I don't think Tom Waits should be covered...ever. It's just always a bad idea. Don't tell that to Rod Stewart. While it's interesting to hear this song song sung by a female, without the gravel it's just too clean, you know? This is one where you take out your flask and sigh...
Tom Waits - Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis
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Neko Case - Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis
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"Hey Charlie, I'm pregnant
And living on the 9th Street
Right above a dirty bookstore
Off Euclid Avenue
And I stopped takin dope
And I quit drinkin whiskey
And my old man plays the trombone
And works out at the track
And he says that he loves me
Even though its not his baby
And he says that he'll raise him up
Like he would his own son
And he gave me a ring
That was worn by his mother
And he takes me out dancin
Every saturday night.
And hey Charlie I think about you
Every time I pass a fillin station
On account of all the grease
You used to wear in your hair
And I still have that record
Of Little Anthony & the Imperials
But someone stole my record player
Now how do you like that?
Hey Charlie I almost went crazy
After Mario got busted
So I went back to Omaha to
Live with my folks
But everyone I used to know
Was either dead or in prison
So I came back to Minneapolis
This time I think I'm gonna stay.
Hey Charlie I think I'm happy
For the first time since my accident
And I wish I had all the money
That we used to spend on dope
I'd buy me a used car lot
And I wouldn't sell any of em
I'd just drive a different car
Every day, dependin on how
I feel
Hey Charlie for chrissakes
Do you want to know the
Truth of it?
I don't have a husband
He don't play the trombone
And I need to borrow money
To pay this lawyer
And Charlie, hey
I'll be eligible for parole
Come valentines day"
Tom Waits - Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis
3 comments:
Tom Waits is my personal God.
Every one likes him too, is my brother :P hehe
nice post,
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I agree with this sentiment. I like Neko Case, but her version of this song sounds too traditional and dare I say a bit phoned in compared to the original (sorry Neko). Waits' rendition just kills. Should not be covered, at least not in this manner. When she sings about the guy getting busted, she sings with a sense of irony, while Waits actually FEELS the act of his good friend getting busted.
The first thing that get your attention. It is the word "Hooker". It would be the same with the word generic viagra-
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