There are a select few musicians that possess a undeniably unique sound. Each decade has owned a few as a handful come to mind: Elvis, Aretha Franklin, John Lennon, John Fogerty, Steven Tyler, Steve Perry, Eddie Vedder, Bono, and maybe even Chris Martin these days. Though Tom Waits would certainly fit snug within this subset of artists, he is often overlooked on a handful of levels. A prolific songwriter, Waits has released over 20 albums with his growl-like voice that has in return earned him the company of two Grammys. Waits’ music is often recognized more-so via the prominent musicians that has covered his work - Springsteen with “Jersey Girl” and Rod Stewart with “Downtown Train” to name a couple. After scoring his first soundtrack with film icon Francis Ford Coppola, with One from the Heart (received Academy Award nomination), he has spent a significant portion of his career in the film industry - not only as a musician but actor (Coffee and Cigarettes, The Fisher King, Dracula).
Although Waits is often “typecast” as an 80s musician with theatrical tendencies, he has had a profound impact on the arts. VH1 recognized him as one of the most influential artists of all times and Paste Magazine gave him and his counterpart, Kathleen Brennan, the #4 spot on their “100 Best Living Songwriters” list. I figured a tribute was due after seeing the following video yesterday. “Come on Up to the House” is off of his 1999 Album Mule Variations (which he won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album). As much of his work in the last decade, this song lends itself to a soulful gospel sound - full of spiritualesque cries. Although unverified, the following seems to be “unofficial” and directed by Anders Lövgren. Plenty could be discussed. Lyrics are below.
Subscribe to YouTube Videos at:http://youtube.com/rednowtv Come On Up To the House Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan
Well the moon is broken And the sky is cracked Come on up to the house The only things that you can see Is all that you lack Come on up to the house
All your cryin don’t do no good Come on up to the house Come down off the cross We can use the wood Come on up to the house
Come on up to the house Come on up to the house The world is not my home I’m just a passin thru Come on up to the house
There’s no light in the tunnel No irons in the fire Come on up to the house And your singin lead soprano In a junkman’s choir You gotta come on up to the house
Does life seem nasty, brutish and short Come on up to the house The seas are stormy And you can’t find no port Come on up to the house There’s nothin in the world
(Chorus)
there’s nothin in the world that you can do you gotta come on up to the house and you been whipped by the forces that are inside you come on up to the house well you’re high on top of your mountain of woe come on up to the house well you know you should surrender but you can’t let go you gotta come on up to the house
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