I think all songs should have weather in them. Names of towns and streets, and they should have a couple of sailors. I think those are just song prerequisites. Tom Waits couplenameprerequisite Change image and share on social
Oh, I got a beautiful 1959 Cadillac Coupe DeVille four-door. No one will ride in it with me. Tom Waits beautifulcadillaccoupe Change image and share on social
If people are a little nervous about approaching you at the market, it's good. I'm not Chuckles The Clown. Or Bozo. I don't cut the ribbon at the opening of markets. I don't stand next to the mayor. Hit your baseball into my yard, and you'll never see it again. Tom Waits approachbaseballbozo share on social
I look for things that are left of center, something you've only seen your whole life, but never heard. Hit it! With a stick! I have a guitar made out of a 2x4 that I bought in Cleveland. Tom Waits 2x4buycenter Change image and share on social
Sometimes the magnetism of a song is impossible to ignore, and it demands that it be sung in a certain way. Tom Waits demandignoreimpossible Change image and share on social
I hate Disneyland. It primes our kids for Las Vegas. Tom Waits disneylandhatekid Change image and share on social
I saw a crow building a nest, I was watching him very carefully, I was kind of stalking him and he was aware of it. And you know what they do when they become aware of someone stalking them when they build a nest, which is a very vulnerable place to be? They build a decoy nest. It's just for you. Tom Waits awarebuildcarefully share on social
Some day I'm gonna be gone and people will be listening to my songs and conjuring me up. In order for that to happen, you gotta put something of yourself in it. Tom Waits conjuredaygonna Change image and share on social
When you're writing, you're conjuring. It's a ritual, and you need to be brave and respectful and sometimes get out of the way of whatever it is that you're inviting into the room. Tom Waits braveconjureinvite Change image and share on social
As a kid, I did want to be an old-timer, since they were the ones with the big stories and the cool clothes. I wanted to go there. Now, I guess I want to bring that with me and go back in time. Tom Waits backbigbring Change image and share on social