Tom Waits - Blue Valentine (1978) DayOne Reacts 

Tom Waits is a genius. I rest my case.

There is no middle ground with Mr. Waits; you love his music or don't. I for one love and admire his tunes. He defines the meaning of unique.

Tom is an amazing song writer and musician and singer.

It is said to be true that when ever Tom Waits starts to sing, an angel sits down and opens a bottle of wiskey. He is the patron saint for those of us who are broken and lost, yet still believe in hope.

Tom Waits is a wonderful songwriter. His voice is an acquired taste, but if you listen, it is so heartfelt and deep. Many of his songs are very sad, about lost love, old age, alcoholism, and loneliness, but he has the perfect voice for it. Bette Midler is a huge fan of his and has done some of his songs, one was a duet with him, "I Never Talk to Strangers". There is a video of her singing "Martha" on SNL on RU-vid. It's heartbreaking. Also, The Eagles recorded his song "Ol '55 "which is also beautiful.

Tom is not for everyone, but I can listen to him every day. His musical catalog is huge and varied.

Tom Waits is a genius.

Favourite Tom Waits quote- There is no Devil, there is just God when he drinks.

What a fine reaction Angela, one of your best. It's gratifying to see you deeply moved by this brilliant vocalist, lyricist and raconteur, whose prolific repertoire spans several genres. Your observations about relationships were apt and sensitive. Well done, ma'am.

Tom Waits is 100% unique in every respect. There are so many incredible songs to listen to but my two favourites are 'Invitation to the blues' and 'Kentucky Avenue'.

He is an incredible lyricist - some people don't like his voice. Listen to his song "The Piano Has Been Drinking."

Whiskey sipping music, loved it

This song is sitting in a hot smoke filled room somewhere in the south as the summer sun goes down sippin whiskey under a fan with a rolled one between the fingers about to go out.

Your openness to the dissonance found in the music/lyrics of some of his songs is wonderful. Other of his songs are beautiful,silly,dark,poetic, or just weird. Thanks for sharing his catelogue.

I love Tom, and this one is in my top 3 of his.

His “House Where Nobody Lives” will break your heart. The LIVE version from Jay Leno Show is amazing.

Tom makes me happy...genius of the highest level his songs are often sad, beautiful, heartbreaking yet heartwarming or comedic poetic often in the the same song and what a performer and other great songwriters like Bob Dylan call him their songwriting inspiration or Leonard Cohen who even wrote a poem about how jealous he was of Tom

Waits songwriting is second to none. His voice fits his songs perfectly, like it or not 😂

Tom Waits is the unknown inspiration for very many modern artists. His ability to communicate reality far surpasses most others. Just listen to musicians who list their inspirations and often his name will appear. Listen to "Romeo is Bleeding" ... really listen. First you think you know what is about, then you see you were wrong, and someday you will truly understand. I have heard it referred to as "the greatest blues song ever written." Yet only the lucky even knows it exists. Blue Valentine is my most favorite musical possession. The entire album. If you want to see him act, "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs."

Beautiful reaction. Other Tom Waits masterpieces from this era ~ Heartattack & Vine ; Downtown ; Ruby’s Arms ; A soldier’s things ; 16 shells from a thirty ought six ; In the neighbourhood

You won't find a better singer. And I actually mean that. His songwriting? Another level...

I can appreciate what you said at the end! I totally get the meaning of your reaction and response! Personally, I tend to be an empath, and I feel things meaningfully and profoundly, so these types of songs literally wound me emotionally, and it's not a pleasant feeling! I could elaborate, but I won't! Goodbye!

Really awesome! 😅

I recommend Ruby’s Arms, equally emotional but less painful

Back in 1975 Scottsdale Arizona went to see Tom with John Hammond Jr a Great bluesman In his own, right. My buddy and myself got there early. We were the only ones in the bar and out from the back walk Tom we stood at the bar for 10-15 minutes. and talked with Tom one of the coolest dudes I’ve ever met. He even bought me and my buddy a beer. What a great night of music and blues. You really need to check out John also.a night I’ll always remember.

Torture songs definitely exist for guys too. And play again if it didn’t hit right the first time! 🤛😎👍 Great reaction. Definitely explore more Tom Waits. His Austin City Limits 1978 show is my favorite all the way through. “The Heart of Saturday Night” is my favorite album in its entirety. “Chocolate Jesus” from The David Letterman Show (all his DLS performances) is awesome. Enjoy the ride, it’s a bumpy one down a gravelly road, but well worth the trip.

I think Tom Waits was cast as Renfield in "Bram Stoker's Dracula" released in 1992 starring Gary Oldman as Count Dracula. I am not sure if Waits acted in anything else though he did a decent job in the film.

I wish I met someone like you 35 years ago. Its too late now in life for many things.

Wow - this song's a pretty steep jumping-in point. I kinda thought you'd be runnin' away like your hair was on fire after a couple of bars. But you didn't. I'm impressed. You just listened with an open mind and heart. Maybe hear a couple less daunting tunes: Take It With Me or Diamonds on My Windshield. Tom's so worth getting into.

What a great romance mystery! Just think about it. How does she do it? He changed his name, he’s constantly changing his address, because he’s obviously a fugitive on the run. So how can she send him a valentine each year, whereever he goes? I thought, maybe he just imagines these cards, because Valentine’s Day brings back all these memories of past happyness. But there’s this line: „Why do I save all this madness here in the nightstand drawer?“ The cards are real. He collects them. He cherishes them so much. As long as she still hasn’t forgotten him, his life hasn’t been a total failure. So how does she do it? Has she hired a private eye to track him? To keep watch over him? To keep him safe, possibly? But if she knows where he lives, why doesn’t she come to meet him? He obviously can’t go to Philadelphia without getting arrested, but she could meet him out in the desert, where he lives. I imagine she doesn’t, because she’s married with kids now. She married a rich guy, who can afford this private eye she hires each year to keep track of her old love. Her husband knows about the whole thing, no one is cheated here, he accepted this as the only condition for her to marry him. „You have to help me keep track of this one guy I’ll never meet again.“ She’s playing with open cards here, and the colour of her cards is blue.

Great call!! First saw him on Soundstage in the 1970s

That voice! I like to think of it as the voice that got run over by a dump truck but keeps going. Hoarse, rattling, relentless. Check out his rendition of "Big In Japan"

🤘🤘

I thought this was a cool unusual song. The singing reminded me a bit of Count Basie and set to that gentle guitar in the background ,really affective and good-Colin Ward

I read the 2 comments that are up right now! What polar opposite opinions! We humans are so fickle and critical aren't we? Being honest, this tune is not my cup of tea! So long fellow people! Have a good one!

I paid to have Dayone react react to Tom Waits' :"God's away on business" a couple of years ago. She was unable to put together that this was the same artist. I am respectfully out. Peace.

The parts that I "somewhat" liked,I didn't like them enough to make me want to hear it again.

This isn't nearly the best of Tom Waits, he has tons of way better. Most of his stuff though is hard and heavy, in a way most people don't understand, or can much less tolerate. If you want to hear some of his best work, listen to the song, "Cold cold ground".

Good lord that song was horrible