Waitin' around to die _ Townes Van Zandt

[jguem]

yes !!!!



[masterchiefer123]

just great

[CadelltheUneasy]

Best lyricist... Ever... Period.

[ScrotieMcBizzle]

Thanks to the internet I have Netflix. Because of Netflix I discovered Breaking Bad. While watching Breaking Bad I heard the lyrics to this song. Thanks to the internet I was able to google the lyrics and find the cover by the Be Good Tanyas on YouTube where I read in the comments that the original was by Van Zandt. Thank you internet!

[lladsbid]

This song reminds me of Sour Times by Portishead. The winding, foreboding backing track is marvelous, even more than lyrics.

[dawnjakeleah]

we are all waiting to die

[sumobli]

As he said, " LOnelyness is an action, lonesomeness is a feeling

[TheChildofcain]

The greatest songwriter who ever lived!!!!!!

[Superchicken798]

Best song ever!

[killerbendi]

This is American. This is Norwegian. This is blues, this is me, this is you. But most fore all this is Townes.

[tunalik]

@killerbendi This is Texas.

[writersblock26]

Thank you for posting this, najaolhos.

[xxooxx14]

I came here because of Caleb Followill , and I'm not disappointed at all !

[CthulhuWaitsDreaming]

I like the production mostly. But I also really like Townes performing alone with his guitar, like on Live at the Old Quarter. On that recording he introduces this song as the first serious song he ever wrote. Amazing song to be the first one.

[LandonInFlorida]

@CthulhuWaitsDreaming

Don't worry. You're not alone. The guy who produced this, Jack Clement, has stated that he really regrets adding all the superfluous production to this (and a couple other) of Townes' songs. It's taken history some time to catch up to Townes, his importance as a songwriter, etc... When this was originally released, they were trying to sell him as a garden variety country artist, using those same tactics. We now realize that he was 'special' and stands on his own.

[andrewpro85]

@LandonInFlorida Admittedly the production is a little much, but I kind of like it. The dated reverb makes the proceeding sound a little bit like "Paint it Black" by the Stones. If this were the only version of the song, I might complain that it misrepresents the material, but there's something wonderfully subversive about the way this bleak stuff masquerades well as a pop song. TVZ is in great voice here, too, not a small point.

[harwicke]

@andrewpro85 Love this version. The contrast makes the lyric more surprising.

[Numeronx]

@andrewpro85 love paint it black and this song.... funny coinciedence. dated reverb ownes apperantly.. any suggestions for me?

[mixmastermeeks]

@LandonInFlorida I usually like raw stuff better but I think this song sounds better with the production.

[gjc82071]

Damn it, there is a song on here by Townes, the song is about a homeless guy, trying to find work, he has a pregnant g/f, he's standing in line for hours, thinks about hitching a ride on a train down south, it's getting colder and g/f could use a coat, etc. Damn it. Anybody know the song/name???

[MrBuk86]

@gjc82071 Yeah, the song is called "Marie." Hope that helps. 

[Vomator]

For the five dislikes, fuck you!

[Weissmenchland]

Fantastic song. Van Zandt was a poet.

[AirPickles]

At first I thought Codean was some redneck name for boys.(e.g. "Hey Dean, tell your brother Codean to git back in here and finish yer grits!!!") then I realized that Townes was talking about the synthetic opiate, Codeine.

[IbnNero]

@AirPickles lol me too

[skozlowski85]

This song sums it up for me. Late nigh waitin round to die.

[ponysoprano]

I think lots of us can relate to this stuff. Townes was a sad sad man, RIP TVZ

[konradhk00]

@megaspydermonkey but you are still here, so you have been given another chance to live the life you want to lead...peace n love, my friend.

[morleydotes666]

we're all waitin' round to die...

[mollyjeorgensen]

Townes always makes me wanna beat up corporate executives who make 1,000 times what their regular employees make in a year... don't know why... but, anybody else feel me on this? Would it not be the best soundtrack ever?

[Amakisongs]

damn this song got over produced to hell. Great song though!

[ElectLesClaypool]

townes.....

[mkworkman]

March 7, 1944: birth of Townes Van Zandt, American musician and songwriter (d. 1997)

[slammingkain]

Damn! He's Good. Wish the did not learn me English on School, but his Accent for Sake!!! HE'S GOOD!!

[RedmanMess]

its opinion so theres no point in arguing it

[MattyMattThing]

another person born in the wrong place.

[Vomator]

I wish I knew if this was available on mp3.

[RDBeatnik]

@dmbraley He's very good but not better than Bob Dylan.

[DaCevkoch]

@RDBeatnik

yes, he sure is

[SCHLOWEISS]

we have all got probs in life - live for today, not tomorrow!

[equalsCrazyDelicious]

"I think my life'll run out before my work does, you know? I've designed it that way."

--Townes Van Zandt

[Joeyland]

There's the "blues"

there's dark

there's depressing

and then there's hopelessness, thats Townes

[luketdrifter2100]

@Joeyland This is the best, most true comment I've ever read on YouTube.

[matrags]

This is amazing.

[HighRankinNammy]

@babel1967 What about Ian Curtis?

[HighRankinNammy]

I for one like the production. It reminds me of Ennio Morriconne's spaghetti western themes. And this is coming from someone whose favorite productions include 78s from the turn of the century and nails on a chalkboard post punk!

[glynnth]

wish I had some of that codine, right about now...

[JodyK78]

Heard this song on True Blood this week - it's awesome!

[junkexL]

@JodyK78 Me too!!! in the car they were driving in!

[SirCoughsalot]

Lordy day, you can tell Jack Clement produced this one.

[UNCLEMOMMY]

thank you

[Andreawantstodie]

I love this

[dinoboss]

@babel1967

To me Townes is real, he is 100%. Dylan was always a great musician but he has not the soul that Townes did.

[babel1967]

@dinoboss Yep, I'll buy that all the way. Bob has mostly written about what he sees going on around him. Townes' writing reflected more of what was going on inside him. My original comment wasn't about who had the anguished soul it was about who was the better writer.

[guyfromnewcastle]

Bleak stuff.. Very soulful.. I must delve deeper.

[nick40nick40]

It's so great song that brings tears in your eyes, regardless the times you listen to it!!

[sixinabag]

A time will come to choose between what is easy and what is right. If you last long enough, that choice will come often.

[WashingtonClouddrago]

townes has so many versions of all of his (and others) wonderful songs. but his conviction and creativity make each one unique. that's what being a songwriter is about. it's really too bad he's so underappreciated.

[mi4johns]

@zombieman62 all you purist faggots make me sick. both versions have their merits, you like the other one better, go listen to that one and STFU.

[steele917]

@mi4johns this was how Music was produced in 1970. The beatles had James Taylor signed to their record label. Apple records released one album. No sales it seems. Still the album had a few songs on it that some might recognize the titles, but were prduced quite differently. Townes was before his time, and that's why his fan base is growing by the day thanks to Youtube. Here's hoping the one's in charge leave a few of his videos alone for some time.

[Brianjacob5050]

If you like this video you might like mine

[TheRainKing88]

the version of the song thats in heartworn highways was so much better. vans + guitar = beautiful.

[wetriddim]

damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn van  zannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnndt

[lancer89032]

Wow, this guy is unreal and really something special.

[97MARGARITADAVE]

He rerecorded this on on the 1970 self titled album It's not completely striped down but it is much better.

[antonfjordson]

who killed sgt pepper?

[st1rfiend]

every star burns out. just glad i got to see it shine at its brightest.

[Joeyland]

Can this dude write songs or what?

[TheScaryflick]

GENIUS!!!

[JakensteinSEX]

beautiful.

[PageandPlant4Life]

I love the lyrics in this song

[Rollinleddoor28]

Reminds me of House of the Rising Sun

[davemann36]

I love Townes always and forever.  This song is way overproduced, way to busy instrumentally, and I know Townes would agree.

[babsanfredrik]

so great fredriktjejen

[gordlightfootfan]

If you ever can get your hands on the DVD titled 'BE HERE TO LOVE ME' it's a must for any TVZ fan. Very deep, sad, emotionally driven music. What a shame such a talented man was so sad inside. Great DVD, I own it and watch it regularly. The song RAKE is immensely powerful

[ethicomm]

Shit, that's beautiful.

[JosephCa64]

I love the Spaghetti Western feel of early Towne's songs like this.

[theroadles69]

little sergio leone never hurt anybody

[IpkisStanley]

yeah I'll second that. His songs are very sad and make me think of the blues because of the emotional intensity and honesty in his music

[wesmantodd1974]

yeah, and TVZ said, "I've met Bob's bodyguards, and if Steve thinks he could do that-then he's sadly mistaken."

[Luftboble]

Heh - that might be a good point :D

[prayforpeace1234]

this guy is a beast...check out my kings cover =]

[dansmith859]

well as steve earle said " townes is the best american song writer and i will stand on bob dylans coffee table in my cowboy boots and shout it aloud"

[Luftboble]

Lol! Yeah, I think I remember reading something about Steve Earle saying that. He`s on to something :D

[CameronDubzWTF]

great.

[dansmith859]

the greatest american song writer hands down rip townes

[halfbreedscott]

or maybe Ill go down and see kathleen.

[plutosunshine]

u right ...Townes is in a league of his own ...which sadly can cost

[tevibian]

Mr. Townes Van Zandt hands down..

[NoRulesInNam]

Genius.

[plutosunshine]

Van Zandt vs James Taylor

[fewf2435]

Van Zandt vs Dylan??

[knappydanny]

think Dylan knows karate.

[SmoothHudsonLanding]

Dylan knows karate... 5* comment

[davef71140]

Dylan is an avid boxer.

[bingebaron]

waiting for the world to end

[Marscholone]

großartig....

[Marscholone]

herrlich...sentimental...

[plutosunshine]

sink or swim good folks.....aparently Townes used to disappear into the mountains on his truste steed for weeks at a time

[awsonja1955]

That song by Townes turned my auditory canals into a brothel for good sound~This, an original comment by the best cover ever  by "knappydanny" check it out

[birddog081]

It's the story of life. It's what every single one of do.... just waiting around to die.

[glynnth]

I can relate to the sentiment that the "tame-civilized" life, is just a lot of "waiting around to die".

[glynnth]

Wish I had that friend that don't steal, or cheat, or lie...

[kirbstomperrrrr]

This song is kickass. Hard beat, good lyrics... nice.

[rimef]

Quelle voix et quel présision à la guitare!

WONDERFULL!

F.

[marcdecious]

this version sounds different. I can't find the original album but is this exactly how it sounds? I like how it's got more of an upbeat sound.

[berniefranks]

There's a number of versions out there, I personally think the song benefits from sparser accompaniment, which is why my favorite version is from Rear View Mirror. Just guitar and violin.

[kroglid]

love this vid

[OhNoItsGojira]

What at incredible song.

[rdar2d2]

Waitin' around to die - Thats me

[musicloverkathy]

Dark stuff. Visceral. Play only when you don't feel like killing yourself.

[rekabdarb]

so in theory all the time?

[musicloverkathy]

.When I really feel like that I isten to Nick Cave

[karsroe]

Sometimes when a man is feeling low, it is the words of another man, who speaks the language of despair, which can give him strength.

[HerbertAndDevendra]

Right.

[ScourgeTube]

beautiful. that right there is the epitome of music's purpose.

[bjl000]

your right

[sharqi666]

@karsroe could not of said it better

[michaelgerarddejong]

@karsroe great words brother !

[yurikomuro]

@karsroe I wish more ppl posted comments like yours. instead of spreading hate, politics, and trolling on youtube.

[bobvillain]

@yurikomuro I'm just glad there isn't some lame comment about whatever number of people dislike the video voted up by other people as the top comment. 

[plutosunshine]

can somebody give me a happier ending

[Cinders29]

not in this song. And not in townes' life, I guess. But darkness only exists with light. It's a balancing act. And there's plenty of beauty to keep us going, if we don't give up. I love townes for illuminating the darkness. But I can't stay there all the the time.

[oddaron]

love  it

[Galacticplane]

Townes Van Zandt, One of Amerika's greatest songwriters. I miss him, like many others that knew him. Thank you for posting this original recording of Townes Van Zandt.

[maylinn444]

this song, is so good<3

[teufeldritch]

Thank you Kjetta! Good stuff!

[woodman1932]

thank you for putting this on youtube...

[auctionmusic]

This is A+

[mysteria31]

This version is on the "Be here To Love Me" soundtrack, his "Songwriter"CD (that others put together) and "For The Sake of the Song" where this version originally appeared for the first time. This might be on the "Legend" CD too. "Legend" is one of the very few TVZ CDs I don't have in my collection as yet.

[RossM3838]

the legend cd has a later recording on it. One from around 1972.

[ScourgeTube]

Ya, I haven't heard this mix before, I only had the version from the live at the old quarter album. This is just great.

[shalalalalalala]

great. not heard this mix before.

[jim71310]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh...So good!!!