Breaking news:The Waterboys announce brand new album ‘Life, Death And Dennis Hopper’ ft. guests Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle & Fiona Apple… see more.
The Waterboys have announced their sixteenth studio album, *Life, Death and Dennis Hopper*, set for release on April 4, 2025, via Sun Records. This concept album pays tribute to the late actor Dennis Hopper, exploring his life and influence on Western pop culture over the past 75 years. The project features collaborations with notable artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Fiona Apple, and Steve Earle.
Mike Scott, the band’s frontman, describes the album as an exploration of Hopper’s multifaceted life, from his early days in Kansas to his rise in Hollywood, his involvement in the counterculture movements of the 1960s, and his eventual redemption in the 1980s. Scott notes, “The arc of his life was the story of our times.”
The album comprises 25 tracks, each delving into different aspects of Hopper’s life and legacy. The lead single, “Hopper’s on Top (Genius),” is scheduled for release on January 10. The tracklist includes:
1. “Kansas” [ft. Steve Earle]
2. “Hollywood ’55”
3. “Live in the Moment, Baby”
4. “Brooke / 1712 North Crescent Heights”
5. “Andy (A Guy Like You)”
6. “The Tourist” [ft. Barny Fletcher]
7. “Freaks on Wheels”
8. “Blues for Terry Southern”
9. “Memories of Monterey”
10. “Riding Down to Mardi Gras”
11. “Hopper’s on Top (Genius)”
12. “Transcendental Peruvian Blues”
13. “Michelle (Always Stay)”
14. “Freakout at the Mud Palace”
15. “Daria”
16. “Ten Years Gone” [ft. Bruce Springsteen]
17. “Letter From an Unknown Girlfriend” [ft. Fiona Apple]
18. “Rock Bottom”
19. “I Don’t Know How I Made It” [ft. Taylor Goldsmith]
20. “Frank (Let’s Fu*k)”
21. “Katherine” [ft. Anana Kaye]
22. “Everybody Loves Dennis Hopper”
23. “Golf, They Say”
24. “Venice, California (Victoria)/The Passing of Hopper”
25. “Aftermath”
In addition to Springsteen, Apple, and Earle, the album features contributions from Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go’s, and Anana Kaye, among others.
*Life, Death and Dennis Hopper* follows The Waterboys’ 2022 album, *All Souls Hill*, and continues the band’s tradition of blending diverse musical styles and storytelling. The album is available for pre-order now, and the band has announced a 28-date UK and Ireland tour in May and June to support the release.
