The Ghost Of Tom Joad: Art In Action
This is how art works.
In 1939, John Steinbeck publishes The Grapes Of Wrath. You know all about that.
The novel wins The Pulitzer and sells a trillion copies.
Somewhere along the way, a guy named Bruce Springsteen reads the novel. He likes it–so much so that he decides to write a song inspired by it. In 1995, nearly 60 years after The Grapes Of Wrath was released, Springsteen releases an album that includes the song, “The Ghost Of Tom Joad.”
Two years later, Rage Against The Machine covers Springsteen’s “The Ghost Of Tom Joad.” They release it as a single, and the song became their second “charted” song. Not surprisingly, the Rage version is much heavier than Springsteen’s mellow version.
Ten years later, Nickelback begins covering the Rage version of the song, prompting the ghost of Steinbeck to die a second death, while also prompting the literature and musical gods to bring a mean case of the howling skitters to all members of Nickelback. Most importantly, art died on the day Nickelback covered “The Ghost of Tom Joad.”
I jest. Obviously, I’m not a Nickelback fan. In all honesty, that’s not a bad cover, though. Even though their music sucks, at least they do a good job of covering other people’s music.
I do love the Springsteen version, and even the RATM version to a lesser degree.
Full lyrics below. As you’ll see, they are obviously inspired by the Steinbeck novel.
Isn’t it amazing how an classic piece of literature still inspires people to create more than 60 and 70 years later?
Men walkin’ ‘long the railroad tracks
Goin’ someplace there’s no goin’ back
Highway patrol choppers comin’ up over the ridge
Hot soup on a campfire under the bridge
Shelter line stretchin’ ’round the corner
Welcome to the new world order
Families sleepin’ in their cars in the Southwest
No home no job no peace no rest
The highway is alive tonight
But nobody’s kiddin’ nobody about where it goes
I’m sittin’ down here in the campfire light
Searchin’ for the ghost of Tom Joad
He pulls a prayer book out of his sleeping bag
Preacher lights up a butt and takes a drag
Waitin’ for when the last shall be first and the first shall be last
In a cardboard box ‘neath the underpass
Got a one-way ticket to the promised land
You got a hole in your belly and gun in your hand
Sleeping on a pillow of solid rock
Bathin’ in the city aqueduct
The highway is alive tonight
Where it’s headed everybody knows
I’m sittin’ down here in the campfire light
Waitin’ on the ghost of Tom Joad
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.”
Well the highway is alive tonight
But nobody’s kiddin’ nobody about where it goes
I’m sittin’ down here in the campfire light
With the ghost of old Tom Joad
I wonder if Nickelback even knows that song is based on The Grapes of Wrath?
I would hope so, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t.
Interesting!
The Springsteen song perfectly fits the book, in both subject and mood. Yet, even though I think folk music is the ‘right’ music for Grapes of Wrath, one could argue that the Rage Against the Machine version better matches the intensity of the anger of the book. Steinbeck really was raging against the machine, wasn’t he?
What annoys me about the Nickelback cover (other than the fact that it’s Nickelback) is that they present it as a Rage Against the Machine song, as if Bruce Springsteen had nothing to do with it. I feel that a truly good band would do their research and re-interpret the original song in their own way instead of stealing another band’s re-interpretation. The best remakes will inject something original. Rage Against the Machine did that. Nickelback just copied them.
I’ve finally broken down and started re-reading the book last night. I had just picked up a used hardcover published in 1960-something, only a day or two before you posted about the book the first time. I haven’t read it since high school. Already, I’m seeing different sides to it than I remember seeing in high school. I’ve also found that I’m reading more slowly than usual because I want to really savor the writing.
That’s great insight. I think the Rage version and the original Springsteen version fit the tone of the novel.
You missed a step!
Woody Guthrie sees movie, writes song for (paraphrased) the real stars of the movie, the Okies, who don’t have a dime to go see it, but who can listen to the song for free.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKWGAGPy_kw&w=420&h=315%5D
I did miss that! Thanks for mentioning it.
Interesting. I can’t believe all these connections! Great thing to point out. There are definately many ties and connections we can all make. It is a good example of how all of our work and truly inspire everyone.
I’m instantly uncool now but I didn’t know this was based on Grapes of wrath. I have never read it. I shall now as I’ve always loved the story of the song.