Went to YouTube to listen and got a version in which the poem is bracket by Tom's version of Silent Night. Even more poignant. So, thanks for this, on this day.
Lived in Minneapolis (and one of its suburbs) for nearly half of my life, before moving across the river to St. Paul. Can tell you that there are many parts of both cities where this story could still take place. Even though we love to brag about our well-scrubbed image, our bike trails and lakes, there are homeless encampments and places you wouldn’t venture into after dark. Oh, and George Floyd. Gives this song even more resonance for me.
Listened as I woke up this morning. listening to the pulse of the people on the streets always seems to hurt him as much as the pain they live. And he won’t spare us.
Weird, this just played 5 minutes ago on my shuffle
On a bus once in Seattle, I saw a teenager screaming into her friend's ear and saying "Tom Waits is God!"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001st7l
Tom Waits & Iggy Pop talking music & life on the BBC.
Thanks, it's the perfect thing to listen to on December 24th!
Went to YouTube to listen and got a version in which the poem is bracket by Tom's version of Silent Night. Even more poignant. So, thanks for this, on this day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EznGGYQ-Tv8
Thanks for the link.
Thank you for this!
Lived in Minneapolis (and one of its suburbs) for nearly half of my life, before moving across the river to St. Paul. Can tell you that there are many parts of both cities where this story could still take place. Even though we love to brag about our well-scrubbed image, our bike trails and lakes, there are homeless encampments and places you wouldn’t venture into after dark. Oh, and George Floyd. Gives this song even more resonance for me.
Listened as I woke up this morning. listening to the pulse of the people on the streets always seems to hurt him as much as the pain they live. And he won’t spare us.
As it should be. Him not sparing us…
Leave it to Tom Waits to give us an another interesting take on Christmas.
The stanza about the used cars is absolutely poetic perfection.
And his piano playing on this - the whole things is simply right….
Exquisite.
The poet Tom Waits
The songwriter
The piano player
Even the actor
My favorite Tom Waits ♥️
Another gem!
Thank you! This is amazing and raw and deeply human.
What a piece! Thank you!
My son got me Orphans for Xmas. It may be more Tom W than I can cope with, but I'm game for anything!
Sadly amazing...
The long slow curve
And the fast break.
Hope it is a strike.