I just learned that George Duvivier, the bassist on this performance died of cancer 19 months after this performance. Adds kinda an extra poignancy to this song.
Utterly brilliant...I love the smirk he seems to have on his face throughout the song. The great ones have that...the look that they know something you don't. It's almost like he surprises himself all over again. Simply awesome.
I am so happy..very happy that The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will bring Tom Waits, this year into there selected membership....I can't wait to here his speech !!! After many years of thinking how lame the Hall is..this made me very happy.
I recently took a trip to L.A., and as I was driving to the hotel, I missed my turn and ended up driving down 5th St. Saw the "Nickel" with my own eyes. Very sad indeed. Waits captures the scene to a T.
A magnificent song that paints an indelible picture. Does anyone know if in the lyrics he refers to "shore dogs" or "short dogs"? I don't know what that means.
Tom was ahead of the curve when he wrote of the plight of the homeless in 1980. Unfortunately this song is still pertinent as homelessness is on the rise........ the song that the kid took to class was "pasties and a g-string" about living with strippers.
@rlegear19 In that case, I do understand that he got in trouble =P I mean, a 7yo putting on a song in class that states: "cawling on their bellies, shaking like jelly, and I'm getting harder than Chinese algebra."
oh my god, I had forgotten how this song affects me. what a passionate rendition from the master of them all!
I got the chills, my hairs stood on end, the tears were unbidden, Tom you are truly an american poet, straight from the heart! thank you for posting this staticacid
And, how many of us encountered a time in our lives when we feel defeated, lost? Perhaps somewhere beyond where we should be. To get back on board can be emotionally and physically challenging. I was born in Liverpool, Merseyside, but after all my moves around the UK over the years, I yearn for the feelings re-ignited by days past by. This song by gentleman Tom carries all the sentiments which cannot easily be expressed in just words. His music, in this case, are also the words!!
This goes out to all the guys and gals we have ministered to over many yrs. who are "On The Nickel". He was born in a cab and lived in his car-----I think he really gets it. What a heart.
I like the way you put that. They decide who gets a CHANCE but not who survives. Once again, we are very lucky for this. Tom Waits is the kind of artist that will live on forever.
A great song by a great singer and composer. A timeless classic piece of art. If you got the chance, try to go to one of his concerts. He´s the best performer you ever will see. I´ve seen him twice and those concerts are the two best concerts I have ever been to. 1987 and 1999 in Stockholm.
With moments in times like this captured on such a sterile format come to life and swell my heart with emotion, I feel this world can one one day unite in love. His record collection will continue to grow in my home too...
I watched this very episode in 83 and was astounded and hooked immediately by Tom's gift of music and artistry. People either get Tom or they dont and the ones that are missing out are usally the ones brainwashed by the music industry about what great music should be like....heres to the man that we can all learn something from about songwriting.
Beautifully said. I was nineteen days old when this was first broadcast - that makes me feel a little weird since I've only recently discovered Tom Waits and become a huge fan.
Tom Waits is truly one of Americas finest communicaters. His voice gruff or not is able to capture the saddness or happiness of a song. He makes you feel for those "little boys." He brings their story to you in a way you never thought you could experience through song and music. All in all brilliance is one of the few words I can associate with Tom Waits and his songs. Young or old you will never cease to amaze us Tom.
I just learned that George Duvivier, the bassist on this performance died of cancer 19 months after this performance. Adds kinda an extra poignancy to this song.
JasonVS2011 4 days ago
love this man , absolutely "fantastic "
insanitydontlastlong 4 days ago
"God"I absolutely love this performance .........truly hits the home 4 me Thank you !!!
insanitydontlastlong 3 weeks ago
I've seen this clip numerous times but still found myself crying.
chomsky88 10 months ago 4
Utterly brilliant...I love the smirk he seems to have on his face throughout the song. The great ones have that...the look that they know something you don't. It's almost like he surprises himself all over again. Simply awesome.
TheSweetBlackMagic 11 months ago 2
cosmo kramer
joshgearey 1 year ago
Honestly how could you not like this,the guys genius on wheels
footscraysteve 1 year ago
Man, two songs - I'd love more time with musical acts.
hanksingle 1 year ago
That just floors me every time.
LightenUpMcGraw 1 year ago
I am so happy..very happy that The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will bring Tom Waits, this year into there selected membership....I can't wait to here his speech !!! After many years of thinking how lame the Hall is..this made me very happy.
rocksinger45 1 year ago 5
Dave is a total dickweed, but I give him credit for having Tom on over the years. It may be his saving grace.
pretorious700 1 year ago
There was a Mini Series About the Atlanta child murders & OnThe Nickle was the theme song.
steeleydan65 1 year ago
Netflix is streaming "Big Time" Enjoy!!!
rangan88 1 year ago 3
I recently took a trip to L.A., and as I was driving to the hotel, I missed my turn and ended up driving down 5th St. Saw the "Nickel" with my own eyes. Very sad indeed. Waits captures the scene to a T.
1965Davey 1 year ago 4
For some reason Tom reminds me of my grandpap. My grandpap probably would have liked his music too.
dudesons441 1 year ago
Genius!
jacob95124 1 year ago
@dtfilament From The Morning, is what you're thinking of, i'm pretty sure. good song
gogobaga 1 year ago
@gogobaga I have always thought about "Rider On The Wheel" , more than about "From the Morning"
thefansixties 5 months ago
This is a very similar melody as one of NIck Drake's songs. Can't remember the name, on "Pink Moon" though.
This is so cool. Thanks for posting.
dtfilament 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@dtfilament I have always thought about "Rider On The Wheel" , more than about "From the Morning" from Pink Moon
thefansixties 5 months ago
A magnificent song that paints an indelible picture. Does anyone know if in the lyrics he refers to "shore dogs" or "short dogs"? I don't know what that means.
hdregmore 1 year ago
I saw him singing it in Barcelona in 2008. Pure genious.
jcbelo 1 year ago
This one just takes my breath away, he can really bring home the feeling of being lost and lonely, very powerful stuff.
Cooleemee43 1 year ago
Tom Waits, your a legend, George Duvivier you too are a legend.
felkikid 1 year ago
just beautiful *tears up*
ushitmetotears 1 year ago
I henceforth demand to be called Grady.
lyletuck 2 years ago
Hilarious as he can be, he is amazing with ballads, the lyrics and melody; you just can't label Tom Waits, he is a genius.
tobesograteful 2 years ago 4
@tobesograteful uhm, no offence, and I really agree with you.. but seriously, that's the most self contradictory comment I have read in ages...
But I get your point =)
sjalabang 1 year ago
What a powerful performance, he is amazing and what a song too.
Cooleemee43 2 years ago
'I know a place where a royal flush never beats a pair'
billionear 2 years ago 3
@billionear one of my favorite lines in the song.
sjalabang 1 year ago
sticks and stones will break my bones,
but i always will be true...
NNHH3 2 years ago
Tom was ahead of the curve when he wrote of the plight of the homeless in 1980. Unfortunately this song is still pertinent as homelessness is on the rise........ the song that the kid took to class was "pasties and a g-string" about living with strippers.
rlegear19 2 years ago 6
@rlegear19 In that case, I do understand that he got in trouble =P I mean, a 7yo putting on a song in class that states: "cawling on their bellies, shaking like jelly, and I'm getting harder than Chinese algebra."
Epic.
sjalabang 1 year ago
You hit the nail on th ehead
JoeyNavinski 2 years ago
This rendition still gives me goosebumps after countless listens
imthepb 2 years ago
yet another great one.
anubhavshah 2 years ago
takes your breath away, still.
RaymondMcCarron1 2 years ago 2
I like this one. It's for all those who've been down, out, and around back.
Phantomsbreath 2 years ago
one of my favorite and most influencial artisitic figures in my life..tom you are truly a genious
zuck21 2 years ago
oh my god, I had forgotten how this song affects me. what a passionate rendition from the master of them all!
I got the chills, my hairs stood on end, the tears were unbidden, Tom you are truly an american poet, straight from the heart! thank you for posting this staticacid
ladysadee 2 years ago 9
Tom waits is amazing
SkanjaGanja 2 years ago 2
Better than the professional recording on Heart Attack and Vine.
bigjobformom 2 years ago 3
Outstanding song, thanks for posting.
andygray 2 years ago
As soon as he sings "Sticks and stones" I get chills. Stunning.
bihlbo 2 years ago 4
And, how many of us encountered a time in our lives when we feel defeated, lost? Perhaps somewhere beyond where we should be. To get back on board can be emotionally and physically challenging. I was born in Liverpool, Merseyside, but after all my moves around the UK over the years, I yearn for the feelings re-ignited by days past by. This song by gentleman Tom carries all the sentiments which cannot easily be expressed in just words. His music, in this case, are also the words!!
Blobcave 2 years ago 7
i hear you BROTHER
hanghang71 2 years ago
Superb! I like Tom's ballads most of all.
zimmyfan115 2 years ago 4
George Duvivier
cultictwalette 3 years ago
"For all the little boys who have run away from home"
WenMil 3 years ago 8
I'm willing to bet any money that the song the played was 'Pasties and a G-String'
oggendoggen2 3 years ago 7
Hahah. I was thinking the same thing
bdogg879 3 years ago 4
I'd have to say you're dead on
dalman4671 3 years ago
More than awesome, can't help but love a soul like that...
moggmusic 3 years ago 11
just beautiful. what an artist!
luckysaddle 3 years ago 12
who's the bass player?
bdl218 3 years ago 3
George Duvivier (who passed away in 1985 less than 2 years after this clip).
StantonWalsh 3 years ago 3
This goes out to all the guys and gals we have ministered to over many yrs. who are "On The Nickel". He was born in a cab and lived in his car-----I think he really gets it. What a heart.
srvinfinity 3 years ago 2
A great human-and excellent artist-i love listen to his voice!M
maggen63 3 years ago 4
I like the way you put that. They decide who gets a CHANCE but not who survives. Once again, we are very lucky for this. Tom Waits is the kind of artist that will live on forever.
PFDF 3 years ago 8
I don't care if he wears my grannies nickers. He's absolutely amazing.
mykylangelo 4 years ago 3
sad song
7775carlg 4 years ago 2
Added to my favorites. "On The Nickel" is a wonderful piece of writing and Tom sings it to perfection.
Creamtangerine 4 years ago 8
i was born on this day
jasonsgroovemachine 4 years ago 10
WOW! Tom Waits is my hero.
rangan88 4 years ago 3
Not just a hero, he is god.
shoottheemokid 4 years ago 2
I beg to differ. He is man. More powerful than any God.
PFDF 3 years ago 34
This has been flagged as spam show
Oh no, I beg to differ! He is a man made powerful by the words the God gave him.
srvinfinity 3 years ago
Man gave word to God. The bible was written by man, the fantasy dreamt by man. Man's word is more powerful and actually existant.
PFDF 3 years ago 15
Classy!
sicpsyco85 4 years ago 3
I CRY...
MAIKA0405 4 years ago 3
A great song by a great singer and composer. A timeless classic piece of art. If you got the chance, try to go to one of his concerts. He´s the best performer you ever will see. I´ve seen him twice and those concerts are the two best concerts I have ever been to. 1987 and 1999 in Stockholm.
bergtomas 4 years ago 4
Great video and performance...i'm a huge Tom Waits fan...and i'd also give five stars each for the last few comments. Brilliant!!!
canoe4u 5 years ago
How do you think Tom Waits would do on American Idol?
Seriously, capitalism is killing great music.
guitarcapo 5 years ago 2
Buy more Tom Waits' reconds!
srvinfinity 3 years ago 30
One of the coolest things about him is that the way he talks is very similar to the style of his lyrics.
pumpkinheadsteve 5 years ago
His voice is raw emotion, without polish. His lyrics are pure poetry. I love this man!
Beeboppin71 5 years ago 2
he makes me cry, but god is it worth it
BiffBallbag 5 years ago 2
With moments in times like this captured on such a sterile format come to life and swell my heart with emotion, I feel this world can one one day unite in love. His record collection will continue to grow in my home too...
Give thanks to Tom Waits.
KaceKlosed 5 years ago
A true treasure. TY for posting!
skinnyhobo 5 years ago
This is inspiring.
moedogdarling 5 years ago
I watched this very episode in 83 and was astounded and hooked immediately by Tom's gift of music and artistry. People either get Tom or they dont and the ones that are missing out are usally the ones brainwashed by the music industry about what great music should be like....heres to the man that we can all learn something from about songwriting.
yairdann 5 years ago 2
Beautifully said. I was nineteen days old when this was first broadcast - that makes me feel a little weird since I've only recently discovered Tom Waits and become a huge fan.
nekokate 5 years ago
Tom Waits is truly one of Americas finest communicaters. His voice gruff or not is able to capture the saddness or happiness of a song. He makes you feel for those "little boys." He brings their story to you in a way you never thought you could experience through song and music. All in all brilliance is one of the few words I can associate with Tom Waits and his songs. Young or old you will never cease to amaze us Tom.
joemirk 5 years ago 2
This is really wonderful.
sunwillset 5 years ago