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Tom Waits — Talking At The Same Time
Album: Bad As Me
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 568









Released: 2011
Length: 4:08
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Get a job, save your money, listen to Jane
Everybody knows umbrellas cost more in the rain
All the news is bad
Is there any other kind?
Everybody's talking at the same time
And everybody's talking at the same time

Well it's hard times for some, for others it's sweet
Someone makes money when there's blood in the street
Don't take any lip
Stay in line
Everybody's talking at the same time

Well, the dog is in the kitchen and the war drags on
The trees wait by the freeway, all the money's gone
Well, she told me she would leave me
I ignored all the signs
And now everybody's talking at the same time
Everybody's talking at the same time

Ain't no one coming to pull you from the mud
You gotta build your nest high enough to ride out the flood
I know you're leaving and there's no more next time
Everybody's talking at the same time

A tiny boy sat and he played in the sand
He made a sword from a stick and a gun from his hand
Well, we bailed out all the millionaires
They've got the fruit, we've got the rind
And everybody's talking at the same time
Everybody's talking at the same time
Comments (44)add comment
I can only hear "Oompa loompa" over and over. 

Maybe the lyrics are great, but I can't get past the boring sound.

3
Before you have the gall to criticize this amazing song, you might want to read the lyrics…
Get a job, save your money, listen to Jane
Everybody knows umbrellas cost more in the rain
All the news is bad
Is there any other kind?
Everybody's talking at the same time
And everybody's talking at the same time

Well it's hard times for some, for others it's sweet
Someone makes money when there's blood in the street
Don't take any lip
Stay in line
Everybody's talking at the same time

Well, the dog is in the kitchen and the war drags on
The trees wait by the freeway, all the money's gone
Well, she told me she would leave me
I ignored all the signs
And now everybody's talking at the same time
Everybody's talking at the same time

Ain't no one coming to pull you from the mud
You gotta build your nest high enough to ride out the flood
I know you're leaving and there's no more next time
Everybody's talking at the same time

A tiny boy sat and he played in the sand
He made a sword from a stick and a gun from his hand
Well, we bailed out all the millionaires
They've got the fruit, we've got the rind
And everybody's talking at the same time
Everybody's talking at the same time
Imagine an air-raid siren was a brilliant musical composition.
Hearing this as Israel and its surroundings erupt into war and remembering how this song described 9/11 and its aftermath.
Enjoyed that, not heard him falsetto before.
 jef wrote:
angelic vocals 


Tom Waits is great and this comment is still funny
angelic vocals 
Gosh his voice almost sounds normal.  Well, at least for him.
 idiot_wind wrote:


Where's my ole 55?


They play this and others off Closing Time - may be my favorite album.
Mr. Waits’ music is clearly an acquired taste. 

I acquired it starting around 1977, and my appreciation of his lyrics, music and (even) singing has only increased since. Truly an original. 
My time went quickly.
I left lickity splitly.

I drove away slowly.
Feeling so holy.
Thank god, I was feeling alive.

And the sun's coming up.
Driving with lady luck.

Cars are all passing me.
Trucks are all flashing me.

Where's my ole 55?
 
Good to hear
 joetekubi wrote:
Where'd I put that hip flask of cheap gin!
 
Tom's already downed it.  ; )
Where'd I put that hip flask of cheap gin!
love the surf guitar!!!
 
 Geecheeboy wrote:
Funniest and smartest answer I ever heard was when Letterman asked him "what brings you to my show?" and Waits said "I've come to cook my dinner on your stove."

 
Dave said OK but lemme take three hits offayer Night Train that party just rolled all night
Popped in to see who was trying to sound like Tom Waits... stayed for the other comments.  :)
Don't get this guy's appeal.
Just not impressed. He should give up the crappy falsetto. I like much of his stuff...but this just plain stinks. The music is well done...but his voice ruins it completely. {#Frustrated}
 sirdroseph wrote:
This is a very good album and I would have to say this is probably the best song on it.{#Cheers}
 
I agree that it's a good album but this is definitely not the best track IMO (great lyrics though).


Gets a 4, "Acceptable".  Just not that good.
Funniest and smartest answer I ever heard was when Letterman asked him "what brings you to my show?" and Waits said "I've come to cook my dinner on your stove."
Thanks but, no thanks.
 Athyrius wrote:
Who is this guy paying to make us listen to his crap. Absolute worst garbage known to man. This HOBO wouldnt qualify to play most 3rd rate dives, let alone get any airplay!
 
Funny, he's been playing first-rate music venues, winning Grammy Awards, and selling records for almost 40 years - I guess he didn't get your memo.
I'm not much of a fan of Tom, but I really love how he mixes it up and is able to be diverse enough within his seemingly limited vocal talents.  I do kind of like this one, could give it a few more listens.
'Kinell! Tom Waits singing?!? Instead of croaking as if he's downed a bottle of bourbon and smoked a full packet of Capstan Full Strength? I'd not known it was ol' gravel voice until I looked at the playlist. Not that I object to his usual voice as it fits his songs like a glove, but it is an acquired taste. A brilliant songwriter and street poet, though.

This is a very good album and I would have to say this is probably the best song on it.{#Cheers}

I only caught the last few seconds of this and would like to hear the whole thing.

Please keep in the playlist, Bill.


{#No}
Who said you had to be a good singer to be a singer?
holy cow....Not keen on....but to each is own.
 Athyrius wrote:
Who is this guy paying to make us listen to his crap. Absolute worst garbage known to man. This HOBO wouldnt qualify to play most 3rd rate dives, let alone get any airplay!
 
Funny stuff, dude.  To answer your question, I'm paying Bill to play this 'crap'.  I like this 'crap'.  I'd also pay more to see him in a 3rd rate dive than anywhere else, 'cause I think he'd sound great there.

Edit:  Just realized that you're either being 'ironic' or are a troll.  Either way, ignore my response.


 Athyrius wrote:
Who is this guy paying to make us listen to his crap. 

          A) Well your listening aren't you ? 
          B) Who is paying whom ?
          C) May I suggest any old button on your receiver.. it's easier than "bitchin' and moanin,"   
               and you don't even have to log in. This may not be your cup of tea, you may be more at 
               home with the 'Nifty Fifty' on your AM dial where less is the new more.


Who is this guy paying to make us listen to his crap. Absolute worst garbage known to man. This HOBO wouldnt qualify to play most 3rd rate dives, let alone get any airplay!
 wenatchee wrote:
Replace Tom with a sulty female and this would move up the chart a bit
 
Important question: Is the female salty because of sweat or has she been seasoned?

Per an interview with Teri Gross on NPR's Fresh Air, Tom decided to sing this song in a falsetto voice. The other songs on the album are vintage Tom, all raspy growl.

 
fredriley wrote:
Sounds like yer man's stopped smoking as his voice has gone up a register or two. I'm not sure it's an improvement, though. Waits is a great songwriter and street poet, but his singing is an acquired taste, right enough. I can't see him releasing a Singalongatom album any time soon...
 


The title refers to this forum methinks
Replace Tom with a sulty female and this would move up the chart a bit
Didn't think it was Tom until I checked!  I had kinda got used to that raspy voice of his.
 ch83575 wrote:
What happens when you have made your mark by sounding new and different?  Does new and different start to sound the same?  Or do you just run out of new and different and start sounding the same?  If the good part was the new and different, once it is the same is it still good?

Don't get me wrong, I love Tom and always will, but this doesn't sound new, or different. 
 
One can really only sound like one's self.  I don't think Tom Waits was ever motivated to compose and play music just for the sake of "sounding new and different".

Sounds like yer man's stopped smoking as his voice has gone up a register or two. I'm not sure it's an improvement, though. Waits is a great songwriter and street poet, but his singing is an acquired taste, right enough. I can't see him releasing a Singalongatom album any time soon...

Great new CD from Mr. Waits! I'm putting it on my Christmas list.

What happens when you have made your mark by sounding new and different?  Does new and different start to sound the same?  Or do you just run out of new and different and start sounding the same?  If the good part was the new and different, once it is the same is it still good?

Don't get me wrong, I love Tom and always will, but this doesn't sound new, or different. 
Bailed out the millionaires.  They got the fruit.  We got the rind.

True that.
Oh yeah! bout time for some new tom..