Best Tom Waits Songs

[Schmidty]

I'm just sitting here chilling and listening to Mr. Waits, and I'm struggling to decide which of his songs is my "favorite". The reason I'm asking other people's opinions is because I get stuck in my own "rotation' at times, and like to give songs that I originally sort of dismissed, another chance. An example of this is "Fish & Bird", which someone on Stepen Malkmus's website raved about, but I always skip. I gave it another chance, and I really really liked it.

Here are my top 5:

1. Alice
2. Take It With Me
3. I'm Still Here
4. We're All Mad Here
5. Georgia Lee

So give me your favorites.

[korme]

:confused:

[AZSpeechCoach]

Get Behind the Mule

[korme]

How obscure is he? Is this someone I should know? Generation?

[Groundhog]

I have to admit that I haven't heard a lot of Tom Waits, but I dug him on the otherwise quite bland Primus Anti-Pop album, and have meant to listen to more of his stuff. What would be a good album recommendation?

[Groundhog]

How obscure is he? Is this someone I should know? Generation?

He's fairly obscure, though most music heads should know who he is. He collaborates with a lot of folks, and you've probably seen his wierd-ass film clips late at night and not realised it's him.

[Karlifornia]

Singapore- Just so..I dunno...campy. If you play this song for anyone who has never heard Tom Waits, the first reaction is either laughter or disgust.

Tango Till They're Sore


I only have Rain Dogs and Mule Variations, though.....I took the high road and omitted Downtown Train.

[Schmidty]

He's fairly obscure, though most music heads should know who he is. He collaborates with a lot of folks, and you've probably seen his wierd-ass film clips late at night and not realised it's him.

Pretty good explaination.

And although I enjoy pretty much everything (in different, wierd ways), I would say that "Alice" is his best album. Just my opinion.

[Karlifornia]

I have to admit that I haven't heard a lot of Tom Waits, but I dug him on the otherwise quite bland Primus Anti-Pop album, and have meant to listen to more of his stuff. What would be a good album recommendation?

Rain Dogs is definitely up there (and I'm speaking not through just my own limited knowledge)...Swordfish Trombones and Alice are also generally well-regarded.

[Karlifornia]

Dola,

Did anyone get Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards? I listened to the samples at the record store, and absolutely loved them, but it's just so expensive.

[Schmidty]

Dola,

Did anyone get Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards? I listened to the samples at the record store, and absolutely loved them, but it's just so expensive.

Quite honestly, I haven't bought anything since "Alice", and I don't d/l stuff through torrent or other shady means (unless it's a physical bootleg, heh), so I'm pretty far behind. I'll have to go downtown to my local shop and check that out.

[JimboJ]

I heard Scarlett Johanson is doing an album of his songs. That should be interesting. Since she is so hot right now, maybe it will get more people to know who he is and appreciate his music.

[NoMyths]

Huge fan of Tom Waits -- caught his show in Atlanta last fall, and he's as incredible as you'd expect.

Karl: Orphans is a great pickup if you dig Waits.

Favorite songs? In no particular order:
Ol' 55
Ice Cream Man
Martha
Singapore
Jockey Full of Bourbon
Bottom of the World
Innocent When You Dream
Misery is the River of the World
God's Away on Business
Starving in the Belly of a Whale
Alice
Don't Go Into That Barn
Make It Rain
The Day After Tomorrow

[JPhillips]

His two songs off the Dead Man Walking cd are great.

ps- You can check out Project Playlist if you want to list to some of his tunes.

[Bonegavel]

He kinda looks like Ron Perlman.

[Sporkimata]

I can not place any as my absolute faves....

Cold Cold Ground
I dont wanna grow up
Pasties and a G string
Postcard from a hooker in Minneapolis
Way down in the hole
Rain Dogs
Franks Wild Years
Too many in fact really. I gotta say he is one of my all time faves. If you ever get a chance to see him in concert I highly recommend it. Best concert ever.