Tom Waits - Silent Night & Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis.mpg

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[Kobus Knabbel]

There is still time for that.. suc6

[TRCOOLGUY]

In my opinion, the first time around, you can laugh. Then, once you hear the last verse, once you realize what the song's really about, you aren't laughing anymore. That's the beauty of the song.

[DanTrout]

How is "I still think about you every time I pass a filling station on account'a all the grease ya used to wear in yer' hair" and "I think I'd buy me a used car lot..." etc. NOT meant to be humorous? EXPECIALLY with that Silent Night intro?

That is the beauty of Tom Waits music. It's a poignant, funny, hopeful, sad window into one of his character's lives. It's meant to evoke a number of emotional responses, in this performance laughter is clearly one of them.

[unklewink]

It's not that the song is outright funny. It's like being at somebody's funeral wake. People are talking about their memories of the decedent. Now and then, someone will bring up a lighthearted moment about something the departed person once did or said. People laugh but not being disrespectful.

[Joesoj]

Yeah, it's not funny at all

[jsnas3]

this is what Bruce Springsteen will sound like once his testicles grow.

[illuvatar27]

I think the crowd laughs because Tom is singing as if he is the hooker (which is rare) and the way he delivers makes it a bit funny in the beginning.

[Lawrence Mintz]

A one of a kind master wordsmith. I saw him at the Beacon Theater NYC in the late 70's and it was like seeing a epic theatrical event. Thanks for the memories TW.

[Dana Cramer]

hope yours was special!

[pwil30]

If anyone is curious as to what performance this is from -- it's his 1978 performance on Austin City Limits. They just re-ran it last week on PBS. It's an hour long performance, and god, it has to be one of his best aside from Big Time. Then again, the Tomcat can do no wrong.

[Klimseven]

People: the beautiful thing about this song is that it's tragic and funny at the same time. The perfect, poignant combination. Merry Christmas from Dublin.

[missmomilla]

well its tongue in cheek humor, is finding the funny in the sad things. its meant to be light hearted and sad i think.

[Honey Booze Booze]

Merry Christmas, Dana.