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Norah Jones — The Long Way Home
Album: Feels Like Home
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2685









Released: 2004
Length: 3:02
Plays (last 30 days): 4
Well I stumbled in the darkness
I'm lost and alone
Though I said I'd go before us
And show the way back home
There a light up ahead
I can't hold onto her arm
Forgive me pretty baby but I always take the long way home

Money's just something you throw
Off the back of a train
Got a handful of lightening
A hat full of rain
And I know that I said
I'd never do it again
And I love you pretty baby but I always take the long way home

I put food on the table
And roof overhead
But I'd trade it all tomorrow
For The highway instead
Watch your back if I should tell you
Loves the only thing I've ever known
One thing for sure pretty baby I always take the long way home

You know I love you baby
More than the whole wide world
You are my woman
I know you are my pearl
Let's go out past the party lights
We can finally be alone
Come with me and we can take the long way home
Come with me, together we can take the long way home
Come with me, together we can take the long way home
Comments (206)add comment
Norah Jones singing Tom Waits? 
Yes, please!

 Jelani wrote:

I"d love to hear a duet of this with Tom Waits. How awesome would that be?



Very.
I had a similar feeling with Sinkin' Soon. That has such a Tom Waitsy vibe!
 k3rmit wrote:

Would have preferred her piano on this.

my feeling is that the simple production is what made this cover work

She has a voice “like buttah!”

Saw her in a small venue in Detroit and shook her (delicate) hand & thanked (gushed over!)  her. She’s a tiny li’l thing at 5’ or so! What a lovely musician! 
 TallCreative1 wrote:
I always have to stop working and just turn this up every time it comes on.  : 10

True. For the original and this cover.  
 kcar wrote:
 

Is this a 'Supertramp' cover?







Can't imagine this as a Supertramp song. One of Tom's sweeter songs. Norah does a fine cover here...

Oh my, what a sad mistake. Please stick with RP for your own education.

Nice cover.
 
ddbz wrote:

Is this a 'Supertramp' cover?






TallCreative1 wrote:


Tom Waits.

Can't imagine this as a Supertramp song. One of Tom's sweeter songs. Norah does a fine cover here...
I always have to stop working and just turn this up every time it comes on.  : 10
 ddbz wrote:

Is this a 'Supertramp' cover?



Tom Waits.
Is this a 'Supertramp' cover?
Would be great to hear her smoke a pack of cigarettes and chug a pint of whisky, then try to belt it out like Tom Waits.
One the most beautiful voices I ever heard.
sleeper, as in I'm falling asleep . . . 
 radioparadise9 wrote:

Sing us a few bars, troll


idiot get a kazooo
Waits owns this but Norah's is a nice change.
like Bob Dylan's, I love it when someone else sings Tom Wait's songs. 
 radioparadise9 wrote:

Sing us a few bars, troll


hahahaha tone deaf too
 jacopo777 wrote:

I find it interesting that such a talent was the daughter of someone equally talented, but they never really knew each other.  It's a fact that we do not get talent from our parents.  So, explain this one to me.




Tim/Jeff Buckley another case like that. Why do you say that it is a fact that talent is not hereditary?
ho iniziato ad ascoltare Nora con questa canzone - album anche se cono passati 18 anni è sempre attuale - si turna all'essenziale e la musica viaggia con le parole
 ExploitingChaos wrote:

Not a fan, but come on, how could you say her vocal is any less of amazing?

Truly unique.

Would never have played this for myself... and still an easy 9. 



This here is a main reason why RP kicks extra butt.  Firstly by taking corporate out of radio (HUGE) then add THOUGHTFUL programming by the segue master BillG and a fairly broad spectrum of tracks played here (eclectic!) and offered in FLAC no less....yeah, I find A LOT of music in the 7+ range I'd never have heard otherwise.
Long Live RP and Bill and Rebecca!!
 istanbulbaby wrote:

I listened to an interview with Norah Jones several months ago - Tom Waits actually sent her this song as one of several that he wanted her to cover. She never saw his letter, though, she just got a call from him one day asking if she wanted to sing his songs. Anyway, I think it's lovely.

 
[clears throat] I figured that guy was just some sad sack sending her some sappy songs. Couldn't understand why she fired me. Never could stand that job.
What a great song, love RP that this is followed by another Tom Waits cover then a Tom Waits original.  Bill has the most thoughtful programming in current existence.
Norah is so talented
Great cover of the Tom Waits Classic! I'm glad he called her!!
Nora Jones does Tom Waits. I'm in heaven. 
She's the boom king.
so clean and simple and a melody that just swings along. Love it
I"d love to hear a duet of this with Tom Waits. How awesome would that be?
Would have preferred her piano on this.
Not a fan, but come on, how could you say her vocal is any less of amazing?

Truly unique.

Would never have played this for myself... and still an easy 9. 
 redart wrote:
Reckon Tom Waits might be jealous of this !
 

Tom Waits has nothing to be jealous of here.  His version is far superior and from the heart.
My crush!  :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6TzjU1e59w
É meia-irmã, pela parte do pai, de Anoushka Shankar, sitarista e compositora. Jones estudou no Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts e na University of North Texas, onde se formou em jazz piano. Em 1999, após dois anos no programa, Norah voltou para Nova Iorque, onde toca com sua banda, Wax Poetic. EXCELENTE 
It feels alright, you know, to fall in love once in a while....
wowowowowowowowowowowowowow
 unclehud wrote:
(see immediately below)

Yeppers, Ms. Jones does the same for me, although she's younger than my own children.  How does a young woman get such texture and soul in her voice?
 
Lived experience, like the man who wrote this song.  :)  Oh and her daddy is Ravi Shankar.
(see immediately below)

Yeppers, Ms. Jones does the same for me, although she's younger than my own children.  How does a young woman get such texture and soul in her voice?
 lizardking wrote:

I have admitted to several crushes (lol, I know, so middle school of me) of some of the female artists BillG features...and well Norah's up there for me.  She has such a sweet voice, great musical lineage and she's actually YOUNGER than me....so I'm going to upgrade my 8 to a 9 on this one....Long Live RP!!
 

As my brother & I would say, I would totally jump on that couch.

(That references a Far Side comic of a dog looking longingly into a furniture store. But it also means it is like a dog that isn't allowed on the couch without permission, but is just so happy to be able to sit next to its person once it gets the opportunity. Respectful, restrained exuberance ... and hopefully belly rubs.)
I change my mind on this song just about every time I hear it. It's nice enough, but it just pales in comparison to the original version. I'm also not really a fan of the breathy singer genre, but it doesn't bother me here. It's all a conundrum. 
 lizardking wrote:
well then....some interesting comments just below this one....all over the place (some like me, REALLY like Norah's entire singing style, others seem upset she's singing a Tom Waits song, others hating on haters while hating on Waits....WTF?)

7→ 8 and LONG LIVE RP!!

 
I have admitted to several crushes (lol, I know, so middle school of me) of some of the female artists BillG features...and well Norah's up there for me.  She has such a sweet voice, great musical lineage and she's actually YOUNGER than me....so I'm going to upgrade my 8 to a 9 on this one....Long Live RP!!
Ahhhhh...what a lovely voice.
Reckon Tom Waits might be jealous of this !
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Give me a break! What does she add to this song that any tuneless 12 year old couldn't do just as Well?
 
Sing us a few bars, troll
 jackie0 wrote:
Bumped from a 1 to a minus 2 if that were possible.  
She's like a vulture looking for good songs to parasitize,
parroting the lyrics with absolutely no comprehension.
Norah please leave Mr. Waits alone while the restraining order goes through.
 

"She's like a vulture looking for good songs to parasitize (sic)"

You are like ... a Trump quality troll?

 islander wrote:

Yeah, this is nice, but it just lacks the grit of Tom.
 
It's different, not the same .... there's more than one way to skin a cat.

well then....some interesting comments just below this one....all over the place (some like me, REALLY like Norah's entire singing style, others seem upset she's singing a Tom Waits song, others hating on haters while hating on Waits....WTF?)

7→ 8 and LONG LIVE RP!!

There is something so magical about Norah's voice. I could listen to her croon the whole day long.
Unless you've ever seen/heard Norah Jones live, there is no way to explain how hypnotic here voice and sound are.  This is just another boring cowboy song made vibrant and unbelievably listenable for me.
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Give me a break! What does she add to this song that any tuneless 12 year old couldn't do just as Well?

 
The only thing tuneless,would  be your hearing.
At least she is sing the song, instead of Wait who sounds like he is trying to pass one through his back side.

Again, I ask the question why so many people come to RP,  so full of hate? 
Bumped from a 1 to a minus 2 if that were possible.  
She's like a vulture looking for good songs to parasitize,
parroting the lyrics with absolutely no comprehension.
Norah please leave Mr. Waits alone while the restraining order goes through.
 jt1 wrote:

I can assure you that as someone who is tuneless (but considerably older than 12) I can not do anywhere near as well as Norah singing this. Any 12 year old who can sing this as well as Norah should have a very bright future ahead of them.

 
Try the original.
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Give me a break! What does she add to this song that any tuneless 12 year old couldn't do just as Well?

 
I can assure you that as someone who is tuneless (but considerably older than 12) I can not do anywhere near as well as Norah singing this. Any 12 year old who can sing this as well as Norah should have a very bright future ahead of them.
Give me a break! What does she add to this song that any tuneless 12 year old couldn't do just as Well?
Like it quite a bit - especially the deep, slow rhythmic Johnny Cash guitar that carries the listener through the song like a good ol' steam train.
 photolew wrote:
8 here as well......

 
Sorry Jackie O.... 7->8  tuggin' on other side of the rope.
Bumped from a 2 to a 1.  
Norah please leave Mr. Waits alone while the restraining order goes through.
{#Yawn} {#Yawn} {#Yawn} {#Yawn} {#Yawn}
8 here as well......
 Bluenoser wrote:
Bumped to 8 {#Clap}
 
Me 2... I just upped to 8 as well.
Bumped to 8 {#Clap}
 junebaby65 wrote:
Snorah Jones.

 
ha!!
Great Tom Waits song.  {#Clap}

{#Wave}.... luv yer loads Norah 
 oldfart48 wrote:

Nora could sing me the phone book. she has the pipes. as for female Waits covers? Riki Lee Jones, hands down.

 
You gotta here Holly Cole! Simply awesome.
 Tim_in_N_FL wrote:

As big a fan as I am of Norah's work, I have to agree with you.  Now, when it comes to women covering Tom Waits' work, nothing holds a candle to Shawn Colvin's efforts, IMHO.  {#Whistle}

 
Nora could sing me the phone book. she has the pipes. as for female Waits covers? Riki Lee Jones, hands down.
A very spare orchestration, done to show of this woman's vocals -- and she's just getting better with age.  Looking forward to hearing her for the next 25 years.
 Grammarcop wrote:
Gimme Tom Waits. 

 
Yeah, this is nice, but it just lacks the grit of Tom.
Snorah Jones.
 bushrat wrote:
RIP Ravi Shankar (memorial today for Norah's father)

Thanks for the influence upon George Harrison, Peter Gabriel etc. and of course the gift of Norah

Peace in these crazy times  {#Meditate}

 
Norah has a sister who plays sitar like her daddy did, so the majic lives and grows......( she is also beautiful )
aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.................{#Heartkiss}
RIP Ravi Shankar (memorial today for Norah's father)

Thanks for the influence upon George Harrison, Peter Gabriel etc. and of course the gift of Norah

Peace in these crazy times  {#Meditate}
Lovely but nothing can beat the original .
This song is about choices and loss. Waits has that feeling of loss. Her voice is simply too sweet... No regrets about bad choices come thru. We all make choices and as e get older we get smarter as we realize we've screwed up. To me, the song is about having a nature that is always looking for.... whatever is out there. Not because of dissatisfaction or boredom but because it's our nature....
After Doyle Dykes this is really guitar playing 101. I don't miss Tom's whezzing and hacking but he did write a nice song here.
I agree with you on that. No cover can compare to original Tom Waits song.

 

kuril wrote:
After a few pints, I can definitively say that I do not like Tom Waits covers.
 


Gimme Tom Waits. 
 kuril wrote:
After a few pints, I can definitively say that I do not like Tom Waits covers.
 
Its a cover? I thought it was just Tom played at the wrong speed. 
After a few pints, I can definitively say that I do not like Tom Waits covers.
There are few things in this world that are more disappointing than this song.  The bass starts, I recognize the tune, then that damn voice starts.  There should be some sort of disclaimer before the song starts, so I don't get my hopes up.
 Snorfalorpagus wrote:
Not as good as Tom Waits, but better than The Offspring. 7.
 
well played. well played.

Norah has a soothing voice and I could see her rocking her child to sleep while singing this song.  Very nice.


Nice song!!!
Heresy. An extremely effective removal of all soul and color, sanitized for your protection.

Not as good as Tom Waits, but better than The Offspring. 7.
 calypsus_1 wrote:

Norah Jones by =lilbittydemon
©2008-2010 =lilbittydemon
©2007 ayleene de monn
https://www.lilbittydemon.com

unauthorized use is prohibited
all rights reserved

Jazz Fest, 2007
NOLA

 
Ok, I know people get annoyed when it's mentioned, so I'm going to bring it up here.  Not only does she have some serious pipes and songwriting chops, but she's also hot.

Deal with it folks.


Norah Jones by =lilbittydemon
©2008-2010 =lilbittydemon
©2007 ayleene de monn
https://www.lilbittydemon.com

unauthorized use is prohibited
all rights reserved

Jazz Fest, 2007
NOLA



 jackie0 wrote:
An insipid cover that ads nothing to the original except to render it void of meaning.
 
As big a fan as I am of Norah's work, I have to agree with you.  Now, when it comes to women covering Tom Waits' work, nothing holds a candle to Shawn Colvin's efforts, IMHO.  {#Whistle}
 Squirreley wrote:
Bill's intro to this song reminded me how much I need to hear Tom Waits originals on a whole bunch of songs... This is off-topic to Norah Jones (who I am a big fan of) but can anyone recommend a good Tom Waits album to one who has heard quite a number of his songs but owns none of his albums?
 
Try "Orphans and Brawlers", the 'slow' disc.  It's where this song Norah attempted to cover comes from.  Every song on it is great.
An insipid cover that ads nothing to the original except to render it void of meaning.
Squirreley wrote:
Bill's intro to this song reminded me how much I need to hear Tom Waits originals on a whole bunch of songs... This is off-topic to Norah Jones (who I am a big fan of) but can anyone recommend a good Tom Waits album to one who has heard quite a number of his songs but owns none of his albums?

I love the album Small Change...Pasties & a G-String cracks me up every time I hear it! Brilliant!!!

Nice set this morning, Bill!!
never have understood the fuss about her voice......
 Squirreley wrote:
Bill's intro to this song reminded me how much I need to hear Tom Waits originals on a whole bunch of songs... This is off-topic to Norah Jones (who I am a big fan of) but can anyone recommend a good Tom Waits album to one who has heard quite a number of his songs but owns none of his albums?
 
Bone Machine, Rain Dogs, and Mule Variations.


amazing artist and very good register voice of Norah Jones (Geethali Norah Jones Shankar) in this excelent theme, writen by Kathleen Brennan and her husband Tom WaitsWaits performs too this theme in album "Big Bad Love (Soundtrack)"

** 8 **


Something for us all to remember these days: Money's just something you throw from the back of a train.
I'd have to rate this a lot lower if the original wasn't so great. I'm a big fan of re-interpreted covers, but the shift from Tom's gravel chewing voice to Norah's breathless whisper loses a lot.
Bill's intro to this song reminded me how much I need to hear Tom Waits originals on a whole bunch of songs... This is off-topic to Norah Jones (who I am a big fan of) but can anyone recommend a good Tom Waits album to one who has heard quite a number of his songs but owns none of his albums?
Maybe it's because I had NO CLUE who wrote this tune that I thought it sounded like something
John Prine could have written, and in my book, that is A Very Good Thing...

7, possibly an 8 if/when I hear it again


Odyzzeuz wrote:
When Nora Jones was born, the stork delivered her in a plain vanilla envelope.
Hey, plain brown manilla bland, but plain vanilla tasty!
This is good. But Waits version is Great!
I think it's pretty good. Nothing ground-breaking sure, but not bad...right?
ch83575 wrote:
The intro got me excited... then her voice. There is something about Tom, its not just his great song-writing, its his delivery as well. He is just very hard to cover in my opinion.
Some of Tom Waits covers by Screamin' Jay Hawkins are just superb. My favourite, "Whistling Past The Graveyard"
xkolibuul wrote:
That's cause if you take Johnny Cash and replace his voice with a concrete mixer you get Tom Waits.
This is Norah Jones, man.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
When Nora Jones was born, the stork delivered her in a plain vanilla envelope.
Brilliant!
Her sister is much more talented IMO.
I don't know who likes this song better me or my horse. For goodness sakes Norah go listen to Dolly, then open that nasel passage and let er twang, twang, twang, till the cows come home.
When Nora Jones was born, the stork delivered her in a plain vanilla envelope.
Great stuff
Norah in this genre doesn't do much for me though Norah and this genre are good independently. Norah's voice (in my opinion) is more suited to such collaborations as the duet with Andre 3000 and the one with Talib Kweli on his newest album. I wish she'd stick to that style instead.
That's cause if you take Johnny Cash and replace his voice with a concrete mixer you get Tom Waits. Derecho wrote:
Am I the only one that thinks this sounds like a song Johnny Cash would have been right at home performing?
Didn't like the Waits version, don't like this version..I hear this song too much..
MAKE IT STOP!!!! please.
nigelr wrote:
Tho'I love Norah, not my fav song of hers.
I'm not nomally a Norah fan, but this kinda works for me. Perhaps Tom's material is just so great it holds up to any treatment, even Norah's evenhanded delivery. 6
yetch.......I agree snoora norah must all her songs sound the same?
The intro got me excited... then her voice. There is something about Tom, its not just his great song-writing, its his delivery as well. He is just very hard to cover in my opinion.
Pyro wrote:
I wish you had her valium prescription, too. You obviously need it. Now stop beating me on the head - LOL! OH - and I ain't yo sweetheart!! Besides, how do you know whether I'm a guy or girl?
cmon babe, don't be like that
karen wrote:
Snorah
Heh heh heh heh heh... I've gotta agree too!