Bruce Springsteen - The Ghost Of Tom Joad Lyrics Meaning

March 2024 ยท 1 minute read

This song is not about the Great Depression or World War II.

Tom Joad was the main character in "The Grapes of Wrath" written by John Steinbeck and in the movie adaption by John Ford starring Henry Fonda. The book follows the Joad family as they migrate to California after being forced off their farm during the Great Depression.

In the Ghost of Tom Joad, Springsteen writes about the issues that were present during the first Bush era (homelessness, poverty, etc..) and evokes the memories of the Great Depression by referring to the Ghost of Tom Joad.

In fact, the last part of the song directly quotes and then expands on Tom Joad's last talk with his Ma in the movie.

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