What's the story behind this song? I've heard that Kerouac sang it for books on tape and Waits covered it, or that he just wrote it for Waits. I'd just like to know, if anyone happens to.
“I found Kerouac and Ginsberg when I was a teenager, and it saved me. Growing up without a dad, I was always looking for a father figure, and those guys sorta became my father figures”
Kerouacs nephew had a tape recording of a song written and sung by jack, and asked Waits to record it. When Ginsberg died in 1997, Tom Waits sung this at his memorial.
Luckily someone recorded it, and Waits later added it to his album Orphans, a compilation of his various oddball and forgotten about songs.
Tom does a pretty awesome, heavy duty blues rock version of this too, entitled "On the Road", Primus is the backing band!
salsburysteakjr 6 days ago
This is a live recording from Allen Ginsberg's funeral.
lilyanselm1 1 month ago
Low Anthem covered it well as well
hermeschbird 2 months ago
i need to drink something...
diacony 2 months ago 4
Comment removed
MrSmofish 3 months ago
Wow man, I'm cold......thanks
9jep 3 months ago
This song is perfect.
namedULaika 8 months ago
Favorite song, ever.
danisoaresduarte 8 months ago
@danisoaresduarte yes mine also!
MrSmofish 1 month ago
What's the story behind this song? I've heard that Kerouac sang it for books on tape and Waits covered it, or that he just wrote it for Waits. I'd just like to know, if anyone happens to.
j815wilkinson 1 year ago
“I found Kerouac and Ginsberg when I was a teenager, and it saved me. Growing up without a dad, I was always looking for a father figure, and those guys sorta became my father figures”
Kerouacs nephew had a tape recording of a song written and sung by jack, and asked Waits to record it. When Ginsberg died in 1997, Tom Waits sung this at his memorial.
Luckily someone recorded it, and Waits later added it to his album Orphans, a compilation of his various oddball and forgotten about songs.
Cr0pCircles 1 year ago 18
@Cr0pCircles Thanks for the story, sir. Is it from the Orphans booklet? It adds even more emotion to this track.
captainDread 1 year ago
@Cr0pCircles
Thank you.
pmmarauder 1 year ago
@Cr0pCircles jack kerouac, who wrote 'on the road'?
6FGX9 3 months ago
@Cr0pCircles You can also find a slightly differente version on "On the road" an album inspired by the novel, featuring Mr. Tom Waits and Primus.
ihbarba 2 months ago
Jesus! I shiver every time I sing or listen to this.
danisoaresduarte 1 year ago
Thanks man.
Rilkir 1 year ago
check out the low anthem's cover. amen tom, amen.
strizic 1 year ago
What album is this on?
Rilkir 1 year ago
@Rilkir
Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards
Cr0pCircles 1 year ago
yes one of my favorite songs...
manuingiro 1 year ago
This might be one of my favorite songs. Not just Tom Waits songs, but any song. Ever. Yeah.
metalspork42 1 year ago 9