Tom Waits - "Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis" (Live at Austin City Limits, 1978) 

I always get teary when I listen to this song- all year round. Tom can move me to laughter or tears. I'm currently in a hospital bed and just played Shake, Rattle and Roll- the patient next to me thinks I'm a nutter becuz I quietly did those howls- I highly recommend the great Tom Waits to anybody who needs a shoulder to cry on or a metaphorical hug and oh yeah, I don't wanna grow up either...Love you Tom. Namaste from Canada

One of the best live performances in history, period.

A true Masterpiece.

More soulful and packed with meaning than any other Christmas carol I've ever heard.

You know you are a great artist when people enjoy your music 43 years later. I am 33 and was'nt even born when this took place. And I am very sad to be born in the wrong time.

My favourite Christmas song ever. So heartbreaking.

Someday I hope to visit Tom Waits home planet damn I'll bet it's Groovy

The 1978 crowd are oblivious to the tragedy... Tom Waits is amazing.

I fucking love this version. Just the best Christmas song ever.

There is great power in music. Thank you for this one, Tom Waits.

What a legend

This version of the song never fails to make me cry. Love you so much, Tom.

The way there's such desperation yet hope in the character is testament to the lyricism of a genius. Live this song aches in poignancy, and delivered by a craftsman. A video that everybody who ever meant anything to you should hear. Share the beauty

That one dislike is from charlie himself

A Nobel Prize for this man as well

Every time,yes,every time listen to this song,tears keep on falling

Merry Christmas everyone!

Classic

Merry Christmas, everybody!

The quality of this video is amazing

Man. This is everything. Rough Christmas. First time was decades ago with another rough one. Thanks. Means lot

If you don't think this song is beautiful, you have no idea what it means to be down and out, broke, and addicted. I know all kinds of people just like this hooker from Minneapolis... I understand her. I left Omaha 14 years ago, and have been 100% sober since, I won't ever go back.

I’ve watched the other version in poor quality again and again over the years. Thank you for this incredible version 🙂

Merry Christmas everyone :)

No dislikes!!!!!! The world has been put to right x

Beautiful.

!!!

Qualquer dia é natal com esse vídeo

Only performer that I can not cover. Whenever I try I just find myself trying to do exactly what Tom does. Since theres no way I can, I just let it go. I am NOT experienced enough to cover King. Long live good sir, long live.

❤️

Wow

I've seen lots of Waits videos and own all the albums. This vid is special for showing the relaxed and musically solid style in this amazing man. I like artists that never play the same song the same way twice... \\\\\

Can I like this twice ?

This is not a song. This is a whole Universe. A movie made by all great American directors at once, from John Ford to Lynch, Scorcese and Tarantino rolled into one... This is a life in a nutshell. Five and a half minutes of greatness.

❤🙏

on repeat

The realest OG

happy vday

minneapolis is burning dude

Always wondered about people laughing.

I can hear Waits' greasy cigarette smelling voice as a woman, its nuts he pulls off such a crazy performance

The one dislike is someone who didn't like the song.

P.

Just found out that it is a lie that this song was inspired by a Bukowski poem. Someone made that up and it lived on the internet for years.

That audience got NOTHING

I like how Tom makes the audience think that the song is a big joke, and then he gives then a kick right in the guts, and they realize that the song really isn't funny at all. The saddest Christmas song ever recorded.

I know and agree with the meme that Freddie Mercury is god but Tom Waits makes me polytheistic

❤