 Mule Variations (1999) [ larger cover art ] |
Share this song
Tweet this song
Wikipedia search
Musicbrainz DB;){kind=link}
They hung a sign up in our town
"If you live it up, you won't live it down"
So she left Monte Rio, son
Just like a bullet leaves a gun
With her charcoal eyes and Monroe hips
She went and took that California trip
Oh, the moon was gold, her hair like wind
Said, 'Don't look back, just come on, Jim'
Oh, you got to hold on, hold on
You gotta hold on
Take my hand, I'm standing right here
You gotta hold on
Well, he gave her a dimestore watch
And a ring made from a spoon
Everyone's looking for someone to blame
When you share my bed, you share my name
Well, go ahead and call the cops
You don't meet nice girls in coffee shops
She said, 'Baby, I still love you'
Sometimes there's nothin' left to do
Oh, but you got to hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
And take my hand, I'm standing right here
You gotta hold on
Well, God bless your crooked little heart
St. Louis got the best of me
I miss your broken China voice
How I wish you were still here with me
Oh, you build it up, you wreck it down
Then you burn your mansion to the ground
Oh, there's nothing left to keep you here
But when you're falling behind in this big blue world
Oh, you've got to hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
Take my hand, I'm standing right here
You gotta hold on
Down by the Riverside motel
It's 10 below and falling
By a 99 cent store
She closed her eyes and started swaying
But it's so hard to dance that way
When it's cold and there's no music
Oh, your old hometown's so far away
But inside your head there's a record that's playing
A song called 'Hold On', hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
Take my hand, I'm standing right there
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
Take my hand, I'm standing right there
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
And take my hand, I'm standing right here
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
And take my hand, I'm standing right here
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on, baby
You gotta hold on, girl
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
"If you live it up, you won't live it down"
So she left Monte Rio, son
Just like a bullet leaves a gun
With her charcoal eyes and Monroe hips
She went and took that California trip
Oh, the moon was gold, her hair like wind
Said, 'Don't look back, just come on, Jim'
Oh, you got to hold on, hold on
You gotta hold on
Take my hand, I'm standing right here
You gotta hold on
Well, he gave her a dimestore watch
And a ring made from a spoon
Everyone's looking for someone to blame
When you share my bed, you share my name
Well, go ahead and call the cops
You don't meet nice girls in coffee shops
She said, 'Baby, I still love you'
Sometimes there's nothin' left to do
Oh, but you got to hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
And take my hand, I'm standing right here
You gotta hold on
Well, God bless your crooked little heart
St. Louis got the best of me
I miss your broken China voice
How I wish you were still here with me
Oh, you build it up, you wreck it down
Then you burn your mansion to the ground
Oh, there's nothing left to keep you here
But when you're falling behind in this big blue world
Oh, you've got to hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
Take my hand, I'm standing right here
You gotta hold on
Down by the Riverside motel
It's 10 below and falling
By a 99 cent store
She closed her eyes and started swaying
But it's so hard to dance that way
When it's cold and there's no music
Oh, your old hometown's so far away
But inside your head there's a record that's playing
A song called 'Hold On', hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
Take my hand, I'm standing right there
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
Take my hand, I'm standing right there
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
And take my hand, I'm standing right here
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
And take my hand, I'm standing right here
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on, baby
You gotta hold on, girl
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
| unclehud (now 50 feet above the planet in Boston) | Posted: May 04, 2013 - 18:48 Desperation? Ferocity? Parental guidance? Whatever; this is good. |
| TerryS (Another SW) | Posted: Feb 15, 2013 - 19:39 'Hell Broke Luce' features Marc Ribot and Keith Richards on guitar, Flea on bass and Waits' son Casey on drums. Read more at http://www.nme.com/news/tom-waits/65382#ILT5YzXx7uQi7UlO.99 Quickly now, somebody, please upload this. |
| hidey (NZ) | Posted: Dec 30, 2012 - 12:05 Amazing album, lovely tune. Can't get enough. |
| SweTex (Swede living in Texas) | Posted: Dec 17, 2012 - 10:33 lily34 wrote: damn you. Huh? |
| lily34 (GTFO) | Posted: Dec 15, 2012 - 01:32 damn you. |
| On_The_Beach (The Blue Planet) | Posted: Nov 13, 2012 - 22:19 SweTex wrote: I hate it when people compare Tom Waits to God. I mean, sure he's great, but he's no Tom Waits.  |
| SweTex (Swede living in Texas) | Posted: Nov 13, 2012 - 17:45 I hate it when people compare Tom Waits to God. I mean, sure he's great, but he's no Tom Waits. |
| MuzikLover | Posted: Nov 13, 2012 - 16:44 Reminds me of Leonard Cohen. |
| steeler (Perched on the precipice of the cauldron of truth) | Posted: Sep 27, 2012 - 07:25 The juxtaposition of Tom's gravelly voice and the evocative lyrics makes this song unique and subtly powerful. |
| Proclivities (Carrboro, NC) | Posted: Sep 11, 2012 - 18:34 ColdMiser wrote: I always wondered how a guy like Waits would fare on one of those crap shows like American Idol...He probably would be send packing in the first round, while some no talent ass clown moved on to fame and fortune I've always wondered why anyone would watch a program like American Idol. |
| ColdMiser (Out in the Cold) | Posted: Jul 26, 2012 - 09:17 I always wondered how a guy like Waits would fare on one of those crap shows like American Idol...He probably would be send packing in the first round, while some no talent ass clown moved on to fame and fortune |
| alwaysoffline | Posted: Jul 10, 2012 - 20:31 Just plain great - I discovered him during my WFMU-91.1 days. Like it was said beofer, would love to see him live! (also just saw him in Bram Stoker's Dracula- !) |
| Johnski333 (Bloomingdale, NJ) | Posted: May 08, 2012 - 09:12 love this |
| meinthecorner (Past the gravy, far beyond the golden fries) | Posted: Feb 19, 2012 - 00:09 scrubbrush wrote: Tom does an amazing sountrack (duets with Crystal Gayle) for the Movie "One Fro the Heart". Check it out! http://www.amazon.com/One-Heart-1982-Film-Soundtrack/dp/B00016XO6A You said it ! And "One From the Heart", the movie, was an amazing, quirky and surreal Vegas love story by Francis Ford Coppola early on in his career. It's trippy, and worth renting. And for me, the soundtrack is exceptional because, for one thing, you understand Tom's lyrics on first listen - and Gayle offers such a poised and torchy counterpoint to Tom's raunch. An odd match, made in heaven nonetheless! It's been a fave for my wife and I since first listen..."and I'm tired of pickin' up after you". Thanks for the memories, Tom! |
| Dahlia_Gumbo (San Francisco) | Posted: Jan 02, 2012 - 12:19 Love this. It's on my wake-up CD. |
| kwh2757 | Posted: Jan 02, 2012 - 12:16 Oh Tom.....please go on tour so that I can come see you! |
| Cynaera (Oh, who cares?) | Posted: Dec 17, 2011 - 12:04 Businessgypsy wrote: Made me laugh. I had a college roommate who would rise, take a shot of Yukon Jack, drop the needle on Tom Waits and proclaim that a great day had begun. I like the way your ex-roommate thinks! (Except I'd take a shot of Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum). Carpé diem (before it carpés you.)  |
| TerryS (Another SW) | Posted: Dec 01, 2011 - 18:09 Merely perfect. |
| Bleyfusz | Posted: Oct 15, 2011 - 05:43 Decoy wrote: I love me some Tom Waits in the morning... BKardon wrote: Good late in the evening too! Kinda depends on where you live... |
| scrubbrush (Sea of Calm) | Posted: Sep 13, 2011 - 16:26 EpiE wrote: ONE of the best songs "from the heart" This song is so deep I move every time I hear it. Even after all these years.....LOVE it! Tom does an amazing sountrack (duets with Crystal Gayle) for the Movie "One Fro the Heart". Check it out! http://www.amazon.com/One-Heart-1982-Film-Soundtrack/dp/B00016XO6A |
| Sloggydog (UK) | Posted: Jul 28, 2011 - 15:28 went to rate it 10 but i already had |
| EpiE (Richmond B.C. Canada) | Posted: Jul 12, 2011 - 22:27 ONE of the best songs "from the heart" This song is so deep I move every time I hear it. Even after all these years.....LOVE it! |
| unclehud (300 feet above the planet) | Posted: Jul 12, 2011 - 22:24 Saw him in the movie "Coffee and Cigarettes," in a vignette with Iggy Pop. It was really dumb, but seeing both guys at the same time was kinda cool. |
| michaelgmitchell (Canada) | Posted: Jun 11, 2011 - 06:40 hencini wrote: "You don't meet nice girls in coffee shops". This guy is tremendous. Agreed. A true artist. |
| hencini | Posted: Jun 11, 2011 - 06:34 "You don't meet nice girls in coffee shops". This guy is tremendous. |
| fast_eddie | Posted: Mar 24, 2011 - 10:44 An 11 would not be high enough for this song and many of Mr. Wait's tunes.... Ahh... what a great song for right now... |
| On_The_Beach (Vancouver BC, Bud) | Posted: Mar 24, 2011 - 10:43 Tim_in_N_FL wrote: Finally! Some aurally-digestible Tom Waits...nice. Aw, c'mon Tim; any Tom is good Tom! (Waits, that is) ; ) |
| DoctorHooey (/etc) | Posted: Mar 24, 2011 - 10:40 Tom has been in my top 5 for 20 years at least, but this one helped me through a particularly hard time so has a special place in the musical lexicon for me. Thanks for being there for me Tom, with this song and so many others |
| kaybee (Lost in the Wilds of Toronto) | Posted: Mar 08, 2011 - 18:08 conglif wrote: Of course not. That's just silly. The litmus test for good taste is liking Radio Paradise! Yes, Agreed!  But it is interesting how RP helps us to broaden our tastes! Believe it or not, I'm actually developing a liking for Tom Waits' music! |
| xkolibuul (Chuckanut sandstone) | Posted: Jan 04, 2011 - 22:09 leathepea wrote: A perfect example of how a imperfect singing voice can be perfect. Rest assured Tom's voice can get a lot more imperfect than this. |
| cohifi (Denver) | Posted: Jan 04, 2011 - 22:05 This is Really Outstanding! |
| Businessgypsy (Deepest, Darkest Florida) | Posted: Dec 20, 2010 - 08:42 Decoy wrote: I love me some Tom Waits in the morning... Made me laugh. I had a college roommate who would rise, take a shot of Yukon Jack, drop the needle on Tom Waits and proclaim that a great day had begun. |
| Cannon (San Diego) | Posted: Nov 02, 2010 - 14:27 leathepea wrote: A perfect example of how a imperfect singing voice can be perfect. well said. |
| BKardon (Boulder, CO by way of State and Madison) | Posted: Jun 12, 2010 - 09:28 Decoy wrote: I love me some Tom Waits in the morning... Good late in the evening too! |
| sirdroseph (Tokyo) | Posted: Jun 12, 2010 - 09:28 Tippster wrote: MUCH better than the original. I don't get the Tom Waits love - sure he writes a good song but he damn well can't sing (and that's very generous) it.  That is alright though, those that do not get Tom Waits, if they are fortunate, will live long enough to gain the wisdom to change their minds. |
| Bosami (Deep in the heart of nowhere) | Posted: May 27, 2010 - 06:10 Decoy wrote: I love me some Tom Waits in the morning... I'm with ya on that. |
| Decoy (Milliway's, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe) | Posted: May 27, 2010 - 06:09 I love me some Tom Waits in the morning... |
| Tippster (Washington, DC) | Posted: May 11, 2010 - 15:25 govna wrote: 3 girls and their buddy (namely shawn colvin) do a killer version of this. MUCH better than the original. I don't get the Tom Waits love - sure he writes a good song but he damn well can't sing (and that's very generous) it. |
| govna (beantown) | Posted: May 11, 2010 - 15:21 3 girls and their buddy (namely shawn colvin) do a killer version of this. |
| calypsus_1 | Posted: May 09, 2010 - 00:32  Tom Waits by ~MaxHierro ©2009-2010 ~MaxHierro A genius! Acrylic on linen canvas texture paper |
| Businessgypsy (Deepest, Darkest Florida) | Posted: Mar 09, 2010 - 06:58 ThePoose wrote: Tom's strong suits are his vocabulary of verisimilitude, ability to paint a solid sonic landscape to go with a particular story, whisky-soaked smoky croak, and marvellous melodic hooks. crockydile wrote: Plain Pedantry C'mon - that's fancy pedantry. Alliteration avalanche! |
| Dahlia_Gumbo (San Francisco) | Posted: Feb 05, 2010 - 18:50 Yes, why don't I have more Tom Waits...this is very nice.  |
| craigf (Cambridgeshire, UK) | Posted: Jan 05, 2010 - 08:05 this is why we need an 11... |
| helgigermany (Germany) | Posted: Dec 04, 2009 - 23:28 Nice! |
| That_SOB (The Dark Side of the Tune) | Posted: Oct 03, 2009 - 00:50 Tom is of the same cut as Kerouac, Wolfe, Kesey, Faggen, H.S Thompson,Heller, Love ya Tommy but it said "Drink Chilled" Not "Eat the damn bottle." |
| suebee3 | Posted: Sep 01, 2009 - 12:43 I think this is really Mary Chapin-Carpenter with a hangover. |
| crockydile (I miss Excelsior!) | Posted: Sep 01, 2009 - 12:41 ThePoose wrote: Tom's strong suits are his vocabulary of verisimilitude, ability to paint a solid sonic landscape to go with a particular story, whisky-soaked smoky croak, and marvellous melodic hooks. Plain Pedantry |
| leathepea (Hickory, NC) | Posted: Sep 01, 2009 - 12:38 A perfect example of how a imperfect singing voice can be perfect. |
| Tagish_girl (happily seeking hammock, HBG, SE) | Posted: Jul 15, 2009 - 23:24 somehow, his husky, low repetition just bugs me.... don't know why.... may need more coffee this morning... |
| ThePoose | Posted: May 29, 2009 - 11:02 Tom's strong suits are his vocabulary of verisimilitude, ability to paint a solid sonic landscape to go with a particular story, whisky-soaked smoky croak, and marvellous melodic hooks. |