Their memory's like a train: you can see it getting smaller as it pulls away And the things you can't remember Tell the things you can't forget that History puts a saint in every dream. Tom Waits dreamforgethistory Change image and share on social
My first big gig was an opening show for Frank Zappa, and I think that was difficult. Tom Waits bigdifficultfrank Change image and share on social
I have a Chamberlain I bought from some surfers in Westwood many years ago. It's an early analog synthesizer; it operates on tape loops. It has 60 voices - everything from galloping horses to owls to rain to every instrument in the orchestra. Tom Waits agoanalogbuy share on social
Songs really are like a form of time travel because they really have moved forward in a bubble. Everyone who's connected with it, the studio's gone, the musicians are gone, and the only thing that's left is this recording which was only about a three-minute period maybe 70 years ago. Tom Waits agobubbleconnect share on social
I bark my voice out through a closed throat, pretty much. It's more, perhaps, like a dog in some ways. It does have its limitations, but I'm learning different ways to keep it alive. Tom Waits alivebarkclose Change image and share on social
When I was younger, I wanted to be older. Now I am older, I am not quite so sure. Tom Waits oldwantyoung Change image and share on social
I didn't really want to be part of a clique or a niche. But I also was looking for my own voice, as a writer, y'know? And a world I could call my own. Tom Waits callcliqueniche Change image and share on social
Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends. Tom Waits champagnefriendpain Change image and share on social
For a songwriter, you don't really go to songwriting school; you learn by listening to tunes. And you try to understand them and take them apart and see what they're made of, and wonder if you can make one, too. Tom Waits learnlistenmake share on social
You know what I really love? The CD players in a car. How when you put the CD right up by the slot, it actually takes it out of your hand, like it's hungry. It pulls it in, and you feel like it wants more silver discs. Tom Waits cardiscfeel share on social