Southampton, 1984. Asylum Years. One of those times when you first hear a song and everything seems to retreat around you. For a while afterwards all other music seemed false and silly and shallow. I don't think a greater song has been written. For me one of its equals was Hallelujah, which I first heard (and thus best love) by John Cale. Perhaps next year's Ex-Factor winner could essay TTB? I'd love to see the choreography for "Tore my shirt open". My daughter's name is Matilda. Not sure why.
been listening to this for days now, feeling sad. most people have their own mathilda (and i´m not referring to a girl of course) waltzing with. this is a great piece of music, simple but not.
Kudos to ike1950 and Eldritchard for putting the song into perspective for me. I never knew Matilda was slang for heroin either. I guess I now know what the begged you to stab me...tore my shirt open line means.
This song is not about heroin, Waltzing Matilda is a classical Australian folk song, Tom Waits said once the song is about "throwing up in another country", he also said Tom Traubert was a friend of a friend who died in prison.
I never said the song Waltzing Matilda is about heroin. I just said I didn't know the word Matilda was slang for heroin. It does put that one line of tearing my shirt open and stabbing into a new light, whether or not that light be true. Just an interesting new way of looking at an old classic.
Deeply moving, touching, performing so unique, and your voice, so expressive, so intense filled with love. You make me love you your way you express yourself.
Absolute genius!Why is this man not played on every radio station in the world?Millions haven,t even heard of him and in my opinion he should be as famous as Bob Dylan and certainly more famous than John Lennon.The clever man,s singer songwriter.Class!
Agree with you JMC! He is so unique, there will never be another singer/songwriter of his class, never! This living legend will forever be the greatest voice and songwriter, of all times!
Eine einmalige Stimme, mein Lieblingslied (kannte nur die Version von Rod Stewart). Ich habe Tom Waits erst kürzlich entdeckt und bin ganz hin und weg von ihm - einfach unbeschreiblich der Mann.
I think that every word of this is crystal clear when you think about the 100s of 1000s of beat-up 20-something young men back in the USA from Vietnam when this was written. Many of them were maimed... many of them were screwed up.. and many of them had been dumped by their women when they were in Nam. It wasn't their fault. They were drafted. Only someone like Tom Waits cared about this. Just like "Day After Tomorrow" or "God's Away on Business' I'll shut up now.
sympathisize with you...a lot ! For me it's a class caste thing, aint no senator's son the country calls for war...some young english prince may wanna find his lonely role...there's so much poetry on the streets..friend, be warm !
Ike. I can really sympathize with thos guys that did Nam. I myself didn't. This song predates WW1. Do a little research. A Matilda is a backpack. The song was about an itinerant falsely accused of stealing a sheep. It is a beautiful song especialy the way Waits does it. Just proves you don't need a good voice.
Producer Bones Howe said Tom was a song short for the "Small Change" album and disappeared for 24 hours and came back with this song. Howe asked how he found it. Tom said he bought a bottle of whisky and went down to skid row and drank with the homeless guys and listened to there stories. Every last one of them was on the skids because of a woman. So the song is about broken men, broken by love. (That's why Waits is a happy family guy. He realised what can happen. Great, isn't it?)
hi ike, I listened to the same DVD abt TW and how he came up with TTs Blues almost word 4 word what u quoted! U wd make a good reporter. I can see where 'swaggies' and 'hoboes' intersect mate and i don't begrudge TW the use of W.Matilda at all, i just think it wd have been polite 2 tell the truth, not cover up with a lie, that he wrote this song. Considering both the tune and the concept are originally international, shared by all refugees the world over, TW is pretty 'sharp' 2 say he wrote it!
Holy shit. my best friend thought this was Trey Parker. I explained to him what I thought "Waltzing Matilda" meant (having been there)and it changed his entire perspective on Tom.
Our school in Australia was using this song as our finale about the bones still in prison of ned kelly but Tom Waits won't allow public performance. It's a shame because he would of been proud of the kids dancing it was stunning.
fun, those intolerant tom-waits-fans ... posting that rod stewart sung this song badly is just ridiculous, even if he's not as authentic as tom waits. Finally a matter of taste, i guess ... thank you for that nice track anyway
its not that he sings badly, he took out the raw emotion waits gives the song and makes it into another ull love song. Waits' version is heartbreaking.
Here i fully agree. Wait's Version still fills my eyes with tears. But ... Rod's also did when i heard this song the first time in my life. It's simply a fantastic song, probably the best song ever written.
lets be fair guys and gals this man is an immense songwriter but he aint the best singer in the world and i think rod's in order having a pop at this and since he went for downtown train as well means it's all done with big respect xxxx
I can understand how people wouldn't like that growl of Tom's, but I personally think its great, and he's one of my favorite singers to listen to. So, to each his own I guess.
well, I don't know what your age is, but I'm 16 and I'm absolutely in love with song. I first heard a cover of it which was amazing and the original is amazing. I wish I had the mp3 for this. There's just something about the way this song sounds that just... I can't even put words to it. :)
When and where is Tom Waits performing next? I would love to see him live just once. I live in Las Vegas. I could go to Los Angeles, but unlikely any further.
When and where is Tom Waits performing next? I would love to see him live just once. I live in Las Vegas. I could go to Los Angeles, but unlikely any further.
HoLy keeRiist, what a beautiful man! You picked somma my fave photos. If I could build a man from the ground up, he'd look juslike Waits, inside&out, then&now.
It's weird. Nobody I know but me appreciates TW. It's sad, but at the same time, makes him all the more special.
NihilistImp 3 years ago
geniale stimme
kennerdurst 3 years ago 3
The heartbreaking vocal is when he sings: There's a battered old suitcase. From a motel someplace. And a wound that will never heal.
A "sweeter" voice could never bring that lyric home.
dabluz1125 3 years ago
Southampton, 1984. Asylum Years. One of those times when you first hear a song and everything seems to retreat around you. For a while afterwards all other music seemed false and silly and shallow. I don't think a greater song has been written. For me one of its equals was Hallelujah, which I first heard (and thus best love) by John Cale. Perhaps next year's Ex-Factor winner could essay TTB? I'd love to see the choreography for "Tore my shirt open". My daughter's name is Matilda. Not sure why.
oneinasquillion 3 years ago
big^^
pinaenan 3 years ago
Great song, naming my Daughter (March) Matilda. RULES
musicmoney21 3 years ago
Perfection.
Simply perfection.
Thank you Tommy.
And Thank you too, of course, watch
idignall 3 years ago 3
And by the way, to waltz matilda is to travel with all your belongings wrapped in a piece of cloth
Geisttanzer 3 years ago
that´s it
elsoloho 3 years ago
been listening to this for days now, feeling sad. most people have their own mathilda (and i´m not referring to a girl of course) waltzing with. this is a great piece of music, simple but not.
RumpelstudlBum 3 years ago
Sad story....Thank you for sharing!
moderatocantabile08 3 years ago
Deeply touching...
moderatocantabile08 3 years ago
Kudos to ike1950 and Eldritchard for putting the song into perspective for me. I never knew Matilda was slang for heroin either. I guess I now know what the begged you to stab me...tore my shirt open line means.
LupineLooPine 3 years ago
That's not what the song's about, but okay.
EdgeGeraldine 3 years ago
This song is not about heroin, Waltzing Matilda is a classical Australian folk song, Tom Waits said once the song is about "throwing up in another country", he also said Tom Traubert was a friend of a friend who died in prison.
Geisttanzer 3 years ago
I never said the song Waltzing Matilda is about heroin. I just said I didn't know the word Matilda was slang for heroin. It does put that one line of tearing my shirt open and stabbing into a new light, whether or not that light be true. Just an interesting new way of looking at an old classic.
LupineLooPine 3 years ago
Deeply moving, touching, performing so unique, and your voice, so expressive, so intense filled with love. You make me love you your way you express yourself.
You have a wonderful soul.
ETTA48 3 years ago
Absolute genius!Why is this man not played on every radio station in the world?Millions haven,t even heard of him and in my opinion he should be as famous as Bob Dylan and certainly more famous than John Lennon.The clever man,s singer songwriter.Class!
JohnMcCash 3 years ago 2
i think that every time i listen to tw!
murderinthebarn 3 years ago
Agree with you JMC! He is so unique, there will never be another singer/songwriter of his class, never! This living legend will forever be the greatest voice and songwriter, of all times!
Norseman3000 3 years ago
Eine einmalige Stimme, mein Lieblingslied (kannte nur die Version von Rod Stewart). Ich habe Tom Waits erst kürzlich entdeckt und bin ganz hin und weg von ihm - einfach unbeschreiblich der Mann.
Lapardia 3 years ago
Thanks for the "Matilda" slang. Makes even more sense.
ike1950 3 years ago
The best version is playing right now and Tom Waits is singing it.
JDH
coolmerc3 3 years ago 4
I think that every word of this is crystal clear when you think about the 100s of 1000s of beat-up 20-something young men back in the USA from Vietnam when this was written. Many of them were maimed... many of them were screwed up.. and many of them had been dumped by their women when they were in Nam. It wasn't their fault. They were drafted. Only someone like Tom Waits cared about this. Just like "Day After Tomorrow" or "God's Away on Business' I'll shut up now.
ike1950 3 years ago 6
Hi, Ike,
sympathisize with you...a lot ! For me it's a class caste thing, aint no senator's son the country calls for war...some young english prince may wanna find his lonely role...there's so much poetry on the streets..friend, be warm !
seedogreed 3 years ago
Ike. I can really sympathize with thos guys that did Nam. I myself didn't. This song predates WW1. Do a little research. A Matilda is a backpack. The song was about an itinerant falsely accused of stealing a sheep. It is a beautiful song especialy the way Waits does it. Just proves you don't need a good voice.
davidmacewen 3 years ago
Producer Bones Howe said Tom was a song short for the "Small Change" album and disappeared for 24 hours and came back with this song. Howe asked how he found it. Tom said he bought a bottle of whisky and went down to skid row and drank with the homeless guys and listened to there stories. Every last one of them was on the skids because of a woman. So the song is about broken men, broken by love. (That's why Waits is a happy family guy. He realised what can happen. Great, isn't it?)
ike1950 3 years ago 5
hi ike, I listened to the same DVD abt TW and how he came up with TTs Blues almost word 4 word what u quoted! U wd make a good reporter. I can see where 'swaggies' and 'hoboes' intersect mate and i don't begrudge TW the use of W.Matilda at all, i just think it wd have been polite 2 tell the truth, not cover up with a lie, that he wrote this song. Considering both the tune and the concept are originally international, shared by all refugees the world over, TW is pretty 'sharp' 2 say he wrote it!
slessorpr 3 years ago
This has to be one of the greatest interpretations of any song of all time. Absolutely awesome!
yhtomitnellum 3 years ago 13
Holy shit. my best friend thought this was Trey Parker. I explained to him what I thought "Waltzing Matilda" meant (having been there)and it changed his entire perspective on Tom.
No one else speaks for the rain dogs.
damienmetalwind 3 years ago 2
wonderful !
pasonam 3 years ago 6
i agree totally
xilovegerardx 3 years ago
Tom is probably my favorite artist and this is probably my favorite piece of his... Absolutely wonderful.
Erasmus37 3 years ago 6
Our school in Australia was using this song as our finale about the bones still in prison of ned kelly but Tom Waits won't allow public performance. It's a shame because he would of been proud of the kids dancing it was stunning.
gazzamanaza1234 3 years ago
Wow, this is a great song. :)
His voice is really unique, I love it.
beccaislikewhoa 3 years ago 6
fun, those intolerant tom-waits-fans ... posting that rod stewart sung this song badly is just ridiculous, even if he's not as authentic as tom waits. Finally a matter of taste, i guess ... thank you for that nice track anyway
ascetic66 3 years ago 2
its not that he sings badly, he took out the raw emotion waits gives the song and makes it into another ull love song. Waits' version is heartbreaking.
SandyMckinnon 3 years ago 2
Here i fully agree. Wait's Version still fills my eyes with tears. But ... Rod's also did when i heard this song the first time in my life. It's simply a fantastic song, probably the best song ever written.
ascetic66 3 years ago
"Magic Music Man"...and a pure, original talent. Hope he tours Australia again soon.
artworx2 3 years ago
lets be fair guys and gals this man is an immense songwriter but he aint the best singer in the world and i think rod's in order having a pop at this and since he went for downtown train as well means it's all done with big respect xxxx
redjimmer9 3 years ago
I can understand how people wouldn't like that growl of Tom's, but I personally think its great, and he's one of my favorite singers to listen to. So, to each his own I guess.
thefantasticejir 3 years ago
I think Rod did okay with "Downtown Train", but he kind of ruined this song.
masonpitzel 3 years ago
that is awesome that you youngins are into Tomcat! I wish I had been clued in at your age, so many wasted years.
CBSUNDE 3 years ago
well, I don't know what your age is, but I'm 16 and I'm absolutely in love with song. I first heard a cover of it which was amazing and the original is amazing. I wish I had the mp3 for this. There's just something about the way this song sounds that just... I can't even put words to it. :)
SingingLoser91 3 years ago 3
18 here
kuchuk1 3 years ago
When and where is Tom Waits performing next? I would love to see him live just once. I live in Las Vegas. I could go to Los Angeles, but unlikely any further.
jeffjeffkm 3 years ago
When and where is Tom Waits performing next? I would love to see him live just once. I live in Las Vegas. I could go to Los Angeles, but unlikely any further.
jeffjeffkm 3 years ago
i adore him
majaimisko 4 years ago
Just fabulous! A super-talented actor, musician, singer-songwriter.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful track. xx
EsLaRubia 4 years ago
Ой, как я люблю эту песню.... Ещё с детства...
Marina300677 4 years ago 2
Tom Waits will go down in history as the greatest song writer America ever produced.
CourtyardPigeon 4 years ago 2
Well not quite there's Dylan and Guthrie Waits would be in 3rd for sure.
FattyPumbaa2000 4 years ago
Consider John Prine and/or Steve Goodman.
hrothgleas 3 years ago 2
ssanie pały !! :D
kacperszczak 4 years ago
何度聴いてもいい・・・
tajyuro 4 years ago
Fantastic. Thank you for this.
LaTromboniste 4 years ago
tom waits is wonderful.
gorillazmaster 4 years ago
mY FAVORITE. For a more recent masterpiece check out "ALICE" from the album of the same name.
And remember, if you exorcise your demons, your angels might leave to too.
pitberry 4 years ago
Rod stewart try to sing this song... so bad!!
XTR4ever 4 years ago 4
You have done it so well, Watcher, thanks. This studio version features the violine, I love it so much. Thank you, Stefan
Steppelwuz 4 years ago
What a voice, what a song! Thrilling.
Eckbolsheim 4 years ago
This song, this album, is awesome!
driflyer13 4 years ago
HoLy keeRiist, what a beautiful man! You picked somma my fave photos. If I could build a man from the ground up, he'd look juslike Waits, inside&out, then&now.
artmaven 4 years ago
Je ne m'en lasse pas, peut-être ma préférée
claulaj 4 years ago
One of my favorite songs...brings back a lot of memories...thanks for this.
Cheers
schu00 4 years ago