Tom Paxton (born Thomas Richard Paxton on October 31, 1937) is an American … Read Full Bio ↴Tom Paxton (born Thomas Richard Paxton on October 31, 1937) is an American singer and writer of folk music whose songs have had enduring appeal (and include modern standards such as "The Last Thing on My Mind") known for a cynical, often political edge. In 2009, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Paxton was born in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest child of Burton and Esther Paxton. The Paxton family moved to Bristow, Oklahoma in 1948, where Tom grew to adulthood and which he still considers home. He attended the University of Oklahoma and majored in drama, developing an interest in folk music.

After time in the Army Reserves, Paxton moved to New York City where he frequented the city's Greenwich Village coffeehouse circuit. His early success in Greenwich Village coffeehouses led to an ever-increasing circle of work. He made his professional debut at the Gaslight, the renowned folk haunt that also issued the singer's first album. In 1962 Gaslight Records would press 2,000 copies of his debut album, I'm The Man Who Built The Bridges.

Paxton also auditioned to join the Chad Mitchell Trio, but although he failed, the group enjoyed a 1963 hit with "The Marvelous Toy," one of Paxton's early songs. Paxton performed at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival, a performance that would be recorded-and released-by Vanguard Records. Paxton would go on to record a second album with Vanguard-at the Newport Folk Festival the following year - but his association with that record company lapsed, and it would not be until the year 2000 that Vanguard once again released a Tom Paxton album, Tom Paxton: Best of the Vanguard Years. In 1964 Paxton was signed to Elektra Records for whom he recorded his best-known work. Then in 1965 he made his first tour of the United Kingdom - the beginning of a still-thriving professional relationship that has included at least one tour in each of the succeeding years.

He and his wife Midge have been married since 1963 and have two daughters, Jennifer and Kate. All three women have served as inspiration for many of Paxton's songs. He now has three grandsons, Christopher, Sean, and Peter.

In addition to songwriting, Tom Paxton has written many critically acclaimed children's books, some of which were inspired by his songs for children.

He has performed thousands of concerts around the world in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Scandinavia, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, England, Scotland, Ireland and Canada. Paxton enjoys a strong relationship with fans throughout the world. His songs have experienced enduring appeal, including modern standards such as "The Last Thing on My Mind" (perhaps Paxton's best-known song, it has been recorded by dozens of artists, including Judy Collins, Sandy Denny, Dolly Parton, and Porter Wagoner), "Ramblin' Boy", "Bottle of Wine", "Whose Garden Was This", "The Marvelous Toy", and "The Hostage" (which recounts the 1971 uprising at Attica State Prison).

In February 2002, Tom Paxton was honored with the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award in Folk Music. A few days later, he received three Wammies (Washington, DC, Area Music Awards); as Best Male Vocalist in the "traditional folk" and "children's music" categories, and for Best Traditional Folk Recording of the Year for Under American Skies (the duo album he made with Anne Hills in 2001). This was the first Paxton album to receive an award of any kind.

Paxton has been nominated four times for Grammy Awards in his career, all since 2002.

In 2004, the Martin Guitar Company introduced the HD-40LSH Tom Paxton Signature Edition acoustic guitar in his honor.

In 2005, Paxton received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting at BBC Radio 2's Folk Awards at London's Brewery Arts Centre.

In 2006, Paxton received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance.

On January 22, 2007, Paxton was honored with an official UK Parliamentary tribute at the British House of Commons at the start of his 2007 United Kingdom tour.

On May 3, 2008, Paxton was honored with a special lifetime tribute from the World Folk Music Association, and a concert was held at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus, in Alexandria, Virginia.

I Like The Way You Look
Tom Paxton Lyrics

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I like the way you look when you don't know that I'm lookin' at you
And everywhere you look you're seein' somethin' or somebody new
I can see you startin' to smile but why I haven't a clue
I like the way you look when you don't know that I'm lookin' at you

I like the way you look with a mischievous light in your eyes
I can see you thinkin' about something that'd be a surprise
The more you thinkin' it the harder it becomes to disguise

I like the way you look with a mischievous look in your eyes

I like the way you look when you notice I've been lookin' at you
When you catch me starin', when you're darin' me to get up and do
When your eyes are laughin' when you know that I'm darin' you too
I like the way you look when you notice I've been lookin' at you

I like the way you look when you don't know that I'm lookin' at you
Then everywhere you look you're seein' somethin' or somebody new
I can see you startin' to smile but why I haven't a clue

I like the way you look when you don't know that I'm lookin' at you
I like the way you look when you don't know that I'm lookin' at you

Overall Meaning

The song "I Like The Way You Look" by Tom Paxton is about admiring someone from afar, appreciating their beauty and charm when they are not aware of being watched. The lyrics describe the joy and excitement of observing someone who keeps discovering new things around them. The singer enjoys watching the person's facial expressions, the way they think, and how they react to new situations. The first verse sets the tone for the song by emphasizing the appeal of seeing someone in their natural element, unaware of the observer's gaze. The second verse adds a layer of intrigue by describing the person's mischievous qualities and how those add to their attractiveness. The final verse suggests that the singer is more than just a passive watcher, and the person they admire might be playing along and enjoying the attention.

There is an innocence in the lyrics that makes them charming and relatable. The song captures the feeling of being smitten with someone and finding joy in the small things they do. It's a simple ode to the beauty of the everyday, and how sometimes, falling in love is just about noticing the person who has always been there in a new light.

Line by Line Meaning

I like the way you look when you don't know that I'm lookin' at you
I enjoy observing you discreetly, without your knowledge

And everywhere you look you're seein' somethin' or somebody new
You appear to have a curious and adventurous nature, always noticing and seeking out new things and people

I can see you startin' to smile but why I haven't a clue
I notice that you are beginning to smile, but I do not understand the reason behind it

I like the way you look with a mischievous light in your eyes
Your eyes emit a playful and devious twinkle that I find attractive

I can see you thinkin' about something that'd be a surprise
I sense that you are contemplating a surprise or fun idea

The more you thinkin' it the harder it becomes to disguise
As you continue to think about your idea, it becomes increasingly difficult for you to conceal your excitement

I like the way you look when you notice I've been lookin' at you
I also find it enjoyable when you realize that I have been observing you and acknowledge my presence

When you catch me starin', when you're darin' me to get up and do
When you notice that I am staring and you challenge me to take action

When your eyes are laughin' when you know that I'm darin' you too
When your eyes express amusement and you understand that I am also daring you

Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: TOM PAXTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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