Bruce Springsteen releases powerful new song 'Ghosts' in tribute to lost loved ones

Bruce Springsteen has just treated fans to an early release of his new track 'Ghosts' from his forthcoming studio album Letter to You.

The melodic rock song is simultaneously a tribute to lost bandmates, a vow to carry on and a love letter to rock music.

"'Ghosts' is about the beauty and joy of being in a band, and the pain of losing one another to illness and time," Springsteen said of the new song, referencing the E Street Band's Danny Federici and Clarence Clemons who died in 2008 and 2011, respectively.

"'Ghosts' tries to speak to the spirit of the music itself, something none of us owns but can only discover and share together. In the E Street Band, it resides in our collective soul, powered by the heart."

In conjunction with the track's release, Springsteen also dropped a lyric video for the song, which sees The Boss in a reflective mood, juxtaposing new studio footage with archive images of the E Street Band.

The 71-year-old's 20th album, Letter to You, saw Springsteen reunite with his band for the first time since 2016's The River Tour.

It was recorded live at Springsteen's home studio in just five days, and the singer has described the process as "one of the greatest recording experiences I've ever had."

"I love the emotional nature of Letter To You," he revealed.

"And I love the sound of the E Street Band playing completely live in the studio, in a way we've never done before, and with no overdubs."

Letter To You will hit stores on October 23.