Working on a Dream
Working on a Dream is the sixteenth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on January 27, 2009, through Columbia Records.[2] It topped the charts in nine countries, including the US, where it was Springsteen's ninth No. 1.[3] "The Wrestler", which appeared as a bonus track, won a Golden Globe award. E Street Band guitarist Steve Van Zandt said that Working on a Dream completed a trilogy which started with The Rising (2002) and continued with Magic (2007), all of which were produced by Brendan O'Brien.[4]
Working on a Dream
January 27, 2009
Summer 2007–Fall 2008
51:20
Background and recording[edit]
The album was officially announced, along with a track listing, on November 17, 2008.[5] It emerged from work Springsteen and his band were doing as they completed Magic.[6][7] "What Love Can Do" was written, in Springsteen's words, as a "love in the time of Bush" meditation, but felt like the start of something new rather than a candidate for Magic.[6] Encouraged by Brendan O'Brien, Springsteen started work on a new album, and over the following week wrote "This Life," "My Lucky Day," "Life Itself," "Good Eye," and "Tomorrow Never Knows".[6] These were recorded with the E Street Band during breaks on the Magic Tour, and, unusually for Springsteen, most were finished in just a few takes.[5][6] He said, "I hope Working on a Dream has caught the energy of the band fresh off the road from some of the most exciting shows we've ever done."[7] As with Magic, most of the tracks were first recorded with a core band comprising Springsteen, drummer Max Weinberg, bassist Garry Tallent, and pianist Roy Bittan; other members' contributions were added later.[4] It was the last album to feature new work from founding E Street Band member Danny Federici, who died in April 2008. Federici's son Jason also contributes.[8] The tracks vary in length from over eight minutes, for the opening track, "Outlaw Pete", to under three minutes.[8] Steve Van Zandt said that Working on a Dream, The Rising and Magic work as a trilogy "in terms of sound, concept and writing style", and moved "toward the pop-rock form – this one more than the other two."[4]
Release[edit]
Springsteen first performed the title track, accompanied by Patti Scialfa, on November 2, 2008, in Cleveland during a show for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. An edited version was then broadcast during the November 16 NBC Sunday Night Football halftime broadcast. The single began airing on November 21, and was made available for free download via iTunes and the Sony BMG website on November 24.[9][10] It entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 195 the following week.[11] "My Lucky Day" was released in the US on Amazon on December 1.[12] "Life Itself" was released as a free download on Amazon on December 28.[13]
On January 12 the album was leaked onto the internet. A week later, NPR.org started streaming it free for a week, as did Sony BMG's Irish website.[14][15] It went on sale in Germany and Ireland on January 23. An extensive promotional push included appearances at the Golden Globe Awards, Barack Obama's presidential inauguration, a new greatest hits album, the Super Bowl XLIII half-time show and an anticipated appearance at the 81st Academy Awards.[16] The last of these went awry when, in what Rolling Stone termed "shocking news," "The Wrestler"—for which Springsteen had supplied the main song—was snubbed by the Academy and failed to gain a nomination.[17] Nevertheless, all the activity led Springsteen to say, "This has probably been the busiest month of my life."[18] In February, an abbreviated version of "Working on a Dream" was included in the Super Bowl performance. That month, VH1 Classic aired the documentary, Bruce Springsteen: The Making Of 'Working On A Dream.[19] The Working on a Dream Tour began on April 1.
Outlaw Pete graphic novel[edit]
In November 2014, Springsteen released a graphic novel titled Outlaw Pete which is based on the opening track from Working on a Dream.
The E Street Band
Additional musicians
Technical