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.
Picking Up After You
Tom Waits & Crystal Gayle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looks like a hurricane went through this room
Smells like a pool hall, where's my other shoe
And I'm sick and tired of pickin' up after you
Looks like you spent the night in a trench
And tell me, how long have you been combin' your hair with a wrench
And I'm sick and tired of pickin' up after you
Well, I've told you before, I won't tell you again
You don't defrost the icebox with a ball point pen
This railroad apartment is held together with glue
And I'm sick and tired of pickin' up after you
Because I know I've been swindled, I never bargained for this
What's more, you never cared about me
Why don't you get your own place so you can live like you do
And I'm sick and tired of pickin' up after you
Take all your relatives and all of your shoes
Believe me, I'll really swing when you're gone
I'll be living on chicken and wine after we're through
With someone I pick up after you
With someone I pick up after you
With someone I pick up after you
With someone I pick up after you
The lyrics of "Picking Up After You" by Tom Waits and Crystal Gayle chronicle the frustration of a woman who is fed up with the constant mess created by her partner. The first verse paints a picture of chaos, with evidence that there was a wild party the night before, and the singer is left to clean up the aftermath. The second verse takes a sarcastic tone, as the singer lists off some of the many ridiculous things her partner does, such as combing his hair with a wrench. She expresses her anger and weariness in the lines, "I've told you before, I won't tell you again / You don't defrost the icebox with a ball point pen." She then suggests that her partner should get his own place so that she doesn't have to deal with his mess anymore.
The chorus, "And I'm sick and tired of pickin' up after you," is both a statement of fact and a plea for change. The singer is at her breaking point and wants some help with the domestic work.
The bridge of the song is particularly poignant, as the singer recognizes that she has been swindled and that her partner doesn't care about her. She imagines a life without him, where she can live on chicken and wine and not have to clean up after anyone.
Overall, "Picking Up After You" is a relatable and amusing portrait of a common relationship issue, and the combination of Tom Waits' gravelly voice and Crystal Gayle's smooth vocals create a unique and memorable sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes the bride, and there goes the groom
The wedding is over, and the groom is leaving. The room is a mess.
Looks like a hurricane went through this room
The room is in complete disarray and chaos.
Smells like a pool hall, where's my other shoe
The smell is unpleasant, and one of the singer's shoes is missing.
And I'm sick and tired of pickin' up after you
The singer is frustrated with having to constantly clean up after the other person.
Looks like you spent the night in a trench
The other person looks like they had a rough night.
And tell me, how long have you been combin' your hair with a wrench
The person's appearance is a mess, and the singer is pointing out how ridiculous they look.
The roses are dead and the violets are too
Even the flowers are dying, which adds to the overall dismal atmosphere.
Well, I've told you before, I won't tell you again
The singer has tried to address this issue before.
You don't defrost the icebox with a ball point pen
The other person doesn't even know how to defrost the fridge correctly.
This railroad apartment is held together with glue
The place they live in is falling apart.
Because I know I've been swindled, I never bargained for this
The singer feels they've been taken advantage of, and never expected things to be this bad.
What's more, you never cared about me
The other person doesn't seem to care about the singer's feelings.
Why don't you get your own place so you can live like you do
The singer wants the other person to move out and live on their own, without making a mess.
And I'm sick and tired of pickin' up after you
The singer reiterates their frustration with always having to clean up after the other person.
Take all your relatives and all of your shoes
The singer wants the other person to take all their belongings and leave.
Believe me, I'll really swing when you're gone
The singer will be happy and relieved when the other person is finally gone.
I'll be living on chicken and wine after we're through
The singer plans on enjoying a simpler, more peaceful lifestyle after the other person has left.
With someone I pick up after you
The singer will be with someone new, but still has to clean up after them, albeit not as frequently.
With someone I pick up after you
Even though they will be with someone new, the singer will still have to deal with picking up after them.
With someone I pick up after you
The final line again emphasizes the singer's ongoing frustration with always having to clean up after their partners.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: TOM WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rickfeld7995
The marvelous Jack Sheldon on trumpet. A sweet, slinky, soulful blast.
@pennyreda7643
I'm single, but somebody out here feeling this.
@ObscenePlanet
The roses are dead and the violets are too
@damonrath4919
Absolutely the best
@arthurstarbuck6519
3am. Last of the scotch. Perfect nightcap.
@martinadarcy781
❤️ 🇮🇪 having a clear out so many memories
@PEDROMONTEIRO-be6oe
FABULOUS !
@luigipucci3008
It's a wonderful piece of music. Tom is a portent.
@strangersname
Nice. And a Portal.