In a feature that appeared this week in The New York Times, Bruce Springsteen [ tickets ] said was wrong to offer a new, best-of set exclusively at Wal-Mart earlier this year.

Springsteen has long been a champion of progressive causes, and Wal-Mart has taken heat over the years for its labor practices.

"We were in the middle of doing a lot of things, it kind of came down and, really, we didn't vet it the way we usually do," Springsteen told the newspaper. "We just dropped the ball on it." He added that, "given [Wal-Mart's] labor history, it was something that if we'd thought about it a little longer, we'd have done something different. It was a mistake. Our batting average is usually very good, but we missed that one. Fans will call you on that stuff, as it should be."