The Ghost Of Tom Joad was written and recorded between March and September 1995 at Springsteen's home studio in Los Angeles.

It's his eleventh album and only his second acoustic one. Following that year's studio reunion with the E Street Band and the release of Greatest Hits, Springsteen's writing activity had increased significantly, resulting in this album, which consists of seven solo tracks and five band tracks.

Most tracks are backed by acoustic guitar work and the lyrics are generally a somber reflection of life in the mid-1990s in America and Mexico. The album was critically acclaimed upon release.