The Day After Tomorrow (live on the Orphans Tour)

[icbm777]

its the desperation in his voice that makes these already powerful lyrics magical!! I love this dong, it gets better every time i watch it.

[TheObsidianNightfall]

Is there anyone else alive that can make words so powerful? Tom Waits is truly a great musician and a great man, an enigma that will never be truly solved...

[boabibingo]

I love how obidient the crowd is, shuts up dead as soon as he starts singing.

[Alhipdude]

you'd be hard pressed to find a more noble balladeer

[lidgleymike]

A modern classic, that they'll be singing as a traditional folk song 200 years from now - and wondering why on earth did the most powerful nation in the world, at the time, invade and attempt to occupy one of the smallest

[jcwbluedevil]

Simply amazing...

[notonpage7]

Fucking GW Bush should be standing in the middle of those families that have lost loved ones who didn't make this dream come to be.

[gregsobekofficial]

Legend.

[7777dmith7777]

It's Like Ron Howard and Ray Charles Had a Love Child. ROFL!!!!!

[icbm777]

"Tell me how does God choose, which prayers does he refuse? " this is my favorite line in the song, so powerful.

[ven3li]

Jesus Christ this man is a god damn genius. A true living legend.

The sort of artist you'll all be telling your grandchildren about in 50 years time. And will be a genuine shame that there isn't a Tom Waits anymore for all to listen to anymore...

[vonkruize]

One cannot say enough about how truly awesome Tom Waits is. What a damn good song.

[sgdave1000000333]

god bless all you lovers of tom waits

[paucannell]

An incredibly decent man, who cocks a snoot at this corporate world with no conscience and no regard for for the human race; "if there's one thing to say about mankind, there's nothing kind about man".

[lordkorner]

Lyle Lovett wrote a song about fat babies having no pride in the hope that people in the audience wouldn't sing along.....it didn't work.

[ak47doubletap]

Lordkorner, do u remember name of Lyle's song about fat babies ?? Would love to hear it. Thnxxxxx !! As for Tom, may he live, live, live, live.............. a quality life with yearssss of happiness. Could not hope more for a performer.He has poured out his soul to us, & how we love him.

[Dizkneelande]

haha I love that song

[SexyAlien2]

The crowd is utterly annoying. Can't they just listen to the music and shut their mouth?

[theotherbeave]

you-d feel different if you were there

[Sabbatai]

Pretty sure Tom appreciates it. The same thing happens in Metal concerts or Rap or any other form of music.  This was a somber, quiet song. You just hear it more.

Plus why would an artist like Tom or any other want their fans to NOT express the emotions they feel when hearing particular lines they wrote. Or in this case Tom's wife wrote.

Either way I think the song, the performance and the presentation WITH the crowd cheering is beautiful beyond words.

[SexyAlien2]

Well I imagine I would've feel a different way if I attended the concert ;).

But watching this on a video, I am not surrounded by the atmoshpere of the show, and it feels particulary annoying to me as the voice of the crowd do not really concord with the mood of the song (in my opinion).

Otherwise, I usually love watching live concerts, and though Tom Waits' performance is irreproachable, the crowd just doesn't seem to add up to the beauty of this song.

[Sabbatai]

I can totally understand where you are coming from.

Although I'd rather be in a band where the crowd cheered for every word and note played than to have no cheering at all! lol

[kluge2000]

i'm really glad you posted this comment. and i don't mean to sound negative, and i'm not discounting the sentiment of the song. but, as a LONG time tom waits fan i thought the lines "i'm not fighting for freedom, i'm fighting for my life" and "they fill us up with lies that everybody buys" were so trite i couldn't believe they were his. glad to hear kathleen probably wrote them. on the other hand "what i miss you won't believe, shoveling snow & raking leaves" GREAT line. that was tom, right?

[Sabbatai]

I'm not sure if the specifics have been documented. They typically work together and I've never heard that she wrote anything exclusively... so I'd imagine it was a cooperative effort.

The song, if I remember correctly was written for and performed first by Joan Baez who has an album by the same name "Day After Tomorrow". Tom Waits is credited as the writer. I am certain I read a comment from Baez herself stating that the song was written by Kathleen.

Hope any of that made sense..lol.

[ataylor17]

Tom waits actually performed it first on Real Gone. And knowing their history, I think it is unlikely that Tom Waits would write anything for Joan Baez. I could be wrong, though.

[fman707]

Wrong, Tom/Kathleen wrote the song in 2004, Joan Baez released her album in 2008, you do the math.

[ataylor17]

Alright, sorry for my initial, drunk reaction. But "I'm not fighting for freedom, I'm not fighting for justice, I'm fighting for my life" and "they fill us up with lies that everybody buys," I think they are beautifully simple lines. Trite? I think you might have missed the point/narrative of the song. It comes from the viewpoint of an average joe, not a poet. Just a young soldier disillusioned with the absurdity of war and wanting to come home. *edited to make me sound smarter.

[Dayberry]

Agree with you totally, but when your watchin the video on youtube you wish they would shut up so you can hear the song.

[g1ng3666]

i think this is the best performance

by tom that i have ever seen

and i watch tom everyday

i never shut my mouth

but i watched this countless times in silence

[captainadam1]

It makes me sad that if I tried to show this to some of my friends, they just wouldn't get it. They'd probably go off on how his voice sounds. Personally, I'd rather listen to Dylan and Waits than someone who can "sing" in the conventional sense of the word. After all, it's like Sam Cooke said, (I paraphrase) "It's not about how nice the voice sounds. It's about whether or not you believe the voice is telling the truth." Who's with me?

[DmDm98]

Tom Wait's voice is amazing man, what are you talking about?! he's got no ugly voice; he's got a masculine one. Geese; wish I had his voice.

That aside, he's so far one of the best singers I've come upon to find...funny thing is; I heard one of his songs in the movie "Fight Club"...and I fell in love with his music.

[captainadam1]

I really like his voice, but I know a lot of people who wouldn't.

I just got "Orphans" today.

[DmDm98]

I got all of his work a few months ago on the computer...all of it. But had to get rid of some of the albums, since I had no space in the computer. But I'm pretty sure the files are still surfing the web.

I like his voice as well...it's like; I don't know...makes you want to drink a bottle of whiskey and hurl the empty bottle to a wall...so relaxing, right? Other people are too busy listening to crap-mainstream music...they can't tell the difference between music and noise.

[dissonancedistorsion]

Totally with you, Captain Adam. Some of my friends wouldn't "get" this either, and I feel that it is self-defeating if I tried to explain it to them. (Somehow, trying to explain the poetry of it ruins the poetry.)

DmDm, which song of his was in Fight Club?

[DmDm98]

Yeah; most people...including teenagers, adults, and grown people as well, don't understand what the essence of music really is. They heard a catching tune and they like it...but come on, a good tune talking about "ass & tits" throughout the whole song is just not my definition of music. Don't try to explain it to your friends; if they don't understand it, they don't deserve to.

The song in "Fight Club" was "Goin' Out West"; it cached my attention immediately when I heard it.

[lordkorner]

Ever since the movie Fargo I'd always wondered how one spells "geese" now I know thanks.

Michael Jackson id dead but Tom lives on, maybe there is a God.

[DmDm98]

It's actually spelled "geez". Sorry for the misunderstanding. I never use that word, so I've never taken the time to find out how it was spelled.

There is a god man...his name is.......Chocolate Jesus.

[richmurphyuk]

It is all about honesty!! A lot of people (including the vast majority of my friends) don't get passed his voice and to be honest thats their loss!! If they don't want to listen to a singer who has a voice with character. then they should go and listen to X factor or American Idol or anyone of the dozen other karaoke talent shows who promote nothing but people who are hungry for fame!!

Tom Waits is a unique artist and not a paper thin imitation!! His music will live on and inspire!!

[EvanPianocal]

well said!

[69nzzfine]

I thought I was the only one who loved this guy...but I see I am not alone, enough said..thanks tom..peace

[JohnnyDelta77]

One thing I`ve always loved is Tom Waits` ability to point out the beauty in things that are not always beautiful. Thank you for this video.

[tontokurt]

This song has so much poetic nerve. Whatever in which direction the song can be interpreted it's such great poetry. Be quite, kids, here's a genius singing.

[imdanhoover]

yippee...95...71040...thats me

[wuzcloopin]

I wish the people in the crowd would shut the fuck up and let him sing. This isn't a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert.

[mapmanic]

Sometimes almost any reaction is better than no reaction for the entertainer, but I can't help but wonder if Tom doesn't prefer a more attentive crowd. Here's an old Vietnamese proverb: It's the empty can that makes the most noise.

[psilocybe4u]

it's obvious this song is about being a soldier but it could be about any person who is given the short end of the stick in this world

[SuchisLifeIA]

Darn.. left a long comment and the song changed while I was writing it... Love Tom Waits.. so don't get me wrong.. but in this video he reminds me of the "Hobo King" of 2008.

[SH1TLIPS]

I would just go out of my fucking mind if I got to see Waits live..

[webstercat]

The well spring of human kindness is over flowing in here, I'm afraid I might drown. Funny how everyone want's Peace and yet can't even get along on a silly youtube page.

Children just behave.

[nshvnancy]

ALL of you shut up, watch this genius sing his song, you should all be so lucky to kiss his shoes!

[voluptamors]

Musical genius, up there with Dylan

[treenmusic]

hää?? whats that?? ugllyyy fuccccking uglyy!

[jamsmi174]

FREEDOM COST....Ask the guys on the bottom of Pearl .....ask the people that went down in the Towers .. ask the guys that that are left with a head stone

[TELBOYO10]

jamsmi174, I am afraid you are missing the point here, the people who died at Pearl and the twin towers may have died but did not realise they were paying the price for freedom, they were taxed, people who donate are the ones who are paying the real cost. Commit yourself to serve a cause and then see if the price is worth paying, remember once you commit there is no early release from this contract, then you will see the trus price of freedom and absolute trust between brothers in arms

[baal660]

I'd rather ask the people in Scandinavian countries who manage to enjoy true freedom and equality and don't need to worry about paying for it with their lives. That's a true miracle.

[DirkjeA]

Sorry? You mean in Scandinavia there is no discrimination against outsiders? Or no addicts? Suicide number in Sweden is highest in the whole of Europe. alcoholism widespread in spite of the high prices. So no offence, but  I wondered what your meant?

[doretgar]

God.. that's just too beautiful

[DancingTillIDie]

It's a beautiful song - and it does support the troops - not as soldiers - but as people. It's always been rich mens wars and poor men's fight. Nice to hear the voices of the poor once in a while. Bravo Mr. Waits.

[sugarydonkey]

Ain't it just like Americans to applaud during the wrong part of the song, and miss the message entirely? Nowhere in this song does he profess to "support the troops".

[SkyShaw]

They're aplauding a particularly beautiful lyric.

[sugarydonkey]

No they aren't. They'd be applauding the whole thing if that were true. They are politicising a song which doesn't warrant any politicisation.

[SkyShaw]

"They fill us full of lies, everyone buys, 'bout what it means to be a soldier"

Right, no politics there.

"You can't deny, the other side, they don't wanna die, any more than we do"

Or there. It's not likey they're applauding the anti-war message. It's not like they're applauding the antiwar message. That'd be stupid.

[DirkjeA]

As someone said before, they are not only applauding the song, but more out of recongision, that is clearly to me.

Has got nothing to do with politics, but with feelings. Like another commented, this song isnot about being a soldier but about being human.

[Hawkinme8]

he's a fucking American, breh.

[sugarydonkey]

I have no idea what that means.

[Hawkinme8]

Tom Waits is a fuckin' American, breh.

Don't make generalisations. Next time you have a thought, just let it go. You'll save us all a whole lot of trouble.

[sugarydonkey]

Do you have a problem with the English language? You seem to have an inability to type coherently,

[Hawkinme8]

Do you have a problem with the English language, breh. You know that you can't end a sentence with a comma.

[sugarydonkey]

Why do you keep calling me breh you fucking retard?

[Hawkinme8]

I've never actually met someone who was offending by being called a 'breh'. I'm sorry. I don't see why I'm a fuckin' "retard". I don't seem to be the one missing the point. You shouldn't critique Americans as a whole using the example of an American as the ideal to which we should all be held. That's counter-intuitive... Breh.

[sugarydonkey]

Oh dear.

And its just a word you appear to have made up.

[Hawkinme8]

Intuitive. Like the adjective. There's this noun that you may have heard of called "intuition" meaning the power or faculty of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference. And counter being the oppositive. Counter-intuitive would then mean that what you say goes against intuition. Are you the dumbest of fucks?

[sugarydonkey]

Sigh... what's the use. You are just being obtuse now.

[ndjmc]

you both are a couple of bitches...

[MarxBakuninMe]

'Nowhere in this song does he profess to "support the troops". '

He does not profess "fuck the troops" either, does he?

The song is narrated by a soldier. "Support the Troops" is just an empty, politically-driven slogan; this song is the real deal, and he seems pretty sympathetic towards plight of soldiers. It's beautiful, it transcends the kind of inane political point scoring you usually get with the subject of war.

Just my interpretation, anyway.

[CalebNihira]

I saw him sing this song live in St. Louis in 08 and it was one of the only times in my life that I was nearly moved to tears by listening to someone live in concert.

[Sabbatai]

"What I miss you won't believe.., shoveling snow and raking leaves."

Beautiful and so ...it's what all the troops must feel at times. I know my cousins can relate.

As to the cheering during the show... it is a sign of more than appreciation, but understanding and connection.

I second the "different cultures, different ways" comment but I would put money on the fact that Mr. Waits was happy to hear it.

[kachondo]

Maestro!!!!

[bf4e11]

Beautiful... that's all that matters.

[singingweasel]

Quite agree, they're not to be ranked like x factor contestants . These true artists have never sold themselves out jostling for chart positions and celebrity column inches - they are real artists (and I also include Leonard Cohen) who breathe through their art . We're lucky enough to share the world they create through their incredible lyrics and passion. Thanks for posting.

[DirkjeA]

You made one of the few comments here that makes sense. I totally agree with you.

[pfstavtsel]

great song!!!!!

[pianodan10]

My point is simply that, whether one is a better poet, or a better musician, who influenced who, what have you... there's a point when it stops mattering. They both fill in the gaps the other one never could.

Waits said touring with Zappa was like being a rectal thermometer... How ridiculous would it be to compare these two talents? Just because they both happen to have something in common (like an affinity for making very odd sounds).

[hiddeninromance]

oh yeah of course, like i said i don't really rank artists...I prefer Dylan; though Waits is amazing, I probably listen to cold water every day...and to echo what you said they both have a place reserved in my heart for their ability to create beautiful music. :D

[SurrealAsItGets]

ahhh...just wonderful

[trezpazz]

Been chillin with Tom ever since 1977..been a great run..Thanks Tom....Trez

[jamsmi174]

if ole Tom came out to get his car and it was being stolen .....would he fight for his car ??

[dasgdasg]

screw the audience. great song, though. simply incredible.

[HHCStompage]

The first time I actually heard this song was on a Bodies of War compilation cd while I was deployed in Iraq. Since then, it goes with me everywhere.

[Jookkor]

A very simple song, but very poingient. There is nothing like military service to remind you of the little blocks you build a life from, as it takes you so very far away from them and you lose the ability to reconnect for long periods of time.

[berkleealex]

While I don't particularly like going to concerts where it's constant screaming I think with such an anti-war song, the crowd is merely supporting a few of the lines - such as the other side doesn't wanna die any more than we do. When you make such a powerful statement, I think it can be in good taste to vocally agree - i mean look at PP&M protests. But what do I know, i'm only 24. Just a thought.

[Ceirthe]

I'm only 17 but I think you're spot on!

[qystein]

why the F do people cheer like that for a song with those lyrics?!

Dont get me wrong, Tom Waits is one of my favortie musicans, but "whhooo`ing" for lyrics like this is just wrong! Its not a that kind of song

[yolo22]

such a good song. extremely moving lyrics. very strong words. i wish everyone could hear this song.

[titaniumwater]

The best lyrics i have heard in a long time, im new to this guy, i must admit, damn he is good.

[kachondo]

he got a unique style!!

[tjscycle]

Tom Is the poet of the 21st century. Listen to his lyrics and learn. I bow my head. M.

[Linauts]

to me, he is right below Bob Dylan

[hiddeninromance]

yeah to me too, and I think tom would be the first to admit that. but let's be honest being second to Dylan is in no way negative...

though second to dylan for me is leonard cohen.

[pianodan10]

Second to Dylan is a negative if you think they deserve to even be compared. Their style of poetry and especially their sense of music is very different, and to be honest I prefer Waits in both respects... Personal opinion, but that just means they aren't second to anyone, they only first compared to themselves. And that is why I don't think Tom would admit anything of the sort.

[hiddeninromance]

Hey second to dylan in my opinion, i think that's perfectly acceptable...i haven't claimed any universal knowledge of the poetic rankings, i just made an emotive response in the same way that i prefer arthur rimbaud to thomas hardy. i like both, both are different but in my taste i rank one higher. Furthermore they operate on the bulk of genre of american music which brings them closer than my given examples. I have read at least four examples where tom waits as confessed dylan's influence...

[hiddeninromance]

...in suggesting waits would admit to dylan being better i was only presupposing waits' modesty...who thinks they are better than their influences?

both great artists.

you prefer one. i prefer one.

"so you go your way and i'll go mine"

[pianodan10]

Word, point taken.

However, when you try to rank musical artists solely on their poetry, you take account of only a slice of their art. It's the music that must be judged, because that's the sum of all the parts, and honestly I think that's the area that Waits has developed more than Dylan. Dylan never wrote instrumentals, it was about the poetry.

That's why it becomes futile to rank, because you obscure the fact that they are both extremely different and beautiful. In my book on the same level.

[vonkruize]

The king of cool.

[thequesnelkid]

This guy is the best!

[kirk7524875248]

Tom soothes my soul!

[millicentbistander]

The Magic Man.

[RainyDaysRevisited]

There's not enough room to...

Or wait. I think he just did swing a cat. Right into my heart.

[oINOCENTo]

wonderful

thanks for posting

[CrystaltheAmazon]

This song made me cry so hard, both now and when I heard Joan Baez sing it. Nothing since "Where have all the flowers gone?" has touched me so deeply regarding war. When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?

[xeric77]

This is the most beautiful song I've heard in a long long time.

[nlp3000]

being a military fellow this song really really moved me the first time i heard it. i thought about my friends that never made it back home on the day after tomorrow. chokes me up almost every time i hear it. thanks for sharing the song.

[sbmrnr74239]

AMAZING! There may be nothing he feels that he can't make you feel too.

[DeMolay77]

that made me cry

thanks for posting

[Stewie4321]

Look...hes a nice guy,good family man an all that, but here is the problem. One of these days he could "pop his clogs" and then where would we all be.Bush should declare him a vital strategic asset and try to keep him working and alive(in that order) as long as possible...maybe even clone him a few times just to keep the music/poetry coming.That`s probably a bit selfish of me, but we must be a bit realistic and ruthless here.I am more worried about his demise than about Global Warming.

[lenaspieltblues]

That's so beautiful, thanks 2xVitamR for sending me!

[neilektanaam01]

this is magical... the least i could have sayed about the song

[misterdamon]

lots of super lame comments on this video.

fucken awesome song.

[RussellK9]

I was just listening to the angelic Joan Baez singing this song of Toms [with a nod to Kathleen Brennan] , which gave me the urge to hear the original.

Elliottchrists comments were as succinct the lyric itself, and the message is ageless, and to hear Tom sing them is enough to reduce the most stoic to tears.

Hopefully there will be a day after tomorrow for all the soldiers ♫♪♫♪☺

[elliottchrist]

This may be my favorite protest song since protest-era Dylan. Waits, like Dylan, has a kind of transcendent quality - this song's no more about Iraq than it is about Vietnam, the Civil War, or any war. It doesn't take the easy, superficial protest route of "fuck war, boo," but instead gets to the root, the deep emotional conflict - frankly, simply, and without pretension. He and Dylan also share that practice of getting inside someone else's soul, and conveying their emotions and their world.

[vegetableswife]

Why can't American crowds stay silent for just a few minutes????

Do they think that they are somehow not showing appreciation unnless they make Tom aware of them during a performance? They ruin virtually every Bootleg out there!!!

I know in this particular song they are cheering lyrics they endorse regarding a futile "war" but they destroy the beauty of Tom's performances.

[trainable2000]

Music is supposed to be experienced. Watching this concert from your safe, mediocre living room will "destroy the beauty of Tom's performance". Seeing it first-hand never will. Watch some Yanni bootlegs if you just can't stand human beings expressing themselves! Shout! Dance! FEEL! Try it sometime, you won't be sorry.

[treymaclin]

As a musician, I find few things less rewarding than an audience that is moved to respond during the song itself - it's immediate and visceral. But to answer your question: because different cultures do things differently.

[pretorious700]

"I still don't know how I'm supposed to feel"

great line in a fine song

[9r9t3]

I'll never understand why people feel the need to cheer and clap during a song and ruin it for the people who actually came to hear the music.

That being said, Tom is amazing and this is one of my favorites. I miss old Rockford town.

[Frag573]

If anyone wants to know how a soldier feels at war, that's as close as it gets. I only wish I could tell Tom that in person. I hope he plays this when I see him in Atlanta.

[JoeyNavinski]

I had to fight back tears when I saw him sing this in Detroit.

There's all the singers and songwriters in the world - then there is Tom.

[mingmerc]

amen to that brother... i have to hold em back everytime... bless

[dhcaldwell]

Me too, in Houston.

[billiebigalo]

Hes a real singer not a fly by night Tom hope you go on for ever

[pengwenwork]

For speech class, I read the lyrics to this song out loud as a poem. I cried every time I rehersed it and when it came time to read it in front of my class, I had to come to a full stop to steady myself when I got to the part where it says "and only the lucky ones come home on the day after tomarrow". It was so hard fo me cause my brother was in Iraq at the time. I am glad to say he's safe at home now, but I still find this song hard to listen to. Still one of my faves though. I love Tom Waits!!

[ivansloe]

I've always said that no matter what's going on in your life, Tom has a song about it. A true genius is perhaps someone who can create something that touches your soul.

[ivansloe]

at the risk of sounding boastful, go me tickets for the edinburgh gig...been waiting 20 years to see this guy... he is the top boy after all

[tommie66tx]

i was lucky enough to get tix for his show in dallas and houston. been waiting 10 yrs. to see him. I'm sure we will all have a great time.

[wallyvt]

Correction, definitely the Itunes Detroit vid..

[JoeyNavinski]

not the Detroit concert. He doesn't say "I long for your touch dear" at the beginning of the song at the detroit show.

He also didn't ask if everyone could hear alright.

[JoeyNavinski]

Looks like maybe a mix of different performances. differing shirts and mics

[wallyvt]

I think this may be from the Akron show..

[mearthlink]

Beautiful. It kinda bums me out because I don't have tickets for the upcoming tour. It makes me want to drink. I went to the Atlanta show last tour, I saw him in the 90's in Denver and LA in the 80's, so I guess I have had my share. Was this video from Atlanta?

[dviesq]

I no longer remember why you were crying. Maybe just because, of the sadness of sunsets.

Or, maybe of longing and of kindness. I no longer remember why you were crying.

[SanchezBoon]

This song gets m every time. So great.

[MightyTiny]

Such a beautiful anti-war song from the pen of one of the best songwriters alive. No wonder Joan Baez took to covering it; she does a beautiful job at it too.

[Loghren]

Beautiful.