Bruce Springsteen
– Human Touch
By 1992, Bruce Springsteen was in a strange place. The E Street Band was gone, the ‘80s were over, and suddenly, the guy who once sang about breaking out of town sounded like he was searching for something himself. Human Touch, released alongside Lucky Town, wasn’t the usual Springsteen record—it was slicker, more polished, drenched in studio sheen. And for some fans, that was the problem. But strip away the glossy production, and what you have is an artist wrestling with love, faith, and the simple act of staying afloat.
Musically, Human Touch leans hard into polished rock and soul, trading the raw urgency of Born to Run or Darkness on the Edge of Town for something warmer and smoother. The title track and several others feature a new lineup of studio musicians, including drummer Jeff Porcaro of Toto and bassist Randy Jackson. While these guys are pros, there’s a sense that Springsteen is searching for a groove that doesn’t always land. The heart is there, but sometimes the spark isn’t.
Still, when it works, it works. Springsteen has always been a storyteller, and Human Touch is filled with tales of struggle—sometimes personal, sometimes universal. It might not have the fire of his best work, but even at its most polished, it’s still Bruce trying to find his way through the mess of life. And really, what’s more Springsteen than that?
Choice Tracks
Human Touch
The big radio single, and one of the best things here. It’s smoother than classic Springsteen, but that doesn’t mean it’s weak. The chorus soars, the guitar work is sharp, and there’s something undeniably powerful about Bruce’s plea for real connection.
57 Channels (And Nothin’ On)
Minimalist and oddly hypnotic, this track finds Bruce experimenting with a spoken-word style over an eerie bassline. It’s a dark, wry observation of a world overloaded with distractions but empty of meaning. More relevant now than ever.
Roll of the Dice
A full-on barroom rocker, this one feels the most like classic Springsteen. Horns blaring, piano pounding, and Bruce delivering every line with that gambler’s mix of swagger and desperation.
I Wish I Were Blind
One of the most emotionally devastating songs on the album. A slow, aching ballad about the pain of seeing someone you love with someone else. Springsteen’s vocal is raw, the melody is heartbreaking, and it’s one of those quiet gems that sneaks up on you.
Real World
This one starts off sounding like an Tunnel of Love outtake but builds into something grander. There’s a hopeful, anthemic quality here, with Springsteen reaching for something bigger than himself.
Human Touch isn’t peak Springsteen, but it’s an interesting chapter in his career—a moment of reinvention, of searching for something new. It may not always land, but when it does, it reminds you why he’s one of the greatest to ever do it.