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Bruce Springsteen Announces ‘High Hopes’ Single; New Album in January?

Bruce Springsteen has announced he’ll release a new single on Nov. 25. Titled “High Hopes,” the vibrant song is actually a cover of a track by short-lived Los Angeles band The Havalinas, and fans will note that Springsteen included an earlier version on the 1996 documentary, “Blood Brothers.”

Sources say that a larger release is on its way, and that a new Springsteen studio album could be out as early as January — a quick follow-up to 2012’s chart-topping “Wrecking Ball.”

The E Street Band performed “High Hopes” with Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello during a tour of Australia in March, and Springsteen confirmed in an interview over the summer that all parties “had a recording session” while Down Under. “We did a couple of things that I wanted to put down,” Springsteen told Rolling Stone in June. “Being with Tommy was exciting.”

Springsteen and Morello’s rowdy, horn-filled performance of the song can be seen in footage from the March 18 show at Sydney’s Allphones Arena. At one point, Morello breaks into one of his trademark toggle switch-flicking solos before lifting the guitar to use his teeth for added effect.

“High Hopes” appeared on The Havalinas’ debut album in 1990. The ecclectic band featured ex-Rockats guitarist Tim Scott and bassist Smutty Smith, along with drummer Charlie Quintana, whose next gig was behind the kit in Izzy Stradlin’s Ju Ju Hounds. Six years later, a version of “Hopes” was incorporated into the film “Blood Brothers,” which chronicles Springsteen’s reunion with the E Street Band.

Springsteen netted his 10th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with 2012’s “Wrecking Ball.” The set debuted atop the tally with 196,000 sold in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The album has sold 506,000 to date. It generated the No. 43 Rock Songs hit “We Take Care Of Our Own.”

Among all acts, Springsteen is tied with Elvis Presley for the third-most No. 1 albums in history. Only the Beatles (with 19) and Jay-Z (13) have more. Overall, he has released 17 studio album and five live albums.