Tom Waits-ish pop song

March 13, 2014 5:38 PM

There's a popular track on the radio these days that sounds a little like Tom Waits. Maybe like his tune "Clap Hands" (though not exactly). Its repeated chorus ends with a dude with a distorted voice saying something like "[word] up."

I have no idea what that [word] is... I wanna say "flay up" - which makes no sense, I know.

Any help?

posted by punkbitch to Society & Culture (8 answers total)

Does the singer wear a codpiece? It could be Cameo's "Word Up".
posted by Cosine at 6:04 PM on March 13, 2014

Response by poster: Nah, it isn't that. it's a bit... darker? very new I'd say.
posted by punkbitch at 6:29 PM on March 13, 2014

I think it's Top of the Hill by Tom Waits himself. (album is Real Gone)
posted by spbmp at 6:34 PM on March 13, 2014

Wait a minute, I missed the part about popular on the radio these days. Maybe someone sampled that Waits track, or maybe I'm just wrong.
posted by spbmp at 6:36 PM on March 13, 2014

Response by poster: I own that Waits album. This (new, pop,) song has more of a Hoist That Rag feel.
posted by punkbitch at 6:38 PM on March 13, 2014

Response by poster: If "pop" has a more technical definition than "popular" I could be wrong about genre, I suppose.
posted by punkbitch at 6:39 PM on March 13, 2014

I have no idea if they made it to pop radio but search for July Talk and listen to their songs (album by same name). I only know one song by them (paper girl) and it's not that song, but the singer has a sort of Waits-ian voice
posted by edgeways at 7:19 PM on March 13, 2014

Response by poster: It's "Sail" by Awolnation. My girlfriend figured it out, but thanks mefites!
posted by punkbitch at 7:33 PM on March 13, 2014 [2 favorites]