My son who lives in heaven today he loved Mr. Tom's music. This was his favorite song of all time. I now today find myself enjoying his love. Thank you Mr. Tom for adding to my son's golden huge ❤️ heart.
hi Darlene, I am sorry to hear of your son's passing 🙏 thank you for your comment; sorry, my reply is a bit late. This song & Tom's performance are the best & glad I was able to upload so many years ago, ღ bdf
I HEARD THIS SONG MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS AGO.At that time I knew almost nothing of english ,but a repeated it and repeted and again and again for hours, literally. And I wept, from the beginning to end. Later on I learned the lyrics and understood them. But my heart was able to understand and feel it at the first note. And so it is now, listening to this precious gem again. And again I weep. And again my heart hurts . God bless Tom Waits and you for sharing . Amor e Gratidão , from Brasil.
This song always brings tears to my eyes. The magical thing about Tom Waits is that no one else sings a song with the raw emotion that he does. He's not just repeating lyrics, he's feeling them deep inside his own soul and that gets conveyed to the listener. He's a unique talent, a national treasure as far as I'm concerned.
The Nickle was also a documentary about the homeless people who lived on 5th street in Los Angeles years ago. In the documentary, there was a pair of homeless men who had been friends as children and met up again years later on the nickle and bonded again hence " a royal flush can never beat a pair." Meaning that no matter what people such as the police etc. did they could never separate the two friends.
Rebecca Carter Hi Rebecca, thank you for the documentary info ... I will look for it. Tom's writing is an interesting story, I agree. And his performance is so compelling here ... thank you for taking time to leave your comments, it is appreciated. Thank you for the sub also.
@@bandawhat33 A little context: Tom Waits wrote this song for the movie “On the nickel” in which a former ‘hobo’ (man who overcame alcoholism and poverty) returns to skid row to his friend from his days as a ‘hobo’. His friend is still a hobo btw. That being said, I think that on skid row, “a royal flush can never beat a pair” means that friendship (aka the pair) can never be broken by fortune (aka royal flush). That’s my interpretation, anyway.
@@bandawhat33 it's based on card games. A royal flush is the best hand in cards. A pair is the lowest scoring playable hand. So it's referring to how the people on 5th street could have the greatest hand in the world and never win a game of cards because they're just *that* down on their luck
@@weatheredseeker Wait that doesn't make any sense though. If you have a royal flush you basically know you won the game. Luck or no luck you'd have to be a fool to not play a winning hand.
mrbibblebabble I love this performance. The interview preceding this was with a TV host who did not seem to get Tom. I like your comment "musical Steinbeck" ... exactly!
Obviously it’s the voice. I often wonder if I don’t have some type of autism, merely because I love his voice. My wife and best friend, however, can’t get past his voice. They love his early stuff (‘Closing Time’ and ‘The Heart of Saturday Night’); but they peace out somewhere in ‘Nighthawks at the Diner’. Lol As of today, I now own every album (original press) vinyl up to ‘Rain Dogs’.😎
That's such a perfect description. His artistry is unparalleled. I love how Neil Young introduced him when he was inducted into the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME.
@Coitus Handguns Oh hell yeah! I love Waits' harder shit. Hell Broke Luce (obviously), 90% of Bone Machine, 16 Shells..., Filipino Box Spring Hog, etc. The dude is amazing. And I concur about the voice. Even his slow songs sound Metal. \../
described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."
My son, who is 15, says this is one of his favorite songs. I don't know what to make of that. I could have sworn that you had to have lived a certain amount of life to appreciate this. Just goes to show how sometimes the young ones are way past what we think they are. We best be careful, folks - they see far past what we give them credit for sometimes...
So many of my friends just can't see the beauty inside the ugly when it comes to Tom Waits. There are times when I need to feel melancholy and I can live inbetween his words and melodies. I'm sure those that have been toched in a similar way will undestand what I'm trying to say. Very few singers can bring me to tears like Tom Waits and his magic can.
Tom is the man...not all appreciate him...but i do...my wedding program had the entire Johnsburg Illinois lyrics on it...i told everyone i would never marry a woman who didnt love him like i do...i was wrong..she loves him like i do now but that is more a testament to her patience than my convincing...but she loves me more than him...i think..so thats a start
One of America's genius lyricists. I love this song so much. This song is not a hard luck sob story. He very accurately points the responsibility at the individual, but still manages to convey the tragedy, sadness, and compassion. Brilliant.
I was there. saw him live in '79, I was a teenager, and I'd seen this bizarre guy on late nite tv a month or two earlier. Went into the record store few days later and this was playing. He was more than just bizarre, he was brilliant. I grabbed Heartattack & Vine and played the grooves out. Suddenly I heard he was touring. A friend & I went & were blown away. Many of the songs were just him & the piano (which looked fairly sober), while he kept time by stomping his foot on the floor! World-changing!
My Dear friend I have also lost a child. I understand your anguish.If Tom Waits serves as representation to a rememberance then it is justified.Tom Waits is a very emotional singer.To you ,as myself,I share your grief.God Rest you and your son,and my daughter. My name is also Gregory.
such a heart-wrenching performance! this is the definition of an artist.. i love this man, his music has reached my soul in way no other has. To see him live one day would be a dream of mine
Gut wrenching, but very tenderly so. Only when Tom does that little arpeggio at the end you realize how much this musical magic was holding you by the heart.
"I thought I heard a Mockingbird, Roosevelt knows where" Mixing some of the greatest music ever written with some of the best memories I've ever known. Mr. Waits NEVER fails to impress and entertain. He teaches me daily to LISTEN...
Mark8395217 hi Mark, thank you for leaving a comment. Listen, exactly! Tom & Kathleen Brennan create the greatest music today ... I just wish he would tour even some small clubs, in disguise, soon, I'm not getting younger
@mothergone If I ever make it to heven, I would love to meet your son. The first thing that I would tell him is, Your mother loves you now, and will always love you. The second thing that I would tell him is, "Sir, you have fine taste in music". The third thing that I would do in heven, is to make shure that mom knows that Gregory is doing just fine, day after day after day, helping people that are on the nickle.
Mutsuz olduğumda TH-cam da yorum atarım. Sanal zorba hepinize iyi geceler diler. bugün cumartesi sürüngenler dışarda çok içmemenizi öneririm. Benimse canım o kadar çok sıkılıyor ki
Whenever my mom goes away, I usually smoke in the house, and everytime she does and I light one up at night, I always find myself putting this song and smoking to it. Only at night though. It's like my little routine and something I greatly look forward to. This song just goes absolutely perfectly with a night time relaxing smoke. Absolutely beautiful.
I agree with every word you say. I was so glad that he got inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many times the hall does not get it right but this time they did. ; )
This song starts with a gravelly growl that can only be compared to Louie Armstrong. Then, about thirty seconds later, you realize that you are listening to one of the most beautiful songs you've ever heard. This is a heartfelt lullaby to all the downtrodden, displaced, hurt, broken and lost souls in the world. And no one else can so suddenly transport the listener into another space and time quite like Tom Waits does. He is a unique and mysterious presence in the music world.
I'll never forget my introduction to Tom Waits. It was in college at a party and in the back room was this rustic bar that was dimly lit with a soft blue light and the smoke hung in the air like a dream. This strang music was eminating from the speakers the likes of which I had never heard before, all kinds of weird creeks and groans, off key and yet melodic all at the same time. Turns out it was Swordfishtrombones, Rain Dogs and Franks Wild Years, to say it grabbed me is an understatement.
Does anyone know why he chooses to sing in that weird voice? It doesn't match his speaking voice. The songs are soo cool, but I cannot get past that voice.
becksdollface Nice. Just learning Becks so it can only get better> I've been lucky enough to see Tom twice and there's no one better (I've seen a few too)... especially on his Rain Dogs tour
Jules Lukaweckyj you are fortunate to have seen Tom perform; I think tours are no longer in his plans, only the select one appearance shows. Now that Letterman has retired, there goes that option. And Letterman pulled down his show videos, recently. Keep playing! and thanks for the chat.
Thank you for your comment, Drew Byrne. This is a particularly nice version of this song & I appreciate that it hasn't been pulled down ... Tom is generous to his fans, no?
Sometimes we all wonder what is life suppose to be about, maybe its just appreciating little moments like hearing a line in one of Tom's songs and of course realizing you have spent most of your life having never heard of Tom Waits and being grateful that you now have heard him before your life ended....A House Where Nobody Lives...Thank you Tom
I have always thought this song represented all the boys my son brought home (aged 14-17) that never left including those who would visit from out of area and stay for weeks or months. There were a lot of good times and some not so good times but most of them are in their 40's now and doing well. I guess the law of averages dictates that some would be lost- to the streets, drugs, suicide and murder. The large majority that made it and got an education, developed new skills, from illegal graffiti artists to international muralists or musicians are so close to my heart as are the ones on the Nickel.
quite possibly the greatest 5 mins of live performance ever. pure magic. tom waits has the ability to capture your attention and tug at the ol heart strings like few have before or since. rarified air indeed.
@becksdollface I first discovered Tom Waits' music thirty years ago through a musician friend in upstate New York. There is something peculiarly compelling about his voice and the songs he writes. I always get the feeling that he is connecting the listener to deeper realities, pulling them up for us to see. And seldom have I heard a voice sing with the passion and resonance of Tom Waits. I also am a big fan of John Prine, another guy with a unique style. Check him out some time.
it seems like a lifetime ago when I would smoke a J and put on the earphones and Tom on the turntable (yes turntable) and just feel life roll on. In fact I guess it was a lifetime ago. So much is gone now yet I'm so glad Tom is still here.
Tom Waits is and always will be my favorite musician i love this song; i have never heard it before and when i finally did i almost cried. This amazing man always seems to pour every bit of his heart and soul into every song he does. so i would just like to take this moment to thank you Mr.Waits, you are so amazing and i would stack you up against any band or group in history
i saw Tom sing and play live in Melbourne Australia. A member of the audience got up and told him he was rubbish then left. Tom replied, "Sir, you have the I.Q. of a picket fence".
@becksdollface Thanks very much for doing that. I'm a member of a discussion forum called Non Sequitur: we embed images and videos to illustrate and illuminate our topics. Tom Waits is one of my favourite artists.
I did this song spoken word in rehab, only a couple "got it" and I felt everybody did in one way or another. but they just looked at me glazed over their heads. he is an inspiration to me, a living idol.
I have been a Tom Waits fan since 1980,I feel blessed that I found his music and my only regret is that my wife and I only saw him in concert one time.Mary Walsh if you are out there we saw you .Stu Sundquist
Great post, believe it was from an Australian talk show, forgot the name of the host. TW a true original, and IMO America's watchguard of the Blues for the last 3 decades.
N'aww. Every time I watch this, right at the beginning (when he says 'and they call it 'On the Nickel'') I get all emotional. You can tell that writing songs with subject matters like this means quite a lot to him (or did at the time anyway).
one of the best artist of all time, yes it's different sounding but man the meaning is way more powerful, not all got blessed, in fact most of us didn't so this is for us losers who keep going
hi Richard, thank you for your comment. his song & this particular performance always hits me for the truth he tells. yes, some have been blessed & many more just keep on, but we are all worthy of respect & grace. please reach out for help where you live; we do recover. Let me know if you are ok.
sometimes the music doesn't come from idols like Mick Jagger, it comes from worms like Tom Waits the ones who where actually homeless and gave there life to the music, Jimi Hendrix was one of those he said " I had to fight rats" for my stolen candy bar, it was my meal for the day. Folks I lived that life and still failed so oh well, Hey I gave all, and it came back in my recordings. Or atleast I can listen even now and say "dude you kicked ass" and smile cause ya it's true
learned to appreciate toms music by my brother,,, and now i really like his music,,, no, i don't like it,,, i love it,,, toms music is like a child... beautifull,,, inside and outside...
![TOM WAITS "On the Nickel" [LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN 1983]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/fi068_YlQvY/mqdefault.jpg)
![TOM WAITS "On the Nickel" [LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN 1983]](/img/tr.png)
![[Live] ศึกมหึมันส์มวยไทยสังเวียนเดือด เวทีมวยชั่วคราวสวนสยาม | จันทร์ 30 กันยายน 2567](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pM1k6f7JXUc/mqdefault.jpg)
My son who lives in heaven today he loved Mr. Tom's music. This was his favorite song of all time. I now today find myself enjoying his love. Thank you Mr. Tom for adding to my son's golden huge ❤️ heart.
hi Darlene, I am sorry to hear of your son's passing 🙏 thank you for your comment; sorry, my reply is a bit late. This song & Tom's performance are the best & glad I was able to upload so many years ago, ღ bdf
💜💜💜
I love you both so much!
What a beautiful thing to say
Damn Darlene. Sorry to hear, I hope you're doing well.
i once heard a man say "tom waits doesnt grow on you...tom waits grows inside of you." this song (again) supports this idea.
I HEARD THIS SONG MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS AGO.At that time I knew almost nothing of english ,but a repeated it and repeted and again and again for hours, literally. And I wept, from the beginning to end. Later on I learned the lyrics and understood them. But my heart was able to understand and feel it at the first note. And so it is now, listening to this precious gem again. And again I weep. And again my heart hurts . God bless Tom Waits and you for sharing . Amor e Gratidão , from Brasil.
God bless Tom Waits. Thank you, L. Campos for your story and your emotion.
This song always brings tears to my eyes. The magical thing about Tom Waits is that no one else sings a song with the raw emotion that he does. He's not just repeating lyrics, he's feeling them deep inside his own soul and that gets conveyed to the listener. He's a unique talent, a national treasure as far as I'm concerned.
@110296631756188809673 I thank you, Jack, makes me a bit weepy, too
Agree.
I think you hit the nail right on the head there mate.
I love his lyrics and instrumental, but his singing... Sounds like he is kidding. I cant take it seriously
@JackKangaroo1- What about Leon Russell "Singing This Song For You," or when Ray Charles sang "Georgia?"
Maybe this world is not that bad if my 16 yo son plays this song in his room right now.
Regards from Poland
***** Universal music from Tom Waits ... across time and place. Thank you for your comments.
***** That one thing just gave me hope, man!
***** If being the father of 5 gives me any "weight" in a discussion about kids... I have to say... You've done something right, yes you have.
+Adamodevadam your kid may be very cool. But there is no hope for the world. None, at all.
Congrats! I'm really happy for you
"What becomes of little boys who never say their prayers...."
It makes having to accept the concept of a power greater than oneself in a 12 step program damn hard sledding, feel me?
The world just keeps gettin bigger once you get out on your own..
What kind of memories are in this man's heart, that he can write songs like this?
Compassion, heart, feelings & understandings and an genius way of putting words together.
The Nickle was also a documentary about the homeless people who lived on 5th street in Los Angeles years ago. In the documentary, there was a pair of homeless men who had been friends as children and met up again years later on the nickle and bonded again hence " a royal flush can never beat a pair." Meaning that no matter what people such as the police etc. did they could never separate the two friends.
Rebecca Carter Hi Rebecca, thank you for the documentary info ... I will look for it. Tom's writing is an interesting story, I agree. And his performance is so compelling here ... thank you for taking time to leave your comments, it is appreciated. Thank you for the sub also.
Rebecca Carter that's not quite accurate. "On the Nickel" was made for TV movie, not a documentary.
So, Rebecca, I'm interested. Do you remember the name of the documentary? Thnx in advance!
I just took a screen shot of your comment, hope you dont mind
That’s cool
"I know a place where a royal flush
can never beat a pair."
genius... pure... genius.
What does he mean by that?
@@bandawhat33 A little context:
Tom Waits wrote this song for the movie “On the nickel” in which a former ‘hobo’ (man who overcame alcoholism and poverty) returns to skid row to his friend from his days as a ‘hobo’. His friend is still a hobo btw.
That being said, I think that on skid row, “a royal flush can never beat a pair” means that friendship (aka the pair) can never be broken by fortune (aka royal flush).
That’s my interpretation, anyway.
@@jarrydallynhorn8626 Thanks for the reply. That totally makes sense. It's a metaphor for a true friendship/ love.
@@bandawhat33 it's based on card games. A royal flush is the best hand in cards. A pair is the lowest scoring playable hand. So it's referring to how the people on 5th street could have the greatest hand in the world and never win a game of cards because they're just *that* down on their luck
@@weatheredseeker Wait that doesn't make any sense though. If you have a royal flush you basically know you won the game. Luck or no luck you'd have to be a fool to not play a winning hand.
Man! This is is such a great performance. I wish everyone "got" Tom. He is a musical Steinbeck.
mrbibblebabble I love this performance. The interview preceding this was with a TV host who did not seem to get Tom. I like your comment "musical Steinbeck" ... exactly!
Armentum , don’t get it
Obviously it’s the voice. I often wonder if I don’t have some type of autism, merely because I love his voice. My wife and best friend, however, can’t get past his voice. They love his early stuff (‘Closing Time’ and ‘The Heart of Saturday Night’); but they peace out somewhere in ‘Nighthawks at the Diner’. Lol As of today, I now own every album (original press) vinyl up to ‘Rain Dogs’.😎
That's such a perfect description. His artistry is unparalleled. I love how Neil Young introduced him when he was inducted into the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME.
@Coitus Handguns Oh hell yeah! I love Waits' harder shit. Hell Broke Luce (obviously), 90% of Bone Machine, 16 Shells..., Filipino Box Spring Hog, etc. The dude is amazing. And I concur about the voice. Even his slow songs sound Metal. \../
I love waltzing matilda at the end
This man is a legend. Seen him live once, loved it. One of the most special concerts I've ever seen...
waits uploaders all go to heaven
thank you for your comment! that all remains to be seen
He really is a genius and this is just one small but excellent example.
definitely!
Best version on TH-cam.
Simon Dunkan Thank you for your comment, Simon; I agree - this is the best version.
Every single time Tom sings, this feels like some kind of magic happens.
I know a place where a royal flush
Can never beat a pair...
ΙΚΑΡΟΣ ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΟΥ yeah a CROOKED CASINO
I've slept in the rain and it's terrible, but having it sang out loud makes it bearable somehow. just let's you know others have been there
Mark Fields when i did it the sgt told us it was character building. ...... he was lying !
@@davidharrison6615 thanks David it's my go to song when I'm feeling low I was a soldier too what branch were you I'm Army
@@markfields7824 navy 19years. Retired a long time ago. Stay safe brother.
described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."
Oh my, how appropriate!
The Nickle AKA - L.A.'s 5th Street, AKA - Skid row
My son, who is 15, says this is one of his favorite songs. I don't know what to make of that. I could have sworn that you had to have lived a certain amount of life to appreciate this. Just goes to show how sometimes the young ones are way past what we think they are. We best be careful, folks - they see far past what we give them credit for sometimes...
God damn it. Just god damn beautiful
You used the Lord's name in vain twice in one sentence.
Ever listen to 'Ruby's Arms'? Tom uses the Lord's name in vain twice too, quite tastefully, though.
@@YaoEspirito Italiano?
hold my beer i need a tissue,
Hold my tissue! I need a beer!
Sticks and stones will break my bones. About the greatest opening line ever. I saw this performance live and it still leaves me with chills.
Lucky bastard. Tom is the last artist remaining in my musical 'bucket list.' I've not yet had the privilege, but will go anywhere to make it happen.
So many of my friends just can't see the beauty inside the ugly when it comes to Tom Waits. There are times when I need to feel melancholy and I can live inbetween his words and melodies. I'm sure those that have been toched in a similar way will undestand what I'm trying to say. Very few singers can bring me to tears like Tom Waits and his magic can.
Tom is the man...not all appreciate him...but i do...my wedding program had the entire Johnsburg Illinois lyrics on it...i told everyone i would never marry a woman who didnt love him like i do...i was wrong..she loves him like i do now but that is more a testament to her patience than my convincing...but she loves me more than him...i think..so thats a start
congratulations!
I couldn't relate to someone who isn't moved at least by his early stuff...after 1980, it gets harder to get to...
Kenn Hiser "Bad as Me" is exceptional ...
Love you Tom, you pure heart so beautiful
Beautiful : Tom Waits is a unique genius !
Thanks
"I know a place where a royal flush...
Could never beat a pair!"
Chew on that genius for a while!
Blessings from Tampa, Fla
One of America's genius lyricists. I love this song so much. This song is not a hard luck sob story. He very accurately points the responsibility at the individual, but still manages to convey the tragedy, sadness, and compassion. Brilliant.
"You're always late for supper
man, you let me down again.."
that's the moment my heart breaks.
hi Tyler yes, that is the lyric of broken hearts. thank you for your thoughtful comment.
"I know a place where a royal flush can never beat a pair." - Simply brilliant...
God damn .this still makes me cry . Never fails
Oh, to have only been there.
His voice is gruff but I could listen to that all day. That is soul and passion in his voice.
Joshua Green probably my favorite artist to date.
I need to listen to more of him. Have you seen him in "The imaginarium of Dr. Parnasus" or what ever its called?
I was there. saw him live in '79, I was a teenager, and I'd seen this bizarre guy on late nite tv a month or two earlier. Went into the record store few days later and this was playing. He was more than just bizarre, he was brilliant. I grabbed Heartattack & Vine and played the grooves out. Suddenly I heard he was touring. A friend & I went & were blown away. Many of the songs were just him & the piano (which looked fairly sober), while he kept time by stomping his foot on the floor! World-changing!
I'm pretty sure I'm about half of the views.
Being from Brooklyn!! My favorite!! We didn't comb our hair!!
My Dear friend I have also lost a child. I understand your anguish.If Tom Waits serves as representation to a rememberance then it is justified.Tom Waits is a very emotional singer.To you ,as myself,I share your grief.God Rest you and your son,and my daughter. My name is also Gregory.
such a heart-wrenching performance! this is the definition of an artist.. i love this man, his music has reached my soul in way no other has. To see him live one day would be a dream of mine
Just awesome. Thanks so much.
This is the interview and the song that introduced me to Tom Waits. Was blown away. Don Lane show 1979 .
thank you for your comment. this particular performance of this song has that effect on me also.
One of the best artists on the planet
gut wrenching, real, art...thanks Tom.
Marie Briand thank you for taking time to write a comment, Marie ... agreed.
Gut wrenching, but very tenderly so. Only when Tom does that little arpeggio at the end you realize how much this musical magic was holding you by the heart.
"I thought I heard a Mockingbird, Roosevelt knows where" Mixing some of the greatest music ever written with some of the best memories I've ever known.
Mr. Waits NEVER fails to impress and entertain. He teaches me daily to LISTEN...
Mark8395217 hi Mark, thank you for leaving a comment. Listen, exactly! Tom & Kathleen Brennan create the greatest music today ... I just wish he would tour even some small clubs, in disguise, soon, I'm not getting younger
@mothergone If I ever make it to heven, I would love to meet your son. The first thing that I would tell him is, Your mother loves you now, and will always love you. The second thing that I would tell him is, "Sir, you have fine taste in music". The third thing that I would do in heven, is to make shure that mom knows that Gregory is doing just fine, day after day after day, helping people that are on the nickle.
Mutsuz olduğumda TH-cam da yorum atarım. Sanal zorba hepinize iyi geceler diler. bugün cumartesi sürüngenler dışarda çok içmemenizi öneririm. Benimse canım o kadar çok sıkılıyor ki
I wish there was a full instrumental of that last riff... breaks my heart.
Never tire of hearing this song, and goodness knows I've been listening to it for over 30 years, thank you great
The world keeps getting bigger, when you get out on your own......
Whenever my mom goes away, I usually smoke in the house, and everytime she does and I light one up at night, I always find myself putting this song and smoking to it. Only at night though. It's like my little routine and something I greatly look forward to. This song just goes absolutely perfectly with a night time relaxing smoke. Absolutely beautiful.
is that a screwdriver or a mimosa?
I agree with every word you say. I was so glad that he got inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many times the hall does not get it right but this time they did. ; )
this song can be described in one word . Legend !
This song starts with a gravelly growl that can only be compared to Louie Armstrong. Then, about thirty seconds later, you realize that you are listening to one of the most beautiful songs you've ever heard. This is a heartfelt lullaby to all the downtrodden, displaced, hurt, broken and lost souls in the world. And no one else can so suddenly transport the listener into another space and time quite like Tom Waits does. He is a unique and mysterious presence in the music world.
A beautiful song, I love his piano pieces
I'll never forget my introduction to Tom Waits. It was in college at a party and in the back room was this rustic bar that was dimly lit with a soft blue light and the smoke hung in the air like a dream. This strang music was eminating from the speakers the likes of which I had never heard before, all kinds of weird creeks and groans, off key and yet melodic all at the same time. Turns out it was Swordfishtrombones, Rain Dogs and Franks Wild Years, to say it grabbed me is an understatement.
If I ever make it on desert island discs I'll ask them to play this
Does anyone know why he chooses to sing in that weird voice? It doesn't match his speaking voice. The songs are soo cool, but I cannot get past that voice.
One of my favourite songs ever from my favourite artist/poet... bring tears to my eyes
Jules Lukaweckyj Jules, I think we can agree on this music. Thank you for your comment. I like your boogie woogie demo videos, very nice sound.
~bdf ღ
becksdollface Nice. Just learning Becks so it can only get better> I've been lucky enough to see Tom twice and there's no one better (I've seen a few too)... especially on his Rain Dogs tour
Jules Lukaweckyj you are fortunate to have seen Tom perform; I think tours are no longer in his plans, only the select one appearance shows. Now that Letterman has retired, there goes that option. And Letterman pulled down his show videos, recently.
Keep playing! and thanks for the chat.
My favorite artist is Johnny Cash.
@@CashPresley32 rip Johnny Cash 🙏
There is more soul in it than most churches could ever evoke
true there ღ bdf
This is a clip from The Don Lane Show in Australia back in '79.....when I saw and heard this I loved it and have been a fan ever since.
thank you for that bit of info. ღ bdf
Great version of one of my favorite songs, thank you for posting this gem!!
Thank you for your comment, Drew Byrne. This is a particularly nice version of this song & I appreciate that it hasn't been pulled down ... Tom is generous to his fans, no?
Lived on the Nickel for a while. Thank you, Tom.......
hi Ped Xing, I am so sorry to hear of your past experience; I hope things are better for you today 🙏
I can only watch this occasionally. Its very emotionally draining.
yes but it is the song that I love the best, ღ bdf
You're so absolutely correct Jack:
"I know a place where a royal flush can never beat a pair"
The first time I heard this I was mesmerized. I was stunned. I was perplexed. Was it good?
Now I know. It's a masterpiece
If all I've lived was to hear this, it was worth it.
RodCornholio thank you for your comment, Rod ... I can appreciate that feeling
Also share the same sentiment! Blessings
Sometimes we all wonder what is life suppose to be about, maybe its just appreciating little moments like hearing a line in one of Tom's songs and of course realizing you have spent most of your life having never heard of Tom Waits and being grateful that you now have heard him before your life ended....A House Where Nobody Lives...Thank you Tom
Good-size screwdriver sitting next to the ashtray.
This is one of my favourite performances of his.
+Georgi Terziev mine too. I had to save it & upload before I lost it. And grateful to Tom Waits.
Always one of my favorite Tom Waits songs. Would love to hear Norah Jones sing this. Especially if she wore the hat.
I have always thought this song represented all the boys my son brought home (aged 14-17) that never left including those who would visit from out of area and stay for weeks or months. There were a lot of good times and some not so good times but most of them are in their 40's now and doing well. I guess the law of averages dictates that some would be lost- to the streets, drugs, suicide and murder. The large majority that made it and got an education, developed new skills, from illegal graffiti artists to international muralists or musicians are so close to my heart as are the ones on the Nickel.
quite possibly the greatest 5 mins of live performance ever. pure magic. tom waits has the ability to capture your attention and tug at the ol heart strings like few have before or since. rarified air indeed.
legendary. absolutely beautiful.
@becksdollface I first discovered Tom Waits' music thirty years ago through a musician friend in upstate New York. There is something peculiarly compelling about his voice and the songs he writes. I always get the feeling that he is connecting the listener to deeper realities, pulling them up for us to see. And seldom have I heard a voice sing with the passion and resonance of Tom Waits.
I also am a big fan of John Prine, another guy with a unique style. Check him out some time.
Play this at my funeral.
i was always skipping this video on my tom waits-youtube searching. best nickel version ive heard. the coda is priceless.
Beautiful song.
Man you let me down again!!!
can be the saddest thing to be told ...
Yeah ....so true!
im on the nicjkle and i dont care thankyou tom
Jane Kwiatkowski there is always hope, ask Tom.
it seems like a lifetime ago when I would smoke a J and put on the earphones and Tom on the turntable (yes turntable) and just feel life roll on. In fact I guess it was a lifetime ago. So much is gone now yet I'm so glad Tom is still here.
This performance is tradition. It's not New Years Eve without The Nickel.
Happy New Year every day for those in recovery ღ bdf
"Thank you" is all I can say.
Perry Mike you are welcome, Mike... but I'm sure you mean your thanks to Tom Waits ... me too, bdf ;)
Tom Waits is and always will be my favorite musician i love this song; i have never heard it before and when i finally did i almost cried. This amazing man always seems to pour every bit of his heart and soul into every song he does. so i would just like to take this moment to thank you Mr.Waits, you are so amazing and i would stack you up against any band or group in history
i saw Tom sing and play live in Melbourne Australia. A member of the audience got up and told him he was rubbish then left. Tom replied, "Sir, you have the I.Q. of a picket fence".
thank you for this comment; I can just hear him and it makes me laugh. sorry I missed this 4 years ago.
@becksdollface Thanks very much for doing that. I'm a member of a discussion forum called Non Sequitur: we embed images and videos to illustrate and illuminate our topics. Tom Waits is one of my favourite artists.
I did this song spoken word in rehab, only a couple "got it" and I felt everybody did in one way or another. but they just looked at me glazed over their heads. he is an inspiration to me, a living idol.
I have been a Tom Waits fan since 1980,I feel blessed that I found his music and my only regret is that my wife and I only saw him in concert one time.Mary Walsh if you are out there we saw you .Stu Sundquist
hi Stuart, thank you for your comment. we are all blessed, I think, and I am glad yt let me keep this upload on my channel.
@@becksdollface Back at you dollface
Great post, believe it was from an Australian talk show, forgot the name of the host.
TW a true original, and IMO America's watchguard of the Blues for the last 3 decades.
@ JackKangaroo1 You are 100 percent correct the gutteral rawness makes you savor the good times we have left!
you nailed it!!!
N'aww. Every time I watch this, right at the beginning (when he says 'and they call it 'On the Nickel'') I get all emotional. You can tell that writing songs with subject matters like this means quite a lot to him (or did at the time anyway).
@mothergone So sorry you lost your son mothergone. I hope that you know the joy he felt listening to Tom.
one of the best artist of all time, yes it's different sounding but man the meaning is way more powerful, not all got blessed, in fact most of us didn't so this is for us losers who keep going
hi Richard, thank you for your comment. his song & this particular performance always hits me for the truth he tells. yes, some have been blessed & many more just keep on, but we are all worthy of respect & grace. please reach out for help where you live; we do recover. Let me know if you are ok.
sometimes the music doesn't come from idols like Mick Jagger, it comes from worms like Tom Waits the ones who where actually homeless and gave there life to the music, Jimi Hendrix was one of those he said " I had to fight rats" for my stolen candy bar, it was my meal for the day. Folks I lived that life and still failed so oh well, Hey I gave all, and it came back in my recordings. Or atleast I can listen even now and say "dude you kicked ass" and smile cause ya it's true
learned to appreciate toms music by my brother,,, and now i really like his music,,, no, i don't like it,,, i love it,,, toms music is like a child... beautifull,,, inside and outside...
So... Beautiful... Everytime I hear this song I seems that I have some dust in my eyes.
What a story teller.
Theme song of the 1985 movie, "The Atlanta Child Murders"
@FairGoodStrong 'skid row' in Los Angeles is on 5th Street & a nickel is worth 5 cents so 'on the nickel' is like saying 'skid row' or on 5th Street
Imagine being that talented!!
Oh god, his piano composition is so simple but so beautiful.
It is.
Good God that voice just rips out my heart! Thank you Tom Waits