The Best of Tom Waits

*Originally published on 3/21/11


Back in college, my roommate asked me what my favorite songs on each of Tom Waits' albums were. I was still something of a Waits newbie at that point, so I wasn't familiar enough with the albums or song titles to give a definitive answer. It's been some time, and until now, I never really gave it a lot of thought. I decided to go back and determine which were my favorite songs on each respective album. I already did a top 10, but this will go deeper and, I think, give a better representation as there are a lot more than 10 great songs that Waits has created over the years. So without further ado, let's begin.


Album: Alice

Alice

There was a time when I listened to music to help me go to sleep. As mentioned before, Tom Waits' music makes great sleep music. I would set my iTunes up to play through his library as I tried to go to sleep and this was always the first track that came up. It works rather well. It's somber and soft, which makes the transition that much easier.

Even on its own merits, it's a good song as it has some emotional pull to it. Another thing worth mentioning is that the song is over 4 minutes, which means that you get to enjoy it for some time as opposed to finding that it wraps up just as you are getting into it.

Flower's Grave

This song is rather beautiful. It's one of the sadder songs in his repertoire, and considering how heartwrenching some of his work can be, I think that's saying something. It also has a sort of lullaby feel that makes it another great song to help ease you into dreamland.

No One Knows I'm Gone

This is another somber ditty that tugs on the heartstrings. The only downside to this track is that it's only a freaking minute and a half. I guess it's a good thing that the song leaves you wanting more, but at the same time, it is too bad that there isn't some more to this song as I think it would've worked.

Poor Edward

I'm starting to realize that the somber tunes are the ones that stand out to me on this album. This one is also fairly heart-wrenching. I read that this song was actually based on a true story. A lot of people took it to be a metaphor, but in actuality the situation was quite literal, which is rather fascinating.

Watch Her Disappear

This song is spoken word as opposed to sung in the more traditional sense. As such, it's more like a poem with musical accompaniment. This track stands out in my memory because my sister found it creepy. It's an odd song to be sure, but that's what makes it one that leaves an impression in your mind.

Reeperbahn 

Honorable Mentions: Everything You Can Think Of, Komminezuspadt, Lost in the Harbor

Going through this album, I realized that a vast majority of the tracks here are very good. I had to pare down the list because I realized that every track has its merits. It's also one of the reasons I added the "honorable mentions" section because I didn't want the whole album to qualify. That would defeat the purpose of the whole thing.

From here on out, I'm going to try and limit my picks to just one or two songs. Otherwise, we'll be here all day.


Album: Beautiful Maladies

The Black Rider

Seeing as this is a greatest hits album, it goes without saying that the album itself is a pretty good reprentation of Waits' best work. Of the track list on this album, my personal favorite has to be The Black Rider. It wasn't released on any of his mainstream albums and it has a very unique feel to it while still fitting in perfectly with Tom's musical style.


Album: Big Time

Telephone Call From Istanbul

This live album also has a decent collection of Tom's hits. The one standout track for me is Telephone Call from Istanbul. It's a very fun, upbeat tune. It becomes surprising hearing it compared to the original which has a slower tempo. The more fun, jazzy feel works better in my opinion and it makes it a fun listen that can be heard repeatedly without getting tired of it. I have to admit I do rather enjoy the scat singing ending, sadly, this isn't in the original, but it gives the song, appropriately enough, more pop.


Album: Blood Money

Misery is the River of the World

You'll notice a trend with me that, often times, the first track on an album is my favorite. I don't know why that is. It's nice that Waits wants to put his best foot forward, but often times, it can make the rest of the album pale in comparison, even when the rest of the album is darn good. This is one of the more definitive latter era Waits songs that put his "growly' voice and his eccentric style to good use. All in all, it's a great listen.

Honorable mentions go to Everything Goes to Hell, God's Away on Business, and All the World is Green


Album: Blue Valentine

Wrong Side of the Road

My roommate from college cited this album as his least favorite Waits album, ironically, it contains one of my favorite songs. It's more traditional than some of his other stuff, but I still dig it. It has a mellow, jazz feel to it and I find that I can listen to this song repeatedly and still enjoy it as much as I did the first time through.

Whistlin' Past the Graveyard comes in a close second. It's more upbeat and off the wall, but for me, Wrong Side of the Road wins by a hair.


Album: Bone Machine

Dirt in the Ground

This ranks as one of my all time favorite Tom Waits songs. It's sort of a hybrid of his two musical styles and it works extraordinarily well. It's somber, but not to the point where you find yourself depressed by it.


Album: Closing Time

Ice Cream Man

For a long time, Ol' 55 was my favorite track on this album (continuing the aforementioned pattern), but as time went on, I found myself liking Ice Cream Man more. It's upbeat and rather rockin', which is a contrast to the rest of the album. My only complaint is that the song is too short. Though that does make it all the easier to just hit the repeat button so that I can hear it again.

Honorable mentions go to Ol' 55, and Grapefruit Moon (which is a rather gorgeous song).


Album: Frank's Wild Years

I'll Be Gone

This song is so strange that it can't help but stand out in your mind. The tempo is more upbeat, but at the same time, Waits' vocal style here makes it sound like he's venting angst.

While I prefer the live version of it better, the original take on Telephone Call From Istanbul is also enjoyable, though that acts as a runner up for me in terms of favorite songs.


Album: Heart Attack and Vine

Heart Attack and Vine

Again, the first track reigns supreme. This too, is one of my favorite Waits songs. It is a prime example of the first track spoiling the rest of the album for me. It's good, but this one kind of steals the show for me. I often find myself listening to this one track more than the rest of the album put together, the song is that good.


Album: Mule Variations

While the album itself is solid, there isn't any one track that really stands out to me above the others. I don't know, I'm kind of drawing a blank with this one. I guess this one will have to be filed under N/A.


Album: Nighthawks at the Diner

Better Off Without a Wife is probably my favorite song, though the album is better than the sum of its parts. The album stands out as it includes a lot of humorous banter from Waits, as if he's performing a live concert. It makes it feel like you're a part of the audience at some small concert venue. His anecdotes are quite funny and it really adds to the experience of listening to the CD from beginning to end.


Album: Rain Dogs

This is a tough one as the album as a whole is superb and there are so many good ones to choose from. Clap Hands and Singapore are the more well known tracks, to wit, those were pretty much what introduced me (and subsequently got me hooked on) Tom Waits' music. Still, I have to say Tango Til They're Sore takes it for me as the best song on the album. Cemetary Polka is a fun little ditty, and I'd probably give that one the runner up spot, but Tango takes the win in my opinion.

Album: Real Gone

I wasn't crazy about this album to be honest. In terms of Waits' work, I'd cite it as one of his weaker entries. I think it was trying too hard to be eccentric and weird to the point where it was too much. The only real track I liked was Top of the Hill (again track 1).

Album: Small Change

This is a close call between Invitation to the Blues and Tom Traubert's Blues. Both are sad to the point where it's heart wrenching and beautiful. I'd say Invitation takes the win, once again, the margin is extremely slight, but Invitation hits me more than Tom's does.

Album: Swordfishtrombone

Underground

I told you the first tracks tend to steal the show for me. This is probably the definitive "weird" Tom Waits song and it's all the more glorious because of it.


Album: The Heart of Saturday Night

New Coat of Paint takes the win, although honorable mention goes to Fumblin' With The Blues. Unlike the other "blues" songs, Fumblin' is a bit more upbeat and jazzy, where the others are more heartfelt ballads.

So, there you have it. Hopefully that helps you get a feel for Tom Waits' music. If you're looking for tracks to add to your iTunes library, I suspect that this article will do you a lot more good than my Top Ten list. At the very least, I hope it will get you interested in checking out some of his other songs that you may not be as familiar with.