18. Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards (1 point, 1 vote)17= Heartattack and Vine (4 points, 1 vote)17= One From the Heart (4 points, 1 vote)15. Alice (4 points, 3 votes)14. Blood Money (5 points, 1 vote, 1 first place)13= Real Gone (6 points, 2 votes)13= Black Rider (6 points, 2 votes)11. Closing Time (6 points, 3 votes)
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 12:57 (ten years ago) link
10. The Heart of Saturday Night (7 points, 3 votes)9. Big Time (8 points, 3 votes)8. Mule Variations (13 points, 8 votes, 1 first place)7. Blue Valentines (14 points, 4 votes, 1 first place)6. Nighthawks at the Diner (15 points, 6 votes, 1 first place)
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:01 (ten years ago) link
5. Small change (1976)19 points, 6 votes, 1 first place
http://www.virginmedia.com/images/tomwaits-smallchange-gal.jpg
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:03 (ten years ago) link
4. Bone Machine (1992)22 points, 10 votes
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41OXGRaGeUL.Image._.jpg
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:05 (ten years ago) link
Frank's Wild Years (1987)44 points, 12 votes, 4 first place
http://www.israbox.com/uploads/posts/2010-06/1276778574_51vpmby1kll._ss500_.jpg
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:07 (ten years ago) link
Sorry, number 3 obviously.
2. Swordfishtrombones (1983)46 points, 15 votes, 4 first place
http://losslessjazz.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Tom-Waits-Swordfishtrombones-1990-FLAC.jpg
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:09 (ten years ago) link
My word, what on earth could be number one?
1. Rain Dogs (1985)76 points, 19 votes, 7 first place
http://johannasvisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/rain-dogs.jpg
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:11 (ten years ago) link
Whaaaa?!?!
― cops on horse (WilliamC), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:12 (ten years ago) link
I know, shocking.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:13 (ten years ago) link
Liking the love for Small Change despite not having voted for it or anything on it.
― many machines on ilx (MaresNest), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:14 (ten years ago) link
50. Diamonds on My Windshield (The Heart of Saturday Night 1974)38 points, 4 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sdk-ZnrHkw
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:20 (ten years ago) link
happy that i helped Blue Valentine and Nighthawks do respectably. never really understood the popularity of Bone Machine, though.
― some dude, Monday, 14 October 2013 13:25 (ten years ago) link
I liked Bone Machine at the time but never want to listen to it now.
― many machines on ilx (MaresNest), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:26 (ten years ago) link
40 years from his debut album to Bad As Me... I think this kid has staying power.
― cops on horse (WilliamC), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:28 (ten years ago) link
i don't have enough of an appetite for his music to enjoy all of it, but it certainly seems like there's a case to be made that nobody's been more consistent over such a long career.
― some dude, Monday, 14 October 2013 13:33 (ten years ago) link
I don't know - I think he's been mainly dire since the Wilson musicals. Heckuva 20 year run before that.
― EZ Snappin, Monday, 14 October 2013 13:38 (ten years ago) link
49. Black Wings (Bone Machine, 199238 points, 5 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i3cEdaM6y4
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:40 (ten years ago) link
I put this one up higher, but what a song to kick off a poll with!
― pplains, Monday, 14 October 2013 13:40 (ten years ago) link
Always thought there was something a bit Nick Cavey about that one.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:42 (ten years ago) link
― EZ Snappin, Monday, October 14, 2013 9:38 AM (4 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
hey your mileage may vary -- i just mean in terms of popular acclaim, most of those recent albums are pretty well regarded by critics, and there's really no consensus fallow period
― some dude, Monday, 14 October 2013 13:44 (ten years ago) link
That's true. He doesn't have a dead decade like say, Dylan did.
― EZ Snappin, Monday, 14 October 2013 13:45 (ten years ago) link
Tom Waits & The Dead would've been a fun disaster collaboration
― some dude, Monday, 14 October 2013 13:47 (ten years ago) link
Might have worked in the early 70s, as long as they only played old folk and blues tunes. But I'm imagining them in '87, with the Waits of Big Time and the Dead of "Touch of Grey" and I want to punch everyone involved.
― EZ Snappin, Monday, 14 October 2013 13:50 (ten years ago) link
58. Anywhere I Lay My Head (Rain Dogs, 1985)40 points, 3 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUPRQDewJpA
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:57 (ten years ago) link
Gah, 48.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 13:59 (ten years ago) link
If there's one thing this poll is gonna prove is that there are a lot of crazy YouTube guys out there compiling Tom Waits songs.
― pplains, Monday, 14 October 2013 14:02 (ten years ago) link
"Anywhere I Lay My Head" is amazing, a little disappointed it's not higher. Waits always kills with closing tracks.
― some dude, Monday, 14 October 2013 14:06 (ten years ago) link
One of my favourite tracks lyrically coming up.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 14:14 (ten years ago) link
47. Swordfishtrombone (Swordfishtrombones, 1983)40 points, 4 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDGhJtEsmj8
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 14:15 (ten years ago) link
46. Hold On (Mule Variations,, 1999)41 points, 4 votes, 1 first place
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkpaKx1UUUw
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 14:35 (ten years ago) link
Be thankful I spared you the Hold On/Walking Dead montage vid that someone has made.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 14:36 (ten years ago) link
http://25.media.tumblr.com/acced5d84899e8e09b76b8bc9f2cf4df/tumblr_mfz1p8hx871r1mtsdo1_500.gif
it's so hard to dance that way, when it's cold and there's no music
― some dude, Monday, 14 October 2013 14:43 (ten years ago) link
Don't remember that scene from Down By Law.
― pplains, Monday, 14 October 2013 14:46 (ten years ago) link
45. Make It Rain (Real Gone, 2004)42 points, 4 votes, 1 first place
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR5SHuJDlUQ
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 14:51 (ten years ago) link
Do take the time to watch that clip, it's a terrific performance.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 14:52 (ten years ago) link
You think you might start a spotify list, chap?
― pplains, Monday, 14 October 2013 14:53 (ten years ago) link
Not a bad idea, I'll get on it this evening.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 14:55 (ten years ago) link
Interesting. That is a great song. I like that album, but didn't vote for anything off it. The only one I came close to voting for was "Hoist That Rag" but it didn't make the cut.
― erasingclouds, Monday, 14 October 2013 15:00 (ten years ago) link
Real Gone is quite unfairly overlooked, it's easily his best post 80s album for me.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 15:04 (ten years ago) link
But I like insane junkyard hobo Waits.
44. All the World is Green (Blood Money, 2002)43 points, 3 votes, 1 first place
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 15:06 (ten years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GIAawSTisE
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 15:07 (ten years ago) link
Not a tune I was familiar with previously. Though it was a bit slight at first, but it's growing on me.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 15:08 (ten years ago) link
That's my first place vote (and I put Blood Money in first place in the albums too). It's the only one that doesn't have too many songs.
― Eyeball Kicks, Monday, 14 October 2013 15:10 (ten years ago) link
Love this song. I voted for it, though fairly low. I'm realizing how slanted my votes were towards older stuff. This is probably the newest song I voted for.
― erasingclouds, Monday, 14 October 2013 15:12 (ten years ago) link
43. I'll Be Gone (Frank's Wild Years, 1987)46 points, 4 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAVl3PjTwbk
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 15:21 (ten years ago) link
Now that's a tune.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 15:22 (ten years ago) link
42. I Hope That I Don't Fall in Love With You (Closing Time, 1973)48 points, 6 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRyYayGtRBo
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 14 October 2013 15:39 (ten years ago) link
whoah yeah Gun Street Girl didn't place either!
― money, chicken and other DNA (sleeve), Friday, 18 October 2013 22:29 (ten years ago) link
tracks1. tom traubert's blues (four sheets to the wind in copenhagen)2. ruby's arms3. christmas card from a hooker in minneapolis4. train song5. cold, cold ground6. burma-shave7. tango 'til they're sore8. anywhere i lay my head9. way down in the hole10. kentucky avenue11. blue valentines12. jockey full of bourbon13. take it with me14. invitation to the blues15. yesterday is here16. innocent when you dream (barroom)17. san diego serenade18. world keeps turning19. heartattack and vine20. all the world is green
albums:1. rain dogs2. small change3. franks wild years4. swordfishtrombones5. orphans
― one way street, Friday, 18 October 2013 22:30 (ten years ago) link
"Gun Street Girl" was always a standout to me, surprised it didn't make it
― deez so unusual (some dude), Friday, 18 October 2013 22:33 (ten years ago) link
my fave album has always been the live nighthawks at the diner from 1975. it has such a phantastic jazzy night club atmosphre. how can it be that there is not one song which placed in the poll?
― it's the distortion, stupid! (alex in mainhattan), Friday, October 18, 2013 5:13 PM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
i voted this #1 album, love it dearly; just didnt break out songs from it for the tracks poll, felt wrong
― johnny crunch, Friday, 18 October 2013 23:58 (ten years ago) link
yeah same here, album was on my ballot but didn't vote for any songs. if i had more time to listen i wanted to at least revisit and pick out one, but i didn't.
― deez so unusual (some dude), Saturday, 19 October 2013 00:19 (ten years ago) link
Track ballot (1-6 were left off due to c&p fail):
tom traubert's bluesStep Right UpJockey Full of BourbonKentucky AvenueAll the world is green9th & Hennepin
Ruby's ArmsBurma ShaveOl' 55Heart of Saturday NightHeigh HoIce cream manI hope that I don't fall in love with youSan Diego SerenadeSomewhereWhat's he building?Better off without a wife16 Shells from a 30-06Misery is the River of the WorldMartha
― Jaq, Saturday, 19 October 2013 01:05 (ten years ago) link
Btw, if you havent heard the Blind Boys version of way down in the hole you're missing out. (I also like mia's version but I wont defend that one.)
― Moka, Saturday, 19 October 2013 09:15 (ten years ago) link
Is the a poo thread for Tom Waits covers?
― Moka, Saturday, 19 October 2013 09:16 (ten years ago) link
Thanks for running this. There will always be a place for it in the 9th and Hennepin of my heart.
My ballot:
1. Hang Down Your Head2. Cold Cold Ground3. Clap Hands4. Gun Street Girl5. Downtown Train6. Hold On7. Heartattack and Vine8. Tango Till They’re Sore9. Eyeball Kid10. I Don’t Wanna Grow Up11. Jockey Full of Bourbon12. Road To Peace13. The Return of Jackie and Judy14. Time15. Blind Love16. Underground17. Til The Money Runs Out18. Jersey Girl19. Come On Up To the House20. What’s He Building?
― kornrulez6969, Saturday, 19 October 2013 14:16 (ten years ago) link
I avoided a lot of Raindogs stuff, except for Tango Till They're Sore, as I had a feeling a lot of tracks would have a pretty solid following. Disappointed that my #1, Drunk on the Moon, isn't so generally loved, but at least Xmas Card from a Hooker was top 10.
― Dr X O'Skeleton, Saturday, 19 October 2013 14:27 (ten years ago) link
1. Picture in a Frame (25)2. The Piano Has Been Drinking, Not Me (12)3. I Don’t Wanna Grow Up (15)4. Dirt in the Ground (30)5. Cemetery Polka (26)*6. Pony7. Anywhere I Lay My Head (48)*8. Cold Water*9. The Briar and the Rose10. What’s He Building? (35)11. Soldier’s Things (22)12. Time13. Step Right Up (23)*14. The Fall of Troy15. Johnsburg, Illinois (29)*16. Day After Tomorrow*17. Town with No Cheer*18. A Little Rain*19. Chocolate Jesus20. Clap Hands
― Set the Ctrl-Alt-Del for the heart of the sun (SlimAndSlam), Saturday, 19 October 2013 17:16 (ten years ago) link
This poll has shown me that I need to take some time checking out his pre-Rain Dogs albums
― Moodles, Saturday, 19 October 2013 17:47 (ten years ago) link
Are you not even familiar with Swordfishtrombones?
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Saturday, 19 October 2013 18:38 (ten years ago) link
tactical voting fail as my #1 fails to place!
("sweet little bullet")
really though my order was pretty arbitrary....looking forward to putting together a playlist of the later stuff!
jolly good poll, chap!
― Swag Heathen (theStalePrince), Saturday, 19 October 2013 18:47 (ten years ago) link
xpost
Forgot that was earlier, Swordfishtrombones then is my cut-off, although there are definitely older tunes that I recognize.
― Moodles, Saturday, 19 October 2013 19:03 (ten years ago) link
I've listened to all his albums at least once, (Orphans excluded), though some of the early ones only once.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Saturday, 19 October 2013 19:05 (ten years ago) link
so i just picked up franks wild years on vinyl. never really realised this, but it's definitely his least rocky and by far his most barrel-organy/jazzy one of the trilogy. think it might well be beating out swordfish as my fave of the three, which is strange because i never rated it that much. i can even handle the new york song.
― Pingu Unchained (dog latin), Sunday, 20 October 2013 16:39 (ten years ago) link
Actually running this poll has made me re-evalute Frank's; it was always my least favourite of the trilogy, but I realise now it's stacked with good songs.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Sunday, 20 October 2013 16:41 (ten years ago) link
whoever said upthread that Blood money is his only album that doesn't have too many songs is OTM. i mean, i love tom waits but it's true - even his best albums could be chopped by two-three songs.
― Pingu Unchained (dog latin), Sunday, 20 October 2013 17:00 (ten years ago) link
Here's my ballot. A better knowledge of his 00s albums and less of a will to avoid Raindogs loading would probably change it quite a bit. Disappointed not to see my #1, 4 and 20 anywhere in the top 50
1. Drunk on the moon2. Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis3. Tango till they’re sore4. Blind love5. Blue Valentines6. Time7. Black wings8. New coat of paint9. The piano has been drinking10. Jockey full of bourbon11. Virginia Avenue12. Semi Suite13. Kentucky Avenue14. Shiver Me Timbers15. 9th and hennepin16. cold cold ground17. Ruby’s Arms18. More than Rain19. Step Right Up20. lonely
― Dr X O'Skeleton, Sunday, 20 October 2013 22:35 (ten years ago) link
Just catching up... great poll! Good work, chap.
Can't believe I forgot about "Christmas Card..." - would have made my top 10. Also, I was the no. 1 vote for "Make It Rain" - I only really got into Waits about a decade ago, around the time Real Gone came out, and the live version that he performed during that tour just wormed its way into my heart.
1. Make It Rain2. Kentucky Avenue 3. Green Grass4. Rain Dogs5. Time6. Goin' Out West7. Jockey Full of Bourbon8. Telephone Call From Istanbul 9. Soldier's Things10. Picture in a Frame11. Way Down in the Hole12. Invitation to the Blues13. I Hope I Won't Fall In Love With You14. Ruby's Arms15. Cold Cold Ground16. Wrong Side of The Road17. Alice18. How's It Gonna End19. Poor Edward 20. The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me)
― Roz, Monday, 21 October 2013 16:30 (ten years ago) link
man i wish he would record rainbow sleeves...what a great song
― Iago Galdston, Sunday, 27 October 2013 22:39 (ten years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvLd8FgDBMw
― Iago Galdston, Sunday, 27 October 2013 22:41 (ten years ago) link
I've started on my reggae cover of Cold Cold Ground BTW.
― Pingu Unchained (dog latin), Monday, 28 October 2013 14:27 (ten years ago) link
Here's what I've got so far, if anyone's interested. Still very rough round the edges but you get the idea: https://soundcloud.com/doglatin/cold-cold-ground-tom-waits
― Pingu Unchained (dog latin), Monday, 28 October 2013 16:52 (ten years ago) link
Nice.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 28 October 2013 21:16 (ten years ago) link
i regret never noticing this poll before :`(
― Porto for Pyros (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Monday, 28 October 2013 21:41 (ten years ago) link
Listening to Blood Money. What a great album. Completely overlooked.
― Pingu Unchained (dog latin), Tuesday, 29 October 2013 19:16 (ten years ago) link
^ that was my number one album
― Eyeball Kicks, Wednesday, 30 October 2013 11:30 (ten years ago) link
Think it might have some of my favourite lyrics on there. 'Misery Is The River Of The World' especially, but if Waits has ever been about studying the human condition, Blood Money's it. Something terrible and ogreish about it, like an in-depth look at misanthropy and the justification of such.
― Pingu Unchained (dog latin), Wednesday, 30 October 2013 12:32 (ten years ago) link
Is the Woyzeck play it's based on worth a look?
Also: Marimbas!
― Pingu Unchained (dog latin), Wednesday, 30 October 2013 12:33 (ten years ago) link
Only just clocked how incredible Hell Broke Luce is.
― the joke should be over once the kid is eaten. (chap), Friday, 5 September 2014 17:33 (nine years ago) link
Such an amazing song. I haven't really bothered with Bad As Me since it came out but it makes an otherwise fine album something special. Love the Mario 3 esque video too
― monoprix à dimanche (dog latin), Friday, 5 September 2014 18:09 (nine years ago) link
― Pingu Unchained (dog latin)
Ever get any further with this, DL?
― the joke should be over once the kid is eaten. (chap), Friday, 5 September 2014 18:19 (nine years ago) link
I was listening to Bad as Me while showering this morning. It IS a good album if programmatic, like he said "Let me put on my TOM WAITS hat and start belching and banging."
― guess that bundt gettin eaten (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 5 September 2014 18:21 (nine years ago) link
If I had a belchy Tom Waits hat I'd put it on every day to be fair.
― the joke should be over once the kid is eaten. (chap), Friday, 5 September 2014 18:35 (nine years ago) link
chap - totally forgot about it, but i did do a sort of demo
https://soundcloud.com/doglatin/cold-cold-ground-tom-waits
― monoprix à dimanche (dog latin), Friday, 5 September 2014 18:35 (nine years ago) link
I wore mine before lunch.
― guess that bundt gettin eaten (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 5 September 2014 18:36 (nine years ago) link
I was listening to Bad as Me while showering this morning. It IS a good album if programmatic, like he said "Let me put on my TOM WAITS hat and start belching and banging."― guess that bundt gettin eaten (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, September 5, 2014 7:21 PM (14 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― guess that bundt gettin eaten (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, September 5, 2014 7:21 PM (14 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
OTM. It's blatantly the first TW album where he's just being Tom Waits qua Tom Waits.
― monoprix à dimanche (dog latin), Friday, 5 September 2014 18:37 (nine years ago) link
I started to get that feeling with Real Gone
― Master of Treacle, Friday, 5 September 2014 19:11 (nine years ago) link
Real gone is great though! Enjoy it more than the murky depths of mule variations for the most part.
― the joke should be over once the kid is eaten. (chap), Friday, 5 September 2014 19:24 (nine years ago) link
Mule Variations is one people really rate that I could never understand why. It Def improves as it goes on but the first few songs drag by in standard blues rock mode, with little of the inventiveness that makes him unique. There's a fair amount of emotion in a song like 'Hold On' but he's done better than these baleful lyrics. It just doesnt hit the spot for me. Real Gone is great though.
― monoprix à dimanche (dog latin), Saturday, 6 September 2014 00:22 (nine years ago) link
Mule Variations has 5 or 6 great tunes, but really doesn'twork as an album.
― the joke should be over once the kid is eaten. (chap), Saturday, 6 September 2014 00:26 (nine years ago) link
otoh Bone Machine is wonderful.
― guess that bundt gettin eaten (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 6 September 2014 00:31 (nine years ago) link
watched a decent Laserdisc rip of Big Time last night which is about the only way i guess i'll ever see it. supposedly there's not only no plans to release it on DVD/Blu but the director has the only 35MM copy! it was shown in San Francisco at the end of last year. anyway the film is excellent IMO and the staging and props (Mondrian squares, feathers and confetti, a red and black chessboard floor, etc.. ) are amazing!
― piscesx, Thursday, 4 January 2018 19:11 (six years ago) link
4 Observations from the Ride Home
--Other Lady Guest @ The Sausagefest: Pat Benatar. Caught another twofer block of "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and "Promises In The Dark". Seems like she'd do well on a more '80s-centric playing field.
--The only two '60s songs were "Satisfaction" and "Magic Carpet Ride", which reminds me that Steppenwolf are quite lucky because both "MCR" and "Born To Be Wild" will still be in heavy rotation until doomsday.
--Newest track was "You Could Me Mine" by G'n'R, which perfectly ties into the coronation of AxL & Co. as the "Last Great Classic Rock Band" and why the format had to stretch in to the '90s to include them.
--Heard a commercial for a law firm that only represents men in divorce cases--Welcome To The Land Of Who Still Listens To Terrestrial Classic Rock Radio!
― Never Learn To Mike Love (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 11 January 2018 06:14 (six years ago) link
WTF? Wrong Poll!
― Never Learn To Mike Love (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 11 January 2018 06:15 (six years ago) link
Here's how I ranked the 1983-2011 years.
― I like queer. You like queer, senator? (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 30 November 2018 00:51 (five years ago) link
Ten years since Bad As Me. I'm finding that so hard to believe
― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), Thursday, 25 November 2021 20:34 (two years ago) link