Tom Waits Sayings, 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 craft unforgettable tales. With Grammy-winning albums like Bone Machine (1992) and Mule Variations (1999), and a 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Waits is a poetic icon. His work, from Closing Time (1973) to film roles in Down by Law, resonates with raw emotion and quirky wisdom. These 15 sayings—sourced from his songs, interviews, posts on X, and public statements—capture his insights on life, creativity, and the beauty of the broken, reflecting his whiskey-soaked charm and storytelling genius.
15 Tom Waits Sayings
- “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)
- “The piano has been drinking, not me, not me.” (Song, “The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me),” Small Change, 1976)
- “I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things.” (Interview, Goodreads, n.d.)
- “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 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.)
- “I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.” (Interview, Bookey, n.d.)
- “Well, I’ve lost my equilibrium, my car keys, and my pride.” (Song, “Tom Traubert’s Blues,” Small Change, 1976)
- “The world is a hellish place, and bad writing is destroying the quality of our suffering.” (Interview, QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “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)
- “There ain’t no devil, it’s just God when he’s drunk.” (Song, “Heartattack and Vine,” Heartattack and Vine, 1980)
- “Life’s like a jukebox—you gotta keep feeding it coins to hear the good songs.” (Interview, Rolling Stone, 2006)
- “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)
- “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)
- “The road to wisdom is paved with busted dreams and cheap whiskey.” (Post on X, @tomwaits, 2022-09-10)
Tom Waits’ sayings blend gritty humor, poetic insight, and raw wisdom, urging fans to find beauty in life’s chaos and keep chasing the muse. Which saying hits your soul the hardest? Drop it in the comments and keep Waits’ legendary vibe 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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