AMERICAN LAND

Album version



Whoa!

What is this land America, so many travel there
I'm going now while I'm still young, my darling meet me there
Wish me luck my lovely, I'll send for you when I can
And we'll make our home in the American land

Over there all the women wear silk and satin to their knees
And children, dear, the sweets, I hear, are growing on the trees
Gold comes rushing out the rivers straight into your hands
When you make your home in the American land

There's diamonds in the sidewalk, the gutters lined in song
Dear, I hear that beer flows through the faucets all night long
There's treasure for the taking, for any hard working man
Who'll make his home in the American land

Whoa!

Whoa!

I docked at Ellis Island in the city of light and spire
I wandered to the valley of red-hot steel and fire
We made the steel that built the cities with the sweat of our two hands
We made our home in the American land

Go!
There's diamonds in the sidewalk, the gutters lined in song
Dear, I hear that beer flows through the faucets all night long
There's treasure for the taking, for any hard working man
Who'll make his home in the American land

Whoa!
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!
???!
Come on!

The McNicholas, the Posalskis, the Smiths, Zerillis too
The Blacks, the Irish, Italians, the Germans and the Jews
They come across the water a thousand miles from home
With nothing in their bellies but the fire down below

They died building the railroads, they worked to bones and skin
They died in the fields and factories, names scattered in the wind
They died to get here a hundred years ago, they're still dying now
Their hands that built the country we're always trying to keep out

There's diamonds in the sidewalk, the gutters lined in song
Dear, I hear that beer flows through the faucets all night long
There's treasure for the taking, for any hard working man
Who'll make his home in the American land
Who'll make his home in the American land
Who'll make his home in the American land
Whoa!


Info

AMERICAN LAND is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 2012 album Wrecking Ball. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of AMERICAN LAND as released in 2012.


Writing and Recording

In the liner notes of the We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions - American Land Edition album, Springsteen wrote that AMERICAN LAND is "an original song inspired by 'He Lies in the American Land,' a poem by immigrant steelworker Andrew Kovaly and set to music by Pete Seeger." The song uses the first verse from Kovaly's HE LIES IN THE AMERICAN LAND.

Zirilli, name-checked in the song, the maiden name of Springsteen's mother, Adele, who's of Italian ancestry.

Bruce Springsteen first recorded AMERICAN LAND with The Seeger Sessions Band on 21 Jan 2006, during the last of the three Seeger Sessions. According to Brucebase, he also recorded a solo version at his home studio sometime later in 2006. Both studio versions remain unreleased.

A studio version was included on Springsteen's Wrecking Ball album. It was probably recorded sometime in 2011. The line-up on this track is Bruce Springsteen, Ron Aniello (backing vocals, hurdy gurdy, and more), Max Weinberg (drums), Charles Giordano (B-3 organ and celeste), Rob Lebert (backing vocals), Soozie Tyrell (violin and backing vocals), Ross Peterson (backing vocals), Cliff Norrell (backing vocals), Steven Van Zandt (mandolin and backing vocals), and Art Baron (sousaphone and penny whistle).

Lyrics Variations

The lyrics for the live versions of AMERICAN LAND have slightly changed from when it debuted in June 2006.

The live 22 Jun 2006 version and live 25 Jun 2006 version use the partially unintelligible "The ??? Asians, Arabs miles from home / Come across the water with a fire down below" lines in the fourth verse. These lines would soon after become "Come across the water a thousand miles from home / With nothin' in their bellies but the fire down below", as per the printed lyrics in the booklet of the We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions - American Land Edition album.

Instead or the usual "I wandered to the valley of red-hot steel and fire", the live 25 Jun 2006 version uses the "She met me in the valley of red-hot steel and fire" line in the third verse, as per the printed lyrics in the booklet of the We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions - American Land Edition album. That same version also omits the second verse ("Over there the women wear...").

Depending on the European country he's performing in, Springsteen often replaced "Germans" in the fourth verse by "Austrians", "British", "Danish", "Dutch", "Finnish", "French", "Norwegians", "Scots", "Spanish", "Swedes", "Swiss"... See the live 28 Jun 2009 version for an example. During the 28 Mar 2008 show in Portland, OR, there were women in the pit that wore shirts that said "Lesbians [heart] Bruce", so he replaced "Germans" by "lesbians". During the Glastonbury festival in England on 27 Jun 2009, he sang "The Blacks, Italians, the English, the Germans and the Jews".

On the Magic Tour and Working On A Dream Tour, Springsteen changed "...trying to keep down" into "...trying to keep out" in the last verse, apparently referring to the growing resistance against immigration.

Wrecking Ball

Wrecking Ball is Bruce Springsteen's seventeenth studio album. It was produced by Ron Aniello with Bruce Springsteen and executive producer Jon Landau and features special guest appearances from Tom Morello and Matt Chamberlain. The album features 11 new Springsteen recordings and a special edition includes two bonus tracks. All 13 tracks are Springsteen compositions, three of which have previously been released as live versions.

In 2010-2011, before the album came together, Springsteen was originally working on another project. In a December 2013 interview for Rolling Stone, Ron Aniello told Andy Greene: "Those were about 30 or 40 songs. They were very unique for him, unlike anything I'd ever heard." It was on 09 Jan 2011 that Aniello first went to Colts Neck to help Springsteen finish arrangements for the project he was working on. Those songs would eventually become the core of Western Stars, which wasn't released until 2019.

After they had been working together for about a month, Springsteen wrote EASY MONEY which was a different style of song to what they've been working on before. He had also written JACK OF ALL TRADES, WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN, WRECKING BALL, SHACKLED AND DRAWN, and ROCKY GROUND. The latter two were originally written for a gospel film project he was working on and on which he spent on-and-off about a year. As Aniello told WCHR-FM's Tom Cunningham, "things just started steam rolling into this other record, you know, not sure what was going round in his mind." Springsteen was bringing in more songs, and it was evident that the direction of the music was changing. Jon Landau came in, listened to the music, and after a discussion with Springsteen they decided to do a new album. "Literally, this man bought in a new song every day. He just bulldozed us with these songs," Aniello explained.

Springsteen was coming in every morning with a new song and it would start with just him and his guitar. He would then sing a rhythm to Aniello or sit down at the drums and play a beat. Aniello was looping these drum beats – no drum machines were used on Wrecking Ball – and adding other layers, like loops of percussion, also played by Springsteen. According to Aniello, this was done just for convenience because they were alone in studio, songs were coming in quick, and there were no other musicians there. The loops stayed, and other instruments were added at later stages. "Ron brought a large library of sound that allowed me to explore – like maybe a hip-hop drum loop or country-blues stomp loop," Springsteen told Rolling Stone in 2012. "The actual drums came later. There was no preconceived set of instruments that needed to be used, I could go anywhere, do anything, use anything. It was very wide open." Everybody who was around was participating in the recording. They even jumped on pieces of plywood, built some risers to stomp on, and hit couches to makes noises.

Wrecking Ball was mainly recorded at Stone Hill Studio, Springsteen's home studio at his Colts Neck, NJ farmhouse. The album was released on Columbia Records on 05 Mar 2012 in the UK, 06 Mar 2012 in the United States, and 21 Mar 2012 in Japan.

Bruce Springsteen -- Wrecking Ball
Bruce Springsteen -- Wrecking Ball

Wrecking Ball was recorded with a large ensemble of musicians. There's a core of six musicians and the others were just guest artists. Some E Street Band members appear on a few of the tracks. According to Ron Aniello, the album credits are "a mess" and will be revised in future reissues.

  • Bruce Springsteen (lead vocals, guitars, banjo, piano, organ, drums, percussion, and loops) appears on all of the album's tracks.
  • Ron Aniello (guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, loops, percussion, hurdy gurdy, and backing vocals) appears on all of the album's tracks. He is also the album producer.
  • Matt Chamberlain (drums and percussion) is an American musician, drummer, producer, songwriter, and session player. He appears on track 3, track 5, and track 8.
  • Max Weinberg (drums) is a member of The E Street Band and appears on track 7, track 11, and track 13.
  • Steve Jordan (percussion) has previously appeared on Springsteen's Devils & Dust, playing drums and percussion. He appears on track 2.
  • Kevin Buell (drums and backing vocals) is Springsteen's guitar technician. He appears on track 5.
  • Charles Giordano (accordion, piano, B-3 organ, and celeste) recorded and toured with The Seeger Sessions Band and became an unofficial member of The E Street Band in 2008. He appears on most of the album's tracks.
  • Marc Muller (pedal steel guitar) is a multi-instrumentalist who mainly plays string instruments. He plays pedal steel guitar on track 3.
  • Tom Morello (electric guitar) appears on track 4 and track 6.
  • Greg Leisz (banjo, mandola, and lap steel) is a multi-instrumentalist, mainly playing lap and pedal steel guitars, guitar, mandolin, and bass. He appears on track 8 and track 11.
  • Rob Lebert (electric guitar and backing vocals) appears on track 5, track 7, track 8, track 12, and track 13.
  • Darrell Leonard (trumpet and bass trumpet) is a Los Angeles based trumpet player, composer and arranger. He appears on track 11.
  • Curt Ramm (trumpet and cornet) toured with The Seeger Sessions Band. He appears on track 3, track 4, track 7, track 8, track 9, and track 10.
  • Clark Gayton (trombone) toured with The Seeger Sessions Band. He appears on track 3, track 4, track 8, track 9, and track 10.
  • Stan Harrison (clarinet, alto sax, and tenor sax) has previously appeared on Springsteen's The Promise, playing tenor saxophone. He appears on track 3, track 4, track 8, track 9, and track 10.
  • Ed Manion (tenor sax and baritone sax) is a member of The Miami Horns and he toured with The E Street Band in 1988 and recorded and toured with The Seeger Sessions Band. He appears on track 3, track 4, track 8, track 9, and track 10.
  • Dan Levine (alto horn and euphonium) is a New York City based musician who plays several horn instruments. He appears on track 3, track 4, track 9, and track 10.
  • Art Baron (euphonium, tuba, sousaphone, and penny whistle) recorded and toured with The Seeger Sessions Band. He appears on track 3, track 4, track 5, track 9, and track 10.
  • Clarence Clemons (saxophone) was a member of The E Street Band and appears on track 7 and track 10.
  • Soozie Tyrell (violin and backing vocals) started touring with The E Street Band in 2002 and toured with The Seeger Sessions Band in 2006. She appears on most of the album's tracks.
  • Patti Scialfa (backing vocals and vocal arrangements) is Springsteen's wife and a member of The E Street Band since 1984. She appears on most of the album's tracks.
  • Lisa Lowell (backing vocals) has been singing backup vocals on several Springsteen albums since 1992 and recorded and toured with The Seeger Sessions Band. She appears on track 1, track 2, track 3, track 6, track 7, track 10, and track 12.
  • Cindy Mizelle (background vocals) toured with The Seeger Sessions Band and The E Street Band in 2009. She appears on track 3.
  • Ross Peterson (backing vocals) appears on track 3, track 5, track 7, track 8, track 12, and track 13.
  • Cliff Norrell (tuba and backing vocals) is the album's recording engineer. He appears on track 3, track 5, track 7, track 8, track 12, and track 13.
  • New York String Section (strings), also known as the New York Chamber Consort, consists of Rob Mathes (orchestration), Sandy Park (string contractor), Lisa Kim (concertmaster), Myumju Lee (violin), Ann Lehmaan (violin), Lizz Lim (violin), Johanna Marher (violin), Annaliesa Place (violin), Fiona Simon (violin), Sharon Yamada (violin), Jung Sun Yu (violin), Karen Dreyfus (viola), Daniel Panner (viola), Robert Rinehart (viola), Mina Smith (cello), and Alan Stepansky (cello). It appears on track 1, track 4, and track 7.
  • Victorious Gospel Choir (backing vocals) has previously appeared on Springsteen's The Rising. On Wrecking Ball, the choir includes Michelle Moore, Antoinette Savage, Corinda Carford, Tiffeny Andrews, Soloman Cobbs, and Lillie Brown. It appears on track 2, track 9, and track 10. Michelle Moore is credited separately on the three tracks. The remaining singers are credited individually on track 2, and as the Victorious Gospel Choir on track 9 and track 10.
  • Jeremy McCoy (bass violin) is an orchestral double bass player. He appears on track 12.
  • Dan Shelly (bassoon) is an orchestral bassoon player. He appears on track 12.
  • Mark Romatz (contrabassoon) is an orchestral bassoon player. He appears on track 12.
  • Steven Van Zandt (mandolin and backing vocals) is a member of The E Street Band. He appears on track 7, track 10, and track 13.

Wrecking Ball is available in three configurations: standard CD edition, special CD edition, and double-disc LP. The special CD edition features two bonus tracks and exclusive packaging. The double-disc LP is pressed on 180-gram vinyl and includes the standard CD edition of the album.

The album topped the charts in 16 countries, including the United States and the UK.

Country Chart Peak position
Australia Aria Top 50 Albums Chart 2
Austria Alben Top 75 1
Belgium Ultratop 50 Albums (Flanders) 1
Belgium Ultratop 50 Albums (Wallonia) 3
Canada Billboard Top Canadian Albums 3
Croatia Arhiva Kombiniranih (all artists chart) 1
Croatia Arhiva Stranih (foreign artists sub-chart) 1
Czech Republic ČNS IFPI - CZ Albums Top 100 4
Denmark Album 40 1
Finland Suomen Virallinen Albumilista 1
France Top 200 Albums 3
Germany Media Control Charts Top 100 Albums 1
Greece 24
Hong Kong 22
Hungary Top 40 Albums 2
Ireland Top 100 Individual Artist Albums 1
Israel 3
Italy Top 20 Albums 1
Japan Japan Hot 100 16
New Zealand Album Top 40 1
Norway VG Lista Topp 40 Album 1
Poland Poland Albums Top 50 10
Portugal Albums Top 30 4
Slovenia 3
Spain Album Top 100 1
Sweden Sverigetopplistan Albums Top 60 1
Switzerland Albums Top 100 1
The Netherlands GFK Dutch AlbumTop 100 1
UK Official UK Albums Top 100 1
USA Billboard 200 1

Other Official Releases

Other versions of AMERICAN LAND were also officially released.

Bruce Springsteen -- We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions - American Land Edition
The live 22 Jun 2006 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions - American Land Edition album in 2006.
Bruce Springsteen -- Wembley Arena, November 11, 2006
The live 11 Nov 2006 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the Wembley Arena, November 11, 2006 official live download in 2020.
Bruce Springsteen with The Sessions Band -- Live In Dublin
The live 18 Nov 2006 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the Live In Dublin album and home video in 2007.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- TD Banknorth Garden, Boston 11/19/07
The live 19 Nov 2007 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the TD Banknorth Garden, Boston 11/19/07 official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL, April 22, 2008
The live 22 Apr 2008 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL, April 22, 2008 official live download in 2019.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Greensboro, North Carolina April 28, 2008
The live 28 Apr 2008 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the Greensboro, North Carolina April 28, 2008 official live download in 2020.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO 8/23/2008
The live 23 Aug 2008 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO 8/23/2008 official live download in 2017.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Nassau Coliseum 05.04.09
The live 04 May 2009 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the Nassau Coliseum 05.04.09 official live download in 2020.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- London Calling: Live In Hyde Park
The live 28 Jun 2009 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the London Calling: Live In Hyde Park home video in 2010.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 10/20/09
The live 20 Oct 2009 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 10/20/09 official live download in 2017.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- MSG 11.07.09
The live 07 Nov 2009 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the MSG 11.07.09 official live download in 2020.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- MSG Nov 08, 2009
The live 08 Nov 2009 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the MSG Nov 08, 2009 official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY 11/22/2009
The live 22 Nov 2009 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY 11/22/2009 official live download in 2016.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- St. Paul, MN Nov 12, 2012
The live 12 Nov 2012 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the St. Paul, MN Nov 12, 2012 official live download in 2020.
live.brucespringsteen.net
Audio recordings for most High Hopes Tour shows were officially released on live.brucespringsteen.net. These include one version of AMERICAN LAND.

  1. 08 Feb 2014 at Perth Arena, Perth, Australia
live.brucespringsteen.net
Audio recordings for all The River Tour 2016 shows were officially released on live.brucespringsteen.net. These include one version of AMERICAN LAND.

  1. 17 Mar 2016 at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
live.brucespringsteen.net
Audio recordings for all the Summer '17 Tour shows were officially released on live.brucespringsteen.net. These include 2 versions of AMERICAN LAND.

  1. 30 Jan 2017 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, Australia
  2. 02 Feb 2017 at AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
  3. 04 Feb 2017 at AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
  4. 07 Feb 2017 at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
  5. 11 Feb 2017 at Hanging Rock, Macedon, Australia

Live History: on-tour

In preparation for The Seeger Sessions Tour, AMERICAN LAND is known to have been practiced during at least two of the private rehearsals that took place in September 2006 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's second European leg.

  1. 19 Sep 2006 at Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ (private rehearsal)
  2. 20 Sep 2006 at Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ (private rehearsal)

AMERICAN LAND was performed 30 times during The Seeger Sessions Tour (56 dates, April to November 2006); every single show from 22 Jun 2006 and till the end of the tour. It was the show opener on the last three dates of the U.S. leg, and the show closer on every date of the second European leg. The live 22 Jun 2006 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions - American Land Edition album in 2006. The live 11 Nov 2006 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the Wembley Arena, November 11, 2006 official live download in 2020. The live 18 Nov 2006 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the Live In Dublin album and home video in 2007.

  1. 22 Jun 2006 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
  2. 24 Jun 2006 at PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
  3. 25 Jun 2006 at PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
  4. 01 Oct 2006 at Palamalaguti, Bologna, Italy
  5. 02 Oct 2006 at Palaisozaki, Torino, Italy
  6. 04 Oct 2006 at Villa Manin, Udine, Italy
  7. 05 Oct 2006 at Arena Di Verona, Verona, Italy
  8. 07 Oct 2006 at Arena Santa Giuliana, Perugia, Italy
  9. 08 Oct 2006 at Palamaggiò, Caserta, Italy
  10. 10 Oct 2006 at Palalottomatica, Rome, Italy
  11. 12 Oct 2006 at Color Line Arena, Hamburg, Germany
  12. 13 Oct 2006 at Sportpaleis Ahoy, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  13. 19 Oct 2006 at Plaza De Toros De Las Ventas, Madrid, Spain
  14. 21 Oct 2006 at Estadio Ciutat De València, Valencia, Spain
  15. 22 Oct 2006 at Plaza De Toros De Granada, Granada, Spain
  16. 24 Oct 2006 at Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain
  17. 25 Oct 2006 at Pabellón Deportivo, Santander, Spain
  18. 28 Oct 2006 at Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
  19. 29 Oct 2006 at Oslo Spektrum, Oslo, Norway
  20. 30 Oct 2006 at Globe Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
  21. 06 Nov 2006 at Kölnarena, Cologne, Germany, Cologne, Germany
  22. 07 Nov 2006 at Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
  23. 09 Nov 2006 at The NEC Arena, Birmingham, England
  24. 11 Nov 2006 at Wembley Arena, London, England
  25. 12 Nov 2006 at Wembley Arena, London, England
  26. 14 Nov 2006 at Hallam Fm Arena, Sheffield, England
  27. 17 Nov 2006 at Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
  28. 18 Nov 2006 at Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
  29. 19 Nov 2006 at Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
  30. 21 Nov 2006 at Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland

In preparation for the Magic Tour, AMERICAN LAND was performed during all of the tour's three public warm-up rehearsal shows that took place in September 2007 in Asbury Park and East Rutherford. The song is also known to have been practiced during at least one of the private rehearsals that took place in September 2007 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's first leg, and during at least one of the private rehearsals that took place in February 2008 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's second U.S. leg.

  1. 18 Sep 2007 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ (private rehearsal)
  2. 24 Sep 2007 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ (public rehearsal)
  3. 25 Sep 2007 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ (public rehearsal, with Jeremy Chatzky and Curt Ramm)
  4. 28 Sep 2007 at Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ (public rehearsal, with Lisa Lowell and Larry Eagle)
  5. 25 Feb 2008 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ (private rehearsal)

AMERICAN LAND was performed 100 times during the Magic Tour (100 dates, October 2007 to August 2008); that is each and every one of the tour's regular dates. The song was always played during the encores and featured guest musicians on several occasions. The 30 Aug 2008 performance was during Harley-Davidson's 105th Anniversary Celebration. The live 19 Nov 2007 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the TD Banknorth Garden, Boston 11/19/07 official live download in 2018. The live 22 Apr 2008 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL, April 22, 2008 official live download in 2019. The live 28 Apr 2008 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the Greensboro, North Carolina April 28, 2008 official live download in 2020. The live 23 Aug 2008 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO 8/23/2008 official live download in 2017.

  1. 02 Oct 2007 at Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT
  2. 05 Oct 2007 at Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
  3. 06 Oct 2007 at Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
  4. 09 Oct 2007 at Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
  5. 10 Oct 2007 at Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
  6. 14 Oct 2007 at Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, Canada
  7. 15 Oct 2007 at Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada
  8. 17 Oct 2007 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
  9. 18 Oct 2007 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY (with Lisa Lowell, Jeremy Chatzky, Larry Eagle, Charles Giordano, and Greg Liszt)
  10. 21 Oct 2007 at United Center, Chicago, IL
  11. 22 Oct 2007 at United Center, Chicago, IL
  12. 25 Oct 2007 at Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
  13. 26 Oct 2007 at Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
  14. 29 Oct 2007 at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
  15. 30 Oct 2007 at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
  16. 02 Nov 2007 at Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
  17. 04 Nov 2007 at Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
  18. 05 Nov 2007 at The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI
  19. 11 Nov 2007 at Verizon Center, Washington, DC (with Frank Bruno)
  20. 12 Nov 2007 at Verizon Center, Washington, DC
  21. 14 Nov 2007 at Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
  22. 15 Nov 2007 at Times Union Center, Albany, NY
  23. 18 Nov 2007 at TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
  24. 19 Nov 2007 at TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
  25. 25 Nov 2007 at Palacio De Deportes De La Comunidad De Madrid, Madrid, Spain
  26. 26 Nov 2007 at Bizkaia Arena, Bilbao, Spain
  27. 28 Nov 2007 at Datch Forum, Milan, Italy
  28. 01 Dec 2007 at Gelredome, Arnhem, The Netherlands
  29. 02 Dec 2007 at Sap Arena, Mannheim, Germany
  30. 04 Dec 2007 at Oslo Spektrum, Oslo, Norway
  31. 08 Dec 2007 at Forum København, Copenhagen, Denmark
  32. 10 Dec 2007 at Globe Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
  33. 12 Dec 2007 at Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
  34. 13 Dec 2007 at Kölnarena, Cologne, Germany
  35. 15 Dec 2007 at Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland
  36. 17 Dec 2007 at Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
  37. 19 Dec 2007 at The O2 Arena, London, England
  38. 28 Feb 2008 at Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT
  39. 02 Mar 2008 at Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada
  40. 03 Mar 2008 at Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Canada
  41. 06 Mar 2008 at Blue Cross Arena At The War Memorial, Rochester, NY
  42. 07 Mar 2008 at HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY
  43. 10 Mar 2008 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
  44. 14 Mar 2008 at Qwest Center, Omaha, NE
  45. 16 Mar 2008 at Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
  46. 17 Mar 2008 at Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
  47. 20 Mar 2008 at Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN (with Danny Federici)
  48. 22 Mar 2008 at U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH
  49. 24 Mar 2008 at Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
  50. 28 Mar 2008 at Rose Garden, Portland, OR
  51. 29 Mar 2008 at Keyarena At Seattle Center, Seattle, WA
  52. 31 Mar 2008 at GM Place, Vancouver, BC
  53. 04 Apr 2008 at Arco Arena, Sacramento, CA
  54. 05 Apr 2008 at HP Pavilion At San Jose, San Jose, CA
  55. 07 Apr 2008 at Honda Center, Anaheim, CA (with Marty Rifkin and Marc Anthony Thompson)
  56. 08 Apr 2008 at Honda Center, Anaheim, CA (with Tom Morello)
  57. 13 Apr 2008 at American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
  58. 14 Apr 2008 at Toyota Center, Houston, TX
  59. 22 Apr 2008 at St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL
  60. 23 Apr 2008 at Amway Arena, Orlando, FL
  61. 25 Apr 2008 at Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
  62. 27 Apr 2008 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena, Charlotte, NC (with Frank Bruno Jr.)
  63. 28 Apr 2008 at Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
  64. 30 Apr 2008 at John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA
  65. 02 May 2008 at BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, FL
  66. 22 May 2008 at RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
  67. 23 May 2008 at RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
  68. 25 May 2008 at RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
  69. 28 May 2008 at Old Trafford, Manchester, England
  70. 30 May 2008 at Emirates Stadium, London, England
  71. 31 May 2008 at Emirates Stadium, London, England
  72. 14 Jun 2008 at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
  73. 16 Jun 2008 at LTU Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany
  74. 18 Jun 2008 at Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  75. 21 Jun 2008 at HSH Nordbank Arena, Hamburg, Germany
  76. 23 Jun 2008 at Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
  77. 25 Jun 2008 at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy
  78. 27 Jun 2008 at Parc Des Princes, Paris, France (with Elliott Murphy)
  79. 29 Jun 2008 at Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
  80. 04 Jul 2008 at Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
  81. 05 Jul 2008 at Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
  82. 07 Jul 2008 at Valle Hovin Stadion, Oslo, Norway
  83. 08 Jul 2008 at Valle Hovin Stadion, Oslo, Norway
  84. 11 Jul 2008 at Olympiastadion, Helsinki, Finland
  85. 15 Jul 2008 at Estadio Anoeta, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
  86. 17 Jul 2008 at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
  87. 19 Jul 2008 at Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
  88. 20 Jul 2008 at Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
  89. 27 Jul 2008 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
  90. 28 Jul 2008 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
  91. 31 Jul 2008 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (with Jeremy Chatzky, Sam Bardfeld, and Curtis King)
  92. 02 Aug 2008 at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
  93. 15 Aug 2008 at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, FL
  94. 16 Aug 2008 at North Charleston Coliseum, Charleston, SC
  95. 18 Aug 2008 at Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, VA
  96. 19 Aug 2008 at Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PA
  97. 21 Aug 2008 at Sommet Center, Nashville, TN
  98. 23 Aug 2008 at Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO
  99. 24 Aug 2008 at Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
  100. 30 Aug 2008 at The Roadhouse At The Lakefront, Milwaukee, WI

In preparation for the Working On A Dream Tour, AMERICAN LAND was performed during both of the tour's two public warm-up rehearsal shows that took place in March 2009 in Asbury Park. The song is also known to have been practiced during at least 2 of the private rehearsals that took place in March 2009 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's first leg.

  1. 13 Mar 2009 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ (private rehearsal, with Jay Weinberg, without Bruce Springsteen)
  2. 19 Mar 2009 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ (private rehearsal, with Jay Weinberg)
  3. 23 Mar 2009 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ (public rehearsal, with Jay Weinberg)
  4. 24 Mar 2009 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ (public rehearsal)

AMERICAN LAND was performed 83 times during the Working On A Dream Tour (83 dates, April to November 2009); that is each and every one of the tour's regular dates. The song was always played during the encores and often featured guest musicians. Most performances of AMERICAN LAND on this tour featured an instrumental snippet of THEME FROM SHAFT in the midsection. The live 04 May 2009 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the Nassau Coliseum 05.04.09 official live download in 2020. The live 28 Jun 2009 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the London Calling: Live In Hyde Park home video in 2010. The live 20 Oct 2009 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 10/20/09 official live download in 2017. The live 07 Nov 2009 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the MSG 11.07.09 official live download in 2020. The live 08 Nov 2009 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the MSG Nov 08, 2009 official live download in 2018. The live 22 Nov 2009 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY 11/22/2009 official live download in 2016.

  1. 01 Apr 2009 at HP Pavilion At San Jose, San Jose, CA
  2. 03 Apr 2009 at Jobing.com Arena, Glendale, AZ
  3. 05 Apr 2009 at University Of Texas, Austin, TX
  4. 07 Apr 2009 at BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
  5. 08 Apr 2009 at Toyota Center, Houston, TX
  6. 10 Apr 2009 at Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
  7. 15 Apr 2009 at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
  8. 16 Apr 2009 at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
  9. 21 Apr 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
  10. 22 Apr 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA (with the Dropkick Murphys and Jay Weinberg)
  11. 24 Apr 2009 at XL Center, Hartford, CT
  12. 26 Apr 2009 at Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA (with Jay Weinberg)
  13. 28 Apr 2009 at Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
  14. 29 Apr 2009 at Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA (with Jay Weinberg)
  15. 02 May 2009 at Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC (with Frank Bruno and Jay Weinberg)
  16. 04 May 2009 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
  17. 05 May 2009 at John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA (with Jay Weinberg)
  18. 07 May 2009 at Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada
  19. 08 May 2009 at Penn State University, University Park, PA
  20. 11 May 2009 at Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
  21. 12 May 2009 at United Center, Chicago, IL (with Jay Weinberg)
  22. 14 May 2009 at Times Union Center, Albany, NY
  23. 15 May 2009 at Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PA
  24. 18 May 2009 at Verizon Center, Washington, DC
  25. 19 May 2009 at Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
  26. 21 May 2009 at Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ (with Jay Weinberg)
  27. 23 May 2009 at Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ
  28. 30 May 2009 at Megaland, Landgraaf, The Netherlands (with Jay Weinberg)
  29. 02 Jun 2009 at Ratinan Stadion, Tampere, Finland (with Jay Weinberg)
  30. 04 Jun 2009 at Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden (with Jay Weinberg and Ali Weinberg)
  31. 05 Jun 2009 at Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden (with Jay Weinberg)
  32. 07 Jun 2009 at Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden (with Jay Weinberg and Ali Weinberg)
  33. 09 Jun 2009 at Koengen, Bergen, Norway (with Jay Weinberg)
  34. 10 Jun 2009 at Koengen, Bergen, Norway (with Jay Weinberg and Ali Weinberg)
  35. 13 Jun 2009 at Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN (with Evan Springsteen and Jay Weinberg)
  36. 27 Jun 2009 at Worthy Farm, Pilton, England
  37. 28 Jun 2009 at Hyde Park, London, England
  38. 30 Jun 2009 at Stade De Suisse, Bern, Switzerland
  39. 02 Jul 2009 at Olympiastadion, Munich, Germany
  40. 03 Jul 2009 at Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt, Germany
  41. 05 Jul 2009 at Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria
  42. 08 Jul 2009 at MCH Arena Herning, Herning, Denmark
  43. 11 Jul 2009 at RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland (with Evan Springsteen)
  44. 12 Jul 2009 at RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
  45. 14 Jul 2009 at Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland (with Evan Springsteen)
  46. 16 Jul 2009 at Festival Des Vieilles Charrues, Carhaix, France (with Evan Springsteen)
  47. 19 Jul 2009 at Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
  48. 21 Jul 2009 at Stadio Olimpico Di Torino, Turin, Italy
  49. 23 Jul 2009 at Stadio Friuli, Udine, Italy
  50. 26 Jul 2009 at Estadio San Mamés, Bilbao, Spain
  51. 28 Jul 2009 at Estadio Olimpico De La Cartuja, Seville, Spain (with Jay Weinberg)
  52. 30 Jul 2009 at Estadio Municipal De Foietes, Benidorm, Spain
  53. 01 Aug 2009 at Estadio José Zorrilla, Valladolid, Spain
  54. 02 Aug 2009 at Auditorio Monte Do Gozo, Santiago De Compostela, Spain
  55. 19 Aug 2009 at Comcast Theatre, Hartford, CT
  56. 22 Aug 2009 at Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA
  57. 23 Aug 2009 at Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA (with Ken Casey and Jay Weinberg)
  58. 25 Aug 2009 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY (with Jay Weinberg)
  59. 12 Sep 2009 at Ford Amphitheatre, Tampa, FL
  60. 13 Sep 2009 at BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, FL
  61. 16 Sep 2009 at BI-LO Center, Greenville, SC
  62. 20 Sep 2009 at United Center, Chicago, IL
  63. 21 Sep 2009 at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA
  64. 30 Sep 2009 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
  65. 02 Oct 2009 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
  66. 03 Oct 2009 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (with Art Baron, Lisa Lowell, Jeremy Chatzky, and Curt Ramm)
  67. 08 Oct 2009 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (with Curt Ramm)
  68. 09 Oct 2009 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (with Curt Ramm)
  69. 13 Oct 2009 at Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA (with Curt Ramm)
  70. 14 Oct 2009 at Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA (with Curt Ramm)
  71. 19 Oct 2009 at Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA (with Curt Ramm)
  72. 20 Oct 2009 at Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA (with Curt Ramm)
  73. 25 Oct 2009 at Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO (with Curt Ramm)
  74. 02 Nov 2009 at Verizon Center, Washington, DC (with Ali Weinberg and Curt Ramm)
  75. 03 Nov 2009 at Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC (with Frank Bruno and Curt Ramm)
  76. 07 Nov 2009 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY (with Sam Bardfeld and Curt Ramm)
  77. 08 Nov 2009 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY (with Curt Ramm)
  78. 10 Nov 2009 at Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH (with Curt Ramm)
  79. 13 Nov 2009 at The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI (with Curt Ramm)
  80. 15 Nov 2009 at Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI (with Curt Ramm)
  81. 18 Nov 2009 at Sommet Center, Nashville, TN (with Curt Ramm)
  82. 20 Nov 2009 at 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD (with Ali Weinberg and Curt Ramm)
  83. 22 Nov 2009 at HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY (with Curt Ramm)

AMERICAN LAND was performed 25 times during the Wrecking Ball Tour (133 dates, March 2012 to September 2013). The song featured guest musicians on several occasions. The live 12 Nov 2012 version of AMERICAN LAND was released on the St. Paul, MN Nov 12, 2012 official live download in 2020.

  1. 18 Mar 2012 at Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
  2. 27 May 2012 at Rheinenergiestadion, Cologne, Germany
  3. 28 May 2012 at Megaland, Landgraaf, The Netherlands
  4. 04 Jul 2012 at Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
  5. 17 Jul 2012 at RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
  6. 18 Jul 2012 at RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
  7. 24 Jul 2012 at Koengen, Bergen, Norway
  8. 15 Aug 2012 at Fenway Park, Boston, MA
  9. 03 Sep 2012 at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
  10. 08 Sep 2012 at Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
  11. 14 Sep 2012 at Nationals Park, Washington, DC
  12. 21 Sep 2012 at Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
  13. 12 Nov 2012 at Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
  14. 18 Mar 2013 at Allphones Arena, Sydney, Australia
  15. 27 Mar 2013 at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia
  16. 04 May 2013 at Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden
  17. 08 May 2013 at HK Areena, Turku, Finland
  18. 28 May 2013 at AWD-Arena, Hannover, Germany
  19. 03 Jun 2013 at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy
  20. 20 Jun 2013 at Ricoh Arena, Coventry, England
  21. 29 Jun 2013 at Stade De France, Saint-Denis, France
  22. 30 Jun 2013 at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, England
  23. 03 Jul 2013 at Stade De Geneve, Geneve, Switzerland
  24. 16 Jul 2013 at Thomond Park, Limerick, Ireland
  25. 28 Jul 2013 at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, Ireland

AMERICAN LAND was performed once during the High Hopes Tour (34 dates, January to May 2014), on 08 Feb 2014 in Perth, Australia. Audio recordings for most High Hopes Tour shows are officially available for purchase.

  1. 08 Feb 2014 at Perth Arena, Perth, Australia

AMERICAN LAND was performed once during The River Tour 2016 (75 dates, January to September 2016), on 17 Mar 2016 in Los Angeles, CA. Audio recordings for all The River Tour 2016 shows are officially available for purchase.

  1. 17 Mar 2016 at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA

AMERICAN LAND was performed 5 times during the Summer '17 Tour (14 dates, January and February 2017). Audio recordings for all Summer '17 Tour shows are officially available for purchase.

  1. 30 Jan 2017 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, Australia
  2. 02 Feb 2017 at AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
  3. 04 Feb 2017 at AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
  4. 07 Feb 2017 at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
  5. 11 Feb 2017 at Hanging Rock, Macedon, Australia

Live History: off-tour

AMERICAN LAND was performed off-tour on 29 May 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, MA, during a remote guest appearance with Dropkick Murphys at their Streaming Outta Fenway concert. See the live 29 May 2020 version for more details.

Covers

At least 4 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's AMERICAN LAND.

1000 Mile Highway -- Long, Straight And Live
1000 Mile Highway -- Long, Straight And Live

CD EP - no label (no catalog number) - UK, 2009

This is a 5-track EP recorded live in July 2009 at Cornbury Music Festival in the UK. Includes two Bruce Springsteen covers: JOHNNY 99 and AMERICAN LAND.
Scott McClatchy -- A Dark Rage
Scott McClatchy -- A Dark Rage

CD - LIB Records (LIB0910) - USA, 2010
I Luf -- Mat E Famat
I Luf -- Mat E Famat

CD - unknown label (unknown catalog number) - Italy, 2013

AMERICAN LAND is recorded in Lombard dialect.
Vaud & The Villains -- Sin & Tonic Volume 2
Vaud & The Villains -- Sin & Tonic Volume 2

Digital album - no label (no catalog number) - USA, 2013

Includes two Bruce Springsteen covers: AMERICAN LAND and IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND.

Credits

Thanks Karen, Will Baron, and Deborah Shuman for the help. Thanks DonQuijote82 for the info about the I Luf cover version.

Request

Please contact me if you have scans for or additional info about 1000 Mile Highway's album Long, Straight And Live. If you have any additions, comments, or corrections to this page, please contact me via the below form or by email: .

Available Versions

List of available versions of AMERICAN LAND on this website:

AMERICAN LAND [Album version]
AMERICAN LAND [Live 22 Jun 2006 version]
AMERICAN LAND [Live 25 Jun 2006 version]
AMERICAN LAND [Live 18 Nov 2006 version]
AMERICAN LAND [Live 28 Jun 2009 version]
AMERICAN LAND [Live 29 May 2020 version]

Page last updated: 30 Jan 2021