, Bruce sounded as if he were trying to pinch out a loaf. The fiddle and mandolin(?) made it sound like an Irish bar tune. Morello's obnoxious smirk and shout are wrong for the song. His guitar wankery at the end totally ruined the message.
When you have a chance, please listen to the original. Heck, listen to the whole album.
I love your show, but it takes balls to charge 1000 a ticket and complain about the rich screwing the working man and woman!
LOL OOOOOMF! 😵💫
wife and I have seen Springsteen 5 times and ticket costs were less than $100. I suspect a $1000 ticket was from the venue or scalpers Not from Bruce.
Not a Bruce fan.
Tom Morello ------------ Guitar player from "Rage against the Machine "