Crystal Gayle features prominently on the record, performing either solo vocal or singing in duet with Waits on many of the songs. For Coppola's film, Waits originally wanted to work with Bette Midler, who previously sang a duet with him on the Billie Holiday-esque track "I Never Talk to Strangers" from Foreign Affairs, but due to previous engagements, Midler was unavailable.
During the film/album project Waits met his wife Kathleen Brennan, an employee at the studio where it was recorded.
Candy Apple Red
Tom Waits & Crystal Gayle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Splashin' bagdad on the hudson in panther martin's eyes
He's high and outside wearin' candy apple red
Scarlet gave him twenty seven stitches in his head
With a pint of green chartreuse ain't nothin' seems right
You buy the sunday paper on a saturday night
Can't you hear the thunder someone stole my watch
Some one tell those chinamen on telegraph canyon road
When you're on the bill with the spoon there ain't no time
To unload, so bye bye baby baby bye bye
Droopy stranger lonely dreamer toy puppy and the prado
We're laughin' as they piled into olmos' el dorado
Jesus whispered eni meany miney moe
They're too proud to duck their heads
That's why they bring it down so low
So bye bye baby baby bye bye
The pointed man is smack dab in the middle of july
Swingin' from the rafters in his brand new tie
He said I can't go back to that hotel room
All they do is shout
But I'll stay wichew baby till the money runs out
So bye bye baby baby bye bye
The song "Candy Apple Red" is a collaboration between Tom Waits and Crystal Gayle that tells a story of a man named Panther Martin who is described as wearing a candy apple red outfit and experiencing a wild night. He is hit in the head by a woman named Scarlet, and as a result, receives twenty-seven stitches. The song mentions "a pint of green chartreuse," a type of liqueur that is known for its strong, herbal flavor and ability to cause hallucinations. The lyrics describe a chaotic scene where things are not what they seem, illustrated by the line "you buy the Sunday paper on a Saturday night." The chorus repeats the phrase "bye bye baby baby bye bye," indicating a farewell or goodbye to something.
Overall, the song is full of vivid imagery and surreal elements that create a sense of disorientation and confusion. It portrays a night of debauchery that is both wild and dangerous. The character of Panther Martin represents the reckless abandon and unpredictability that can come with the pursuit of pleasure.
Line by Line Meaning
Check this strange beverage that falls out from the sky
Listen to this bizarre drink that fell from above
Splashin' bagdad on the hudson in panther martin's eyes
It's hitting so hard it's like a warzone in Panther Martin's mind
He's high and outside wearin' candy apple red
He's intoxicated and out of place, dressed flamboyantly in candy apple red
Scarlet gave him twenty seven stitches in his head
Scarlet inflicted severe damage to his skull needing twenty seven stitches to mend
With a pint of green chartreuse ain't nothin' seems right
When drinking this potent type of alcohol, everything appears out of order
You buy the sunday paper on a saturday night
In this type of madness, time and logic are irrelevant
Can't you hear the thunder someone stole my watch
Thunderous noises make it hard to hear, and now someone has stolen his watch
I sold a quart of blood and bought a half a pint of scotch
He had to sell his own blood to get money for a drink
Some one tell those chinamen on telegraph canyon road
Tell the people in the area to take care
When you're on the bill with the spoon there ain't no time
When you're involved in this type of music and drug culture, there is no time for anything else
To unload, so bye bye baby baby bye bye
No time to relax, so it's time to say goodbye
Droopy stranger lonely dreamer toy puppy and the prado
A motley crew with a toy puppy and a Prado car
We're laughin' as they piled into olmos' el dorado
Laughing as they cram into Olmos' El Dorado car
Jesus whispered eni meany miney moe
At a loss for what to do, Jesus suggests choosing randomly
They're too proud to duck their heads
They can't humble themselves, so they suffer the consequences
That's why they bring it down so low
They end up at rock bottom because of their pride
So bye bye baby baby bye bye
Their circumstances leave them with no choice but to say goodbye
The pointed man is smack dab in the middle of july
Even in the height of summer, the bizarre and weird are present
Swingin' from the rafters in his brand new tie
The pointed man is hanging from the ceiling, flaunting his new tie
He said I can't go back to that hotel room
He can't face returning to that dark place
All they do is shout
The people there don't communicate, they just yell
But I'll stay wichew baby till the money runs out
But he'll stay with his partner until their funds run out
So bye bye baby baby bye bye
When that happens, they'll have to say goodbye
Lyrics © JALMA MUSIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind