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."
LowDown
Tom Waits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She openend the door, shake shake shake the lights go down
Clover honey and the Jimson Weed
Red leather skirt way up above her knees
Oh yeah, my baby's lowdown
She's a gone lost dirt road
There ain't no way back I been told
She's a rebel, she's a yell
Oh yeah, my baby's lowdown
White heat in a cold rain
I'm a mergin here in your mergin lane
Jockey La Fayette, Big Eyed Al
The second hand moon's shining for my gal
She's a big red flag in a mean bullpen
She'll steal it from you, sell it right back to you again
Well, she's a wild rose, she's not settled
Cold gun of ice blue metal,
Oh, my baby's lowdown
White heat in a cold rain
I'm a mergin here in your mergin lane
Jockey La Fayette, Big Eyed Al
She's a cheap motel with a burned out sign
She'll take care of you definitely every time
She got a stolen check book and legs up to there
Singing into a hairbrush, right in front of the mirror
Oh yeah, my baby's lowdown
The song “LowDown” by Tom Waits is a story about a woman who is an outcast in a traditional and conservative town. She is a crooked sheriff, a rebel, and a wild rose. The singer describes her as being lowdown, which means she is not respected or appreciated for who she is. The woman is a symbol of defiance against conformity and societal norms. She embraces her wild side and does not care about the consequences. She is seen as unpredictable, but also alluring and fascinating.
The singer tells the story of this woman with a mixture of admiration, amazement, and concern. He recognizes her bravery and freedom, but he is also aware of the dangers she faces in a town where she does not fit in. The lyrics are full of vivid images and metaphors that give the story a cinematic quality. The woman is compared to a white heat in a cold rain, a big red flag in a mean bullpen, and a cheap motel with a burned-out sign. These comparisons suggest that she stands out among the crowd and draws attention to herself.
Overall, “LowDown” is a song about a woman who lives life on her terms, without regard for societal expectations. She is an embodiment of the human desire for freedom and individuality, and the song celebrates her spirit and defiance.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a crooked sheriff in a real straight town
She's a dishonest person who stands out in a community of moral and honest people.
She openend the door, shake shake shake the lights go down
She has a captivating and seductive presence that can make heads turn and leave others in awe.
Clover honey and the Jimson Weed
She could be both sweet and dangerous, just like the Jimson weed plant that contains potential toxins but is also known for its medicinal benefits.
Red leather skirt way up above her knees
She dresses provocatively and confidently, leaving little to the imagination.
Oh yeah, my baby's lowdown
The artist takes pride in being associated with someone who has a reputation for being rebellious and wild.
She's a gone lost dirt road
She's someone who's unpredictable and can lead you astray without any warning or notice.
There ain't no way back I been told
Once you get involved with her, there is no turning back, as she'll take you for a wild ride down a path of no return.
Well she's a story they all tell
Everyone who has encountered her has their own version of a tale or anecdote to describe her unique character and personality.
She's a rebel, she's a yell
She defies the norms and rules of society, and isn't afraid to express herself and stand up for what she believes in.
White heat in a cold rain
Despite harsh and unfavorable circumstances, there is an undeniable intensity and passion present in her persona.
I'm a mergin here in your mergin lane
The singer is willing to take the risk and merge into her life, even if it means embracing her spontaneous and uncertain ways.
Jockey La Fayette, Big Eyed Al
These are likely the names of people or places that hold significance to the artist, but their exact relevance is unknown.
The second hand moon's shining for my gal
Even though she may not fit traditional standards of beauty or perfection, she still holds an otherworldly charm and allure that captures the singer's heart.
She's a big red flag in a mean bullpen
Her presence is loud and noticeable, even in a space where aggression and tension is common.
She'll steal it from you, sell it right back to you again
She's someone who can manipulate and take advantage of others, but also has the charm to earn back their loyalty and admiration.
Well, she's a wild rose, she's not settled
She's someone with a free spirit, who isn't content with staying in one place or conforming to societal expectations.
Cold gun of ice blue metal,
This line is a metaphor for the cold and potentially dangerous nature of her actions and behavior.
Oh, my baby's lowdown
The singer reaffirms his admiration and attraction to her, despite her reputation and flaws.
She's a cheap motel with a burned out sign
Like a rundown motel with a failing reputation, she may not appear to be impressive or appealing at first glance, but there are still hidden gems and secret pleasures to be found in her company.
She'll take care of you definitely every time
She's someone who will always be there for you, no matter what, and can provide comfort and security in times of need.
She got a stolen check book and legs up to there
She's someone who possesses both an edgy, reckless side and a striking physical appearance that demands attention and admiration.
Singing into a hairbrush, right in front of the mirror
This line could represent her carefree and uninhibited personality, as she dances and sings without a care in the world.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KATHLEEN BRENNAN, THOMAS ALAN WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RockandrollNegro
She's a crooked sheriff
in a real straight town
she open the door
shake shake
the lights go down
clover honey and a jimson weed
red leather skirt
way up above her knees
oh yeah my baby's lowdown
she's a gone, lost dirt road
there ain't nowhere back, I been told
she's a story
they all tell
she's a rebel
she's a yell
oh yeah my baby's lowdown
white heat in a cold rain
I'm merging here
in your merging lane
Jockey LaFayette
Pig Eyed Al
That secondhand moon
is shining for my gal
she's a big red flag
in a mean bullpen
she'll get it from you
sell it right back to you again
well she's a wild rose
she's a nice petal
cold gun and ice blue metal
oh yeah my baby's lowdown
white heat in a cold rain
I'm merging here in your merging lane
Jockey Lafayette
Pig Eyed Al
That secondhand moon is shining
For my gal
she's a cheap motel
with a burned out sign
she'll take care of you
definitely every time
she got a stolen checkbook
and legs up to here
singing into a hairbrush
right in front of the mirror
oh yeah my baby's lowdown
Oh yeah my baby's lowdown
Uh huh my baby's lowdown
Pretty good, pretty good...
@cskilalillabich9059
I've been a fan of Mr Waits for 25+ years. One thing I've noticed about his fan base.
We all have in common. His music holds a part of our soul, a part we can't carry alone.
Every one a unique piece of someone who knows no matter what goes down
we have music. True music from the soul.
@bollocksworld6
Theres Tom Waits, and then there’s something down the line called ‘music.’ The former is all you need.
@mikidimitrijevic2702
Another of his great album for sure
@kevinmillergaragerock
I could listen to this side of Mr Waits..25hrs a day..
@colinwilliams553
....
"Same here my friend,same here"
@jean-charlesvuillemot6720
Sound garage, sound roots, love it!
@RockandrollNegro
She's a crooked sheriff
in a real straight town
she open the door
shake shake
the lights go down
clover honey and a jimson weed
red leather skirt
way up above her knees
oh yeah my baby's lowdown
she's a gone, lost dirt road
there ain't nowhere back, I been told
she's a story
they all tell
she's a rebel
she's a yell
oh yeah my baby's lowdown
white heat in a cold rain
I'm merging here
in your merging lane
Jockey LaFayette
Pig Eyed Al
That secondhand moon
is shining for my gal
she's a big red flag
in a mean bullpen
she'll get it from you
sell it right back to you again
well she's a wild rose
she's a nice petal
cold gun and ice blue metal
oh yeah my baby's lowdown
white heat in a cold rain
I'm merging here in your merging lane
Jockey Lafayette
Pig Eyed Al
That secondhand moon is shining
For my gal
she's a cheap motel
with a burned out sign
she'll take care of you
definitely every time
she got a stolen checkbook
and legs up to here
singing into a hairbrush
right in front of the mirror
oh yeah my baby's lowdown
Oh yeah my baby's lowdown
Uh huh my baby's lowdown
Pretty good, pretty good...
@Nate-cg9mm
Thank u for this. Yeah, we still here listening 🎩🫠
@Euphoriasmotion2011
Legend
@yrjoputkinen3382
Ugly, beatiful and raw! Just what I Love! ❤️