Kommienezuspadt
Tom Waits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Komme nie zu spadt!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Sei punktlich!
Sei punktlich!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Komme nie zu spadt!
And we can't be late!
And we can't be late!
... [untranscribable fantasy German]...
And we can't be late!
Komme nie, komme nie,
komme nie zu spadt!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Komme nie zu spadt!
... [untranscribable fantasy German]...
And we can't be late!
And we can't be late!
And we can't be late!
And we can't be late!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Sei punktlich!
Sei punktlich!
Sei punktlich!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Komme nie zu spadt!
... [untranscribable fantasy German]...
And we can't be late!
And we can't be late!
And we can't be late!
Sei punktlich!
Sei punktlich!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Komme nie, komme nie, komme nie zu spadt!
The song "Kommienezuspadt" by Tom Waits is a chaotic but fascinating track that features a mix of energetic screams, incomprehensible fantasy German, and the repetition of the phrase "Komme nie zu spadt" (don't come too late) accompanied by the command to be punctual. The song's lyrics are not easily interpreted, but one possible explanation is that it's a satirical and exaggerated take on the German work ethic, where being on time is highly valued.
The use of fantasy German could be seen as a way to mock German culture, as well as adding to the overall chaotic and absurd atmosphere of the song. The repeated refrain of "Komme nie zu spadt" can also be interpreted as a warning to the listeners to not be tardy and to always be prompt, which could be seen as reflecting societal expectations and pressure to conform.
Line by Line Meaning
... [untranscribable fantasy German]...
Unintelligible German-like words that are unrelated to the overall meaning of the song.
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Sei punktlich!
Be on time!
Sei punktlich!
Be on time!
Sei punktlich!
Be on time!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
... [untranscribable fantasy German]...
Unintelligible German-like words that are unrelated to the overall meaning of the song.
And we can't be late!
We cannot be late!
Komme nie, komme nie, komme nie zu spadt!
Never, never, never be late!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
... [untranscribable fantasy German]...
Unintelligible German-like words that are unrelated to the overall meaning of the song.
And we can't be late!
We cannot be late!
And we can't be late!
We cannot be late!
And we can't be late!
We cannot be late!
And we can't be late!
We cannot be late!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Sei punktlich!
Be on time!
Sei punktlich!
Be on time!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Laughs indicating that being on time is very important.
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Laughs indicating that being on time is very important.
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Laughs indicating that being on time is very important.
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
... [untranscribable fantasy German]...
Unintelligible German-like words that are unrelated to the overall meaning of the song.
And we can't be late!
We cannot be late!
And we can't be late!
We cannot be late!
And we can't be late!
We cannot be late!
Sei punktlich!
Be on time!
Sei punktlich!
Be on time!
Komme nie zu spadt!
Never be late!
Komme nie, komme nie, komme nie zu spadt!
Never, never, never be late!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, JALMA MUSIC
Written by: KATHLEEN BRENNAN, THOMAS A. WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gematr14a42
This is such a great piece, it makes me feel like I just finished a long turn in my work, I go into a german late 50s low life bar, and I'm there half drunk, half asleep, not even knowing german. Its weird, savage, and dissonant, but it feels strangely like home. This makes me feel nostalgic even though I discovered this just yesterday, nostalgic about a time that I never lived because it never existed. Masterpiece.
@austinvoelker9270
When I'm listening to this, I think I'm in a giant bone bird suit. Just flapping my arm wings about the place, while lip syncing the song. Like a cartoon or something, I don't know.
@stimulant7
2 yrs later... u still on that t?
@stimulant7
trip*
@austinvoelker9270
@Joe Carr What do you mean by that? Yes I'm still dancing to this song. What do you mean "still on that trip?"
@WednesdayPerson
Happy Pandemic Thanksgiving! When my daughter realized there were no Thanksgiving songs, we made this our annual anthem. Makes as much sense as anything else.
@holodeck71
Pandemic? Please. The only pandemic was one of stupidity and compliance that baffles the imagination.
@zer0953
turn on subtitles and sometimes it says "(babbling in German)" hahah
@evancodsworth2
First Tom Waits song I ever heard.
@groovemoustache
The March Hare can't be late or he'll get slacked again, he's got 235 children to take care of obviously, half of whom he forgot the name of so he just calls them Gins and Ash, lady Hare lost a leg again, that's just how unlucky she is.