This One
Crystal Gayle; Tom Waits Lyrics
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But instead I'll just pour myself a drink
It's got to be love, I've never felt this way
Oh baby, this one's from the heart
The shadows in the road look like a railroad track
I wonder if he's (ever) really comin' back
The moon's a yellow stain across the sky
(Maybe) And I'll go down to the corner and get a racin' form
(But) And I should probably wait here by the phone
And the brakes need adjustment on the convertible
Oh baby, this one's from the heart
The worm is climbin' the other color tree
Robin is back against the wall
Pour myself a double sympathy
Oh baby, this one's from the heart
Blonde's, brunettes, and redheads put their hammer down
(To put ) don't pound a cold chisel through my heart
But they were nothin' but apostrophes
O baby, this one's from the heart
I can't tell, is that a siren or a saxophone
But the roads get so slippery (when it rains)
I love you more than all these words can ever say
Oh baby, this one's from the heart
The song "This One's from the Heart" by Tom Waits is a mournful but romantic ballad performed by Crystal Gayle. The lyrics indicate that the singer's lover has left her on Independence Day, and she is left to wonder if he will ever return. Instead of celebrating the holiday, she pours herself a drink and reflects on her strong feelings for her partner. She imagines him coming back on a train track, dreams of him calling her from a payphone but she's uncertain, and she's even distracted by mundane things like a car that needs brakes adjusted.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "oh baby, this one's from the heart," suggesting that this is a message to her lover that he should take seriously. The imagery is melancholy, with a worm crawling up a tree and a robin backed against a wall, adding to the sense of sadness and uncertainty. Nonetheless, the depth of the singer's feeling for her partner is undeniable as she tells him that she loves him more than words can say.
Line by Line Meaning
As you go out it's Independence Day
The singer acknowledges that it's Independence Day but doesn't feel like celebrating with anyone.
But instead I'll just pour myself a drink
Rather than go out and celebrate, the singer is going to stay in and drink alone.
It's got to be love, I've never felt this way
The singer is sure they're in love and have never felt this way before.
Oh baby, this one's from the heart
The artist is expressing their love earnestly.
The shadows in the road look like a railroad track
The artist is driving down a road where the shadows look like railroad tracks.
I wonder if he's (ever) really comin' back
The singer is wondering if someone is ever going to come back.
The moon's a yellow stain across the sky
The moon is a yellow blotch in the sky.
Maybe: And I'll go down to the corner and get a racin' form
The artist might go to the corner and get a 'racin' form', a piece of paper or software that predicts winners at the racetrack.
But: And I should probably wait here by the phone
But the artist should probably just stay by the phone instead.
And the brakes need adjustment on the convertible
The artist's convertible car needs brake adjustment.
Blonde's, brunettes, and redheads put their hammer down
Girls with blonde, brunette, and red hair are putting their foot down on the gas pedal.
To put: don't pound a cold chisel through my heart
To put it bluntly, don't break the artist's heart.
But they were nothin' but apostrophes
The previous girls mentioned didn't matter to the singer.
O baby, this one's from the heart
The singer is expressing their love earnestly.
I can't tell, is that a siren or a saxophone
The singer can't distinguish between a siren and saxophone they're hearing.
But the roads get so slippery (when it rains)
But the roads easily turn slippery when it rains.
I love you more than all these words can ever say
The artist loves someone more than they could ever possibly express with words.
Oh baby, this one's from the heart
The singer is expressing their love earnestly.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TOM WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JeanMarieAudrain
Un duo magnifique et d'une puissance incroyable dans l'amour qui se voulait éternel !
@billfranz1724
The whole soundtrack to One From The Heart is wonderful. All Waits and Crystal.
@keithmurphy1140
A wonderful beautiful soundtrack,sometimes iam so scared to listen to it,it's that moving
@madeleine7411
A wonderful song. I cry every time I hear it. Tom Waits is a poet. I listen to him when I am missing my husband, which is every day.
@debaerseamer9319
Your words and feelings mirror my own. I miss my husband too..
Beautiful.
@mariah1983
So sorry for your loss
@martinmcdonald4207
Romance never dies, even when we lose our soul mates, they never leave us.
@gavinmcelwee3573
Bless ur heart
@angelashort1331
Not sleeping too well these days ,Coming up 51 yrs married and my guy is in aged care , The house is as lonely as I am, and I never knew it could hurt this much , . My mum suffered in this way, I realise now , just didn't get it back then , Now I know , I'm sorry I wasn't nearer to her , ❤
@kennytheworm
Is there any question that Tom Waits is an International Treasure? The ability to write such amazingly beautiful melodies, with the most poignant, and heartfelt lyrics, is a gift that humanity will cherish forever. The Man should have a shrine in The Songwriting Hall of Fame.