Tag Archives: Rain Dogs

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Song of the Day #6,232: ‘Rain Dogs’ – Tom Waits

The final inductee from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011 is singer-songwriter Tom Waits. Waits was eligible starting in 1999 and made it in the first year he was nominated.

I have very little familiarity with Waits’ discography, and I can’t say I enjoy listening to the songs I have heard, but I have no issue whatsoever with his inclusion in the Rock Hall. He is an iconic figure and a singular talent, an artist who has crossed and blended genres and influenced a generation of musicians.

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Song of the Day #3,054: ‘Union Square’ – Tom Waits

waitsHere’s my first Tom Waits song since February of 2013, when another track from Rain Dogs popped up as a Random iTunes Weekend selection. As usual, this is the first time I’ve heard a song from that album since that earlier post.

I’ve never paid much attention to Waits, though he’s clearly worthy of it. He’s particularly effective as a poet of the streets, a role Bruce Springsteen rode to much greater heights.

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Song of the Day #1,675: ‘Hang Down Your Head’ – Tom Waits

waitsI downloaded Tom Waits classic 1985 album Rain Dogs because it’s one of those records that serious music lovers needs to know. Sort of the way that serious film lovers need to have seen Taxi Driver.

I haven’t actually listened to the whole thing through yet so today’s random selection is new to me. I like it well enough.

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Song of the Day #144: ‘Downtown Train’ – Tom Waits

waitsMy 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.

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