Tom Waits - On The Nickel

[Mwtorres24]

My left ear enjoyed this :)

[turdking]

i'm a jaded motherfucker and this will always bring tears to my eyes.

[harkeill]

All yiu need to do is sit back, close your eyes and Tom's voice puts you into the song...

[shanecolin9]

This has always been my FAV Waits tune!

Definitely a unique singer/songwriter.

[noddypocket]

Never knew what the nickel meant in 25 years of listening to this poet musician. he is musical equivalent of George Roualt.

[northernavanti]

a national treasure

[DoYouWorry]

Can't explain the feeling I get when I listen to this guy. It's poetry, it's otherworldly, and I listen to TONS and TONS of music. No one has lyrics like Waits, I feel like he's one of the only people alive who "gets" life. 

[TheLeftyGrove]

Sheer genius. Heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time.

[shiffy74]

I can't tell you how many times I've come back to this clip, since I first found it many moons ago. I pimp it out to whoever will watch. Best thing on the internets. Absolute perfection.

[DontBlinkCreations]

eleven people have never been down on their luck, but don't have an ear for music

[graciebeaty11]

this is so beautiful. so beautiful i'm currently sobbing. good job waits', as always 

[TraumaWard313]

*standing ovation*

[yenjey]

cmon boy, play "Jesrsey girl"

[yenjey]

fuckt it. It is a ok song.

[hudsonb25]

bless him



[DontBlinkCreations]

My father is waiting for me, on the nickel

[eksteelman]

@DontBlinkCreations mine too

[transporter222003]

I want this played as they lay me to rest on that permenant vacation.

[martse11]

This is beautiful. I'm always amazed that a man with such a gruff voice can make a song sound so sentimental.

[amysue3076]

His birthday's already a day "that should live in infamy" it's Pearl Harbor Day. Thank you all that Sagitarians out there!!

[BackdoorPlumber]

This and Three Sheets to the Wind in Copenhagen are my two favorite songs. Love'em.

[ThePaperFalcon]

i love his sentimental side :D

[suckzinclee]

His place in Heaven is nailed on!

[ctriamimgons]

Love this stripped down version (as opposed to the version with a string arrangement). It was made for a man and his piano.

[brirobbo]

On the money everytime. Tom Waits has the ability to make you laugh out loud at the drop of a hat then deliver a song like this that if you don't have a tear in your eye, well .....

[wizardofwaste]

Tom Waits' birthday (December 7) should be a national holiday.

[hiddeninromance]

I love the way he embezzles the age-old "waltzing Matilda" piano melody in performances of this song. Incidentally an Australian Hobo song

[DontBlinkCreations]

this song truly gets to me. i don't believe in heaven but if it's there and i get a chance to check it out i want it to be the nickle, so i can see my old man one more time. on the nickle over there...

[lella76100]

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww­wwwwwww T_T fa piangere

[billionear]

11 people have never had a pair.

[ep13]

Tom would get crushed on 'American Idle' and if that aint enough proof to end that stupid fucking show and shoot Simon in the cock I don't know what is.

[ToneB1]

@ep13

Yes! Yes! YES!!!

[njceltic88]

every living soul should get down on their knees every day and thank whatever god they pray to for sending us TOM WAITS!!!!!!

[Ingr9821]

Yea...in his own way he speaks for the down and out, gruff like Bukowski but eloquent like Steinbeck.



[peacefrog1916]

not seen this for a while, its been in my favourites for years, but just thought i'd stop by and remind myself of toms greatness....

[flockofseagull]

He so deserved the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. He speaks for me anytime

[ceiderduck]

Wonderful. 'just' discovered tom on my way home in the car today. I say 'just' as I was aware of how talented he is, but it suddenly moved me to near tears when I heard 6 sheets to the wind in Copenhagen on the radio. One to add to the collection

[TheLeftyGrove]

Thanks, Tom. So few people give a voice to the down-and-out, and those few are dwindling even fewer by the day.

A true hero.

[TheAmira1000]

Thank you Tom ! Thank you.

[muzglimy]

does anyone know where i can get sheet music for this????? or anything thatll help me learn this song

[HerChattyness]

before listening to this song you wouldn't think that such a gruff voice could sing such a tender lullaby, but this song makes me tear up a little bit every time i hear it.

thank you for posting!

[michael4dennis]

Spoke to Tom on the phone one time back in 1979. He was the kindest you could be to a stranger. I was asking him if I could borrow a line from a song for the title for a book of poems. He graciously said yes. Quarter On Its Edge wasn't much of a book but I always loved the title. Tom's music has been the soundtrack of my life since I first heard him in 1975, what I mean is that I've seen the world through altered lens of a Tom Waits perspective. There is no way to thank someone for that.

[paciorkowski20]

@michael4dennis .

I couldn't express better what I feel about this artist. I saw him in concert in Warsaw in 2000. I regretted I bought the most expensive seat, because I was in the center of the hall, and I wanted to see him much closer. Anyway, I am really not into the fan stuff, but in this precise moment, I had tears in my eyes several times.

[josephmahan]

@paciorkowski20 

[sapperlotta100]

one of the rare guys who never dissapointed, who never sold himself to the money, who allways stayed  true, tall and proud! I May he always be blessed!

[stevieboy264]

tom at his very very best

[ivan89705]

Talking to his pno

[RedSoxify13]

i could listen to this all day and not get tired of it.

[GSpivv]

Fucking dammit. I just noticed that his hands are fucked up by arthritis. NOT TOMMMMMM. NOOOOOooo HE WILL NEVER GROW OLD THIS CANNOT BE TRUEEEEEE

[i842much]

@GSpivv no actually that is from years of playing and his hands are just very flexible.

[TheMountaindaniels8]

Everytime I hear this song, it gives me peace!

[kayjeanettemark]

im in love with this song!<3 my dad has always sung this to me since i was born!!!! and i just figured out the name and who sung it! and i keep watching it over and over and overr!!!!! LOVEEEE!

[DachshundAdvil]

A true Hall of Famer! It's about time really.

[Wclmkay]

true genius! You are a legend Tom

[doblefive]

wow! Tom is the greatest poet of the last century

[flowingrain25]

tom waits could sing the mcdonalds breakfast menu. and after hearing it you would weep openly every time you tried to order an egg mcmuffin.

[gondor420]

i wonder what someone from europe thinks of this song. knowing they dont know how violent la is. it must apply to everone

[g3rmz23]

@gondor420 My dad's from Europe (Ireland specifically) and listens to this guy all the time.

[aftermath842]

@gondor420 Im from Ireland and think Toms songs and the way he tells a story is something which everyone can relate to. He doesnt make you understand, he make you become, if only for a few minutes. Thanks for posting this most excellent video

[MANHATTANBEEFMAN]

Very nice performance by TW! - few performers are as connected to their songs as this dude.

[steeleydan65]

every time I breakup with a girl they alway steal my Tom Waits albums. & I always miss Tom more than I miss them!!!!!

[eddypfunk]

@steeleydan65 it may be a good thing...listening to tom waits immediately post breakup might send you down a bit...you need to give it a few weeks. talking from personal experience...when the dust has settled get round there and demand them back!

[steeleydan65]

@eddypfunk SCREW THAT .I'M WITH SAM KINNISON,"I WANT MY RECORDS BACK!!!!"

[youdick22]

@eddypfunk No way think about it (this happened to me also) When I run into them years later they are different people and they always say that Tom Waits makes them think of you and cry. What a better way to cause awareness. They can keep the albums I will get more and the next one will take em also. I love it.

[OneDeadBird]

The main melody of Waltzing Matilda is most of the introduction... I have never loved Tom Waits as much as I do right now!

[memphisdarkwolf]

I was playing this tonight, and my step-father who was born in the 50's was singing along to this. :D I love it.

[cearbhaill]

I always thought being 'On the Nickel' was the same as being 'On the Dole.'

[wait4waits]

Way back when this came out - I bought the cassette. The lyrics were so hard to read on that. He writes like on one else. Thank you for this.

[RenoRaider]

@wait4waits he does. nobody is better in my humble opinion.

[wait4waits]

@RenoRaider I'm with you. You're humble opinion is on the money.

[dirk1606]

i know that song since the movie came out. one said here about a song by nina simone, that "she made songs bleed". the same you coult say about tom w.!

greetz,

dirk.

[squiggyklane]

holy shit.. tomcat's referencing HOBO'S LULLABY by woody guthrie

[Moijeennu1]

to machine in india it's waltzing matilda the aussie song

[ska222j]

Tom is a god!!!

[machineinindia]

Does anyone know what the lullaby melody is before Tom begins speaking? Other than beautiful?

[Moijeennu1]

@machineinindia waltzing matilda

[tonyceol]

@machineinindia Hi, it's a small piece of the melody of Waltzing Matilda, a folk song synonymous with Australia

[ConanTheLibrarian100]

I LOVED the Album Heart attack & Vine, however, Hardly ANY of the studio songs from this record are on you-tube Why God, WHYYY??? If I actually had "a nickel" I would buy the album...But I'm a broke, drunk, addict and I am Broke...I'm sure Tom would understand....

[jasonsgroovemachine]

I want this played at my funeral.

[kevymangoman]

Without doubt, the most brilliant and original artist ever.

[braind33]

She died, and then you sang to me. Thank you, Tom.

[deathspork]

10 people missed the like button.

[stperea]

this truly is a lullaby. it is bittersweet without being sad, and I just drift off to new places. "on the nickel, over there."

[TrippyJones]

Tom Waits is a god. 

[scozzard]

how do you come up with a song this good?

[megadankk]

If God Had a Wallet, there would be a picture of Tom Waits inside it.

[BackdoorPlumber]

@megadankk That's an awesome comment. I liked it.

[wait4waits]

@megadankk Perfect analogy ...and in he'd have every album, cd, cassette and book.

[joebaker2]

@megadankk I´m shure He has one in his wallet !

[jjionner]

@megadankk a perfect comment.

[youdick22]

@megadankk Thats the quote of the century. Good for you sir. Good for you.

[warriorprince1010]

@megadankk Yes, this beautiful. Such understanding of humanity.

[SodaPopDumb]

@megadankk "Its so funny, because its true" :D

[talochIV]

@megadankk Next to His A A sponsors' number! :-D

[davidoffon]

@megadankk God ended up having no need for a wallet, Jesus clened him out!!

[billionear]

This man is a fucking freak!! 292,055 views. 92,055 of them were mine. I just cant get off the nickel!!

'It says sticks and stones can break my bones...but I always will be true'...oh damn here we go again better make it 92,056. 

[kevymangoman]

@billionear you are not alon



[kevymangoman]

@kevymangoman sorry brand new to utube will get used to it. Just to let you know that you are among many who appreciate Tom waites brilliance

[kevymangoman]

@billionear

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[Zeokoz]

....this is beautiful!

[Zeokoz]

Holy shit!

[jibberjabber86]

If this don't make ya tear up there's something wrong with you.

[thecroodler]

the large print giveth....

[gEEEEEERa]

Llevo años exprimiendo YOutube en busca de joyas TomWaitseras, y esta es la mejor definitivamente <3

[LandoftheShanks]

he's double jointed! my friend mary's fingers are that way too. pretty cool. unique in so many ways tom waits! <3<3<3<3

[megadankk]

I cant belive he turned 60 last december....

man. you dont get artists like this anymore.!

[rexmundi2012]

I found this song for the first time over a decade ago......and everytime I hear it I can still close my eyes and its 1935 all over again.....

I remember an ancient 'wino' on our street when I was little who used to talk about Roosevelt like he was the Savior himself.....

This song is beautiful.

Sad, but beautiful.

And sounds far older than it is.

Thanks.

[warriorprince1010]

@rexmundi2012 ..."never put your faith in earthling man as salvation does not belong to him"...Jesus Christ.

[BlueSkyShine]

@rexmundi2012

The first time I heard this song was 1981, I heard it only once, but I never forgot it. 20 years later I found Youtube and all that I remembered from this song was the word "Nickle" . As it turns out, that was all it took to find what is still to this day, my favorite song of all time. I can't imagine that this song would mean anything to me if it were sung by anyone other than Tom Waits.

[crcausey]

@BlueSkyShine I'm in complete agreement about this song must be done by no one other than Tom Waits. His interpretation, performance is the benchmark. For me this holds the esteem as I Left My Heart In San Francisco (Tony Bennett), The Thrill Is Gone (B.B. King) or Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison). But to be honest, I play with it, but because Mr Waits has taught me love it. I don't play it for others and I don't even try to simulate his gruff growl, but I always hear Tom. Its brilliant!

[BeckyK678]

top man tom ! luv your voice luv becky

[megadankk]

"I know a place where a royal flush can never beat a pair" That always chokes me up...... reminds me of my brother thats in prison for the time being....

[paulod86]

mkroe jst wanted 2 say me 2 my uncle put me on 2 cohen then i found waits and found my muse, wudnt hav enjoyd it in my youth tryn 2 fit in but like u say thank god 4 maturity, luv this version always sumthn different with live performaance and album both gr8 jst both bring sumthn different chocolate jesus is gd example also

[MYKroe]

For years I just didn't get the appeal of Tom Waits. So many wasted years. I recently discovered Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen. Thank God for maturity. Waits is friggin' incredible.

[inicjatywa]

So, see Nick Cave too and you are in.

[theevindave]

@inicjatywa don't bring that charlatan Cave into this

[llewcat]

true music lovers don't "pick sides" - good music is good music....

[theevindave]

please excuse my flippancy, I think Cave used to be good and was convincing, but now seems like he doesn't know what he should be doing whereas with waits I find he has become someone and moved away from the imitation, i can hear it in caves voice these days, and i cant listen to him anymore, but will still listen to birthday party and other earlier stuff, don't you feel the same way?

[Hendrix104]

Beautiful..........Absolutely Beautiful !

[animal90sFreak5]

Great,darn Tom Waits is great to listen to,every once in a while I do.He just has that strong growly voice that makes me come back,Ok I'll shut up,oh On The Nickle,oh On The Nickle.

[pizza1960man]

I had a few drinks with Tom Waits in a little bar in Atlantic City, summer of 84. The bar is still there, but its covered up by a parking garage now across from Caesars.

[R1DDL3RS]

Really?

[TheDiceMan6]

you never know how rich you are. . . .

till you haven't got a prayer. . .

[MrFartmonkey]

barrycomer.wordpress

one legged cha cha

[fman707]

A great song first released in 1980, the time when Tom Waits was composing a lot of ballads. It is amazing how he had the courage to explore more non-conventional ways of writing music as he aged and become one of the most original artists of the past 30 years. If I were given the chance to attend only one live concert in my life, it would the his.

[jefferyakathedude]

amen brother!

[siewier1]

was this song used in a movie? if sa what movie was it?

[zootboyslim]

@siewier1 Yes it was called "On the Nickel" and starred Ralph Wait(?) from The Waltons. It was about exactly what the song is about.

[zootboyslim]

@siewier1 Yes, "On the Nickel" starring Ralph Wait

[puck30]

Saw Tom w/ Leon Redbone at the Morris Stage AKA the comunity theatre Morristown NJ back in the day. One of the greatest shows I ever saw.

[dems95]

Beautiful.

[braind33]

She died. And you sang to me. Thank you, Tom.

[Od1n90]

can someone please explain me what Tom means with "Nickel" ?

[Lysle123]

It's the nickname for a old street, wich used(?) to be full of hobos. L.A. 5th street

all the winos uh... affectionately refer to it as The Nickel.

[Od1n90]

@Lysle123 Thank you for your answer. It helped me alot.

@oraclesolomon Thank you, too.

:)

[RenoRaider]

waddaya stupid or something???

[oraclesolomon]

i guess he is !

[oraclesolomon]

"on the nickel" simply means that someone is homeless and drunk every day basically...................

[mozzocco1]

@Od1n90 Ffth street:five:nickel:the nickel

[Od1n90]

@mozzocco1 Hi, and thanks that you tried to help me. But i am from germany and my english is not that good.

Its a street then? Because you wrote ffth street.

Or is it a coin?

Please answer me.

[mozzocco1]

the nickel is a nickname for the street. a nickel is worth five cents, it's fifth street. its a street

[rogerc99]

@modernskateandsurf

[Jimmypppp]

tom waits on the piano and a moony little melody... fantastic music... simply a great musician...!

[notonpage7]

Tom's facial expressions are really the image of truth....look at him....he is just really himself here....you can't take away....ever.

[slider02]

@notonpage7

Just wish you were right.. I saw this documentary 'bout Waits. Married, three kids.. Just a regular John Doe... A great musician, but the whole image is just an act, at least now.. Maybe less in the early days, for that is what I've convinced myself..

[notonpage7]

Well, maybe I we are both right. Sometimes when you or I get in "the mood" don't we react to our own feelings? I mean, we start thinking of those we know while we are speaking, acting or just thinking about something that has in some way touched us. I think Tom does the same thing when he plays.

Personal touches that come out in the things he loves to do.

[the1knownasDustin]

I've listened to a lot of the versions of him playing this on youtube, but this one is by far my favorite. the lyric choice(he modifies them in some versions), the perfect mix of singing rough in some parts, and so softly in others; it just really takes the breath right out of you.

2:47 - 3:12 is a perfect example of him starting a line rough and ending it so softly. it brings a tear to the eye.

[Luna810]

Tom is a genius,and a beautiful soul.

[roughcovers]

Happy birthday Mr Waits. And thanks very much for this one.

[MrMan322]

Amazing!

Better than the album version.

[howieb66]

one of my favorite songs , he has an amazing voice!

[billionear]

....It says sticks and stones can break my bones but I always will be true....And I know a place where a royal flush can never beat a pair.....What becomes of all the little boys who never comb their hair,,,,,

[RodFunmuscle]

Regarding his fingers and why they look the way they do, I'm pretty sure they're double jointed. Often times when he poses, or holds his hands out to the crowd in his younger days, he makes his fingers do that. Apparently he plays piano the same way, though I believe he's stopped since he's gotten older.

[nebulae87]

they're not double jointed...Your fingers tend to adapt to the way you play the piano. My girlfriend has been playing the piano since she was 5 so thats about 18 years of pushing down on keys with proper hand placement. Her fingers are the same way...even when she's not playing the piano. They do look awkward when you see them for the first time. I remember when i saw tom's and thought the same thing. Until i met my gf.

[sclogse1]

tom is double jointed. your girlfriend is probably also. YOu can only do so much to joints...Muscles may be flexible, but bone structure dictates just what is possible.

I repeat...Tom is double jointed. He didn't start playing piano until his teens.

[complitdave]

So beautiful.

[darioso5]

well spotted, manabozho.

(Tut tut Trankle.)

Tommy is performing his own piano accompaniment in the key of F sharp major, which tends to straighten/flatten the fingers, (so that's explained.)

Why did he decide to do it in F sharp to begin with? Why not F major or G major?

Maybe just because that particular key was perfectly suited to the song.

Compare 'Sailing Away' also in Fsharp major and you will soon see how it could not really work in another key.

[Trankle]

What do you you mean tut tut? His left ring finger is clearly bent back. That isn't him merely playing with straight fingers to accommodate his key of playing.

RodFunmuscle had a good explanation with the possibility of double jointedness.

Is that not clearly abnormal to anyone else?

[jakefini777]

Tom Waits is abnormal, period. I wouldn't try to decipher him. Can we mere mortals ever really understand?

[darioso5]

by tut tut

i mean that you have missed the point.

Do you regularly attempt to play keyboard pieces in the key of F sharp major (as I do)

or are you just another opinonated eejit?

[trumpzero2]

I've found my way do variants of the Nickel, all in Chicago. So I can relate.  I love this song.

[manabozho]

RE: his hand, may not be an injury. Some piano players adopt that way of playing, with straight fingers. Look at some youtube video of Thelonious Monk, similar technique. Don't really know, just know there's more than one way piano players get that "stance"

[robertdreed]

beautiful...

The little boys who never comb their hair..

Tom is a mix of larkin and dylan thomas..out of this world..should be up there with Bruce and bob

[Petiber]

he is... personally i think he's better than both

best singer/songwriter ever

[MrKneller]

Amen. Dylan and Springsteen can't hold a candle to Thomas Alan.

[RaymondMcCarron1]

he is, without a doubt.

[Trankle]

Does he have an injury to his hand? Looks like his ring finger, left hand, is broken in some fashion.

[Orasea]

What becomes of little boys who never comb their hair?

[Jcolinsol]

There was cocaigne , and Fiddler's Green, and Big Rock Candy Mountain, and looks like Thomas found the way to The Nickel, god bless 'im.

[kevcoatbridge]

fabby doo Tom,s the ticket !

[riskyjab]

i know a place where a royal flush never beat a pair

incredible lyrics

[lokeydaniel]

its a dirty joke where a naked woman flashes her breasts and another one claims to beat her in a beuty contest based on a douche

[wulf326]

This was my first exposure to Tom, I happen to come across him the night this aired back in the day. As a song-writer and lover of music I was instantly struck by his beauty. Thanks Mr. Waits.

[capotereader1]

A beautiful but depressing song yet it's gotten me through some tough times.

Tom's lyrics should be compiled and published as poetry.