[ NOTE: Many of the samplers listed below contain exclusive Springsteen material not available on other official CD releases. For further details on the individual tracks themselves, check out our Spare Parts column in the "Features" section. ]

1985
U.S.A. For Africa: We Are The World - Various Artists CD incl. Trapped (live) (POLYGRAM 824822-2)
US-only release on the format; overall packaging similar to the globally issued vinyl album.

1988
Folkways: A Vision Shared - A Tribute To Woody Guthrie & Leadbelly - Various Artists CD incl. I Ain’t Got No Home and Vigilante Man (Europe: CBS 460905 2 / US: COL CK 44034)
Benefit album in support of the Smithsonian Institute.

Breaking The Price Barrier (Nice Price Retail Sampler) - Various Artists Promotional CD incl. Badlands (CBS NICEONECD)
Australia-only sampler CD issued to promote CBS' "Nice Price" line (which featured two different Springsteen double-disc sets), containing a presumably unique 3:12 edit of "Badlands" that fades out prematurely during Bruce's "humming" part.

1990
The Last Temptation Of Elvis - Various Artists 2-CD Set incl. Viva Las Vegas (NME CD 038/039)
UK-only charity album in support of the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy organization.

CBS Nice Price Line 1800 - Various Artists Promotional 2-CD Set incl. Blinded By The Light (CBS/SONY XADP 90011/12)
Japan-only sampler promoting Sony's "Nice Price" CD catalogue; presumably issued for record store in-house use. The title refers to the Japanese retail price of each album in that series, which was 1,800 Yen per disc. Thick jewel case with weird front insert featuring black-and-white cartoon artwork.

For Our Children - Various Artists CD incl. Chicken Lips And Lizard Hips (DISNEY 60616-2)
Charity album in support of the Pediatric AIDS foundation. A special "Tenth Anniversary Edition" with different cover artwork was released on the "Kid Rhino" label in 2000.

Harry Chapin Tribute - Various Artists CD incl. Remember When The Music (live) (Europe: RELATIVITY 467726 2 / US: RELATIVITY 88561-1047-2)
Benefit album in support of the World Hunger Year organization. Also released on vinyl.

30 Years In Pitman: 1960 - 1990 - Various Artists Promotional CD incl. Backstreets and Born In The U.S.A. (both segments) (no catalogue number)
Very rare US-only sampler given out exclusively to employees of Columbia's Pitman, New Jersey pressing plant in celebration of its 30th anniversary. The excerpts from Bruce's tracks run for just about 30 seconds each. No front insert; back inlay features a photo of the plant and small logos of all sub-labels ever distributed by CBS.

199?
The Remix Tape - Various Artists CD incl. Dancing In The Dark (Blaster Mix) (SONY 721.066/2-476235)
Very rare Brazilian “Sony Music Marketing Especial” sampler which marks the only official CD release of a 1984 Arthur Baker Springsteen remix. 

1991
United Artists For The Poet: Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary - Various Artists CD incl. Chimes Of Freedom (live) (COL 468275 2)
Scarce Italy-only Dylan tribute compilation. Blue-tinted picture insert with same overall artwork as the appropriate vinyl LP.

Commemorative Compact Discs - Various Artists Promotional 2-CD Set incl. Born In The U.S.A. (SONY TDCD 90042-43)
Extremely rare Japan-only release. Beautiful de-luxe fold-out digipak with embossed gold title lettering on both the front and spine, accompanied by a 16-page booklet containing track info in Japanese and small colour pictures of all featured artists.

1992
Stereo Review: 35th Anniversary - Various Artists Promotional CD incl. Thunder Road (COL CSK 5033)
Interesting US-only sampler issued to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of "Stereo Review" magazine and featuring cuts from Columbia's "Mastersound" reissue catalogue. 24-carat gold-coated disc comes in 12-inch x 6-inch longbox with embossed gold logos.

1993
An American Reunion: A Musical Celebration Of America’s Diversity And Strength - Various Artists Promotional CD incl. This Land Is Your Land (live) (WARNER/SONY PR CD 8724)
Very rare US-only sampler in attractive cardboard digipak; issued to coincide with Bill Clinton’s 1993 presidential inauguration. Note that “This Land Is Your Land” is the previously released version from the “Live / 1975-85” box set.

1994
Philadelphia: Audio Press Kit - Promotional CD incl. Streets Of Philadelphia (COL 013)
Very rare France-only release also featuring radio spots for the movie plus interviews with its stars, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, as well as director Jonathan Demme. Colour picture insert sporting same front artwork as the regular soundtrack album. Discs were pressed in Austria.

Sony Music Soundtracks - Various Artists Promotional CD incl. Streets Of Philadelphia (EPIC SAMP 2164)
Highly collectable Austria-only compilation in 5-inch tin can with black/red sticker on lid and circular tracklisting insert. Also includes tracks by Jimmy Cliff, Michael Jackson, Sonny & Cher and TLC. Black disc with red type.

All Men Are Brothers: A Tribute To Curtis Mayfield - Various Artists CD incl. Gypsy Woman (Europe: WARNER BROS. 9362-45500-2 / US: WARNER BROS. 9 45500-2)

The Return Of Sampler Claus: Hits From The North Pole - Various Artists Promotional CD incl. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town and Merry Christmas Baby (both live) (COL CSK 6666)
US-only release containing both of Bruce’s (previously available) holiday chestnut concert performances.

1995
Hit's A Sony - March '95 Vol. 5 - Various Artists Promotional CD incl. Murder Incorporated (SONY XDCS 93172)
Japan-only compilation featuring a nice colour cartoon drawing of Bruce on the front inlay. Other Springsteen tracks can also be found on subsequent volumes of the "Hit's A Sony" series; including September '95 Vol. 10 (XDCS 93191, with "Hungry Heart [Berlin 95]"); November '95 Vol. 12 (XDCS 93200, with "The Ghost Of Tom Joad"); February '96 Vol. 1 (XDCS 93207, with "Dead Man Walkin'" and "Across The Border"); March '96 Vol. 2 (XDCS 93210, with "The Ghost Of Tom Joad" again), May ’99 (# 5) (XDCS 93363, with “I Wanna Be With You”) and December 2002 (SDCI 80089, with “Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town [live]").

1996
The Concert For The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame - Various Artists 2-CD Set incl. Shake, Rattle & Roll (live) (Europe: COL 483793 2 / US: COL CK 67477)
Also features guest appearances by Bruce and the E Street Band on Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls Of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”.

1997
Jerry Maguire: Audio Press Kit - Promotional CD incl. Secret Garden (COL 040)
Very rare France-only release also featuring radio spots for the movie plus interviews with its stars, Tom Cruise and Renée Zellweger, as well as director Cameron Crowe. Colour picture insert sporting same front artwork as the regular soundtrack album.

The Morning Zoo Bootleg - Various Artists CD incl. Secret Garden ("Z100 Jerry Maguire Mix") (no catalogue number)
Official US-only charity release issued by Portland radio station Z100 and limited to a reported 8,000 copies; contains their unique "Jerry Maguire Mix" of "Secret Garden" which features dialogue excerpts from the movie mixed into the song. Highly collectable and rather hard to find.

No Nukes - Various Artists 2-CD Set incl. Stay and Devil With The Blue Dress Medley (both live) (ELEKTRA 60592-2)
Long-delayed US CD release; marks the only appearances of Bruce's live tracks on the format. Slimline jewel case featuring same overall artwork as the 1979 3-LP vinyl set (including a miniature version of the original booklet) is housed inside a special protective cardboard slipcase. It is of note that the US-pressed discs were also used for a Japanese issue (EAST WEST JAPAN AMCY-2486-7), minus slipcase.

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation, Inc. Fourteenth Annual Election: Nominees - Various Artists Promotional CD incl. Born To Run (COL CSK 41542)
Extremely rare US-only 15-track sampler containing one song each from the 1998 nominees for the "Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"; sent out to members of the voting jury and also given to big-shot guests at the induction ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on March 15, 1999. White title/logo cardboard sleeve. Other artists featured include Black Sabbath, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Gene Pitney and Richie Valens.

1999
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 1999: The Fourteenth Annual Induction Dinner - Various Artists Promotional CD incl. Born To Run and Streets Of Philadelphia (WARNER/WEA 2-31599)
Even harder to find than the above “Nominees“ sampler, this 20-track compilation was given exclusively to “inner circle” VIP guests of the March 15, 1999 "Hall Of Fame" induction dinner.

Sony Music 100 Years: Soundtrack For A Century - Various Artists 26-CD Box Set incl. Born To Run, Hungry Heart and Streets Of Philadelphia (SONY MUSIC)
Massive US-only de-luxe box set including a fully illustrated 308-page "coffee table book". Contains a total of 547 (!) songs from 479 artists divided into different musical genres; Springsteen's tracks are featured in the categories "Rock" ("Born To Run"), "Pop: Modern" ("Hungry Heart") and "Movies" ("Streets Of Philadelphia"). With its hefty retail price of $ 329, this obviously is for the die-hard collector only.

2000
Til We Outnumber ‘Em - Various Artists CD incl. Plane Wreck At Los Gatos (Deportee) and Riding In My Car (both live) (RIGHTEOUS BABE RBR019-D)

2001
God Bless America - Various Artists CD incl. Land Of Hope And Dreams (live) (COL 505186 2)
America: A Tribute To Heroes - Various Artists 2-CD set incl. My City Of Ruins (live) (COL 505394 2)
Benefit samplers with all proceeds going to charity organizations related to the September 11, 2001 US terrorist attacks. Note that the version of “Land Of Hope And Dreams” included on “God Bless America” is the same one that was previously available on “Live In New York City”.

2002
Hit's A Sony - September 2002 - Various Artists Promotional CD incl. The Rising (SONY SDCI 80065)
Japan-only compilation. Unique colour picture insert with a prominent "Rising"-era shot of Bruce alongside smaller photo insets of other featured artists.

Kindred Spirits: A Tribute To The Songs Of Johnny Cash - Various Artists CD incl. Give My Love To Rose (live)
Released in North America (LUCKY DOG CK 86310), Europe (LUCKY DOG 509711 2) and Japan (LUCKY DOG SICP 313, with obi strip).

2003
Artist's Choice: Johnny Cash - Music That Matters To Him - Various Artists CD incl. Highway Patrolman (HAER MUSIC/SONY MUSIC SPECIAL PRODUCTS 184033-2)
Originally issued for exclusive distribution by Starbucks Coffee via their US outlets and website, although later also released as a regularly available Sony CD (COL CK 90712) in North America only. Cardboard slipcase. Of course, "Highway Patrolman" had been recorded by Cash himself for his 1983 album, "Johnny 99" (titled after the second Springsteen song covered on said LP).

2004
Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs Of Warren Zevon - Various Artists CD incl. My Ride's Here (live) (ARTEMIS 51581)

2006
Live At The NIGHT Volume 3 - Various Artists Promotional CD incl. If I Should Fall Behind (live solo acoustic 2005) (BROOKDALE PUBLIC RADIO; no catalogue number)
US-only promotional charity sampler exclusively available to donors supporting the New Jersey radio station Brookdale Public Radio (90.5 WBJB) with a $ 150 “pledge” via their official website. Note that Bruce’s solo version of “If I Should Fall Behind” - recorded during an impromptu on-air appearance at WBJB’s studios in early October 2005 - is unique to this release.

2007
Sowing The Seeds - The 10th Anniversary - Various Artists 2-CD Set incl. The Ghost Of Tom Joad (with Pete Seeger) (APPLESEED APR CD 1102)
US-only compilation issued to commemorate the Appleseed Recording label’s 10th anniversary. The Springsteen/Seeger collaboration is exclusive to this release.

Give US Your Poor - Various Artists CD incl. Hobo’s Lullaby (with Pete Seeger) (APPLESEED APR CD 1103)
US-only benefit sampler in support of the “Give US Your Poor Campaign To End Homelessness”; contains another exclusive Springsteen studio track featuring Pete Seeger.

Serve2: The Hard Rock Benefit Album - Various Artists CD incl. The Ghost Of Tom Joad (Seeger Sessions Band live version) (no catalogue number)
Charity album with all net proceeds going to World Hunger Year’s “Help Fight Hunger & Poverty” project; distributed exclusively at Hard Rock Cafe shops and through the Hard Rock website. Bruce’s live track (recorded at The Point in Dublin, Ireland in November 2006) is otherwise only available on the rare “Bruce Springsteen With The Sessions Band PBS Exclusive” promo EP.

2009
The People Speak - Various Artists CD incl. The Ghost Of Tom Joad (new studio recording) (VERVE 2726523)
US-only soundtrack album for the “History Channel” TV documentary of the same title; exclusively contains a new (2009) “live-in-the-studio” solo acoustic recording of “The Ghost Of Tom Joad”.

2010
The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Concerts - Various Artists 4-CD Set (TIME LIFE 25805-D)
US-only release in fold-out digipak housed inside a cardboard outer slipcase; contains recordings from the star-studded “Hall Of Fame” 25th anniversary shows held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on October 29 and 30, 2009. Also issued as two different 2-CD sets (“Night 1” and “Night 2”, respectively) that include the same material minus “London Calling”, which is a bonus track exclusive to the full 4-disc version. Featured tracks involving Springsteen: The Ghost Of Tom Joad (with The E Street Band & Tom Morello) / Fortunate Son (with The E Street Band & John Fogerty) / Oh, Pretty Woman (with The E Street Band & John Fogerty) / Jungleland (with The E Street Band) / A Fine, Fine Boy (with The E Street Band & Darlene Love) / London Calling (with The E Street Band & Tom Morello) / New York State Of Mind (with The E Street Band & Billy Joel) / Born To Run (with The E Street Band & Billy Joel) / (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher (with The E Street Band, Darlene Love, John Fogerty, Sam Moore, Billy Joel & Tom Morello) / Because The Night (with U2, Patti Smith & Roy Bittan) / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (with U2).

2011
The Best Of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame + Museum Live - Various Artists 3-CD Set (TIME LIFE 26397-D)
US-only release. This set collects a total of 51 live recordings from various “Hall Of Fame” induction ceremonies and related events, including all three songs that Springsteen performed with the E Street Band during his own March 1999 induction, plus guest appearances with other honored artists through the years. Discs come housed inside a fold-out digipak which features a shot of Bruce and Bono taken during their joint rendition of U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” from the night the band entered the Hall back in 2005 on front (pictured below) and, alongside a 12-page booklet, fits into an extra outer slipcase. Featured tracks involving Springsteen: Johnny B. Goode (with Chuck Berry & The E Street Band) / I Saw Her Standing There (with The Rock Hall Jam Band & Mick Jagger) / (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (with The Rock Hall Jam Band & Mick Jagger) / In The Midnight Hour (with The E Street Band & Wilson Pickett) / Green River (with John Fogerty) / Who’ll Stop The Rain (with John Fogerty) / Born On The Bayou (with John Fogerty) / Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out (with The E Street Band) / The Promised Land (with The E Street Band) / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (with U2).