The Boss's latest deal with Wal-Mart has his fans scratching their heads and wondering "Did Bruce Springsteen sell out?"
In a move confusing to his legions of fans, Bruce Springsteen has signed a deal with Wal-Mart to be the sole retailer for his new Greatest Hits album.
Springsteen has in the past expressed his political feelings as a pro-union populist, both in song and in action. Wal-Mart is often criticized as being anti-union. Recently, an employee was stampeded to death in a Wal-Mart not far from Springsteen’s native New Jersey. Springsteen and Wal-Mart seem incompatible, yet they have come together.
Bruce Springsteen’s History as Protest Song Revivalist
Bruce Springsteen has had a long history with the Protest Singer and Folk Music genres. Originally touted as “the next Bob Dylan” (one of many who would someday wear that mantle), Bruce combines blue collar ballads with accessible Rock and Folk Rock.
Many of his songs specifically reference the workingman’s plight. For example:
“Johnny 99”-- A laid off and poor auto worker shoots a night clerk (presumably during a robbery).
“Atlantic City”-- A man with “debts no honest man can pay” ends up doing a “favor” for the mafia.
“The Ghost of Tom Joad”-- inspired by Woody Guthrie’s “The Ballad of Tom Joad” and John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” it paints a brutal picture of the Dustbowl and equates it to modern times.
In 2006, Springsteen released We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, an album dedicated to covering songs made popular by member of the Almanac Singer and the Weavers, political activist, and solo Folk musician Pete Seeger.
Wal-Mart’s History of Anti-Labor Acts
Wal-Mart’s history of squashing Labor is as long as Springsteen’s history of supporting it. Wal-Mart employees can not become unionized. Attempts at unionization are met with hostility and often with firings. Wal-Mart workers often live far below the poverty level, according to the UFCW (United Food and Commercial Workers) program “Wake Up, Wal-Mart.”
In 2008, the day after Thanksgiving (known in America as “Black Friday”), Wal-Mart employee Jdimytai Damour was trampled to death at a Wal-Mart in Valley Stream, New York. Subsequent investigations showed a lack of security, training, and safety measures. Wal-Mart has not taken any responsibility for the incident.
Does Springsteen’s Deal With Wal-Mart Tarnish His Reputation?
Even if it is only a Greatest Hits album that is being released through Wal-Mart, any special deals with a corporation so contrary to Springsteen’s politics is disconcerting.
Many of Springsteen’s fans are upset at the Wal-Mart deal. Long time fan James Randall states “How can he (Springsteen) do this? He’s supposed to be for the working man. This goes against everything he stands for.” This sentiment has been echoed over and over across the Blogosphere, as fans vent their spleens at The Boss.
It is difficult to believe that Springsteen, who frequently covers Woody Guthrie songs in concert and recorded an entire album of Pete Seeger songs, is the same man who inked a deal with Wal-Mart.
In addition, Springsteen will be performing during the Halftime show at Superbowl XLIII. Randall points to this as another example of Springsteen “selling out.” “It’s not right,” Randall says. “All of my heroes are dead.”
Additional Sources
The Oregonian Editorial Board, “A Preventable Death at Wal-Mart”. Dec 1, 2008. http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/12/a_preventable_death_at_walmart.html
www.wakeupwalmart.com
Cohen, Jonathan. “Springsteen hits album due via Wal-Mart” Dec 23, 2008. Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSTRE4BN08Q20081224?sp=true
The copyright of the article Bruce Springsteen Signs Deal With Wal-Mart in Protest/Roots Music is owned by Craig Sanders. Permission to republish Bruce Springsteen Signs Deal With Wal-Mart in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
You people need to get your heads outta your a55es. The music industry has
changed. ALOT!! In case you haven't noticed, many artists are trying many
different ways to try to get their music out to new fans. Apparently Bruce
can not sit back and relax knowing that a few middle-aged fans will
continue to buy his records. At least he's not out writing songs for
commercials like others.
Jan 8, 2009 9:15 AM
Guest :
Yes, we all understand that "The music industry has changed"...
but really, this benefits WalMart far more than it benefits Bruce (does he
need the money from yet another GH package?) and given his history, he
should know better. I realize he needs a Super Bowl tie-in, but there had
to be a better way. I'm curious what his haigiog -- er, I mean, biographer
Dave Marsh will have to say; he has lambasted every other musician who's
ever gotten in bed with a big corporation, so what will he say about his
buddy Bruce?
Jan 14, 2009 8:58 AM
Guest :
As a long time Bruce fan,I am completely dazed and confused by his walmart
collaboration.Bruce the "Working Class Champion???" More like
Bruce the"Working Class Hypocrite!!!" He has lost ALL
credibility with this ex-fan,and many others who I have spoken with.I can't
listen to him and here any sincerity any longer,he's a PHONY !!! I have
bought my last Bruce Springsteen album.Bruce,maybe you could be a
"boss"at walmart,but they wouldn't pay you enough to take care of
your family,you wouldn't have sufficient health insurance,and if you talked
about unions,like you do at your concerts and on your website,you would be
fired! Robert P.Bard Easthampton,Ma.
Jan 15, 2009 12:00 PM
Craig Sanders :
As annoyed as I am with this move, i am willing to give bruce the benefit
of the doubt. maybe this was a record company move, or something he didnt
have a part of. i know i am grasping at straws, but bruce is a hometown
hero to me (i live on the ny/nj border. i dont want to believe that he
would betray his fans like this.
if it was anyone else, i would
understand. but not Walmart. anyone but Walmart.
Jan 30, 2009 2:00 PM
Guest :
No, Bruce you did not make a mistake by signing a deal with Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart starting pay rate is above what other retail stores start out and
they have one of the best affordable medical plans for their employees.
They are not anti-union. The employees at Wal-Mart do not want a union.
Most Wal-Mart employees enjoy their jobs because of the flexible hours,
fair pay, benefits, diversity, many opportunities for advancement in their
stores and the company. The tragic event that occured in the New York store
during the holiday season saddened everyone. If you have viewed the video
you would see that it can and has happened at other retail stores because
of customer behavior during a holiday or clearance sale. Customers are
usually the ones that hurt one another during the dash at one of these
sales. Because Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States, it is
the one that unions want to spread negative untruths because they would
like to have the union dues. They are not concerned about Wal-Mart
employees, their motive is generated by greed. There are others that spread
rumors and untruths, some disgruntled employees, some jealous
competitors...No business is perfect, but Wal-Mart is a far better
business, employer, and citizen than these would like for others to think.
Why don't you just check the company's record in their pay rates,
incentives, profit sharing & 401k, work hours, medical and dental
plans, vacation & personal hours, both for full and part-time
employees. Wal-Mart is very generous to charities, community involvement,
disaster relief, environmental issues,etc. You can check that out also.
Wal-Mart is America proud and there are many of your fans that work and
shop at Wal-Mart. You know that everyone is not going to like everything
you do or say for whatever reason or motive they have and it is the same
for other individuals and businesses.
Jan 30, 2009 4:30 PM
Guest :
Its all about the jingle then go out and say i made a mistake sounds like a
few of those washington thiefs
Jan 30, 2009 4:38 PM
Guest :
Don't complain Bruce. You knew whatyou got yourself into with Walmart. You
did it for the money.
Jan 30, 2009 5:48 PM
Guest :
Man, that 2pm comment HAD to be written by a Wally-Mart public relations
rep..LOL..!!! Nobody BELIEVES that crap anymore.. Wally-Marts stock just
made a 52wk low today.. I guess Springsteens signing on hasn't boosted
revenues yet..LOL..!!! NOBODY on this planet feels sorry for
Wally-Mart.. It used to mean something back in the day, "BUY
AMERICAN".. Now they stand for "SELL OUT AMERICA TO
CHINA"..LOL..!!!! Don't believe ANYTHING they say and only half of
what any UNION says.. Who cares about Springsteen anymore anyhow, I didn't
know he was still alive..
Jan 30, 2009 8:32 PM
Guest :
i have never bought any of his albums, never went to a concert...i always
knew there wasnt a reason to like this guy...traitor, hypocrite, phony,
liar, sell-out - through and through...situational ethics and the continued
greed and corporatism of being - born in the usa...oh it's all ok though,
you said it was a mistake...then donate all your profits and pay for your
mistake...suffer the consequences of your actions boss...
Jan 30, 2009 9:12 PM
Guest :
How much money does Bruce need????????????????????????????????????? Yes,
musicians are trying to find different ways to get their music out to fans.
Hmmmmmm................. How much money does anyone need??? Interesting choice.
signed
A musician who lost a
hero.
Jan 31, 2009 7:50 AM
Guest :
First, just because you like his music why do you really care about his
opinion? I get tired from these actors, musicians or famous people that
share their opinions like they actually mean something. Just keep singing
make gobs of money and keep your mouth closed.......Boss!
Jan 31, 2009 8:16 AM
Guest :
Yes, what a sell out. I won't buy your record, Bruce.
Jan 31, 2009 8:52 AM
Guest :
Make a deal at the Super Bowl Set up a skim from the show at Walmart
then immediately apologise Oh hell, I'll buy it that he is contrite Now the "Boss" who I remember so well from high school circa
73' is a politician. Is it that much different than anything else going on
in this world right now? no. Disenchanting? yes I think it would
have been better if he kept his mouth shut about it
Jan 31, 2009 5:22 PM
Craig Sanders :
I'm gonna put my 2 cents in a again, since this is my article. I am glad
that he manned up and admitted his mistake. That's one step. The second
step should be that he donates all proceeds from the walmwart deal to a
suitable charity.
I guess what pisses me off most lately is
that he has been cuddling up next to Pete Seeger lately (If you didn't know
how enamored I am of seeger, you haven't read much of my writing). How can
you do a tribute album for pete seeger and then turn around and deal with
everything he stands against?
The ball's in springsteen's court.
He can make this right.
BTW: I am all for him playing the
halftime superbowl. The superbowl is the biggest workingman holiday of
them all. I know I'll be watching
Jan 31, 2009 7:07 PM
Guest :
Springsteen wants us to boycott Walmart because of its anti union
activities but he forgets about us "REGULAR PEOPLE" to whom his
money grubbing music industry tried sue! We can't defend themselves, due to
the money issue and hiring a good lawyer. Who the heck is he to
boycott Walmart when Walmart has 4 dollar refills on perscription
medications. Lipitor is loosing its copyright soon which means generic
refills for this medication will soon be available, 4 dollars a 30 day
supply. Lipitor generic prevents heart attacks, which by the way plagues
the music industry because of rampid drug use ! How about a decent
pair of jeans for 10 dollars? Where do you find 10 dollar jeans at Sears or
any other store for that matter. Keep in mind jeans for people of all ages
to wear. MOST IMPORTANT A FAIR PRICED STORE TO SHOP FOR FOOD. THEY
BEAT LOCAL CHAIN STORES FOR PRICING AND QUALITY. Springsteen has all
this money in the bank! Springsteen is in my opinion out of touch with the
regular population who has to pay 15 or 20 dollars for his music when we
could, as before, download it from Napster for free? Download one song from
Napster and Joe/Jane regular working person is hauled into court facing a
lawsuit for 20 grand or so. Wrecking a person's good name by destroying
their credit. Springsteen and others like him all want their due !
Springsteen probably has more money in the bank than all us here together.
But these money grubbing musicians will still sue a common person working
for a living and barely making it. Springsteen for the working man? FAKE
CRAP USED TO JUSTIFY SELLING HIS MUSIC. PRESIDENT BUSH DID MORE FOR WORKING
AMERICANS THAN SPRINGSTEEN BY CUTTING TAXES which created jobs. I HAVE YET
TO SEE OBAMA PULL THAT RABBIT OUT OF HIS HAT!!! HEY SPRINGSTEEN GO TO THE
POOR AREAS OF THE USA AND TRY DONATING TO FOOD BANKS ETC. IF YOU DO THEN
YOU ARE A TRUE SOCIALIST. GIVING FISH TO THE POPULATION INSTEAD OF TEACHING
THEM TO FISH !! SPRINGSTEEN YOU PHONEY HOW DARE YOU TRY TO DESTROY A
COMPANY THAT BENEFITS ME, A WORKING PERSON LIVING FROM PAYCHECK TO
PAYCHECK! WALMART PLEASE COME TO MY TOWN. COMPANIES THAT MOVED
OUT OF THE COUNTRY, DISPLACING LOYAL WORKING AMERICANS SHOULD BE TAXED TO
DEATH BY OBAMA, NOT US WORKING PEOPLE ! LETS SEE SPRINGSTEEN WRITE A
SONG ABOUT THAT...
Feb 1, 2009 5:16 AM
Craig Sanders :
Just a reminder, all comments with foul language will be deleted. Not my
policy, but policy none the less. Keep it angry, but keep it clean
Feb 1, 2009 9:10 AM
Guest :
"The second step should be that he donates all proceeds from the
walmwart deal to a suitable charity."
How about a suitable
union? I think the UFCW would appreciate the help.
Feb 1, 2009 12:05 PM
Guest :
OK all you stupid WALMART haters get together and open your chain of stores
and compete against them. Pay your workers 4 times as much and give them
superb benefits and see if you can turn a profit. WALMART is a great
American Company that employ’s many handicapped workers and provides a
product at a great price. The GD Unions are only interested in unionizing
them because they would reap huge union dues to provide for their massive
corruption. All you Bruce lovers get a clue. He is either stupid or
he sold you out there is simply no other possibility. To think he did not
know what was going on in ridicules. The bottom line on all this is who
cares anyway. We as a country are doomed once we start spending over 2
trillion a year that we don’t have. If this spending bill was such a good
idea lets spend 10 trillion and come roaring out of the economic downturn.
Most Americans are now just about the dumbest group of people on earth.
Enjoy the real economic downturn coming in the next four years.
Feb 1, 2009 1:15 PM
Guest :
The "Boss" is an elitist! He is out of touch with the so called
working class and probably always has been. Has he even had a hit in the
last 25 years?? I challenge him to live on say.. $250,000 per year! Give
the rest away. Or he can continue to make millions and deny he is a
corporate entity Himself. Populist? No way. Socialist? No way.
Capitalist?? Why yes. Non Union? Of course. Hypocrite? Does anyone really
check out Walmart's employment practices or march lock step with what the
media is serving up. Might want to take a close look at union control as
well - follow the money. Oh well, I will continue to shop at Walmart and
support Walmart workers but don't worry Bruce, I am kinda sick of your old
depressing music so I will be sure NOT to buy it at Walmart - or
anywhere.
Feb 1, 2009 5:47 PM
Craig Sanders :
***I'm still trying not to laugh at the guy who started his rant with
blaming Springsteen for boycotting Wal-Mart, which is almost the direct
opposite of what is happening. Then he goes on to blame Obama (how did he
move to Obama?) for not solving the economic crisis in the 2 weeks that he
has been president.
"How about a suitable union? I think
the UFCW would appreciate the help."
***If he should help
any union, it should be the IWW ;)
"Does anyone really
check out Walmart's employment practices or march lock step with what the
media is serving up."
***There have been many lawsuits
against Wal-Mart in regards to their treatment of employees, including
child labor violations, use of illegal aliens, and forced over time without
pay. If you e-mail me, I will sent you a list.
"Pay your
workers 4 times as much and give them superb benefits and see if you can
turn a profit."
***I'm sorry, are you claiming that profit
is more important than the well being of your fellow man? Do you have a
handlebar mustache and laugh maniacally too?
"I challenge
him to live on say.. $250,000 per year! Give the rest away."
***I like that idea, but i would never force my ideals on another. Yet
if i had that kind of money, I would put almost all of it into a
scholorship fund. But that's just me.
Feb 2, 2009 12:42 PM
Guest :
Bruce has to sell his soul to the great big bad retailer because he has to
support his daughters never ending need for more expensive horses. Jessica
Simpson and her daddy's money have bought her way into the sport and got
her to the top of the sport. Owning and buying expensive horses takes
loads of cash and it doesn't look like his children are going to make any
money soon.
Feb 3, 2009 5:47 AM
Guest :
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Feb 3, 2009 8:30 AM
Guest :
I've always thought well of Bruce Springsteen, thinking him to be a
blue-collar kind of guy, down-to-earth, all that. But his lame apology for
selling out to WallMart left me unconvinced that he wasn't, in truth, a
sell-out. Then, his final shout "I'm going to Disneyland!" at the
end of his Super Bowl performance convinced me of my suspicions: Bruce has
made himself a multi-100 millionaire on the backs of working people who
have made what he is, despite having, what?, a 6-note range of voice?
Sorry, but I don't care if the music industry has changed - that's no
excuse for Springsteen to become a corporate lackey. Unless he does
something to redeem himself, he's proven he doesn't deserve either our
admiration or our money...
Feb 5, 2009 7:04 AM
Guest :
An "oversight"??? "We usually catch these sort of
things"???? Gimme an F'ing BREAK!!!! How STOOPID does this guy have
to be to think that these kind of excuses are going to fly with any of the
thinking fans (or in my case, former fans) that he has? The only thing
funnier than his response to this hypocrisy is the lack of available
information (online AND elsewhere) regarding the deal between these 2
moneymaking powerhouses... Hey! Here's an idea: Brucemart!!!!!
Feb 5, 2009 11:49 AM
Guest :
Frickin WAL-MART, the biggest enemy of America’s working class men &
woman; talking about selling your soul to the devil!!! How can Bruce
of all people say “we just dropped the ball” IT’S WAL-MART HOW CAN YOU
POSSBLE MAKE THAT MISTAKE!!! IT’S FRICKIN WAL-MART WHAT IS THERE TO
"VET"!!! And it’s not like “we made a mistake and now we
will donate the proceeds to charity”; I guess he is going to just keep his
blood money.
Feb 6, 2009 4:55 AM
Guest :
If there is one guy, who does a LOT for charity and awareness, it is Bruce
Springsteen. And if he finally makes an error of judgement, if you can call
it that, that's debateable, the so called fans are all over him. I bet a
lot of the money he makes with this deal, will be for charity and other
worthy causes. Imnsho he could do well without these now
"ex-fans". Yes, he played the Super Bowl too, and he went
to Disney World, well, good for him !! Hope they had a wónderfull time. I for sure had. Maria, the Netherlands
Feb 12, 2009 3:16 PM
Guest :
who cares? bruce springsteen sucks and at wal-mart it will be cheaper and
dont most working class people shop there anyway?
Feb 27, 2009 7:09 PM
Guest :
just went thru a smalltown america town (oak grove missouri) and saw that a
local, union, grocery store that we shopped out when we lived in the area
had closed it's doors. the reason why is that bruce's new partners,
"wallyworld" had built a super center in town. his partnership
with this company proves that he, like many others, play off the hearts and
minds of working people with their "fucking rhetoric and
bullshit" to reel us in and make us they really care. he is now no
more than carl ichan,ken lay, george bush and dick cheney,etc. go for the
bucks and tell them what they want to hear. my real problem is i really
believed bruce, given where he comes from and his background. when it
comes to wal mart, money rules with the rich and famous,huh, and "the
boss born in the usa" is no exception. thanks for the ride and kiss my
ass, i've been union all my life and will stay that way forever.
