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.
I Beg Your Pardon
Tom Waits & Crystal Gayle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
with out you
baby please don't disappear
I beg your pardon dear
I gotta a bottle full of trumpet
a hat box full of drum
I beg your pardon dear
I got upset
I lost my head
I didn't mean
the things I said
You are the landscape
Of my dreams
Darlin' I beg your pardon
I'd give your Boardwalk
And Park Place
And all of my hotels
I beg your pardon dear
Please don't go back to St. Louis
Can't you tell that I'm sincere
I beg your pardon dear
The song "I Beg Your Pardon" is a duet by Tom Waits and Crystal Gayle. The song has a country-blues feel and is a plea to a lover not to leave. The opening lines, "I'm just a scarecrow without you / Baby please don't disappear" set the tone for the rest of the song. The reference to the singer being a scarecrow without the lover implies a sense of emptiness and lack of purpose. This vulnerability is reinforced by the repetition of the chorus line "I beg your pardon dear" throughout the song.
The verses contain a mixture of imagery and wordplay. The lines "I gotta bottle full of trumpet / A hat box full of drum" are a playful reference to musical instruments. However, the following lines "I got upset / I lost my head / I didn't mean the things I said" show that the singer has been irresponsible and has hurt their lover. The lines "You are the landscape / Of my dreams" highlight the importance of the lover to the singer and the intensity of their feelings.
The song showcases the power of apologies, humility, and vulnerability in a relationship. The lyrics show that while love can be passionate, it can also be fragile, and requires care and attention.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just a scarecrow
I am nothing without you, feel empty and lifeless like a scarecrow in a field.
with out you
I cannot function or have any sense of purpose without you in my life.
baby please don't disappear
I am so afraid of losing you and being alone that I am begging and pleading with you not to leave me.
I beg your pardon dear
I am apologizing profusely for any pain or suffering I may have caused you and asking for your forgiveness.
I gotta a bottle full of trumpet
I have a lot of passion and desire within me, like a bottle filled to the brim with the beautiful sound of a trumpet.
a hat box full of drum
I also have a lot of strength and determination, like a hat box overflowing with the sound of drums.
I got upset
I allowed my emotions to get the best of me and did something I regret.
I lost my head
I completely lost control of my thoughts and actions.
I didn't mean
I did not intend to hurt or upset you with my words or actions.
the things I said
My hurtful words and actions that may have deeply affected you.
You are the landscape
You are the beautiful and breathtaking view that I see in my fondest dreams and memories.
Of my dreams
The image of you is a recurring theme and symbol of all of my hopes and aspirations.
Darlin' I beg your pardon
I am pleading with you, my sweetheart, to forgive me for any of my wrongdoings and give me another chance.
I'd give your Boardwalk
In an effort to show my love and dedication to you, I would be willing to give up my most valuable possessions, like the coveted property on the game board of Monopoly.
And Park Place
I am willing to sacrifice all that is important to me and lose everything just to be with you.
And all of my hotels
I am willing to let go of my sense of pride and accomplishment by giving up everything I have built up to be with you.
Please don't go back to St. Louis
I am afraid that you will leave me and return to your old life, and I cannot bear the thought of losing you forever.
Can't you tell that I'm sincere
Can you not see the truth in my words and the feelings in my heart that show my earnestness and genuineness?
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: THOMAS ALAN WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CountryGal211
So many different styles of music! He can sing everything! This guy could sing the grocery list and sound good :)
Evelyn O'Connor
A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE, AS USUAL, FROM THE ALWAYS ORIGINAL ARTIST, TOM WAITS LOVE ❤️ EVELYN O'CONNOR
sclogse1
It just gets better over time. Pick up the re-release with two added songs. The Empty Pockets suite is incredible.
mandyinseattle
When this came out I loved the movie so much, soo romantic and real, and Tom Waits even more. This movie and this soundtrack is everything. Does the re-release come on CD? Gotta go look
MicrocebusRufus1
I know why there are no comments...It's simply impossible to describe how truly great this piece of art is :-) I don't blame you youtubers :-)
mfing
There are just so many sides to his music. Truly a genius.
The Duke of URL NL
One of my all time favorites, also as an actor. Nice how the music sounds.
mandyinseattle
I think this is the most beautiful song sung in the most beautiful way. It's everything good.
Fernando Amorim
Estás perdoado , obrigado e "I beg you pardon " T Waits . É imperdoável não
ouvir esta maravilha cantada por ti .
coreycox2345
Eu só cantaria isso se fosse um dueto.