The term has been revived via the musical genre called New Weird America.
The Part You Throw Away
Tom Waits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You wreck it down
You walk away, then you
Turn around
What did that old blonde
Gal say?
That is the part
You throw away
I want that beggars eyes
A winning horse
A tidy Mexican divorce
St. Mary's prayers
Houdini's Hands
And a Barman who always
Understands
Will you loose the flowers
Hold on to the vase
Will you wipe all those teardrops
Away from your face
I can't help thinking
As I close the door
I have done all of this
Many times before
The bone must go
The wish can stay
The kiss don't know
What the lips will say
Forget I've hurt you
Put stones in your bed
And remember to never
Mind instead
Well all of your letters
Burned up in the fire
Time is just memory
Mixed in with Desire
That's not the road it is
Only the map, I say
Gone just like matches
From a closed down cabaret
In a Portuguese Saloon
A fly is circling around
The room
You'll soon forget the
Tune that you play
For that is the part
You throw away
Oh that is the part
You throw away
The lyrics of Tom Waits's song The Part You Throw Away describe the process of letting go of things in life that are no longer serving you, whether it be a relationship, a memory, or a physical object. The first verse talks about losing something slowly and then turning back around to look at it. The "old blonde Gal" mentioned is likely a metaphor for a wise woman who is advising the listener to cast away the parts of their life that they don't need. The repetition of the phrase "That is the part you throw away" serves as a reminder to the listener to focus on what is important and let go of the rest.
The next verse lists a series of desires that the singer has, from "beggars eyes" to "Houdini's hands." These could be interpreted as the things that the singer wants to keep in their life, despite the need to let go of other things. The chorus continues with the theme of letting go, asking if the listener will keep the vase or the flowers, and encouraging them to wipe away their tears.
The third verse reflects on the repetition of this cycle of letting go and holding on. The "bone must go" but the "wish can stay." In other words, while it's important to let go of what doesn't serve you, it's also okay to hold on to what brings you joy. The final verse takes a surreal turn with the image of a fly circling around a Portuguese Saloon. The listener is encouraged to forget the tune they're playing and throw away the parts of their life that are holding them back.
Line by Line Meaning
You dance real slow
Move gently and slowly on the dance floor.
You wreck it down
You ruin or destroy everything you touch.
You walk away, then you Turn around
You're indecisive and unsure of what you want.
What did that old blonde Gal say?
You're questioning the wisdom of someone who has been around for a while.
That is the part You throw away
You need to discard the things that won't matter in the end.
I want that beggars eyes
I'm longing for the eyes of someone who has seen hardship and struggle.
A winning horse
I'm after something that will come out on top, no matter what.
A tidy Mexican divorce
I desire a clean break from something that's gone wrong.
St. Mary's prayers
I'm seeking divine intervention and guidance.
Houdini's Hands
I want someone who can perform magic tricks and make the impossible possible.
And a Barman who always Understands
I need someone who can listen and sympathize without judging or criticizing.
Will you loose the flowers
Are you willing to let go of the beauty and sweetness in your life?
Hold on to the vase
Will you keep the container even after its contents are gone?
Will you wipe all those teardrops Away from your face
Can you move on and get past the sorrow?
I can't help thinking As I close the door
I'm reflecting on past mistakes and missed opportunities.
I have done all of this Many times before
I keep repeating the same patterns and making the same mistakes over and over again.
The bone must go
You need to remove something that's causing you pain or discomfort.
The wish can stay
You can hold onto the hope for something better.
The kiss don't know What the lips will say
A kiss may not lead to the words or actions you expect.
Forget I've hurt you
Please forgive and move on from any pain I've caused.
Put stones in your bed
Create something uncomfortable or unsettling as a form of punishment or revenge.
And remember to never Mind instead
Just let it go and don't dwell on the things that don't matter.
Well all of your letters Burned up in the fire
All of our communication is lost and destroyed.
Time is just memory Mixed in with Desire
The past is just a collection of emotions and experiences.
That's not the road it is Only the map, I say
The plan may not work out the way you thought, but you can still find your way.
Gone just like matches From a closed down cabaret
Like a fleeting moment, things can disappear quickly and unexpectedly.
In a Portuguese Saloon A fly is circling around The room
Even in the midst of something seemingly peaceful, there can still be irritants and distractions.
You'll soon forget the Tune that you play
People will forget your actions and decisions in the grand scheme of things.
For that is the part You throw away
Things that seem important or necessary now may not matter in the end.
Oh that is the part You throw away
This idea of discarding unnecessary things is reinforced.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, JALMA MUSIC
Written by: Kathleen Brennan, Thomas Alan Waits
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ohdannyboy4727
They say the perfect song couldn't be made.
Tom: hold my beer
@Agent_47_S
I don't know how you bring this feeling to life, I don't even know how to describe it, but great job Tom, this is perfect. I wish you make more songs with this kind of feeling. This song has been on repeat for me for a long time now :)
@roeberdt-bT.1021
..."born and fated"...,.
...
...,.
.,...
@ferminbarajaspazos6853
Este es un temazo de Tom, pero los dioses no existen.
@paulawhannell18
Forget that I hurt you put stones in our bed and remember to never mine instead. ❤
@boneytony5041
Don’t listen to old blonde gals.
@annalisavajda252
Who are the ones that we left in charge?
Killers
Thieves
and
Lawyers.
@roderickbalt8993
He sounds a bit like Steve Earle here, or rather the other way around :).
@mauditanglais2510
I do not have a god, but if I did I would say O M G to Tom.
@psychologicalsigma9917
You really think your acknowledgement of a god or not determines the matter 😏
What if ur God believes in you n u don't believe in it?