Tom Waits is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor known for his distinctive voice and poetic lyrics. He began his career in the 1970s and has since released over 20 albums, earning critical acclaim for his unique style that combines elements of blues, jazz, and rock. His music has influenced countless artists and has been covered by a variety of musicians, from Bruce Springsteen to The Eagles.
In this article, we will explore the top 10 best Tom Waits songs of all time. These songs showcase Waits’ versatility as a songwriter and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his music. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Tom Waits or just discovering his music for the first time, this list is sure to provide you with a deeper appreciation for his talent and the lasting impact he has had on the music industry. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the top 10 best Tom Waits songs of all time.
10. Johnsburg, Illinois
“Johnsburg, Illinois” is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that showcases Tom Waits’ incredible ability to weave together a compelling narrative with his unique brand of musicality. The song tells the story of a man who is returning to his hometown of Johnsburg, Illinois after years away, reflecting on the memories of his youth and the passage of time. The melancholic melody and Waits’ gravelly voice perfectly capture the bittersweet nostalgia of the lyrics, creating a powerful emotional resonance that lingers long after the song has ended. The sparse instrumentation, consisting of only piano and violin, adds to the sense of intimacy and introspection that permeates the track. Overall, “Johnsburg, Illinois” is a stunning example of Tom Waits’ songwriting prowess, and a must-listen for anyone who appreciates the beauty and depth of his music.
9. Temptation
“Temptation” is a raucous and energetic song that showcases Tom Waits’ ability to infuse rock and roll with his signature style. The song’s driving rhythm and pounding piano create a sense of urgency and excitement, while Waits’ gravelly voice and sly lyrics add a touch of danger and mischief to the proceedings. The lyrics describe the irresistible allure of temptation, as the protagonist struggles to resist the pull of desire and the thrill of the unknown. The song’s climax, featuring a frenzied instrumental break and Waits’ primal screams, perfectly captures the intensity and recklessness of the human experience. Overall, “Temptation” is a powerful example of Tom Waits’ ability to fuse different musical styles and create something wholly unique and unforgettable. The song has become a fan favorite and a staple of Waits’ live performances, demonstrating its lasting impact on his career and the wider world of music.
8. Gun Street Girl
“Gun Street Girl” is a bluesy and atmospheric track that showcases Tom Waits’ ability to create vivid and evocative storytelling through his music. The song’s moody instrumentation, featuring a jangling guitar and a driving bassline, sets the stage for Waits’ gravelly vocals to take center stage. The lyrics describe a dangerous and unpredictable woman who prowls the streets of the city, causing trouble wherever she goes. Waits’ vivid imagery and clever wordplay add to the sense of menace and intrigue that permeates the song, creating a world that is both captivating and unsettling. The song’s chorus, featuring a group of backing singers chanting “bang bang,” adds to the sense of danger and violence that looms over the track. Overall, “Gun Street Girl” is a masterful example of Tom Waits’ ability to create compelling characters and immersive environments through his music, cementing his status as one of the most talented and influential songwriters of his generation.
7. Step Right Up
“Step Right Up” is a satirical and scathing commentary on consumerism and advertising that showcases Tom Waits’ ability to inject his music with biting humor and social critique. The song’s frenetic rhythm and Waits’ fast-paced delivery create a sense of urgency and chaos, perfectly capturing the frenzied atmosphere of a carnival or marketplace. The lyrics, delivered in Waits’ signature style of half-sung, half-spoken vocals, skewer the excesses of capitalism and the false promises of advertisers. The song’s chorus, featuring Waits’ repeated invitation to “step right up” and buy the latest product, highlights the absurdity of consumer culture and the manipulative tactics used to sell products to the masses. Overall, “Step Right Up” is a brilliant example of Tom Waits’ ability to use music as a platform for social critique and political commentary, and a testament to his enduring relevance and influence as a songwriter and performer.
6. The Piano Has Been Drinking
“The Piano Has Been Drinking” is a hilariously irreverent and tongue-in-cheek track that showcases Tom Waits’ unique brand of humor and musicality. The song’s lurching piano and Waits’ slurred vocals create a sense of drunken disorientation, perfectly capturing the absurdity and chaos of a night out on the town. The lyrics, full of puns and wordplay, describe the havoc wreaked by an inebriated piano player, whose playing has become so erratic and unpredictable that it seems to have a mind of its own. Waits’ clever observations and offbeat humor add to the song’s charm and appeal, making it a fan favorite and a staple of his live performances. Overall, “The Piano Has Been Drinking” is a testament to Tom Waits’ ability to inject his music with wit, humor, and irreverence, and a reminder of his enduring status as one of the most talented and beloved songwriters of his generation.
5. Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis
“Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis” is a poignant and emotionally charged ballad that showcases Tom Waits’ ability to create vivid and evocative characters through his music. The song’s sparse instrumentation, consisting of only piano and strings, sets the stage for Waits’ heartfelt vocals to take center stage. The lyrics, delivered in the form of a letter from a former lover, describe the struggles of a woman who has turned to prostitution to survive. Waits’ ability to inhabit the character and bring her story to life through his music is truly remarkable, creating a sense of empathy and understanding that is rare in popular music. The song’s chorus, featuring a group of backing singers crooning “Merry Christmas” in the background, adds to the sense of melancholy and longing that permeates the track. Overall, “Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis” is a beautiful and haunting example of Tom Waits’ ability to create powerful and affecting music, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest songwriters of his generation.
4. Tom Traubert’s Blues (Four Sheets To The Wind In Copenhagen)
“Tom Traubert’s Blues (Four Sheets To The Wind In Copenhagen)” is a haunting and melancholic ballad that showcases Tom Waits’ ability to create evocative and emotionally resonant music. The song’s mournful accordion and Waits’ gravelly vocals create a sense of longing and nostalgia, perfectly capturing the essence of the song’s titular character. The lyrics, delivered in Waits’ signature poetic style, describe a man who is lost and adrift in the world, seeking solace in the bottom of a bottle. Waits’ ability to evoke a sense of empathy and understanding for the character is truly remarkable, creating a sense of intimacy and vulnerability that is rare in popular music. The song’s chorus, featuring a group of backing singers wailing “Waltzing Matilda” in the background, adds to the sense of sadness and desperation that permeates the track. Overall, “Tom Traubert’s Blues” is a stunning example of Tom Waits’ ability to create powerful and affecting music, cementing his status as one of the greatest songwriters of his generation.
3. Heartattack And Vine
“Heartattack And Vine” is a rollicking and energetic track that showcases Tom Waits’ ability to fuse different musical genres and create something wholly unique and unforgettable. The song’s driving rhythm and Waits’ growling vocals create a sense of urgency and excitement, while the bluesy guitar and horn section add to the song’s infectious energy. The lyrics, full of clever wordplay and wry observations, describe the wild and unpredictable nature of life in the city, capturing the sense of danger and excitement that comes with living on the edge. Waits’ ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his music is truly remarkable, creating a sense of empathy and understanding that is rare in popular music. The song’s chorus, featuring Waits’ repeated invitation to “come on and take a ride” on the heartattack and vine, perfectly captures the reckless abandon and joy of living life to the fullest. Overall, “Heartattack And Vine” is a brilliant example of Tom Waits’ ability to create powerful and affecting music, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest songwriters of his generation.
2. Hang On St. Christopher
“Hang On St. Christopher” is a frenzied and exuberant track that showcases Tom Waits’ ability to inject his music with energy and excitement. The song’s driving rhythm and Waits’ growling vocals create a sense of urgency and momentum, perfectly capturing the adrenaline rush of a high-speed chase. The lyrics, full of clever wordplay and irreverent humor, describe the wild and unpredictable nature of life on the road, capturing the sense of freedom and adventure that comes with living life on the edge. Waits’ ability to create vivid and evocative characters through his music is truly remarkable, adding to the sense of immersion and excitement that permeates the track. The song’s chorus, featuring a group of backing singers chanting “hang on St. Christopher, through the smoke and the oil and the gasoline,” adds to the sense of camaraderie and solidarity that comes with facing life’s challenges head-on. Overall, “Hang On St. Christopher” is a masterful example of Tom Waits’ ability to create powerful and affecting music, cementing his status as one of the greatest songwriters of his generation.
1. (Looking For) The Heart Of Saturday Night
“(Looking For) The Heart Of Saturday Night” is a timeless and evocative track that showcases Tom Waits’ ability to create vivid and immersive worlds through his music. The song’s jazzy instrumentation and Waits’ smooth vocals create a sense of romance and nostalgia, perfectly capturing the wistful longing for a bygone era. The lyrics, full of poetic imagery and vivid descriptions, describe the joys and sorrows of life in the city, capturing the essence of the human experience in all its beauty and complexity. Waits’ ability to evoke a sense of empathy and understanding for his characters is truly remarkable, creating a sense of intimacy and connection that is rare in popular music. The song’s chorus, featuring Waits’ repeated invitation to “find the heart of Saturday night,” adds to the sense of yearning and hope that permeates the track. Overall, “(Looking For) The Heart Of Saturday Night” is a stunning example of Tom Waits’ ability to create powerful and affecting music, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest songwriters of all time.