Same thing with me. I was stuck after the first few chords. And here I am, 41 years later, enjoying Waits every single day. Thanks big brother for opening this door.
I was 6 in 1992 when I heard this song for the first time and I didn't want it to end. Lol I grew up in the hood lol and its needless to say no one understood but music like this inspired me and played instrumental im my drive towards becoming the success I am today. Tom waits introduced me to me.
Always loved this hilarious song. On the surface it sounds like a tribute to old-timey home-town life, swelling with a brass band and glockenspiel. But listen closely and hear as the grumbly old-timer describes his neighborhood - he does nothing but complain about the traffic and the noise and how nothing is as good as it once was. I know people just like that! Waits brings the character to life with sharpness and wit and yet also with warmth. Brilliant.
My old man, may he rest in peace, stumbled across this song and fell in love with it forever. It's everything weird and open and brilliant about the American experience . . . seems like it's from another lifetime.
Bought this as a 7" single when I was 13 in 1983. Played it over and over again. Still like this song as much almost 40 years later. Nothing wrong with other singles from that year.. Bonnie Tyler - Total eclipse of the heart.. Toto - Africa.. Men at work - Down under.. The Police - Every breath you take.. but none of them are timeless in the way In the neighborhood are. Pretty sure I will listen to Tom Waits the next 40 years as well..
As a recovering Tom Waits addict, I haven't listened to him for 15 years because most of his songs makes me suicidal. But this song has been stuck in my head all week and it's pretty far from depressing, so I just decided to relapse. And it was wonderful ❤.
This was my entrance into the world of Tom Waits. So singular, so inventive, so peculiar, but I was entranced by how different he was. His voice sounds a lot like some of my favorite jazz artists from my hometown of New Orleans, especially Dr. John.
Ha ! When I first discovered this song I was just floored! Tom really commits to his vision! Conviction! A big key to life at it’s finest! … Be true to your roots! Be proud of your heritage … Thank you Tom …….
Need to hear this song once a week at least to remind me the precious quality of the real life and simple people ‘before technology ruined them,is like. Thank you Tom love from israel,your twin singer in israel ‘is Amir lev ‘love you both.
I love the slow, lazy (f&$#ck you) delivery of the instruments in this rusty, heavy, bloated-faced observation of my Ol' Neighborhood. Thanks, Tom. Seriously. 🙏 You're the best ❤️
I don't know if it's the out of place seeming fish eye lens or the mass amount of interesting extras, but this has to be one of my favorite music videos. Not necessarily just by Tom.
I discovered this song several decades ago. If my memory serves me right. It always stuck to me. Now I'm learning why the genius of TW is nothing short of just that.... Whatever he did it felt like he was reading an important book to me.... and I'ld listen....
Well, I cried my eyes out just today, tears come easily to me, but nope, not with this. Sorry, I mean no disrespect! To be honest, I actually don't like this song...
For me, on the surface it’s about the minor middle-class annoyances of living in the American suburbs, and how good we have it. But it’s set to this glorious All-American marching-band tune, which is musical sarcasm. The dichotomy of this proud, prototypical American who salutes the flag complaining, unhappy, speaks to a greater erosion of the middle-class, how the American dream ain’t that satisfying, and something darker and sadder lurking beneath the mild discontent.
A love song to grumpy old men. Because there is no greater pleasure than complaining about everything, when you're old. Tom Waits always finds things to love in extraordinary places.
Channel U68 out of NJ turned me on to this song. I've only heard on that music video channel and it will stay with me for the rest of my days. Thanks Tom.
Just watching Peter Gabriel cover this just his Voice and His piano. I've seen Tori Amos cover Time with just voice and Piano. Both covers are Brilliant and give testimony to the Genius of Mr.Tom. So many songs that are Appreciated by So Many. Hats off For Mr. Waits
Angelo Rossitto the little guy sitting on chair on top of the mule playing the little accordion appeared on Tom Waits "Swordfishtrombones" (1983) album cover and The Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street" (1972) album cover.
First saw this video on MTV back when it was released. That channel introduced me to so many great bands/solo artists like Tom Waits. Its hard to believe when you look at it now.
I AM 75 NOW WHEN I WAS A KID MOST OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN KENSING TON AND FISHTOWN HAD MARCHING BANDS THEY TOLD ME TO GE INTHE MIDDLE AN PRETEND YOU ARE PLAYING BUT THEM BASS DRUMS AND DRUMS MADE YOU FEEL GOOD O THIS IS IN PHILLY
Tom's MV video 'In the neighborhood' grew out of the album cover production 'Swordfishtrombones'. Cast and produced in L.A. in 1983. w/ Michael A. Russ Assoc.Dir/Choreographer. Shot and co directed by Haskell Wexler.
I was a sophomore at Virginia Tech and playing in a band and I was hungry and late one night after a gig I went to the only place that was still open - Steve's Hot Dogs - and sat at the bar and ordered two all the way and looked up at the TV in the corner and there was this video playing on MTV and my brain grew to twice its size that night.
WOW!!!! FINALY I FOUND THIS PRIMAL ART FINEST!!!! CONGRATULATIONS FOR EVER AND EVER...MR.TOM WAITS!!!! HY FROM BRAZIL, SOUTH LATINA AMERICAN, SÃO PAULO
Well, the eggs chase the bacon round the fryin' pan And the whinin' dog pigeons by the steeple bell rope And the dogs tipped the garbage pails over last night And there's always construction work bothering you In the neighborhood In the neighborhood In the neighborhood Well, Friday's a funeral and Saturday's a bride Sey's got a pistol on the register side And the goddamn delivery trucks, they make too much noise And we don't get our butter delivered no more In the neighborhood In the neighborhood In the neighborhood Well, Big Mambo's kicking his old greyhound And the kids can't get ice cream 'cause the market burned down And the newspaper sleeping bags blow down the lane And that goddamn flatbed's got me pinned in again In the neighborhood In the neighborhood In the neighborhood There's a couple Filipino girls gigglin' by the church And the window is busted and the landlord ain't home And Butch joined the army, yeah, that's where he's been And the jackhammer's diggin' up the sidewalks again In the neighborhood In the neighborhood In the neighborhood In the neighborhood In the neighborhood In the neighborhood
I can't figure out the video: Is Tom walking in front of a projection screen or is he with the parade itself. There'a weird trippy distorted look about this video... a fisheye lens maybe? First saw it when Paul Young Guest VJed MTV around 1985.
I've mulled over the line "And Butch joined the Army ... yeah, that's where he's been." I suspect Butch is NOT in the Army, but is probably in jail or on the lam.
I know you wrote you comment 2 years ago but I just saw it. I love how your friend looks like he's not quite sure what he's witnessing. I've always wondered where this video was shot? Where is THIS neighborhood?
The kind of funeral parade I would like to have, saw a funeral director the other week and said I want it to be simple, just a cardboard casket with a one rope handle. To which he replied, "Why ?' Gave him the following reply, "If Jesus could drag a wooden cross, then I can drag a cardboard casket !'. The rest has been taken care of, the band is organized, the mini pies and sausage rolls with ketchup and a case of Rum. Can't give you the date yet, but you're most welcome along to celebrate.
+Crabula He's not. He's an actor nicknamed 'The Cat" they got from an open-call. I've interviewed Michael Russ who shot the album cover for Swordfishtrombones, and was one of the co-directors of this video with the legendary Haskell Wexler.
hecubot Wow. I was convinced that was Don. He looks just like him! The fancy fur coat also seems like something Beefheart would wear. Maybe he snuck through under an alias!
Sometimes you just need Tom Waits.
How true ❤️
Exactly!
Sometimes...?!
no
@@tuana4444 yes
This was my first ever introduction to Tom Waits. I was immediately in love with his style.
Me too
Same, this very song. Instantly hooked.
And me.
Same thing with me. I was stuck after the first few chords. And here I am, 41 years later, enjoying Waits every single day. Thanks big brother for opening this door.
I was 6 in 1992 when I heard this song for the first time and I didn't want it to end. Lol I grew up in the hood lol and its needless to say no one understood but music like this inspired me and played instrumental im my drive towards becoming the success I am today. Tom waits introduced me to me.
Always loved this hilarious song. On the surface it sounds like a tribute to old-timey home-town life, swelling with a brass band and glockenspiel. But listen closely and hear as the grumbly old-timer describes his neighborhood - he does nothing but complain about the traffic and the noise and how nothing is as good as it once was. I know people just like that! Waits brings the character to life with sharpness and wit and yet also with warmth. Brilliant.
"and there's always construction work bothering me" = my favorite.
'sounds like a fun neighbourhood"
^ "You mean it sounds like a depressing neighbourhood!"
My old man, may he rest in peace, stumbled across this song and fell in love with it forever. It's everything weird and open and brilliant about the American experience . . . seems like it's from another lifetime.
Bought this as a 7" single when I was 13 in 1983. Played it over and over again. Still like this song as much almost 40 years later. Nothing wrong with other singles from that year.. Bonnie Tyler - Total eclipse of the heart.. Toto - Africa.. Men at work - Down under.. The Police - Every breath you take.. but none of them are timeless in the way In the neighborhood are. Pretty sure I will listen to Tom Waits the next 40 years as well..
The weirdest, craziest and best drum major ever... Tom is perfect in everything/in a league of his own as usual.
This is the tune that introduced me to the great Tom Waits.
Me too.
As a recovering Tom Waits addict, I haven't listened to him for 15 years because most of his songs makes me suicidal. But this song has been stuck in my head all week and it's pretty far from depressing, so I just decided to relapse. And it was wonderful ❤.
This video was my first meeting with Tom Waits, after that I was hooked.
This was my entrance into the world of Tom Waits. So singular, so inventive, so peculiar, but I was entranced by how different he was. His voice sounds a lot like some of my favorite jazz artists from my hometown of New Orleans, especially Dr. John.
Way back when MTV played videos...this song/video got alot of airplay.
Excellent, sad old memories and speechless.
Ha ! When I first discovered this song I was just floored! Tom really commits to his vision! Conviction! A big key to life at it’s finest! … Be true to your roots! Be proud of your heritage … Thank you Tom …….
This is my favorite Tom Waits song.
More than a song, it seems to me an anthem ;)
I have about 20 favourite songs from Tom Waits
Down Town Train
So, there I was, in London in the mid-80s and I'm watching a music show on Channel 4, when on comes this video and it changed my life forever.
Only pure genious can do that
That’s the way it goes - one doesn’t discover Tom Waits, he has to find you first.
1988 on Much Music in Canada. Exact same thing. Tom found me then. What are the chances of ever seeing him play live now?
Same here, on an italian music channel which had nothing to do with this kind of music...
The Tube. I remember it well and the same for me
Need to hear this song once a week at least to remind me the precious quality of the real life and simple people ‘before technology ruined them,is like.
Thank you Tom love from israel,your twin singer in israel ‘is Amir lev ‘love you both.
I love the slow, lazy (f&$#ck you) delivery of the instruments in this rusty, heavy, bloated-faced observation of my Ol' Neighborhood. Thanks, Tom. Seriously. 🙏 You're the best ❤️
I don't know if it's the out of place seeming fish eye lens or the mass amount of interesting extras, but this has to be one of my favorite music videos. Not necessarily just by Tom.
I discovered this song several decades ago. If my memory serves me right. It always stuck to me. Now I'm learning why the genius of TW is nothing short of just that.... Whatever he did it felt like he was reading an important book to me.... and I'ld listen....
I love his PT Barnum vibe. This film clip is very trippy. Reminds me if that old black and white movie call freaks i think.
Tom based the album The Black Rider partly on that movie
Totally remember MTV playing this in the 80's!
xoxo The Clarences
What a masterpiece
Tremendous song....and that video clip???? Damn, the best ever.
Greatest MTV ever made or what!
If this video and this song, not bring a tear to your eye, nothing will, I guess.
Well, I cried my eyes out just today, tears come easily to me, but nope, not with this. Sorry, I mean no disrespect! To be honest, I actually don't like this song...
Ha ha - Love the lyrics - Thank you universe for Tom Waits … Hope we get to see him live someday!
damn.....this guy really put his heart and soul into this song!!
You can tell because of his movement
Puts his heart into every song!
I play this song for years, but still don't know what it's all about. It just feels right and it warms my soul.
For me, on the surface it’s about the minor middle-class annoyances of living in the American suburbs, and how good we have it. But it’s set to this glorious All-American marching-band tune, which is musical sarcasm. The dichotomy of this proud, prototypical American who salutes the flag complaining, unhappy, speaks to a greater erosion of the middle-class, how the American dream ain’t that satisfying, and something darker and sadder lurking beneath the mild discontent.
@@baTonkaTruck The elite convincing the working class that they're middle class is what is destroying the country..
@@baTonkaTruck very good, thank you.
A love song to grumpy old men. Because there is no greater pleasure than complaining about everything, when you're old. Tom Waits always finds things to love in extraordinary places.
Channel U68 out of NJ turned me on to this song. I've only heard on that music video channel and it will stay with me for the rest of my days. Thanks Tom.
Just watching Peter Gabriel cover this just his Voice and His piano. I've seen Tori Amos cover Time with just voice and Piano. Both covers are Brilliant and give testimony to the Genius of Mr.Tom. So many songs that are Appreciated by So Many. Hats off For Mr. Waits
I don't know what it is, but there's something about this song and the video that I really like.
Angelo Rossitto the little guy sitting on chair on top of the mule playing the little accordion appeared on Tom Waits "Swordfishtrombones" (1983) album cover and The Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street" (1972) album cover.
First saw this video on MTV back when it was released. That channel introduced me to so many great bands/solo artists like Tom Waits. Its hard to believe when you look at it now.
I AM 75 NOW WHEN I WAS A KID MOST OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN KENSING TON AND FISHTOWN HAD MARCHING BANDS THEY TOLD ME TO GE INTHE MIDDLE AN PRETEND YOU ARE PLAYING BUT THEM BASS DRUMS AND DRUMS MADE YOU FEEL GOOD O THIS IS IN PHILLY
This is one of the best songs ever
Tom's MV video 'In the neighborhood' grew out of the album cover production 'Swordfishtrombones'. Cast and produced in L.A. in 1983. w/ Michael A. Russ Assoc.Dir/Choreographer. Shot and co directed by Haskell Wexler.
This man is honest in his Songs, beneath all the lies, that are contributeted in any direction of human structures.....artist..
I was a sophomore at Virginia Tech and playing in a band and I was hungry and late one night after a gig I went to the only place that was still open - Steve's Hot Dogs - and sat at the bar and ordered two all the way and looked up at the TV in the corner and there was this video playing on MTV and my brain grew to twice its size that night.
Brilliant. Absolutely, unmistakably brilliant.
Getting drunk listening to this in Coroni world.... pretty sure this is Hampden Baltimore. God speed & be safe.
there is no other like tom waits....what a writer
I love this song. :)
pure genius ..Tom's a journey , are you ready ?
Thank you for being, Tom Waits.
Majestic teamwork, the great tom waits 👌
>
the old guy in the white with black spotted coat was my Penn State Prof in 83. He was a poet.
Classic. Pulls at your heart in a Cosmic way.
sheer genius
+gewglesux
I forget where i saw it but there was a explanation on how this video was made.. again... Pure genius.
PVも曲も大好き。
WOW!!!! FINALY I FOUND THIS PRIMAL ART FINEST!!!! CONGRATULATIONS FOR EVER AND EVER...MR.TOM WAITS!!!!
HY FROM BRAZIL, SOUTH LATINA AMERICAN, SÃO PAULO
Paul Young played this video on Mtv in 1993. I was transfixed, and never looked back. Waits is a genius
i like this song, for years.
Magical.
Video by Francis Coppola.
In between the Tulsa pictures.
@Baby Irene. Is that true? Never knew that! Thanks for the info.
Tom Waits is another planet's Bob Dylan when he's not busy being this planet's Tom Waits.
Great song.
That was rather cool . I like Swordfish Trombones ,but I did not think there was video.
Sounds like your neighborhood drunk having one too many and then doing weird stuff.
I love you Tom for you are truly deep and great...
There is no more "neighborhood". How tragic...
Tom Waits and this is one of the best.
new beginning for tom waits was this. didnt know there was a music video
God bless Tom
How else would be able to hear music like this.
Waits doing a damn fine Joel Grey imitation.
Check out his song at the end of the film ‘Smoke’ , but watch this great film first..
🥺 I love him
A great song!!!
Well, the eggs chase the bacon round the fryin' pan
And the whinin' dog pigeons by the steeple bell rope
And the dogs tipped the garbage pails over last night
And there's always construction work bothering you
In the neighborhood
In the neighborhood
In the neighborhood
Well, Friday's a funeral and Saturday's a bride
Sey's got a pistol on the register side
And the goddamn delivery trucks, they make too much noise
And we don't get our butter delivered no more
In the neighborhood
In the neighborhood
In the neighborhood
Well, Big Mambo's kicking his old greyhound
And the kids can't get ice cream 'cause the market burned down
And the newspaper sleeping bags blow down the lane
And that goddamn flatbed's got me pinned in again
In the neighborhood
In the neighborhood
In the neighborhood
There's a couple Filipino girls gigglin' by the church
And the window is busted and the landlord ain't home
And Butch joined the army, yeah, that's where he's been
And the jackhammer's diggin' up the sidewalks again
In the neighborhood
In the neighborhood
In the neighborhood
In the neighborhood
In the neighborhood
In the neighborhood
❤
nice tune
I tried to show this video to a friend in Wales and he says he can't see it because of a copyright claim by the BBC...
WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL VIDEO. I HAD TO LOOK UP WHO DIRECTED THIS AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS ACCLAIMED CINEMATOGRAPHER HAXEL WEXLER.
Haha. I should've known
Happy Birthday Genius 2018 xxxx
I can't figure out the video:
Is Tom walking in front of a projection screen or is he with the parade itself.
There'a weird trippy distorted look about this video... a fisheye lens maybe?
First saw it when Paul Young Guest VJed MTV around 1985.
HD at last! ♥
Wow! How many hallucinogens has Tom Waits done? This dude trips me out..
Tom waits if a genius.that's it.
I've mulled over the line "And Butch joined the Army ... yeah, that's where he's been." I suspect Butch is NOT in the Army, but is probably in jail or on the lam.
Even Richard Dawkins will agree ....there is a god ........yes ...the genious of Tom
My best friend is at 0:40 smoking a cig. GG Eric
I know you wrote you comment 2 years ago but I just saw it. I love how your friend looks like he's not quite sure what he's witnessing. I've always wondered where this video was shot? Where is THIS neighborhood?
I've learned to dance waltz in dancing school, can I say so, 83 as I was 14😢 and bought the 7 inch
Génie c'est tout
The original Arcade Fire
In that they have a carnivalesque element too?
The kind of funeral parade I would like to have, saw a funeral director the other week and said I want it to be simple, just a cardboard casket with a one rope handle. To which he replied, "Why ?' Gave him the following reply, "If Jesus could drag a wooden cross, then I can drag a cardboard casket !'. The rest has been taken care of, the band is organized, the mini pies and sausage rolls with ketchup and a case of Rum. Can't give you the date yet, but you're most welcome along to celebrate.
Swordfishtrombones is Waits' love letter to Bukowski.
I'm not quite sure if listening to Tom and doing mushrooms go together...
Who the hell are the 22 people that don't like this?
this reminds me of bywater nola. r.i.p.
Funny, I never woulda pegged Adolf Hitler as a Tom Waits fan.
I never understood why he mentions the filipino girls giggling by the church. Does anyone have any insight?
Just the neighbourhood
This may sound stupid, but I think that's as close as Tom's ever gotten to a conventional song. (Not that he should ever be conventional).
check out his album Closing Time.
+chuckiejay - until you listen to the lyrics, because those are as weird as they always are with Tom!
+chuckiejay
Apparently you've never heard "Downtown Train" or "Old '55."
Colonia Renacimiento .. Velasquez 207
vizinhança,amizades.E loucura(da bôa)
1983...
The little rascals have grown up and have gotten a little bit arty, but that's ok.
The guy in the fur coat is Captain Beefheart.
+Crabula well spotted!
+Crabula
He's not. He's an actor nicknamed 'The Cat" they got from an open-call. I've interviewed Michael Russ who shot the album cover for Swordfishtrombones, and was one of the co-directors of this video with the legendary Haskell Wexler.
hecubot
Wow. I was convinced that was Don. He looks just like him! The fancy fur coat also seems like something Beefheart would wear. Maybe he snuck through under an alias!
Sorry, but I've gone vegan.
No its not
1984
seriously, this is the stuff of nightmares!