Bruce Springsteen Unearths Lost Country Gold with “Repo Man”: A Deep Dive into Tracks II
Bruce Springsteen is giving fans a taste of something unexpected: a honky-tonk, country-tinged side project unearthed from the archives. The new track, "Repo Man," is a sneak peek into Tracks II: The Lost Albums, a collection of seven previously unreleased LPs set to drop on June 27th. But what makes this release so special, and what does it reveal about Springsteen's creative process?
During the recording sessions for his somber 1995 album, The Ghost of Tom Joad, Springsteen was also exploring a completely different sound. "What happened was I wrote all these country songs at the same time I wrote The Ghost of Tom Joad. Those sessions completely overlap each other," Springsteen explained. "I’m singing ‘Repo Man’ in the afternoon and ‘The Line’ at night. So the country record got made right along with The Ghost of Tom Joad."
"Repo Man" is a rowdy, lighthearted track showcasing a Chuck Berry-meets-Buck Owens vibe. Springsteen shouts, “You shouldn’t have bought it if you couldn’t have paid!” while Marty Rifkin's pedal steel guitar delivers scene-stealing solos. This rollicking tune turns class warfare into a comedic, high-energy experience.
The album Somewhere North of Nashville, from which "Repo Man" originates, was recorded live in the studio during the summer of 1995 with Danny Federici, Garry Tallent, and Gary Mallaber. It features instruments like pedal steel and fiddle, showcasing a sound inspired by honky-tonk, rockabilly, and uptempo country.
This new archival collection, Tracks II: The Lost Albums, isn't just a collection of B-sides; it's a glimpse into the diverse musical pathways Springsteen explored behind the scenes. Before "Repo Man", Springsteen shared "Blind Spot" from his hip-hop-inspired Streets of Philadelphia Sessions, "Rain in the River" from the lost album Perfect World, and "Faithless," recorded for an unmade film soundtrack.
Beyond the new music, Springsteen and the E Street Band are currently on tour, with dates stretching until July 3, 2025. Springsteen joked, "At this late date, like we say in the film, we’re going to be rolling until the wheels come off... Our band still legitimately likes one another. The film sort of encapsulates an amazing thing—the band remains as committed to its ideals as it was from the beginning."
"Repo Man" and the upcoming *Tracks II* box set reveal another layer of the iconic musician, showcasing his versatility and willingness to experiment beyond his signature sound. What do you think of Springsteen's foray into country music? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
