Clemons died last year. Springsteen intended to have Clemons on the new album, but says he passed on a recording session to check out his health and soon after had a stroke.
Springsteen went to Clemons' bedside. Clemons squeezed his hand when Springsteen spoke, but Clemons never regained consciousness.
After Clemons died, producer Ron Aniello took a live rendition of the concert staple "Land of Hopes and Dreams," separated Clemons' part and put it into a studio version.
Springsteen said: "When the solo section hit, Clarence's sax filled the room. I cried." He said losing Clemons was "like losing the rain."
Jon Stewart interviewed Springsteen for the magazine, out this week.
