Bruce Springstenn - Working on a Dream (2009)

 Bruce Springstenn - Working on a Dream (2009)

Bruce Springsteen – Working on a Dream (2009)

Release Date: January 27, 2009
Label: Columbia Records
Type: Studio Album
Genre: Rock / Heartland Rock / Pop-Rock
Length: 47:17
Producer: Brendan O’Brien

---

Overview

Working on a Dream is Bruce Springsteen’s fifteenth studio album, released at a moment when he was experiencing a major career resurgence following Magic. While its predecessor carried sharp political tension, Working on a Dream leans toward a more melodic, romantic, and reflective tone, blending classic rock, pop hooks, and introspective songwriting.

The album includes lighter, hopeful tracks such as “Working on a Dream” and “Outlaw Pete,” alongside darker, emotionally heavy moments like “The Last Carnival,” a tribute to the late Danny Federici. The album captures Springsteen balancing fantasy and realism, hope and loss, in a way that reflects both personal grief and broader social uncertainty.

Although critics were divided on its tone and production, the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and remains a unique and transitional entry in Springsteen’s late-career catalog.

---

Tracklist

1. Outlaw Pete – 8:01

2. My Lucky Day – 4:02

3. Working on a Dream – 4:47

4. Queen of the Supermarket – 4:38

5. What Love Can Do – 3:57

6. This Life – 4:30

7. Good Eye – 3:51

8. Tomorrow Never Knows – 4:02

9. Life Itself – 4:18

10. Kingdom of Days – 4:40

11. Surprise, Surprise – 3:24

12. The Last Carnival – 3:57

---

Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know?

• Super Bowl Spotlight: Springsteen performed “Working on a Dream” during his Super Bowl XLIII halftime show, boosting the album’s visibility.

• Fantasy Narrative: “Outlaw Pete” is an 8-minute Western-style fable, one of Springsteen’s most unusual opening tracks.

• Did You Know? “Queen of the Supermarket” sparked debate among fans for its unexpected romantic subject matter and gentle tone.

• Tribute Song: “The Last Carnival” is a heartfelt farewell to E Street Band organist Danny Federici, who passed away in 2008.

• Production Style: Brendan O’Brien employed lush, layered production, more polished than the raw sound of Magic.

• Touring: Songs from the album were featured on the Working on a Dream Tour, which emphasized spontaneity and long, varied setlists.

• Emotional Balance: The album shifts between hopeful escapism and reflective mourning, giving it a bittersweet feel.

• Critical Response: While mixed, many critics praised the album’s melodic strength and emotional sincerity.

• Legacy: Often viewed as a bridge between the intensity of Magic and the social commentary of Wrecking Ball.

---

Album Credits

Bruce Springsteen: Lead vocals, guitar, harmonica

E Street Band:

• Roy Bittan – Piano, keyboards

• Clarence Clemons – Saxophone

• Danny Federici – Organ, keyboards (final studio contributions)

• Garry Tallent – Bass

• Max Weinberg – Drums

• Steven Van Zandt – Guitar, backing vocals

• Patti Scialfa – Backing vocals

Production Team:

• Producer: Brendan O’Brien

• Engineers: Nick DiDia, Toby Scott

---

Mini Review

Working on a Dream presents Bruce Springsteen in a softer, more romantic, and reflective mood, balancing fantasy-driven storytelling with moments of deep personal loss. While its polished production and lighter tone divided critics, tracks like “Outlaw Pete,” “Kingdom of Days,” and “The Last Carnival” reveal emotional depth and melodic charm. Not as urgent as Magic, the album remains a thoughtful transitional work that captures hope, grief, and imagination within Springsteen’s evolving late-career arc.

Download Album from Amazon

Bruce Springsteen Full Discography