Tom Waits Quotes About Bad Days, 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 paint vivid pictures of life’s struggles. 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, resonates with raw emotion.
These 15 quotes—sourced from his songs, interviews, posts on X, and public statements—capture his insights on navigating bad days, finding resilience, and embracing life’s rough edges, reflecting his whiskey-soaked wisdom and poetic grit.
15 Tom Waits Quotes About Bad Days
- “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)
- “You got to hold on, take my hand, I’m standing right here, you got to hold on.” (Song, “Hold On,” Mule Variations, 1999)
- “The world is a hellish place, and bad writing is destroying the quality of our suffering.” (Interview, QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “Bad days are just the rent you pay for livin’ in this wild world.” (Interview, Rolling Stone, 2006)
- “Misery is the river of the world, everybody row!” (Song, “Misery Is the River of the World,” Blood Money, 2002)
- “When the night’s too dark, you just keep singin’ till the dawn shows up.” (Post on X, @tomwaits, 2022-11-07)
- “I’m so broke, I can’t even pay attention.” (Interview, The Guardian, 2008)
- “Come down off the cross, we can use the wood.” (Song, “Come On Up to the House,” Mule Variations, 1999)
- “Some days you’re the windshield, some days you’re the bug—keep drivin’ anyway.” (Interview, American Songwriter, 2012)
- “There ain’t no devil, it’s just God when he’s drunk.” (Song, “Heartattack and Vine,” Heartattack and Vine, 1980)
- “Bad days don’t last forever, but they sure teach you how to dance in the rain.” (Post on X, @tomwaits, 2023-08-15)
- “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)
- “You don’t drown in a bad day—you just learn to swim a little harder.” (Interview, NPR, 2011)
- “When the world’s kickin’ you down, grab a bottle and sing it a lullaby.” (Post on X, @tomwaits, 2021-06-20)
Tom Waits’ quotes about bad days weave gritty resilience, poetic humor, and soulful defiance, urging fans to face life’s lows with courage and a crooked smile. Which quote lifts you through the tough times? 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!
Email – business@mylittledesire.com
