Looking for a definitive list of Tom Waits's spoken word tracks
January 12, 2008 10:17 AM

I'm looking for a definitive list of Tom Waits's spoken word tracks.

I realise that sometimes Wait's vocal style stretches the verb that is "sing" but I'm after things that are obviously spoken word, for example Army Ants; Children's Story; What's He Building In There and Circus. The One That Got Away has a tiny bit of singing in it, but probably passes muster for what I'm after. Thanks.
posted by TheDonF to Media & Arts (14 answers total)
Well, people don't seem to be biting on the definite thing, so how about we compile our own and hopefully it'll end up definitive.
posted by TheDonF at 11:36 AM on January 12, 2008


Frank's wild years?
posted by kenchie at 12:11 PM on January 12, 2008


I just happened to listen to one. "Frank's Wild Years" on Swordfishtrombones (not on Franks Wild Years).
posted by Flunkie at 12:13 PM on January 12, 2008


Frank's Wild Years
9th and Hennepin

Maybe:
Lucky Day Overture
Crossroads
Flash Pan Hunter (every second or third line in this one seems more like singing, though)
posted by dilettante at 12:17 PM on January 12, 2008


The Ocean Doesn't Want Me

Forgot that one.
posted by dilettante at 12:22 PM on January 12, 2008




Trouble's Braids
posted by umbú at 1:12 PM on January 12, 2008


Watch Her Disappear, on Alice
posted by brookedel at 2:16 PM on January 12, 2008


Most of Nighthawks at the Diner:
  • Emotional Weather Report
  • Putnam Country
  • Big Joe and Phantom 309
  • Spare Parts II
The other tracks have plenty of spoken on there too.
posted by fvw at 4:42 PM on January 12, 2008


Step Right Up is sort of singy-talking. I never really thought of it as singing, but that's sort of what you were talking about in your question.
posted by chococat at 7:31 PM on January 12, 2008


Don't forget one of the most terrifying songs ever, What's He Building In There
posted by khaibit at 1:59 PM on January 14, 2008


Or I could have read the rest of the question
posted by khaibit at 1:59 PM on January 14, 2008


Along with your Army Ants and Children's Story examples, other spoken word tracks on the Bastards disc of his Orphans set: First Kiss; Nirvana; The Pontiac; and I would probably also include Spidey's Wild Ride.
posted by KatlaDragon at 2:29 PM on January 14, 2008


"Shore leave" is half spoken and half sung. Saw him do an amazing version of "9th and Hennepin" in Edinburgh last night.
posted by rongorongo at 1:09 AM on July 29, 2008


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