Tom Waits - All the World is Green - Letterman - May 8 2002

[smoothjill09]

hey, i didnt even know who he was till tonight,,,,wow,,he's goooood!!

[interzone235]

Hugh Grant and Skateboarder Tony Hawk; how surreal.

[TheBarbarian420]

i got both...

[shuckslbj]

I love how Letterman knows that Waits will just start into some story - all he has to say is "how's the family?" without eagerly following it up with another one like he usually does.

[Marxfan58]

I love this song too much.

[TheBradcake]

How to sound like Tom Waits:

1. Stick a chainsaw down your throat

2. Rip out your vocal chords, massage tenderly

3. Massage in peanut butter and honey

4. Finally place back into throat

You're welcome

[TheDaleDenton]

@TheBradcake or you could just buy 10 40's of Jack and 30 packs of cigaretts and have at er.

[adammcneil]

i dont know what it is but tom's voice has always reminded me of a white christmas

[KindHrt77]

This is my first time of hearing of this guy, and I love him already. Very unique and intriguing.

[unklelemmy]

@KindHrt77 I don't want to sound silly but the music of Tom Waits will change your life. There is no one else quite like him today.

[TheShabinski]

I didn't know there were such things as elitist hippies

[Deuce133737]

@TheShabinski there is... xD

[danblaze83]

@TheShabinski Isn't that an oxymoron?

[Anchorbaby44]

I don't care how old he is, I wanna marry him <3

[aleatoryify]

@Anchorbaby44 sorry doll :) he's married. Lucky woman! :)

[Anchorbaby44]

@aleatoryify Then I must find her and kill her and dispose of her body in a well!

[NinjaOutfitInTheWash]

@Anchorbaby44 If she dies mysteriously we'll know who to blame.

[MrRcheulishvili]

I'm eminem fan but, Tom Waits.. this is just amazing!

[thelostirishmanmik]

dark and depressing, yet beautiful. great stuff.

[kakarante]

shut up and listen

[ElizECraig]

Then I learned that people at the dump are smarter than people in a record store.

[Hirnlego999]

Brilliant song and hilarious interview. Doesn't get much better.

[magarnigle100]

to those 22 dislikes of this video. eat my nuts!

[verodemode]

es un discazo

[fightingcremedonuts]

Tom Waits is one of the most talented singer/songwriters there is.

He Is The Balls, Period !

[downeybill]

that is the guiness world record hat head moment 3:40 - 8:14

[08hamster]

His voice has mansions, mountains, caves and caverns inside it.

[agahtamg]

@08hamster oh my, that comment was gooooddd

[snapperjohn1000]

i am sure that he will best be rememberd as a great word smith and songwriter ,more so than an great performing voice and outstanding musical tallent. his songs are great but lets be honest, that voice is not inviteing and friendly

[emphaticleech]

@snapperjohn1000 Some people don't need their music to be inviting and friendly.

[Gumbo2202]

Hey, i don't even! I use vine, beer and amontillado!

[DrWeiland]

why does DL sound off like a trout?

[foldedshirts]

22 people dislike this video

[YouNeverMind00]

BLOOD MONEY!

[chicagoxsunset]

Ugh loveee the xylophone in this.

[stevietheflea]

I didn't see the Hugh Grant and Tony Hawk interviews, but I bet they're not as entertaining as ol' Tom.

[spencestomp]

That "xylophone" is actually a marimba.

[fjbutch]

love the xylophone with this..in fact all the instruments go really well with this ...

[Meshuggah5]

aa cmon guys how can somebody dislike TOM WAITS..idc.I'll keep on liking. such a wonderful artist

[konduktans]

Isn't it 26? I'm in nevertheless!

[tourettesdetectives]

In oslo, norway we have an event called "The Tom Waits run". 500-1000 men meet in the center of town and visit 23 pubs and drink a pint at each pub. It's awesome!

PS: I have only meet 2 guys who finished!

[phistickie]

@tourettesdetectives Why would that be only men? 

[Tedminat0r]

this music... goosebumps

[sl8ofhand]

I think it's an old L3?? (maybe a Jr.)



[sl8ofhand]

I think it's an old gibson archtop , probably 30s or 40s....

[MsCaleb79]

Eric Clapton is playing the xylophone there instead of guitar...

[postquebec]

How the fuck is it related to Colin Stetson?

[Freindlyghost88]

Studying Woyzeck at college for a few months, been listening to this song for a a few years. It just clicked.

[Mrsilenciobackgammon]

Nothing more radiant than Tom on the subject of Fool's Gold...

[PaxCeciliaPwn]

20 people don't soak their vocal chords in whiskey

[MelvinWren]

@PaxCeciliaPwn i took a shot to that.

[EntropicSpore]

What guitar is Waits playing?

[IXB34RXI]

@EntropicSpore It looks like a piece of crap. You know, the kind that sounds like crap if anybody but Tom Waits plays it.

[EntropicSpore]

@IXB34RXI Pieces of crap hold more originality to me than a brand new piece of perfection.

[IXB34RXI]

@EntropicSpore Exactly.

[kfb2011]

just actually read a comment......radialaxis......s­orry for your and all our's loss.........

[bamboosa]

I can do a perfect imitation of his voice. I gotta tell ya, if you ain't Tom Waits it gets a pretty weird reaction from folks. I should probably learn a few of his songs.

[Hammersmashed68]

if i saw Tom in a music store I'd freak...the man is an icon!

[sparkkle2]

I swear, he looks like an older version of my cousin.

[sandjuice2012]

@KOBERGS Smoke packs and packs and packs of smokes in a day for a year or so.

[rpulice15]

@sandjuice2012 you couldnt be more rite thats all it takes.

[nefromero]

balancing a diamond, on a blade of grass. verily some romantic style linguistics. well done, tom waits.

[LucidDream]

Tom is way entertaining. He is one of my favorite people ever. I could listen to him talk for hours probably.

[Starrman69]

I like this tune. His voice and the instruments compliment one another.

[WindBlownLife]

What guy on earth doesn't tear at 'Marie, you are the wild blue sky. Men do foolish things. You turn kings into beggars and beggars into kings'

[sclogse1]

"Would people recognize him at the dump?..Letterman as usual is on time.

But imagine this T-Shirt. "The Children Seem to Like Me As A Driver...but you have to come up with just the right image of waits....and please, no "Tom Waits" name in the image...you know what I mean?

[sclogse1]

"Would people recognize him at the dump?..Letterman as usual is on time.

But imagine this T-Shirt. "The Children Seem to Like Me As A Driver...but you ahve to come up with just the right image of waits....and please, no "Tom Waits" name in the image...you know what I mean?

[AsenineJohnson]

Why don't we just ignore the naysayers and enjoy the music, 'ya?

[davitdavit87]

I'm totally Tomwaitsed

[Avi8orKeith]

The whiskey gargled vocals and the intellectual simplicity of his lyrics make Mr. Waits a legend.

[Kitschead]

I was diggin the clarinet solo. could've gone for another chorus IMO

[TheSyty]

he is great man !

[chrisw40]

this guy fucking sucks serious ass sounds like a drunk homeless guy under a bridge.

[robinoo91]

@chrisw40 and you dont have any music taste what so ever your faggot

[bblondchef1]

@robinoo91 Ignoramus.



[bblondchef1]

@robinoo91  Ignoramus. Look it up, I know you have to.

[DukeMcManhands]

@chrisw40 That's kind of the point, bro.

[bblondchef1]

@chrisw40 Taste, unforyunately, does not come with age. You and robin0091 should hook up and produce retarted midget babies for my amusement.

[chrisw40]

@bblondchef1 why dont you just sit back pull the dildo out of your ass and listen to hours of this guys horribly shitty music fucktard!

[brandnutopian]

@chrisw40 The music is beautiful, sad, vulnerable and his voice reflects that. It's music for adults, not little kiddies who are still enamored with muscle cars and watching girls play video games in their bikinis on youtube. In other words, your opinion can only be understood through your lack of emotional maturity.

[chrisw40]

@brandnutopian Thanks DR Phil now fuck off and die!

[joshmolina3]

@chrisw40 i'd be willing to be that his unique "drunken" sound was something he was going for, its just an acquired taste. I like it but i could see why others wouldn't. So go ahead and not like his work but to say he sucks is completely close minded and honestly....deaf. Its very easy to hear the talent that goes into his work even if its just not your cup of tea.

Dont hate....appreciate.

[chrisw40]

@joshmolina3 i see your point and i have to say i agree with you.

[MaxxieFelan]

@chrisw40 And yet, he's more famous & successful than you could ever hope to be. Get some taste fella

[chrisw40]

@MaxxieFelan how do you know asshole?you have know idea who the fuck i am,i could be brad fucking pitt for all you know fuckface lol

[MaxxieFelan]

@chrisw40 Wow, with such a varied vocabulary you must think you're a real hard man.

Maybe you are, but Tom is a two-time grammy award winner and he's in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ergo he's still better ;)

English lesson; sentences can be constructed without swearing. Just something to think about ^_^

[chrisw40]

@MaxxieFelan well i think he sucks ass and his music depresses me,so put that in your pipe and smoke it you pompous ass!

[fatmanrocks13]

@chrisw40 if you so hate him, then why do you chose to be here. if you're trolling you're doing a god awful job of it. please, stop trying to be an internet tough guy, it only makes you look like an asshole. i doubt that you would say this to someone in real life, so please do yourself a favor and stop talking.

[chrisw40]

@fatmanrocks13 oh really?i got your retarded ass to reply pull your panties out of your ass and relax lol

[fatmanrocks13]

@chrisw40 dude im fuckin with u calm down dumbass

[chrisw40]

@fatmanrocks13 you calm down buddy boy! lol

[fatmanrocks13]

@chrisw40 perhaps it isnt you

[Marklewisdes]

I;m nort a fan..but could become one fast..if the rest of his music sounds like this...

[RSmith1284]

@Marklewisdes The rest of his music is even better.

[pretorious700]

@Marklewisdes It's all at least as good, and they're all different

[BlackSweatPants100]

He takes his letterman performances seriously and they always turn out awesome.

[0001kd]

letterman is such a douche

love waits!!!!

[MavisHyacinth]

I love Tom, he does the best interviews ever

[Wanderlustus]

These clips are great, man. Cheers for the uploads.

[raindoggirl]

no one can compare

[BlackNorsk]

I recommend watching this video at least twice: One time like it is; to admire the beautiful raspyness that is Tom Wait's voice and a second time with the "transcribe audio" function.

It's effect is marvellous to say the least.

Tom: "all the world is green"

Caption: "and I'm linden"

[Wanderlustus]

@BlackNorsk I can't seem to find this function.  Then again, I'm known to be fallible. Do point it out?

[BlackNorsk]

@Wanderlustus Ah, fallibility! It's not a curse, it's a virtue! It's the "CC" button in the menu beneath the film.

[radialaxis]

The bassist on this, Matthew Sperry, was a good friend of mine. He was killed in June, 2003 while riding his bicycle to work.  Thank you for putting this up. R.I.P., Matthew.

[sclogse1]

@radialaxis

I went to the benefit for Matthew's family at the Victoria theatre on 16th St. in S.F. Lucky to get in. Made a stealth recording from it..using a micro cassette. Designed a CD package for it for friends....hiding somewhere on my hard drive. I live right up the street from the Victoria. Got a couple pics of Tom leaving. A very special intimate show....i was blessed. I paid him back with something that he liked.

[cannabisdeathmorbs]

@radialaxis im am sure he rests in peace. may u be free fom offering. wut a good person to play with waits. may i retreat to nirvana. i lov waits. good job.

[MaikMagee]

@radialaxis The only comfort I can give you, is: Every second Matthew played with Thom Waits, he had more value in life, than any mere mortal on this earth. Not only had his life been touched by Thom Waits, but I'm sure Matthew has touched the life of Thom Waits. And that is an achievement of divine status!

[MaghoxFr]

@radialaxis RIP. Always sad to know a musician is gone

[moceanu]

@radialaxis that will teach him to carry a double bass on a bike

[radialaxis]

@moceanu From the heart, fuck you, deeply.

[RubyBladeAwesome]

@moceanu I hope you get cancer in both of your testicles and that a dog bites your eyes out.

[moceanu]

@RubyBladeAwesome i'm sure that WILL happen, but when it does, i won't go telling youtube about it

[RubyBladeAwesome]

@moceanu Aw, you won't even consider sending me a PM when it happens? :(

[stevietheflea]

@radialaxis R.I.P. Matthew

[revbricenichols]

Nobody could do that with xylaphone and clarnet! He's a dying breed this one. I for one will miss him when he leaves. Greatest song writer of the 20th century and of course, beyond.

[PockyBebop]

This is just lovely. The clarinet and vocals hit a certain part of my soul.

[TheSidewalkCipher]

He uses the line "balancing a diamond on a blade of grace" in "Lost at the bottom of the World". In that song he's talking about God and nature.... how do you think it's being used here?

[ThePsychoReturns]

I think he just really likes that line.

[georgiethegreek]

@TheSidewalkCipher The lyrics are : Balancing a diamond on a blade of grass...as in a dew drop

[TheSidewalkCipher]

@georgiethegreek

yeah, I understand the literal metaphor, but not exactly the context. It was used the same way in "Lost at..." but in that it song Tom was talking about God and pieces of nature he seemingly presented Tom with (he woke me up with a cardinal, etc.)

Is the one who is balancing a diamond in this song also supposed to be God? I guess so...

[fragmentationess]

@TheSidewalkCipher To me the idea of God here is more inline with buddhist notions of what God really is, which is YOU. "He'll never be free of me, he'll make a tree from me." This song has heavy buddhist overtones for me.

[briemillman]

@TheSidewalkCipher The line is "Balancing a diamond on a blade of Grass" in both songs. Not Grace.

[TheSidewalkCipher]

@briemillman

Oh, yeah, I knew that.

Just a typo, my bad!

Thank you, though.

[PhillipMcLoins]

This man needs to cough and drink a glass of water.

[Samplelord]

With all the crap in music, it is truly great that there are people like Tom Waits who bring it back to what music is all about....self expression without giving in to trends.

[drj00sh]

Just started looking his stuff up last night. Makes me think of a modern Louis Armstrong in a lot of ways

[lofod]

@drj00sh

Yes, once I wrote that Tom Waits is the evil version of Lois Armstrong.

He's a genius,

[oalmao]

He is unique,...Tom Waits forever!!



[phemohilia]

"Everybody Knows Me At The Dump"..... Sounds like a potential album title, hahaha!!! Ya gotta love Tom, he's the greatest!!!

[mircub]

Wow, what a master of melody.

[mircub]

How touching. What a master of melody. Tom's the bomb!

[Avonmore12]

i can't believe those albums were released 8 years ago! it seems like yesterday when i bought them, thanks to donal dineen, today fm, best radio show of all time. both albums still sound great, timeless stuff........

[korsbot]

does anyone know what kind of guitar he is playing ?

[IntensiveTime]

@korsbot I'd love to know that too..

[InfinitySquared]

@korsbot A six-stringer, of course.

[jrotholz]

@korsbot looks like a Gibson from the 1930's maybe.  If you want to know for sure send a link of the video to Stan Jay at Mandolin Bros. in NYC. He'll probably be able to tell you the model and serial no.

[talkingshadow]

4 :43 we had a lot of ....what ??

[guitarninja86]

@talkingshadow dough. we had a lot of dough

[5150zombie]

I love his stuff, he could'a worn some good shoes for t.v. though. Lazy-ass.

[WichitaSam]

@5150zombie Shoes? Shoes? are you totally whack?.. what does that have to do with appreciating the music....

[5150zombie]

@WichitaSam On a roy orbison music doc, waits commented on roys shoes. I say shit on tom's shoes cause I'm a poser. Also, I love youtube, but I don't talk on the commenting seriously, most of the fuck-o's on it know not a lot. me included. Take it easy.

[5150zombie]

@WichitaSam I said that cause waits commented on orbisons shoes on a roy orbison concert doc, I was posing. It's nothing on the music. have a good one,USA.

[kobergs]

i'd give my left ball for voice like this.

[rogerioangoneze]

@kobergs heheheheheheheheehehehe

[Zellig]

@kobergs Just gargle with rum and razorblades every night like tom does.

[sausagekiller]

@kobergs i''ll have your right lung and you'll nearly be there :)

God waits is impressive

[mewrth]

@kobergs Be careful it might turn out higher pitched if you do that :P

[Grapefruitossy1203]

@kobergs Well you would not have a voice like this without your balls :)

[Krafnaumraku]

@kobergs I'm pretty sure you actually have to grow another one to talk like this

[AbbeyRoadResident]

@kobergs true.

[shakabrodie2000]

@kobergs Start smokin' kid.

[zaoribah]

@kobergs you might have too

[Hypermammal]

@kobergs I think you have to start adding balls to get a voice like his.

[rybrun1]

@kobergs although i agree with the point your trying to make, it seems to me that if you gave your left ball, your voice might go in the opposite direction.

[sclogse1]

@kobergs

You may have to grow five more to sound like that. And then find four Sabine women to hold them out of the dust.

[mrfudgeyhead]

@kobergs

In the great cruelty of fate, it takes six balls to sing like this.

Giving one away would only bring you further away, no matter how nobly our intention.

[cannabisdeathmorbs]

@kobergs my voice IS like his and i still got two balls. wut a rip off

[Fieseler103]

@kobergs I thought I'd need 3 extra balls to have a voice like that :D

[OHollowTimes]

@Fieseler103 Yeah I thought I'd need a tumour or somethin to wind back and forth from my bollocks to get a sound like this!

[MaghoxFr]

@Fieseler103 but you do!

[Fieseler103]

@MaghoxFr orly?!

[armaganaltun]

@Fieseler103 rolling on the floor laughin

[anandavimal]

@Fieseler103 its not his natural voice

[aleatoryify]

@anandavimal lol...what's natural about it? it's all his and he does exactly what he likes with it! :)

[anandavimal]

@aleatoryify I dont want to argue on Tom Waits's voice. Life is too short for that!

[Jbeal666]

@kobergs start smoking... a lot

[insectfreak1]

@kobergs id give both of mine

[themostrandomchick24]

@kobergs -Can you imitate his voice, perhaps? I'm a music fiend, classically trained in high school, and can do anything from a death metal howl to a Mariah Carey whistle, almost. Maybe you could start trying to imitate Tom's voice.

[WashICH1]

@kobergs smoke and drink heavily for about 45 years straight.

[noahbere]

@kobergs I'd give both your balls up for a voice like that