But while Waits' early life was tumultuous to say the least, that voice managed to prevail, and on her self-titled debut for the Radarproof label, we are shown why we are all the better for it. Just as capable of singing a torch song as getting down and dirty with the blues, Waits tackles a combination of covers and originals on her CD with passion that really should be displayed more in the music business.
Her choices for covers are as curious when one sees them listed on the CD cover as they are ultimately appropriate, once they have been heard. Tom Waits' "Get Behind the Mule," sizzles with mischief when the female Waits works her magic on it. Bob Dylan's "Ring Them Bells," a criminally overlooked track from his excellent "Oh Mercy" CD, is given beautifully reverent treatment by Waits, as is the Billie Holiday standard, "Yesterdays."
Just wait until you hear the longing in Waits' voice when she tackles Ray Charles' "Drown in My Own Tears." Among the originals, the song "The Ballad of Judith Anne" is the most intriguing.
Also good is "Ignatius," which closes out the CD.
Fortune Teller
Hope Waits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Burdened by all the things to come
Believe me honey I always had the notion
To let things fall down one by one
Walkin' the streets of New Orleans
Lookin' to get my fortune told
I pass a lady who seemed to be crazy
And, "Your soul is like a river, it just don't know how to flow"
And, "Your love is like a river, it don't know where to go"
Honey I am not quite finished forgiving
It's only been a year
And I would like to sing my song
Without having to she'd another tear
But I still stumble down the alleys of Decatur
And it's like a washing flood
I'm still searchin', searchin' for my savior
I look up, and it's you, in the place of the sun
And your soul is like a river, it just don't know how to flow
Your love is like a river, it don't know where to go.
Grateful to see this beautiful ocean
Burdened by all the things to come
Believe me honey I've always had the notion
To let things fall down
And your love, like the fall
You said, it is a fair weathered friend
And my love, like the fall
Just don't know, it just don't know when to end
And love, love, love. Oh this love...
In Hope Waits's song "Fortune Teller," the singer is weighed down by the uncertainties and worries of the future, but finds comfort in the beauty of the world around them. The first stanza illustrates this dichotomy, with the singer expressing gratitude for the ocean's beauty while also feeling burdened by what is to come. The chorus sets the tone for the song, with the fortune teller's words serving as a metaphor for the singer's feelings of being lost and directionless. The river represents the singer's soul and love, both of which are described as not knowing how to flow or where to go.
The second verse introduces the setting of New Orleans, a city steeped in mystical lore and a popular destination for those seeking guidance from fortune tellers. The crazy lady is a symbol of the singer's own confusion and displacement, telling them that their eyes are too old and their soul needs direction. The following lines reveal that the singer is struggling with forgiveness and still grieving, but they long to express themselves without the pain of shedding tears. The last two lines of the verse hint at the singer's desperation, feeling lost and searching for a savior.
The final verse returns to the imagery of the river, juxtaposing the singer's love with the fall. The line "it is a fair weathered friend" suggests that the singer's love is unreliable and unpredictable, mirroring the way that the fall can be both beautiful and destructive. The repeated refrain of "love, love, love" emphasizes the theme of uncertainty and the singer's struggle to navigate their emotions. Overall, "Fortune Teller" is a contemplative song that explores the difficulty of finding one's way in an unpredictable world.
Interesting Facts:
Line by Line Meaning
Grateful to see this beautiful ocean
Despite the challenges that the future holds, I am taking a moment to appreciate the beauty surrounding me
Burdened by all the things to come
While I am thankful for the present, I am also aware of the difficult times ahead
Believe me honey I always had the notion
In the face of adversity, I have always believed in weathering the storm one step at a time
To let things fall down one by one
Rather than resisting life's inevitable changes, I have accepted that some things must come to a natural end
Walkin' the streets of New Orleans
I am wandering the city streets, searching for answers and meaning
Lookin' to get my fortune told
I am seeking guidance from a higher power or intuitive force
I pass a lady who seemed to be crazy
I encounter a woman who appears unconventional or outside the norm
She said, "Baby, your eyes are much too old"
The woman tells me that I have seen and experienced much more than my physical age would suggest
And, "Your soul is like a river, it just don't know how to flow"
The woman perceives a block or stagnation in my spiritual or emotional state
And, "Your love is like a river, it don't know where to go"
The woman sees confusion or lack of direction in my romantic life
Honey I am not quite finished forgiving
I acknowledge that I still have work to do when it comes to letting go
It's only been a year
I am grappling with the aftermath of a significant event that took place relatively recently
And I would like to sing my song
I aspire to express myself freely and authentically
Without having to she'd another tear
I hope to move forward with emotional strength and resilience
But I still stumble down the alleys of Decatur
I continue to face obstacles and setbacks in my journey to healing and growth
And it's like a washing flood
These challenges can feel overwhelming, like a force that threatens to consume me
I'm still searchin', searchin' for my savior
Despite the difficulties, I am determined to find a source of hope and strength
I look up, and it's you, in the place of the sun
In a moment of realization, I recognize that the light and warmth I need may come from unexpected sources
And your soul is like a river, it just don't know how to flow
I see a similar sense of confusion or disconnection in someone else's inner self
Your love is like a river, it don't know where to go.
I perceive uncertainty or lack of direction in someone else's romantic life
And your love, like the fall
I see the connection between the unpredictability of love and the changing seasons
You said, it is a fair weathered friend
I hear that love can be fickle and difficult to rely on
And my love, like the fall
I recognize the similarities between my own romantic experiences and the autumn season
Just don't know, it just don't know when to end
I feel like my romantic attachment can be all-consuming and difficult to shake
And love, love, love. Oh this love...
I reflect on the complexities of love and its impact on my life
Contributed by Elijah V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.