My theme this Monday through Friday is artists who I have somehow never managed to listen to despite high praise from fans and critics alike. The next five selections are all people or groups who I’m very much aware of without hearing a note of their music.
I’m not talking about somebody like Neil Young, who I have consciously decided to avoid because I dislike his voice. I’m talking about artists who, through bad luck or happenstance, have just never crossed my radar. Here’s their chance.
When I came up with this theme, the first artist I sought out was Tom Waits. I’ve heard so many great things about him but my knowledge of his work is limited to acting appearances in such films as The Fisher King and Short Cuts.
To choose a song for the blog, I went to his most celebrated album (Rain Dogs) and picked the song that got the most attention on AllMusic, iTunes and elsewhere across the Web. It turned out to be ‘Downtown Train.’
Turns out this song made a commercial splash when covered by Rod Stewart, and I might have actually heard that version before. But like many Rod Stewart covers, it’s far more interesting in its original form. No offense to Stewart, but he seems to water down the songs he covers (see ‘ Broken Arrow‘).
The first thing that stands out to me about this song is that the lyrics are really first-rate. As a big fan of lyrics, that gets me in Waits’ corner right off the bat. “I’m shining like a new dime,” “they’re just thorns without the rose,” “another yellow moon has punched a hole in the nighttime” — good stuff. The song reminds me a lot of Bruce Springsteen’s early work.
The voice is a bit of a stumbling block, however. It’s unique, that’s for sure, and it does work in this song. But I don’t know if I could listen to whole albums of Waits’ broken vocals. I am curious enough to seek out some more of his material, though. If there are any Waits fans out there, please leave some suggestions in the comments.
Has punched a hole in the nighttime, yes
I climb through the window and down to the street
I’m shining like a new dime
The downtown trains are full with all of those Brooklyn girls
They try so hard to break out of their little worlds
Well you wave your hand and they scatter like crows
They have nothing that will ever capture your heart
They’re just thorns without the rose
Be careful of them in the dark
Oh, if I was the one you chose to be your only one
Oh baby can’t you hear me now, can’t you hear me now
Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
Every night it’s just the same, you leave me lonely now
I know your window and I know it’s late
I know your stairs and your doorway
I walk down your street and past your gate
I stand by the light at the four-way
You watch them as they fall, oh baby, they all have heart attacks
They stay at the carnival, but they’ll never win you back
Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
Every night is just the same
Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
All of my dreams they fall like rain, oh baby on a downtown train
Meet Me In Montauk 
He reminds me quite a bit of Springsteen, and, truth is, I don’t even listen to Springsteen (especially the earlier, raw stuff) all that much. So I certainly can’t imagine devoting much time to Waits (regardless of how talented he is). I did like him in Short Cuts.
So is this theme week a backhanded way to recognize your birthday? Wondering how you’ve managed to live as long as you have and somehow manage to miss the five artists you feature this week? Just a reminder – you’re doing better than most of us 😉 Happy Birthday!
Stewart’s cover was all over the radio–hard to imagine how you didn’t hear it 100 times. And I agree, Stewart usuaully flattens great songs that he covers, including this one. I like this original better than the cover with which I am far more familiar.
Oh, and happy birthday!:)
I don’t really care for this, and if you hadn’t printed the lyrics, I don’t think I could understand what he was singing; hope you have a wonderful birthday today!
I never heard the Stewart version before, either.
Happy Birthday!
I have to tell you, I had only heard the Rod Stewart version (played ad nauseum on the radio some years ago…) until now. Although I like the music in this original version much better, hearing Tom Waits sing the song creeps me out. Serioulsy, he sounds like a stalker and I would be scared to death if he was serenading me with this song…
The Rod Stewart version is watered down, and has a totally different feel as a result (a far less threatening feel). 🙂
Interesting theme week. Can’t wait to see what else you come up with.
He definitely has one of the weirdest voices in the business.
Amy, this theme wasn’t intentional for my birthday week… maybe my subconscious is making a point.