“Working on a Dream” by Bruce Springsteen
“Working on a Dream” finds Bruce Springsteen speaking about working to fulfill his dreams, amidst the hardships he faces. The tone used in the lyrics indicates that the writer is speaking to himself as well as his partner who is his source of motivation.
The first line and verse reveal that the writer is probably somewhere far from his loved ones, yet he feels encouraged to work harder to reach his goals just by thinking of his partner. He admits that things are quite difficult in his current environment. As he makes mention of the rain and sun in the subsequent verses, it is evident that the weather and working conditions are not comfortable.
However, he is confident that once he perseveres and continues working toward his dream, he will live it one day.
“Working on a Dream” Information
Writing and Production: Springsteen is the song’s only composer. Brendan O’Brien also acted as the song’s only producer.
Release: The 21st of November, 2008 saw the release of “Working on a Dream”
Album: It appears on Springsteen’s album of the same name (which came out in 2009)
Was this a single release?
Yes. Springsteen (via Columbia Records) released it as the aforementioned album’s first single.
Did this chart in the Hot 100?
Yes. It however, only got to No. 95. That said, it performed better in other countries such as Sweden and Croatia, where it got to numbers 2 and 1 respectively.
Did “Working on a Dream” win a Grammy?
At the Grammy Awards ceremony held in 2010, it won Bruce a Grammy (in the “Solo Best Rock Vocal Performance” category). Furthermore, Bruce also got nominated in the “Best Rock Song” category, losing to Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody“.
FYI, in emerging champion of the category, “Use Somebody” also defeated the following songs:
- Green Day’s “21 Guns“
- Pearl Jam’s “The Fixer“
- U2’s “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight“
