Tom Waits - Ain't Goin' Down to the Well

[LUDKK]

You shouldn't be complaining that much about the translator. Without the german television you probably wouldn't even see this performance.

[graciebeaty11]

its a crime to put a voice over tom waits'. even if its not your language, just the sound of that voice is enough

[LSoundboy]

And when I was a kid, the first songs I've heard were Woody Guthrie songs, so my father must have taken them from Texas. I learned 'So Long It's Being Good to Know You' and 'This Land is My Land', 'Pastures of Plenty'. I learned three chords on the guitar and I thought I had the basics of all music.

[LSoundboy]

My dad's name is Jesse Frank James. He was named after Jesse and Frank James. He came west because he had bronchial problems, in those days they said no matter what the problem is, move to california, things will be a lot better. So the whole family moved to California and they worked in the orange grows.

[LSoundboy]

This is the beautiful thing about songs:they travel and get adopted by other people, their meaning changes.Songs are very elastic and shapeable.Ain't going down to the well actually was a song about a well that probably was poisoned.Someone got sick of it and died so someone else said I ain't going to the well no more.Later it became a song for anything you did and don't want to do again.I went down to town and said I ain't going there no more.I've heard Leadbelly say this, on a record of course

[LSoundboy]

As I am capable of speaking both, german and english, I sat down to translate this interview for all of you. I've tried to put it exactly the way, Tom says it, but sometimes I couldn't understand any of his words because of the dubbing.

Since YouTube doesn't allow me to write such long comments, I'll post this in two parts. 1. What he says before and 2. after playing the song.

[DoublePlow]

there has to be a version without the german!!!!!!!!!!! GAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[TheOyeoye000]

This makes me wanna be a bad bad man :)

[freewheelinQ]

12 people are going straight to the bottom of the well!!!

[TheNikilaos]

this man is unbelievable creative artist 

[BACHATU81]

does anyone know what is that effect on his mic that makes his voice sound like a flanger or delay does anyone know for sure what it is ... it sound cooler than hell great song

[jordan123321cookson]

@BACHATU81

From what I can see its just him breathing on the mike...

[Rikke0Richard]

@BACHATU81 I think it is a tremolo pedal :)

[TheJahnu]

Too cool..

[Antithesis209]

where are these clips from? Some unreleased German movie?

[TubeofDestiny]

@Antithesis209 It's from the state-funded Franco-German "culture" TV network (which has its own national channel in both country) "Arte", basically it's the only TV channel without any advertising and only culture-related stuff.

They broadcast rare/unknown films (short or long movie), musical concerts, anything that is worth broadcasting.

Example: between 1 am and 4 am, it's "Die Nacht"(the night), which is the most bizarre crazy beautiful thing I ever saw on TV. It's the only TV channel I watch

[byroncallas]

Never saw this one before - terrific surprise - great clip.

[sublimeruca27]

What chords is he using / tuning? Anyone have any idea?

[jumpshipdrown]

@sublimeruca27

Being a banjo, it's most likely open G, or a Minor chord variation thereof.

[TheOneThatFlewOver]

@jumpshipdrown

I believe it is, simply, G minor. Must pull out the ol' 'jo and test against the video.

[AJMcSpiffy2]

My only regret is not finding out about this man sooner, I can't stop listening to his music

[gorefinger]

I like he is breathing the rhythm in there. Like his breath has more talent than a lot of people do.

[amccabe21]

Meditation as music. Genius....a different level. I think they said it is a Leadbelly song.

[LandoftheShanks]

i like this song a lot. i like the sounds he makes with his mouth. he don't need a big band, he is his own instrument and the banjo is the instrument of the angels i kid you not. i love banjos <3

[ice2dize]

Delicious!

[Tunnelof]

Great Tom.

[BACHATU81]

love this song tom waits is a genius thanks for the post sarah v

[TheNighthawk]

Thanks for posting that Sarah V. Absolutely AWESOME!!!

[Danman917]

What is this from?

[xXvielzuvollXx]

you mean the song? it's on the first cd of his last release "orphans"...

the interview was made by the german/french tv-station "arte"...

[musicyouri]

tom waits fans, are out of the box thinkers. I'm glad I live this time, to be part of them.

[robson1144]

@musicyouri couldn't have put it in a better context myself

[dalehgeist]

It sure would be killer to hear the undubbed version, 'cause the only thing more fun than hearing Waits sing is hearing him talk.

[asteraith]

A lot of talented artists run into the simple problem of their own fame. They know how good they are, and all the attendant self-righteousness comes through in the music.

Waits manages to stay new and fresh, like someone in their first love affair with music, throughout most of his career. He manages to keep reinventing himself, and through his passion, you enjoy the power of his musical discoveries as he progresses.

[BenMcKernan]

Does anyone know where one can get the full documentary?

[papawhiskey82]

does anyone know where to find this with out the translation.... it pisses me off someone messed up an awesome inerview with tom!!!

[AcrossfromtheAlamo]

Here's an example of the GENIUS of TW.

He has the vocal microphone processed through a tremelo effect so when he breathes in and out between vocal lines he creates a "choogaloo" rhythm sound. I steal therefore I am... Tom said that. I stole it.

[Dayberry]

Its sad that Soulja Boy makes millions..... and Tom dont. Well im sure Tom makes million but still give Tom some Radio Time so I hae somethin good to listen to in the work truck

[ThePaleHorseman5]

Brother I'm with you, I cant get enough of 'ol Tom-Cat....but you know...If Tom started getting radio play, and made millions...it just wouldn't be "Tom" anymore...media and hype would turn him into a mainstream sell out. Kind of like they have done Jimmy Buffett over the last 10 years..I dont think Tom would want that , nor would his cult following.

I like it much better this way...and when i find something i have not seen or heard, it's almost like finding a lost treasure...you know?

[WindBlownLife]

The way Tom Waits's known these days allows us who adore him to be findin' those who like him too. And when that happens it's an instant bond with these people 'cause there are so few of them and you can only really like his music if you actually listen to it; It's like Beethoven.

[ThePaleHorseman5]

Man you are right on the mark...Tom's one of the best lyricists out there in my opinion...and Tom Waits fans are just awesome people! :)

cheers!

[MagellansUnderwear]

Soulja Boy makes millions because he was marketed directly at a demographic that is easily fooled and will scream and cry and pout until their parents give in and buy his merchandise. This is the case for the vast majority of American pop music. It's not talent or skill, it's looks and what you can sell.

Goddamn this is a great song.

[SgtBastard101]

1st. time I heard TW on the radio was when I was liveing in Kauii for the last three yrs. They have 1 station on island that plays vertually everything. Played "Phantom 309" around halloween,jaw hit the floor!!

[blahface52072]

anyone know what tuning his banjo is in?

[JoeRoszko]

G minor. Just drop the B string down half a step.

[Codfritter]

bloody germans:

only joking

[Adebisi2008]

If only this was Pop music! he's worth a trillion sales and downloads. Tom is amazing.

[crimsonic68]

Love this song !

[mmpresti]

The lyrics are sung closely to the one Leadbelly sang acapella. Although there's Waits style, I think this song is better sung acapella. It's stark that way and the message comes across--"I'M NOT GOING DOWN TO THAT DRY SON-OF-A-BITCHING WELL NO MORE!"

[murderbydeath11]

How can I find this film?

[KENOEFF]

Love Waits. !!

**************

[Hirnlego999]

Overdubbing is teh eeebiiiil

[justaguitardude]

Tom with your ability to write lyrics.. 3 chords is all you need my friend :)

[vales983]

great movie, wonderful song

[pipeandes]

what movie is it??? please!.

[GRAILKNIGHTPARZIFAL]

Another fantastic song, by a wonderful musician!!

[shuckslbj]

Will someone link me to a version of this that doesn't involve a German translator?

[turnthatshitdown]

when you find it let me know ! =)

[fluffyvolkswagen]

I would also love to hear it without that German translator.

[chuckmangionefan69]

thats french....

but none the less its fucking annoying...

[SirDeck]

no, i speak french and this is not... still i'm not able to recognize the language too

[XjonkaX]

its german

[Weeninja]

lol no its german.

[jimigorilla]

Get somebody in America to do a documentary on him maybe?

[opiumrebel]

@shuckslbj

If a German translator wouldn't have been involved you wouldn't be seeing this all, proud to be a German, and proud this blues tour de force has been produced partly by German Television.

[ivanfranjoadlesic]

as kind a soul as brilliantly creative; 35 years and as powerful as ever....and as humble...few better people in or out of music...

[bettablue1]

OMG! Excellent! At the end, he started saying that his parents moved out west, to try to get work in the Orange Groves. I just saw "The Grapes of Wrath", which led to the Woody Guthrie song (which he mentions here), and have become entranced with every incarnation of "The Ghost of Tom Joad"! I can't believe he just said that! Thanks so much!

[KoleKoiott]

When does this interview take place?

[Raindog14]

"This clip is from the documentary "freedom highway" if anybody wonders. great movie features many great musicians (waits, Elvis Costello, Willy Nelson, Blind Boys of Alabama, etc.) and performances"

posted by crackerwithsoul referencing another

song from the same movie (i think)

Tom rules..

[karl198]

That some tremelo on the mic ? XP

gr8 song gr8 performance good all round ^_^

[rifkolosi]

this song touches me

[evantowa]

terrific

[yazza69]

The way he disapears into the music - totally committed to his craft, doesn't care what people think. Amazing, inspiring. He's brething into the mike on purpose, and it works, it makes the song.

[sushimonster]

I like this version way better than the one on his new album. He uss an electric guitar instead of a banjo and I think it takes away from the song.

[pengwenworks]

i agree. this way is so rustic and it works much better.

[jimbo9998823]

Tom - the greatest american singer in the last 20 years...simply period...that's a fuckin' fact folks.

[jimbo9998823]

Ermm...WTF???? Shit - buddy - you NEED a musical education - and fuckin' QUICK!! YIKES!

[deraugust]

You need a doctor

[pengwenworks]

it doesnt take musical education to know good music when you hear it and if this just isnt your taste, then fine, but that doesnt make it bad music. and by the way, if recognition by musically educated people is so important to you, i have heard seriously educated musicians with degrees and everything say that tom waits is a genius.

[jimbo9998823]

I was talking about Vaywen's comments above...

[writer4peace]

Love Tom, dislike hearing the arrogant narrator.

[jtgilbert1972]

Don't bother downloading it. Stick with Christina Aguilera and the American Idol crap!

[MicksM8]

There isn't a singer alive who can touch Tom. Agree with all the other comments, would like to hear Tom and not the commentator!

[oysteranatomy]

i wish i could tell the translator to shut the fuck up.

[TheGreatFoldini]

damn! He can play any instrument! Even his breathing is music....damn!

[faustus9]

these videos should be cleaned up from the German comments that cloud the understanding of what Waits is talking about. Great music. First time I hear it...

[Highstreets]

"Komm nicht zu spät, Sei pünktlich" Do you remember?

[bungle0261]

what can i say??

tom is the man

[antipopdude]

yeh the comments are annoying. Like this version better than the one on the album

[michaldrwal]

The song is great, but the this German comments are realy disturbing.

[sushimonster]

I know! I would love to see the English version of this. How come Waits never does stuff like this in America? Booo!

[pumpkinheadsteve]

Well, in an interview from the late '70s or early '80s he said he didn't do a lot of American TV because he lives here.

[sushimonster]

Boo! I love Waits, but Boo!

[pengwenworks]

why boo?

[sushimonster]

He should do more interviews in the US. He can go live in Canada :P

[georaindog]

Fantastic!

[bobdoletheband]

i like this much

[jeffkahl]

I'd really like to hear the English version of this interview!

[PlatonicFriend]

Damn it! I have this song on my MP3 player...nice to see the video great song