The deputy prime minister of Australia has credited rock star Bruce Springsteen with predicting the current economic crisis.

Wayne Swan is quoted by British newspaper The Guardian as explaining how the 'Born To Run' icon has the ability to pick up on underlying social and political issues and write about them in his hit songs:

"You can hear Springsteen singing about the shifting foundations of the US economy which the economists took much longer to detect, and which of course everyone is talking about now."

"It's often the case that great artists – people like Bruce Springsteen – tend to pick up the subterranean rumblings of profound social change long before the economic statisticians notice them."

Springsteen made headlines back in July after revealing his struggle with depression and told the New Yorker: "My issues weren’t as obvious as drugs. Mine were different, they were quieter - just as problematic, but quieter."

"With all artists, because of the undertow of history and self-loathing, there is a tremendous push toward self-obliteration that occurs onstage."