Studio Album · No. 9
Human Touch Songwriting Credits by Bruce Springsteen
Produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, Roy Bittan · Engineered by Toby Scott, Bob Clearmountain, Bob Ludwig
Columbia
RockPop Rock
100%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 14 of 14 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 14 / 14 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether Bruce Springsteen carries a lyricist or composer credit.
14 trackswritten by Bruce Springsteen
0 tracksoutside writers
Bruce Springsteen's roles on this album
Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist100%
Composer93%
Producer100%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
14
Tracks
4
Lyricists
4
Producers
1992
Released
Awards & Recognition 1
Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo ("Human Touch"), 1993
Data Insight
Human Touch was the first album Bruce Springsteen made without the E Street Band, which he had disbanded in 1989. He built the record with session players including Randy Jackson on bass and Jeff Porcaro on drums, with longtime E Street keyboardist Roy Bittan the only holdover. Springsteen wrote nearly all of the material himself across a long stretch of sessions from 1989 to 1991. Columbia released it the same day as its companion album Lucky Town on March 27, 1992.
Human Touch is Bruce Springsteen's ninth studio album, released on March 27, 1992, simultaneously with Lucky Town. Produced by Springsteen, Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, and E Street Band keyboardist Roy Bittan, it features 14 tracks recorded over a lengthy period. Two tracks ('Roll of the Dice' and 'Real World') were co-written with Bittan. 'Cross My Heart' incorporates lyrics from a Sonny Boy Williamson blues number, and 'Pony Boy' is a traditional folk song arranged by Springsteen.
Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Human Touch
#16
|
Bruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Soul Driver
|
Bruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
57 Channels (And Nothin' On)
#68
|
Bruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Cross My Heart
|
Bruce SpringsteenSonny Boy Williamson | Bruce SpringsteenAleck Ford | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Gloria's Eyes
|
Bruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
With Every Wish
|
Bruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Roll of the Dice
|
Bruce SpringsteenRoy Bittan | Bruce SpringsteenRoy Bittan | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Real World
|
Bruce SpringsteenRoy Bittan | Bruce SpringsteenRoy Bittan | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
All or Nothin' at All
|
Bruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Man's Job
|
Bruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
I Wish I Were Blind
|
Bruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
The Long Goodbye
|
Bruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 13 |
Real Man
|
Bruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
| 14 |
Pony Boy
|
TraditionalBruce Springsteen | Traditional | Bruce SpringsteenJon LandauChuck PlotkinRoy Bittan | Bruce Springsteen (Lead Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 7 contributors
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Frequently Asked Questions Human Touch
Was Human Touch recorded with the E Street Band?
No. Springsteen had disbanded the E Street Band in 1989, so he recorded Human Touch with session musicians, including Randy Jackson on bass and Jeff Porcaro on drums. Keyboardist Roy Bittan was the only E Street member involved.
Why were Human Touch and Lucky Town released on the same day?
Springsteen worked on Human Touch for roughly 18 months, then wrote and recorded Lucky Town quickly afterward. He decided both albums were worth issuing and released them simultaneously on March 27, 1992.
Who wrote the songs on Human Touch?
Bruce Springsteen wrote nearly all of the album's songs himself, including the title track and "57 Channels (and Nothin' On)."
How did the singles perform on the charts?
The title track "Human Touch" reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Mainstream Rock chart. "57 Channels (and Nothin' On)" reached number 68 on the Hot 100.
What does "57 Channels (and Nothin' On)" refer to?
The song is a satirical Springsteen composition about consumer culture and the emptiness of cable television, in which a couple buys a home and a large TV yet finds nothing worth watching.
Did Human Touch receive any certifications?
Yes. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA in the United States.
Who played drums on Human Touch?
Session drummer Jeff Porcaro of Toto played on the album. He declined to join the supporting tour because of his Toto commitments and died later in 1992.
How did Human Touch chart?
The album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, selling about 246,000 copies in its first week.