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
Music has generally involved a lot of awkward contraptions, a certain amount of heavy lifting. Tom Waits amountawkwardcontraption 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 you're in the middle of the ocean with no flippers and no life preserver and you hear a helicopter, this is music. You have to adjust to your needs at the moment. Tom Waits adjustflipperhear Change image and share on social
The sight of the first woman in the minimal two-piece was as explosive as the detonation of the atomic bomb by the U.S. at Bikini Island in the Marshall Isles, hence the naming of the bikini. Tom Waits atomicbikinibomb Change image and share on social
I used to imagine that making it in music - really making it in music - is if you're an old man going by a schoolyard and you hear children singing your songs, playing jump-rope, or on the swings. That's the ultimate. You're in the culture. Tom Waits childculturehear share on social
Any place is good for eavesdropping, if you know how to eavesdrop. Tom Waits eavesdropgoodplace Change image and share on social
People say all kinds of things about the ingredients of songs. But you know they are a kind of magic, in the sense that they may easily include a stain on your bedroom wall... and a variety of mis-recollections. And then you name it after a girl's name that you just made up. Tom Waits bedroomeasilygirl share on social
Don't you know there ain't no devil, it's just god when he's drunk. Tom Waits devildrinkgod 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
