Tom Waits for No Man

Today I was mentioning to Aero Flaco how I was given the most awesome gift of an actual Tom Waits record (made in 1988 no less) when he asks me who that is. I just stared at my screen, like perhaps The Matrix was playing a trick on me. But alas, no.

I remember what my life was before the Waits... He gave me hope when all I had was the far-off dream of one day waking up a fifty year old black man with that throaty gravel I love so much. After getting the soundtrack to Shrek 2 and hearing "Little Drop of Poison" (still my favorite of his) I discovered lo, this sound could come from a whitey! I felt the world renewed, like anything was possible.

All fanboyishness aside, Tom Waits really is amazing. His lyrics tell so much with so little. He can somehow smoothly work multiple varied stories and imagery into a single song. He has songs that make you stomp your feet and yell to the inside curve of your windshield with abandon, or have you sitting still and defeated staring off into the carpet as sorrow and loneliness overtake you. You feel what he feels.

I could squawk all day about him, but I'd rather post some of his music instead. Just some fun trivia I enjoy before we start: He likes to use strange and obsolete instruments in his music, from things I had to look up on Wikipedia to actual drum brakes from junkyard cars. (His sound has been referred to as a junkyard orchestra.) He absolutely will not allow anyone to use his songs in commercials. He drives the field-trip school bus for his kids' school. And sometimes, late at night, he goes down to his shed to spend quiet time with his BuddhaDave shrine*.

On to the music! These are the favorites of mine I could find on YouTube, ordered from how I found them.


Chocolate Jesus. This song makes me want to make out. For some reason. *shuffles away uncomfortably*


God's Away On Business. Yep, emus.


More Than Rain. Who's up for some retro hair?


Innocent When You Dream. I get this image of a bar full of Tom Waits-es singing with mugs of beer in their fists and a layer of liquid smoke in the air.


Smuggler's Waltz/Bronx Lullaby. I know I've posted this before, but damn it's one of my favorites.


Angels In Heaven. Ignore the German talky part. I'm pretty sure they just showed up at his house and he's like, "Okay, let's go out back and I'll play something."


I Don't Wanna Grow Up. Cuz really, I don't. I actually sing this regularly in my truck. Loud.


Blow Wind Blow. This song makes me think of being alone in the middle of a field at night. Plus, "smoking like a diesel" is a fantastic line.


Jesus Gonna Be Here. My speakers at work aren't working (ha!) so I dunno how this will sound. But this is one of my favorites by him. Yes, I can sing this. No, I don't know if it sounds good. Plus, deceptively catchy.


Telephone Call From Istanbul. I gotta wear the hat that my baby done sewed, woo!


Tango Till They're Sore. Make sure they play my theme song.


Time. I love all the little stories in this one.


Gun Street Girl. A very, very close second favorite of mine. Hopefully this live recording does the trick.


Little Drop of Poison. If this wasn't my favorite by my favorite singer, I wouldn't even post this. Just don't look.

Okay, that's all I can find on YouTube. Maybe I'll get really ambitious and just post links to MP3 files for y'all. Enjoy!

- David

Longest loading post evar!!1!

*Okay, maybe I made that up.