I always had a great appreciation for jazz, but I'm a very pedestrian musician. I get by. I like to think that my main instrument is vocabulary. Tom Waits appreciationgreatinstrument Change image and share on social
Mostly, I straddle reality and the imagination. My reality needs imagination like a bulb needs a socket. My imagination needs reality like a blind man needs a cane. Tom Waits blindbulbcane Change image and share on social
I don't like listening to records a lot after they're done. There's just no real nourishment there for me. Tom Waits listenlotnourishment Change image and share on social
Most songs that aren't jump-rope songs, or lullabies, are cautionary tales or goodbye songs and road songs. Tom Waits cautionarygoodbyejump Change image and share on social
Don't look back, because someone might be gaining on you. Tom Waits backgain Change image and share on social
I do like books on anatomy. I have to say I'm an amateur physician, I guess. Tom Waits amateuranatomybook Change image and share on social
I didn't really identify with the music of my own generation, but I was very curious about the music of others. Tom Waits curiousgenerationidentify Change image and share on social
I always liked the idea that America is a big facade. We are all insects crawling across on the shiny hood of a Cadillac. We're all looking at the wrapping. But we won't tear the wrapping to see what lies beneath. Tom Waits americabeneathbig share on social
I have an audio stigmatism whereby I hear things wrong - I have audio illusions. Tom Waits audiohearillusion Change image and share on social
What you want is for music to love you back. That's why you pay your dues. You want to feel like you belong and are part of this symbiosis, metamorphosis, whatever you want to call it. Tom Waits backbelongcall Change image and share on social