Tango Till They're Sore
Tom Waits Lyrics
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The boys all go to hell and then the Cubans hit the floor
They drive along the pipeline, they tango 'til they're sore
They take apart their nightmares and they leave them by the door
Let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
And send me off to bed for evermore
Make sure they play my theme song, I guess daisies will have to do
Just get me to New Orleans and paint shadows on the pews
Turn the spit on that pig and kick the drum and let me down
Put my clarinet beneath your bed till I get back in town
Let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
So send me off to bed for evermore
Just make sure she's all in calico and the color of a doll
Wave the flag on Cadillac day, and a skillet on the wall
Cut me a switch or hold your breath 'til the sun goes down
Write my name on the hood, send me off to another town
And just let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or Better on a blanket by the stairs
Tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
Will you send me off to bed for evermore?
Fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
Send me off to bed for evermore
Send me off to bed for evermore
"The Tango" by Tom Waits and Crystal Gayle is a song that captures the erratic and peculiar emotions evoked by dancing the tango. The opening stimulus of the tarantella music shakes the hounds into a bark, to which the Cuban dancers respond with a vigorous routine, taking their nightmares apart and leaving them by the door in the process. The hedonistic character of the song continues with the lyrics, "Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs," in which an indulgent game of cards and drinking takes place. The singer sings, "I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past," suggesting that the dance floor is a safe space for truths to unravel. Yet, the final line, "Send me off to bed for evermore," underscores the problematic nature of such indulgence as the singer collapses into bed, unable to stand the excesses of the night.
The mood of the song captures the frenetic spirit of the tango, but it also plays with the idea of indulgence and the consequences that follow from it. The incessant desire for excitement and indulgence is highlighted in the lyrics, such as "Let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair," which suggests the desire for the thrill of chaos. The song also contains vivid imagery, such as "Turn the spit on that pig and kick the drum and let me down," which creates a grotesque and surreal atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you play that tarantella, all the hounds will start to roar
The tarantella is a lively dance that makes the dogs start to howl with excitement.
The boys all go to hell and then the Cubans hit the floor
The boys go crazy with the music and then the Cubans start dancing passionately.
They drive along the pipeline, they tango 'til they're sore
The dancers tango all night long until they are exhausted, while driving alongside an oil pipeline.
They take apart their nightmares and they leave them by the door
The dancers let go of their fears and worries by leaving them behind and enjoying the moment.
Let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
I want to experience the thrill of letting go and being free, with confetti in my hair.
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
Let's gamble and play cards while relaxing on a blanket by the stairs.
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
I will share my innermost thoughts and feelings with you, but I might not be truthful about my past.
And send me off to bed for evermore
Let me rest peacefully and calmly, forevermore.
Make sure they play my theme song, I guess daisies will have to do
Play my favorite song, even if it's just with a simple daisy flower.
Just get me to New Orleans and paint shadows on the pews
Take me to the lively city of New Orleans and let the light and shadows create a beautiful atmosphere in the church.
Turn the spit on that pig and kick the drum and let me down
Let's prepare a big feast with roasted pig, while kicking the drum to the rhythm of the music, and let me relax and enjoy the moment.
Put my clarinet beneath your bed till I get back in town
Keep my clarinet safe under your bed while I am away in another town, waiting for me to return home.
Just make sure she's all in calico and the color of a doll
Make sure the woman I am with is wearing a simple, patterned fabric dress and has a natural beauty like a doll.
Wave the flag on Cadillac day, and a skillet on the wall
Celebrate Cadillac day by waving the flag, and hang a skillet on the wall as a symbol of prosperity and success.
Cut me a switch or hold your breath 'til the sun goes down
Either punish me by cutting a switch, or hold your breath for so long that the sun sets.
Write my name on the hood, send me off to another town
Write my name on the car hood and send me off to another town, starting a new adventure.
Fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Experience the joy of letting go and being free, with confetti in my hair.
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
Let's gamble and play cards while relaxing on a blanket by the stairs.
Tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
I will share my deepest secrets with you, but I might not be truthful about my past.
Will you send me off to bed for evermore?
Will you let me rest peacefully and calmly forevermore?
Send me off to bed for evermore
Let me rest peacefully and calmly forevermore.
Lyrics © JALMA MUSIC
Written by: THOMAS ALAN WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nicholaskinsey5160
Well, you play that tarantella, all the hounds will start to roar
The boys all go to hell and then the Cubans hit the floor
They drive along the pipeline, they tango 'til they're sore
They take apart their nightmares and they leave them by the door
Let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
And send me off to bed for evermore
Make sure they play my theme song, I guess daisies will have to do
Just get me to New Orleans and paint shadows on the pews
Turn the spit on that pig and kick the drum and let me down
Put my clarinet beneath your bed till I get back in town
Let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
So send me off to bed for evermore
Just make sure she's all in calico and the color of a doll
Wave the flag on Cadillac day, and a skillet on the wall
Cut me a switch or hold your breath 'til the sun goes down
Write my name on the hood, send me off to another town
And just let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or Better on a blanket by the stairs
Tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
Will you send me off to bed for evermore?
Fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
Send me off to bed for evermore
Send me off to bed for evermore
@mikeparaska2984
Yesterday I got my first kitten. The girl at the shelter described her breed as "calico". Well the only place I remember hearing that word was in this song, so I named her Tango.
@richierahlke8658
The very first piece I heard by Tom Waits. I still remember when i heard that "confetti line" in the lyrics and the very precise location. Decades of enthusiasm followed. Such an artist!
@boneytony5041
Stay away from windows
@ethanvanheerden6405
The first time I heard that heinous out of tune piano intro, my heart sang, my mind perked up, and I was hooked...20 years later I am still in love...thanks Tom!
@chriswilliams6609
My favorite track from Rain Dogs.
@banjicahood2507
Ana Popovic
@ateveenstra5361
Mine too together with Singapore. Every sentence is a complete story.
@paulawhannell18
Good shout .
@jarnokorhonen3840
This and Union Square.
@benmaurer8055
I live this song