Tom Waits Quotes

A collection of quotes by Tom Waits.

Tom Waits is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor, known for his distinctive voice and eclectic musical style. He was born on December 7, 1949, in Pomona, California, and grew up in a creative household. Waits' music spans various genres, including blues, jazz, folk, and rock, often incorporating spoken word and experimental elements.

Waits began his musical career in the early 1970s, releasing his debut album, "Closing Time," in 1973. He gained critical acclaim with his unique blend of storytelling and gritty, distinctive vocals. Throughout his career, Waits has released numerous highly regarded albums, such as "Swordfishtrombones" (1983), "Rain Dogs" (1985), and "Mule Variations" (1999).

Waits' songwriting often displays a love for the underdogs and outcasts of society, drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources, including beat poetry and vaudeville. His lyrics are both poetic and vivid, capturing the essence of a bygone era.

Aside from his musical achievements, Waits has also acted in several films, including "The Outsiders" (1983) and "Coffee and Cigarettes" (2003). His raspy voice and eccentric persona have made him a sought-after character actor.

Throughout his career, Tom Waits has maintained a cult following and is considered one of the most influential singer-songwriters of his generation. His unique sound and storytelling continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

The piano has been drinking, not me.

The piano has been drinking, not me.

Alcohol/alcoholism

You know what I really love? The CD players in a car. How wh

You know what I really love? The CD players in a car. How when you put the CD right up by the slot, it actually takes it out of your hand, like it's hungry. It pulls it in, and you feel like it wants more silver discs.

Car

Songs really are like a form of time travel because they rea

Songs really are like a form of time travel because they really have moved forward in a bubble. Everyone who's connected with it, the studio's gone, the musicians are gone, and the only thing that's left is this recording which was only about a three-minute period maybe 70 years ago.

Travel

Most songs have meager beginnings. You wake up in the mornin

Most songs have meager beginnings. You wake up in the morning, you throw on your suspenders, and you subvocalize and just think. They seem to form like calcium. I can't think of a story right off the bat that was that interesting. I write things on the back of my hand, usually, and sing into a tape recorder.

Morning

But then I'm one of those guys that is still a bit afraid of

But then I'm one of those guys that is still a bit afraid of the telephone, its implications for conversation. I still wonder if the jukebox might be the death of live music.

Death

As a kid, I did want to be an old-timer, since they were the

As a kid, I did want to be an old-timer, since they were the ones with the big stories and the cool clothes. I wanted to go there. Now, I guess I want to bring that with me and go back in time.

Cool

You hope people are going to be listening to you after you'r

You hope people are going to be listening to you after you're gone. And they like you better after you're gone.

Hope

My reality needs imagination like a bulb needs a socket. My

My reality needs imagination like a bulb needs a socket. My imagination needs reality like a blind man needs a cane.

Imagination

Their memory's like a train: you can see it getting smaller

Their memory's like a train: you can see it getting smaller as it pulls away And the things you can't remember Tell the things you can't forget that History puts a saint in every dream.

History