Goin-_Out_West
Tom Waits Lyrics


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I'm goin' out west where the wind blows tall
'Cause Tony Franciosa used to date my ma
They got some money out there, they're givin' it away
I'm gonna do what I want and I'm gonna get paid
Do what I want and I'm gonna get paid

Little brown sausages lying in the sand
I ain't no extra baby, I'm a leading man
Well, my parole officer will be proud of me
With my Olds '88 and the devil on a leash
My Olds '88 and the devil on a leash

I know karate, Voodoo too
I'm gonna make myself available to you
I don't need no make up, I got real scars
I got hair on my chest
I look good without a shirt

Well, I don't lose my composure in a high-speed chase
Well, my friends think I'm ugly, I got a masculine face
I got some drag-strip courage, I can really drive a bed
I'm gonna change my name to Hannibal or maybe just Rex
Change my name to Hannibal or maybe just Rex

I know karate, Voodoo too
I'm gonna make myself available to you
I don't need no make up, I got real scars
I got hair on my chest
I look good without a shirt

I'm gonna drive all night, get some speed
I'm gonna wait for the sun to shine down on me
I cut a hole in my roof, the shape of a heart
And I'm goin' out west where they'll appreciate me
I'm goin' out west where they'll appreciate me
Goin' out west where they'll appreciate me
Goin' out west where they'll appreciate me
Goin' out west, goin' out west
Goin' out west, goin' out west




Goin' out west, goin' out west
Goin' out west, goin' out west

Overall Meaning

The song "Goin' Out West" by Tom Waits is about a man who is heading out west to chase his dreams and escape the life he has been living. The first verse talks about the man's motivation for going out west – his mother used to date Tony Franciosa, an actor who was famous in the '50s and '60s. The man believes that there is money to be made out there and he is determined to do what he wants and get paid for it. The second verse mentions his parole officer, suggesting that he may have a criminal past. He compares himself to a leading man and boasts about his confidence and masculinity. Throughout the song, he claims to know karate and voodoo, and to have drag-strip courage. He plans to change his name to Hannibal or Rex, and to drive all night until he finds somewhere where he will be appreciated. The song is a celebration of individuality, self-confidence, and freedom.


Overall, "Goin' Out West" is a fun, upbeat song that celebrates the American West, but it also has a darker side. The singer is running away from something and is looking for a place where he can be himself and be appreciated for who he is. His confidence and swagger may be a front for his insecurities and the pain of his past. The song suggests that the West is a place where people can reinvent themselves and start over, but it also acknowledges that this can be a tough and dangerous journey.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm goin' out west where the wind blows tall
I am heading out West to a place where the wind blows tall.


'Cause Tony Franciosa used to date my ma
I am going to this place because Tony Franciosa, who used to go out with my mother, lives there.


They got some money out there, they're givin' it away
There is money to be had in this place and they seem to be giving it away.


I'm gonna do what I want and I'm gonna get paid
I am going to do whatever I want and I will get paid for it.


Little brown sausages lying in the sand
There are small brown objects that look like sausages lying in the sand.


I ain't no extra baby, I'm a leading man
I am not just an extra, but an important character.


Well, my parole officer will be proud of me
My parole officer will be pleased with me.


With my Olds '88 and the devil on a leash
I have an Oldsmobile '88 and I am in control of my impulses.


I know karate, Voodoo too
I know both karate and Voodoo.


I'm gonna make myself available to you
I will be available to whoever needs me.


I don't need no make up, I got real scars
I do not require make-up to cover up my real scars.


I got hair on my chest
I have hair on my chest.


I look good without a shirt
I look attractive without a shirt on.


Well, I don't lose my composure in a high-speed chase
I am capable of maintaining my composure during a high-speed chase.


Well, my friends think I'm ugly, I got a masculine face
My friends think I am ugly, however, I have a masculine face.


I got some drag-strip courage, I can really drive a bed
I am fearless on the drag-strip, I can even drive a bed.


I'm gonna change my name to Hannibal or maybe just Rex
I am thinking about changing my name to Hannibal or possibly Rex.


I'm gonna drive all night, get some speed
I will be driving all night to gain speed.


I'm gonna wait for the sun to shine down on me
I am going to wait for the sun to shine on me.


I cut a hole in my roof, the shape of a heart
I have cut a hole in my roof in the shape of a heart.


And I'm goin' out west where they'll appreciate me
I am heading out west to a place where they will appreciate me.


Goin' out west where they'll appreciate me
I am going out west where they will appreciate me.


Goin' out west where they'll appreciate me
I am going out west where they will appreciate me.


Goin' out west, goin' out west
I am going out West.


Goin' out west, goin' out west
I am going out West.


Goin' out west, goin' out west
I am going out West.


Goin' out west, goin' out west
I am going out West.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KATHLEEN BRENNAN, THOMAS ALAN WAITS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Daniel T

I'm goin' out west where the wind blows tall
'Cause Tony Franciosa used to date my ma
They got some money out there, they're givin' it away
I'm gonna do what I want and I'm gonna get paid
Do what I want and I'm gonna get paid
Little brown sausages lying in the sand
I ain't no extra baby, I'm a leading man
Well, my parole officer will be proud of me
With my Olds '88 and the devil on a leash
My Olds '88 and the devil on a leash
I know karate, Voodoo too
I'm gonna make myself available to you
I don't need no make up, I got real scars
I got hair on my chest
I look good without a shirt
Well, I don't lose my composure in a high-speed chase
Well, my friends think I'm ugly, I got a masculine face
I got some drag-strip courage, I can really drive a bed
I'm gonna change my name to Hannibal or maybe just Rex
Change my name to Hannibal or maybe just Rex
I know karate, Voodoo too
I'm gonna make myself available to you
I don't need no make up, I got real scars
I got hair on my chest
I look good without a shirt
I'm gonna drive all night, get some speed
I'm gonna wait for the sun to shine down on me
I cut a hole in my roof, the shape of a heart
And I'm goin' out west where they'll appreciate me
I'm goin' out west where they'll appreciate me
Goin' out west where they'll appreciate me
Goin' out west where they'll appreciate me
Goin' out west, goin' out west
Goin' out west, goin' out west
Goin' out west, goin' out west
Goin' out west, goin' out west



A.J Thomas

Gentlemen, welcome to FIGHT CLUB!
#1 Rule about Fight Club is... you do not talk about Fight Club.
#2 Rule of Fight Club is.... YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB!
#3 Rule of Fight Club: Third rule of Fight Club: Someone yells "Stop!", goes limp, taps out, the fight is over. 
#4 Rule: Only two guys to a fight. 
#5 Rule: One fight at a time, fellas. 
#6 Rule: No shirts, no shoes. 
#7 Rule: Fights will go on as long as they have to. 
And the 8th and final rule: If this is your first night at Fight Club, you have to fight.



All comments from YouTube:

Vincent Pendleton

Upon hearing "Bone Machine" won Best alternative album, Tom Waits said "Alternative to what?" lol.

sandra gomes

@Sky Rothman so, so jealous (in a good way) 😉

Zack Zallie

@Findlay Mangan Pffft awards don't mean shit. It's already a cult following which is fine to me.

Findlay Mangan

Rain Dogs was better, give it an award or four.

Zack Zallie

Tom Waits is so decent as a human being and as a musician.

Tyler Stookie

LMAO he really is so damn clever.

3 More Replies...

Pickled_Pigface

If the devil started a band, they would just play Tom Waits covers.

Zanderman

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

August Greig

@BoulderBro999 why? That's not the point. That entire album has hip hop influence, like the lyrics and beat boxing on clang boom steam, or "Shake It" is a dance song. My point was, modern hip hop is some of the worst shit I've ever heard. Worse than disco or Bon Jovi or Winger. And it's very popular. They don't even rap in most of these songs.

BoulderBro999 why?

@August Greig tom actually really likes hip-hop. he did "top of the hill" after all. i'm thinking more auto-tuned pop-era taylor swift music.

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