He started his career in the early 1970s as a singer in spit 'n' sawdust bars. Initially, he was deeply influenced by the beat generation, novelists like Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs, and poets like Allen Ginsberg and Charles Bukowski. Waits is often compared to Charles Bukowski, being similar both in content and lifestyle
Waits was unable to make a living from his music in the 70s because his classical bar music, based in pre-rock, and Americana, blues, and Vaudeville styles were not popular. Waits's voice back then was soft, warm and clear.
Waits subsequently developed a devoted cult following and has influenced subsequent songwriters, despite having little radio or music video support. In fact, his songs are perhaps best known to the general public in the form of cover versions of more visible artists, such as the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and Rod Stewart.
Although Waits’s albums have met with mixed commercial success in his native United States, they have occasionally achieved gold album sales status in other countries.
Lyrically, Waits's songs are known for atmospheric portrayals of seedy characters and places; he sings about the losers on the streets: alcoholics, junkies, prostitutes and social outcasts, although he also includes more conventional and touching ballads in his repertoire.
While opening for Frank Zappa, the audience catcalled and refused to listen to him; he was an unsuitable match with Zappa's avantgarde style.
Countless cigarettes, gallons of alcohol and many all night parties eventually left their trace in his face and voice.
His more recent gravelly voice can be first heard on Small Change. This distinctive voice turned out to be his trademark. It is described by the Music Hound Rock Album Guide as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months and then taken outside and run over with a car". Small Change with its sentimental ballads, its bar-jazz attitude and Film Noir-oriented stories turned out to be his biggest commercial success in the 1970s.
Waits subsequently developed a more unique style. His songs have grown more abrasive since then, and the arrangements have turned more surreal and experimental with every new record. His life brings him to new visions, as indicated by the direction taken in his "Alice" release.
While composing the soundtrack for Francis Ford Coppola's One From The Heart Waits met Kathleen Brennan, his bride-to-be. They married in 1980 and she helped him quit drinking and smoking. Since their marriage they have been working together on his albums as co-producers and co-writers. It is hard to say which part belongs to her and which to him, but it's easy to see that they make a perfect team. Additionally, his eldest son Casey can be heard on turntables and percussion on Waits's album "Real Gone".
One of Waits's greatest successes was the album "Swordfishtrombones", released in 1983. It struck with his critics and fans alike. He achieved a new level of song writing and left former conventions (and his earlier career) behind. All songs, whether ballads, jive or jazz are played in a completely different way. It seems that Waits had taken the musical archetypes of these styles and made them his own. All tracks are in the quintessential Waits style. They have a striking rawness and listenability and they set the stage for his success and his future career.
The Bad As Me Songfacts reports that 36 years after the release of Waits' first album, Closing Time in 1973, Bad As Me became Waits's first ever top 10 album in the US when it debuted at #6 with 63,000 sales.
In the late 1980s Waits discovered an outlet for his creativity in composing musicals. His first Musical was named "The Black Rider", and is based on "Der Freischütz" by Carl Maria von Weber. It was co-produced by Robert Wilson and the lyrics come from William S. Burroughs. The story is slightly reminiscent of Kurt Weil's and Berthold Brecht's "Three Penny Opera" and the 1930s. The debut performance of the play was in 1990 at the Thalia Theater, Hamburg and has been played by various theatre groups since then.
Waits was also responsible for two other musicals, which later became albums released simultaneously in 2002. One was the musical "Blood Money," which covers the "Woyczek" theme of Georg Büchner. This one is one of the darkest works from Waits. The other musical is based on Lewis Carroll's classic children's novel, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland". "Alice" is very romantic, dreamy and soft, and contains one of Waits most romantic songs. Even though they were released at the same time, the bootlegs of the "Alice" musical were long before traded between fans and were just rearranged and re-mastered for the official release.
Besides many film contributions as composer – the Internet Movie Database imdb.com lists 47 appearances of Waits as composer and 38 soundtracks containing songs by Waits - he also is an actor with a total of 25 appearances, ranging from some mini-roles as a trumpeter in "Heart of Saturday Night" and the R. M. Renfield in "Bram Stoker's Dracula" to the major role of Zack in Jim Jarmusch's "Down by Law". He recently appeared in Roberto Benigni's "The Tiger and the Snow", playing You Can Never Hold Back Spring at Benigni's wedding dream. Even more recently, Waits played Mr.Nick (the Devil) in Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus".
In addition to a number of concert videos, he also appeared in the critically-acclaimed concert feature film "Big Time" (1990).
Waits has always refused to allow the use of his songs in commercials. He has filed several lawsuits against advertisers for using his material without permission. Waits also successfully sued an advertiser for using a work that was stylistically similar to his work, after he had declined to sell them the rights to his song. He has been quoted as saying, "Apparently the highest compliment our culture grants artists nowadays is to be in an ad — ideally naked and purring on the hood of a new car. I have adamantly and repeatedly refused this dubious honor."
I Don't Wanna Grow Up
Tom Waits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't want to grow up
Nothin' ever seems to turn out right
I don't want to grow up
How do you move in a world of fog
That's always changing things?
Makes me wish that I could be a dog
Well, when I see the price that you pay
I don't ever want to be that way
I don't want to grow up
Seems like folks turn into things they they'd never want
The only thing to live for is today
I'm gonna put a hole in my T.V. set
I don't want to grow up
Open up the medicine chest
And I don't want to grow up
I don't want to have to shout it out
I don't want my hair to fall out
I don't want to be filled with doubt
I don't want to be a good boy scout
I don't want to have to learn to count
I don't want to have the biggest amount
I don't want to grow up
Well, when I see my parents fight
I don't want to grow up
They all go out and drinking all night
And I don't want to grow up
I'd rather say here in my room
Nothin' out there but sad and gloom
I don't want to live in a big old tomb on Grand Street, hoo
When I see the five o'clock news
I don't want to grow up
Comb their hair and shine their shoes
I don't want to grow up
Stay around in my old hometown
I don't want to put no money down
I don't want to get me a big old loan
Work them fingers to the bone
I don't want to float a broom
Fall in love and get married then boom
How the hell did I get here so soon?
I don't want to grow up
Tom Waits's song "I Don't Want to Grow Up" is a lament about the inevitability of growing up and the disillusionment that comes with it. The singer expresses his desire to remain a child forever, avoiding the disappointments, hardships, and responsibilities that come with adulthood. The song begins with the singer lying in bed, feeling hopeless about the world and his place in it. He wishes he could be a dog, free from the burdens and complexities of human life. The second verse suggests that people become jaded and lose their sense of wonder as they age. The singer doesn't want to be like them or end up like his parents, who are depicted as drunken and irresponsible.
The next verse is particularly interesting in that the singer expresses his frustration with society's expectations and norms. He wants to rebel against them and break free from the confines of adulthood. He threatens to put a hole in his TV set and open the medicine chest, actions that would be considered reckless and destructive. He also rejects the idea of being a "good boy scout," learning to count, or accumulating wealth. He doesn't want to be consumed by materialism or conform to societal expectations.
The final verse further emphasizes the singer's desire to remain a child. He wants to stay in his hometown, avoid taking on debt or loans, and avoid falling into the mundane routine of adulthood. He ends the song with the same sentiment he began it with: "I don't want to grow up." In a way, this could be seen as a rejection of the American Dream, the idea that success and fulfillment can only be achieved through hard work, sacrifice, and conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, when I'm lyin' in my bed at night
At night, when I'm lying in my bed, I don't want to age or grow old.
Nothin' ever seems to turn out right
Growing up does not seem appealing because things do not always end up the way I want them to be.
How do you move in a world of fog
This world, with its ever-changing norms, is difficult to navigate as it is unclear how to respond to different situations.
That's always changing things?
The world is constantly changing, and there is no constant to rely on.
Makes me wish that I could be a dog
I often wish to be a dog that lives in the moment, because it can be difficult to enjoy life when one is preoccupied with growing older.
Well, when I see the price that you pay
Witnessing others' struggles and hardships due to adulthood convinces me that staying young is key.
I don't ever want to be that way
I do not wish to ever end up the way many adults seem - unhappy and unfulfilled.
Seems like folks turn into things they they'd never want
Often when people grow up, they adopt undesirable traits that they wouldn't have wanted before.
The only thing to live for is today
Living in the moment is the only thing that truly counts.
I'm gonna put a hole in my T.V. set
I would rather destroy my television than watch messages that encourage me to become an adult.
Open up the medicine chest
I would prefer to resort to distraction, such as pills, than have to grow up.
And I don't want to grow up
Above all else, growing up and becoming an adult is the last thing I want.
I don't want to have to shout it out
I don't want to be required to vocally express my thoughts and feelings.
I don't want my hair to fall out
I do not want to age physically and lose my hair.
I don't want to be filled with doubt
I don't want to have any uncertainties in my mind that could deter me from living life to the fullest.
I don't want to be a good boy scout
I don't want to be a model citizen that adheres to society's expectations.
I don't want to have to learn to count
I don't want to be responsible and have to budget my finances or keep track of my expenses.
I don't want to have the biggest amount
I don't want to be preoccupied with obtaining more money and wealth.
Well, when I see my parents fight
Seeing the adults in my life, like my parents, argue and fight further confirms my desires to remain young.
They all go out and drinking all night
They go out and consume alcohol, which is supposedly a pastime for adults, but it creates negative experiences.
I'd rather say here in my room
I would be happier staying in my room where I can tune out the unpleasantness of what adults do.
Nothin' out there but sad and gloom
I anticipate that the world outside is a negative and depressing place.
I don't want to live in a big old tomb on Grand Street, hoo
Living in New York City in a cramped and crowded apartment sounds unappealing.
When I see the five o'clock news
Seeing the daily news further reinforces the negative perspective of adulthood.
Comb their hair and shine their shoes
The actions of businessmen imply that they are superficial individuals who care more about their appearance than their true selves.
Stay around in my old hometown
I would be happiest staying in my childhood city, where the tempos of life are slower.
I don't want to put no money down
I do not wish to be held responsible for significant financial commitments.
I don't want to get me a big old loan
I do not wish to acquire large sums of debt through loans, as it creates stress, anxiety, and obligations.
Work them fingers to the bone
Having to work excessively hard to pay off loans and debts seems like a daunting and unpleasant task.
I don't want to float a broom
I do not wish to have a menial job in which I'm relegated to janitorial duties like sweeping floors.
Fall in love and get married then boom
The fleeting love lives of adults further confirm my reluctance towards growing up.
How the hell did I get here so soon?
How on earth did I suddenly end up feeling like I grew up so quickly?
Lyrics © JALMA MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KATHLEEN BRENNAN, THOMAS ALAN WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crittheory
Lyrics... When I'm lyin' in my bed at night
I don't wanna grow up
Nothin' ever seems to turn out right
I don't wanna grow up
How do you move in a world of fog
That's always changing things
Makes me wish that I could be a dog
When I see the price that you pay
I don't wanna grow up
I don't ever wanna be that way
I don't wanna grow up
Seems like folks turn into things
That they'd never want
The only thing to live for
Is today...
I'm gonna put a hole in my TV set
I don't wanna grow up
Open up the medicine chest
And I don't wanna grow up
I don't wanna have to shout it out
I don't want my hair to fall out
I don't wanna be filled with doubt
I don't wanna be a good boy scout
I don't wanna have to learn to count
I don't wanna have the biggest amount
I don't wanna grow up
Well when I see my parents fight
I don't wanna grow up
They all go out and drinking all night
And I don't wanna grow up
I'd rather stay here in my room
Nothin' out there but sad and gloom
I don't wanna live in a big old Tomb
On Grand Street
When I see the 5 o'clock news
I don't wanna grow up
Comb their hair and shine their shoes
I don't wanna grow up
Stay around in my old hometown
I don't wanna put no money down
I don't wanna get me a big old loan
Work them fingers to the bone
I don't wanna float a broom
Fall in love and get married then boom
How the hell did I get here so soon
I don't wanna grow up
@patorabioso
When I'm lyin' in my bed at night
I don't wanna grow up
Nothin' ever seems to turn out right
I don't wanna grow up
How do you move in a world of fog
That's always changing things
Makes me wish that I could be a dog
When I see the price that you pay
I don't wanna grow up
I don't ever wanna be that way
I don't wanna grow up
Seems like folks turn into things
that they'd never want
The only thing to live for
Is today...
I'm gonna put a hole in my TV set
I don't wanna grow up
Open up the medicine chest
And I don't wanna grow up
I don't wanna have to shout it out
I don't want my hair to fall out
I don't wanna be filled with doubt
I don't wanna be a good boy scout
I don't wanna have to learn to count
I don't wanna have the biggest amount
I don't wanna grow up
Well when I see my parents fight
I don't wanna grow up
They all go out and drinking all night
And I don't wanna grow up
I'd rather stay here in my room
Nothin' out there but sad and gloom
I don't wanna live in a big old tomb
On Grand Street
When I see the 5 o'clock news
I don't wanna grow up
Comb their hair and shine their shoes
I don't wanna grow up
Stay around in my old hometown
I don't wanna put no money down
I don't wanna get me a big old loan
Work them fingers to the bone
I don't wanna float a broom
Fall in love and get married then boom
How the hell did it get here so soon
I don't wanna grow up
@lorenzo6mm
I am the slime oozing out From your tv set
I am gross and perverted
Im obsessed n deranged
I have existed for years
But very little had changed
I am the tool of the government
And industry too
For I am destined to rule
And regulate you
I may be vile and pernicious
But you can't look away
I make you think Im delicious
With the stuff that I say
I am the best you can get
Have you guessed me yet?
I am the slime oozing out
From your tv set
You will obey me while I lead you
And eat the garbage that I feed you
Until the day that we don't need you
Don't got for help...no one will heed you
Your mind is totally controlled
It has been stuffed into my mold
And you will do as you are told
Until the rights to you are sold
That's right, folks..
Don't touch that dial
Well, I am the slime from your video
Oozing along on your living room floor
I am the slime from your video
Cant stop the slime, people, look it me go
Frank Zappa
@lorenzo6mm
@@creamwobbly absolutely.
The world is run on the USA Federal Reserve Currency indemnified by a American TAXPAYER FHFA and FDIC
"Insurance Casino" the $2,000 TRILLION ISDA SWAPS Casino, every human activity known to man is "Monetized" in the
"Click Bait" World we are in since 2009 when the Obama Nation refused to dissolve the World's largest Casino in all of human History.
An ISDA regulated Casino in the DARK by the 1% Money Masters who can never be held accountable for 1-3% pure profits
annually on $2,000 TRILLION worth of annual 60,000 Hedge Funds.....
"Insurance Bets" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The most fantastic free criminal money machine in Human History. 20 years ago considered a Capital Crime against HUMANITY, because a Casino is a criminal enterprise under the Laws of Nations and Humanity. Pure GAMBLING THEFT !
When the 20212 AIG trial concluded the Judge asked ex Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke what Law allowed the USA Federal Reserve to "Socialize" nearly $70 TRILLION in Worldwide
"Insurance bets fraud and bailouts" and
"privatize" the $300+++ BILLION in
FDIC broker fees in the USA in 2009 alone, Ben Bernanke
responded to the Court, ...."the Domesday Book".........800 year old Ex Parte British Crown Law......implying that as agents of the Government (Crown/King) and the levying and spending of the TAXES and MONEY of the (USA/English Common Law) World, they could NEVER be legally held accountable as
"Agents of the King and........God"........
for malfeasance with TAXPAYER MONEY.
or the ISSUANCE of that money in CRIMINAL or CIVIL proceedings.
Hence Lloyd Blankfeinn's amazing statement while CEO of Goldman Sachs at the time
"We are doing's God's work"...!!!!!!!!
@joep9172
I just turned 63 and I still haven't grown up I still do the things I've always done..So if you think you are OLD REMEMBER YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE & YOU ALWAYS WILL BE YOUNG AT HEART.. YOUR OLE FRIEND..
@DemonWarp65
I played this song when I turned 30. Then 40. And now, here I am at 50. How the hell did I get here so soon? Tom is a goddamn genius.
@Mike_Toulon
I'm 3 years behind you.... Seems like my 20s were just a few short years ago. Almost feels like time speeds up as we age
@TheBrooklynbodine
Posting 12-7-22. I'll be 60 next June 10. Where DID the time go?! Happy 73rd to Tom Waits and many more! Thanks for part of the lyrics "How the hell did I get here so soon?" I never knew what he was saying before.
@FELIX-my1pu
It honestly seems like after 30 time just starts moving at warp speed.
@lzr9272
Haha same, coming up on 47 goin on 18
@xx4248
Uh it's not his song lol
@neildennis7294
Tom Waits always sounds like a drunk performing on open mic night at 1am...and I love it.
@johnbarrett7936
He makes it work better than any drunk I've ever heard
@KthuLew
The magic is that Waits didn't have to, but chose to sound like this.