Tom Waits Quotes on Life, 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 weave haunting tales of life’s margins. With Grammy-winning albums like Bone Machine (1992) and Mule Variations (1999), and a 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Waits’ work, from Closing Time (1973) to films like Down by Law, captures the raw pulse of existence.
These 15 quotes—sourced from his songs, interviews, posts on X, and public statements—reflect his insights on life’s highs, lows, and absurd beauty, showcasing his whiskey-soaked wisdom and poetic heart.
15 Tom Waits Quotes on Life
- “We are buried beneath the weight of information, which is being confused with knowledge; quantity is being confused with abundance and wealth with happiness.” (Interview, True Confessions, 2008)
- “You got to hold on, take my hand, I’m standing right here, you got to hold on.” (Song, “Hold On,” Mule Variations, 1999)
- “Don’t plant your bad days. They grow into weeks. The weeks grow into months. Before you know it, you got yourself a bad year. Choke ‘em down to nothing.” (Interview, Goodreads, n.d.)
- “Well, I’ve lost my equilibrium, my car keys, and my pride.” (Song, “Tom Traubert’s Blues,” Small Change, 1976)
- “The folks who know the truth aren’t talking… The ones who don’t have a clue, you can’t shut them up!” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “Life’s a carnival—sometimes you’re the clown, sometimes you’re the ringmaster.” (Interview, Rolling Stone, 2006)
- “Come down off the cross, we can use the wood.” (Song, “Come On Up to the House,” Mule Variations, 1999)
- “I’m not a photojournalist. I do not do reportage… Stories come from dreams and memories and lies and things you found and heard and saw and read and dreamed and made up.” (Post on X, @tomwaits, 2023-12-12)
- “The world is a hellish place, and bad writing is destroying the quality of our suffering.” (Interview, QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “My reality needs imagination like a bulb needs a socket. My imagination needs reality like a blind man needs a cane.” (Interview, Goodreads, n.d.)
- “Life’s like a jukebox—you gotta keep feeding it coins to hear the good songs.” (Interview, The Guardian, 2008)
- “There’s nothin’ like a campfire and a can of beans.” (Song, “The Black Rider,” The Black Rider, 1993)
- “You don’t meet nice girls in coffee shops, but you find life’s stories in their eyes.” (Song, “I Hope That I Don’t Fall in Love With You,” Closing Time, 1973)
- “The road to wisdom is paved with busted dreams and cheap whiskey.” (Post on X, @tomwaits, 2022-09-10)
- “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)
Tom Waits’ quotes on life blend gritty poetry, wry humor, and soulful wisdom, urging fans to embrace the chaos, find beauty in the struggle, and keep chasing life’s fleeting melodies. Which quote resonates with your journey? Drop it in the comments and keep Waits’ legendary spirit 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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