Tom Waits Lyrics Quotes, born December 7, 1949, in Pomona, California, is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor whose gravelly voice and eclectic blend of blues, jazz, and vaudeville create haunting, cinematic stories. With Grammy-winning albums like Bone Machine (1992) and Mule Variations (1999), and a 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Waits’ lyrics paint vivid portraits of love, loss, and life’s underbelly. From Closing Time (1973) to Bad As Me (2011), his songs are poetic gems.
These 15 lyrics quotes sourced from his songs capture his raw emotion, poetic imagery, and soulful storytelling, reflecting his unique ability to find beauty in the broken.
15 Tom Waits Lyrics Quotes
- “I had a beer and now I hear you callin’ out for me, and I hope that I don’t fall in love with you.” (Song, “I Hope That I Don’t Fall in Love With You,” Closing Time, 1973)
- “You got to hold on, take my hand, I’m standing right here, you got to hold on.” (Song, “Hold On,” Mule Variations, 1999)
- “I love her in the morning, and I love her at midnight, and all the times in between.” (Song, “Jersey Girl,” Heartattack and Vine, 1980)
- “And it’s you, and it’s you, and it’s you that I love, and it’s you I’ll be dreamin’ of.” (Song, “Johnsburg, Illinois,” Swordfishtrombones, 1983)
- “Your old home town’s so far away, but inside your head there’s a record that’s playing, a song called ‘Hold On’.” (Song, “Hold On,” Mule Variations, 1999)
- “There ain’t no devil, it’s just God when he’s drunk.” (Song, “Heartattack and Vine,” Heartattack and Vine, 1980)
- “You’re the same kind of bad as me, and that’s why I can’t let you go.” (Song, “Bad As Me,” Bad As Me, 2011)
- “I’d sell my soul for one more night with you under the neon moon.” (Song, “Picture in a Frame,” Mule Variations, 1999)
- “The piano has been drinking, not me, not me.” (Song, “The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me),” Small Change, 1976)
- “Well, I’ve lost my equilibrium, my car keys, and my pride.” (Song, “Tom Traubert’s Blues,” Small Change, 1976)
- “Come down off the cross, we can use the wood.” (Song, “Come On Up to the House,” Mule Variations, 1999)
- “All the world’s a stage, and I’m just whispering for a friend.” (Song, “Misery Is the River of the World,” Blood Money, 2002)
- “There’s nothin’ like a campfire and a can of beans.” (Song, “The Black Rider,” The Black Rider, 1993)
- “I’ll be clickin’ by your house about two forty-five, sidewalk sundae, strawberry surprise.” (Song, “Ice Cream Man,” Closing Time, 1973)
- “The ghosts of Saturday night, after hours, come to push you under the streetlight.” (Song, “(Looking for) The Heart of Saturday Night,” The Heart of Saturday Night, 1974)
Tom Waits’ lyrics quotes are a raw, poetic blend of love, loss, and life’s gritty beauty, inviting fans to find meaning in the shadows of his songs. Which lyric pulls at your heartstrings? Drop it in the comments and keep Waits’ soulful storytelling alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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