The Rage rendition was in the style of thrash rap, with live vocals echoed heavily. While thus radically different from the Springsteen original, it too was considered to be in line with the Guthrie tradition. It was a modest commercial success, in 1997 reaching number 35 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 34 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. It thus became the group's second charted song, following "Bulls on Parade".
The 1998 single version differs slightly from one on the post-breakup Renegades album, as the band had re-recorded the song by then. Only a limited number of copies exist but this version would be later included in the No Boundaries: A Benefit for the Kosovar Refugees compilation album. The cover artwork is called "Police Riot" by Eric Drooker.
"The Ghost of Tom Joad" made its live debut on April 25th, 1997, at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV.
Music video
Heather Parry produced and directed a live video for the song, shot in Irvine Meadows on September 18 and 19. It is identical to the version on the self-titled Rage Against the Machine video.
[edit] Track listing
1. "The Ghost of Tom Joad"
2. "Vietnow [Live in Detroit on the 23rd of August, 1997]"
3. "The Ghost of Tom Joad [Live Version]"
Other versions
The Swedish band Junip later covered the song on their Black Refuge EP in 2005.
Nickelback has been known to perform "The Ghost of Tom Joad" in their concerts, in an arrangement very similar to Rage Against the Machine's. Indeed, in introductions they have identified the song as Rage's, and play it as a tribute to the band's having (at that time) broken up.#
[edit] Other connections
The eponymous German Post-Punk-Band named themselves after this song.
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Rage Against the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's going some place and there's no turnin' back
The Highway Patrol chopper comin' up over the ridge
Man sleeps by a campfire under the bridge
The shelter line stretchin' around the corner
Welcome to the new world order
Families sleepin' in their cars out in the Southwest
No job, no home, no peace, no rest, no rest
And the highway is alive tonight
Nobody's foolin' nobody as to where it goes
I'm sitting down here in the campfire light
Searchin' for the ghost of Tom Joad
He pulls his prayer book out of a sleepin' bag
The preacher lights up a butt and takes a drag
He's waitin' for the time
When the last shall be first and the first shall be last
In a cardboard box 'neath the underpass
With a one way ticket to the promise land
With a hole in your belly and a gun in your hand
Lookin' for a pillow of solid rock
Bathin' in the city's aqueducts
And the highway is alive tonight
Nobody's foolin' nobody as to where it goes
I'm sittin' down here in the campfire light
With the ghost of old Tom Joad
Then Tom said "Ma, whenever ya seen a cop beatin' a guy
Wherever a hungry new born baby cries
Wherever there's a fight against the blood and hatred in the air
Look for me ma, I'll be there
Wherever somebody's strugglin' for a place to stand
For a decent job or a helpin' hand
Wherever somebody is strugglin' to be free
Look in their eyes ma, you'll see me"
You'll see me, you'll see me
You'll see me, you'll see me
You'll see me, you'll see me
You'll see me, you'll see me
And the highway is alive tonight
Nobody's foolin' nobody as to where it goes
I'm sittin' down here in the campfire light
With the ghost of Tom Joad
The lyrics of Rage Against the Machine's song The Ghost of Tom Joad paint a picture of social and economic struggle in contemporary America. The song tells the story of a man walking along a railroad track, searching for a better life. He encounters a world of poverty, homelessness, and oppression, symbolized by families sleeping in their cars and a shelter line stretching around the corner. The lyrics highlight themes of inequality and social injustice and encourage listeners to look for Tom Joad, a fictional character from John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath, who represents the hope for change.
The song takes a critical view of the current state of American society and suggests that the "new world order" is one of despair and suffering. The lyrics also suggest that Tom Joad represents a symbol of resistance, a figure who fights against oppression and injustice wherever he finds it. The song urges listeners to look for Tom Joad in the struggles of everyday life and to join him in the fight for social justice.
The Ghost of Tom Joad is a powerful protest song that draws on the tradition of folk music as a vehicle for political commentary. The lyrics of the song are a critique of the social and economic structures that perpetuate inequality and poverty in the United States. The song's message has resonated with listeners across generations and continues to inspire social activism today.
Line by Line Meaning
Man walks along the railroad track
A person is walking along the tracks of the railway.
He's Goin' some place, there's no turnin' back
The person is on a one-way journey with no chance of retreat.
The Highway Patrol chopper comin' up over the ridge
A helicopter of the highway patrol is approaching from over the hill.
Man sleeps by a campfire under the bridge
Someone is sleeping by a fire under the bridge.
The shelter line stretchin' around the corner
There is a long queue of people waiting in line for the shelter.
Welcome to the new world order
This is an ironic welcome to the dystopian new order of the world.
Families sleepin' in their cars out in the Southwest
There are families sleeping in their cars in the southwestern region.
No job, no home, no peace, no rest, no rest!
The people are suffering from unemployment, homelessness, lack of peace, and restlessness.
And The highway is alive tonight
The highway is buzzing with activity tonight.
Nobody's foolin' nobody is to where it goes
No one knows where the highway leads.
I'm sitting down here in the campfire light
The singer is sitting in the light of the campfire.
Searchin' for the ghost of Tom Joad
The artist is looking for the spirit of Tom Joad.
He pulls his prayer book out of a sleepin' bag
He takes out his prayer book from the sleeping bag.
The preacher lights up a butt and takes a drag
The preacher smokes a cigarette.
He's waitin' for the time when the last shall be first and the first shall be last
He is waiting for the reversal of fortunes when the last ones will become the first ones.
In a cardboard box 'neath the underpass
Someone is living in a cardboard box under the underpass.
With a one way ticket to the promised land
The person has a one-way ticket to the land of promises.
With a hole in your belly and a gun in your hand
The person is hungry and armed with a gun.
Lookin' for a pillow of solid rock
The person is searching for a rocky surface to use as a pillow.
Bathin' in the cities' aqueducts
The person is taking a bath in the city's aqueducts.
Now Tom said "Ma, whenever ya see a cop beatin' a guy
Tom told his mother that she could find him whenever she sees a cop beating someone up.
Wherever a hungry new born baby cries
Tom would be wherever a crying newborn baby was hungry.
Wherever there's a fight against the blood and hatred in the air
Tom would appear in places where there is a struggle against violence and hate.
Look for me ma'
Tom asks his mother to look for him in those places.
I'll be there
Tom assures his mother that he will be there.
Wherever somebodies strugglin' for a place to stand
Tom will join people who are fighting for their right to exist.
For a decent job or a helpin' hand
Tom will be there for people who need a good job and support from others.
Wherever somebody is strugglin' to be free
Tom will be there for people who are fighting for their freedom.
Look in their eyes ma, You'll see me!
Tom asks his mother to look into the people's eyes, and she will find him there.
With the Ghost of Tom Joad
The singer is still in search of the spirit of Tom Joad.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anthonyvecchio3567
Best cover in the history of covers. Even the Boss himself said this was insane. Check out the Bruce/Tom version, another awesome rendition. The lyrics hit every demographic, every feeling, every bit of what’s wrong with the world. It leaves everyone emotional at the end, I don’t care who you are.
@boymeetstaco8733
Well said 🙏
@richardthomas8116
Is the right response. 🤛
@katrinahouston6249
Yes. 🙆🏻♀️ very well said, for sure! 😢🙆🏻♀️
@joelosminski4525
VERY well said.
@mick7even
Facts matter
@DConstructiveCritic
26 years later this song still almost brings me to tears. So powerful. Saw RATM in 1997, it was one of the best concerts of my life. These guys are true musical geniuses.
@danielspikes9534
It is beyond beautifully classic
@danlebron2610
I saw them also in 97, Saginaw mi,fkn mind blowing.
@jaqg7478
Impresiona escucharlos aún hoy, en 2023
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