15 Tom Waits Quotes About Music, 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 redefine musical storytelling. 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 film scores, captures the soul of the human experience.
These 15 quotes—sourced from his songs, interviews, posts on X, and public statements—reflect his insights on music’s magic, its ability to conjure emotions, and its role as a vessel for truth, showcasing his whiskey-soaked wisdom and poetic genius.
15 Tom Waits Quotes About Music
- “I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things.” (Interview, Goodreads, n.d.)
- “The piano has been drinking, not me, not me.” (Song, “The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me),” Small Change, 1976)
- “When you’re writing, you’re conjuring. It’s a ritual, and you need to be brave and respectful and sometimes get out of the way of whatever it is that you’re inviting into the room.” (Post on X, @tomwaits, 2024-03-12)
- “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)
- “I think that everybody likes music but what you really want is music to like you.” (Post on X, @tomwaits, 2024-05-02)
- “Most people don’t care if you’re telling them the truth or if you’re telling them a lie, as long as they’re entertained by it.” (Interview, American Songwriter, 2022)
- “Music is a living thing—it breathes, it cries, it tells you secrets if you listen close.” (Interview, Rolling Stone, 2004)
- “Songs are like old cars: you gotta bang on ‘em a little to get ‘em started.” (Interview, The Guardian, 2008)
- “All that you’ve loved is all you own, in a land there’s a country band playing.” (Song, “Fish & Whiskey,” Bone Machine, 1992)
- “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)
- “A song ain’t just notes—it’s the ghosts of every heart it’s ever touched.” (Interview, NPR, 2011)
- “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)
- “Music’s like a river—you don’t control it, you just swim in it.” (Post on X, @tomwaits, 2022-06-15)
- “I like my music like I like my life—messy, loud, and full of soul.” (Interview, Mojo, 1999)
- “I’ll be clickin’ by your house about two forty-five, sidewalk sundae, strawberry surprise.” (Song, “Ice Cream Man,” Closing Time, 1973)
Tom Waits’ quotes about music weave a tapestry of poetic grit, soulful magic, and raw creativity, urging fans to listen deeply and let music tell their stories. Which quote hits your playlist’s soul? Drop it in the comments and keep Waits’ musical legend 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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