The Ghost of Tom Joad

In the opening of Rage Against the Machine’s version of “The Ghost of Tom Joad”, the music grows louder and louder, and the quick, past-faced guitar makes it sound as if somebody is running away from something. It gets louder and faster until it just fills your head with noises. Suddenly, the music comes in with a strong beat with high energy that is sure to excite any crowd. The repetitive chords make it seem like there is no end for this man’s struggle. Towards the end, however, you get the feeling that the man is not only going to beat everything that’s getting him down, but help others in the fight against evil (“You’ll see me!”). In the context of Tom Joad, he is a character that choses to help his family through the thick and thin of the Depression, and this song certainly expresses his interest in a way that perceives his character as tough, strong, and brave.

                Bruce Springtseen’s version, however, does the exact opposite. Rather than creating a heroic sort of character out of Tom Joad, he becomes more relatable—simply a man trying to get by. The harmonica opening sets the sad, slow tune echoes the sense of the Depression and the impact it clearly has on Joad and his family. The quietness of the music in the background forces the listener to focus on Springsteen’s deep, sincere voice. The song ends just as it begins, a solo with the harmonica. Ending the song this way leaves the listener to wonder how exactly life turns out for the man, and if he ever found strength to help everyone he promised to.