“Goin’ Out West” by Tom Waits.
Kelley: I didn’t like him (Tom Waits) for the longest time. I would think this guy is so weird, what is up with his voice? Then I listened to the podcast on NPR, Tiny Desk Concerts, and it was a live recording of one of his shows. It was over an hour long, which I thought would just be something in a background, but I ended up really listening to it.
“Going Out West” was one of my favorite songs as a 20-something who was in a dead end job in LA. My roommate and I would always play it at this sports bar that happened to have it on its jukebox. People would hate us. The song is just so good. Words cannot describe…just go listen to it. Tom Waits is currently my White Whale and I NEED to see him live.
Watching old interviews with Tom Waits, I swear that is where Heath Ledger got his Joker from. It makes so much sense.
“Goin’ Out West”
By Tom Waits
Well I’m goin’ out west
Where the wind blows tall
‘Cause Tony Franciosa
Used to date my ma
They got some money out there
They’re giving it away
I’m gonna do what I want
Do what I want
And I’m gonna get paid
Little brown sausages
Lying in the sand
I ain’t no extra baby
I’m a leading man
Well my parole officer
Will be proud of me
With my Olds 88
And the devil on a leash
My Olds 88
And the devil on a leash
Well I know karate, Voodoo too
I’m gonna make myself available to you
I don’t need no makeup
I got real scars
I got hair on my chest
I look good without a shirt
Well I don’t lose my composure
In a high speed chase
Well my friends think I’m ugly
I got a masculine face
I got some dragstrip courage
I can really drive a bed
I’m gonna change my name
To Hannibal or maybe
Just Rex
Change my name to Hannibal
Or maybe just Rex
I’m gonna drive all night
Take some speed
I’m gonna wait for the sun
To shine down on me
I cut a hole in my roof
In the shape of a heart
And I’m goin’ out west
Where they’ll appreciate me
Goin’ out west
Goin’ out west
THANK you Kelley for sharing these songs with us this week. Next week music as a source of healing.