Friday, July 18, 2008

Requests, anyone?

If you got the canche to ask mr. Waits, what would your request be? What song would you just love to hear? I'll give you a few days to suggest some songs in the comments and then I'll start another poll based on your ideas.

Who knows, maybe the Dublin audience might get lucky. After all, ever since the 300,000 dollar watch history, we know he reads this blog (or at least someone keeps him posted)...

My suggestions? 'Take care of all of my children', would be nice. And 'Jersey girl', of course. And wouldn't you just love 'Martha'? But I'm sure you can come up with dozens more - and better - ideas...

UPDATE (August 4): After over a thousand votes, 'Martha' turned out to be your favourite song of the ten I selected. And guess what, it was not played.

86 comments:

herge65 said...

I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You

Love that song...:-)

The Eyeball Kid said...

Sea of love!

Ole said...

If I could hear Christmas card from.., Heart of saturday night or Martha first night in Paris i would die a happy man. maybe too much to ask for but i would be happy with just one of them (I will be happy anyway just to see the man, but..)

Tom Traubert said...

Black Wings

Napoleon said...

Diamonds & Gold

Burntfaced Jake said...

Heigh Ho, Buzz Flederjohn, Step Right Up and Swordfishtrombones please?!

gpap said...

Tom Traubert: I *SO* agree with you. Black Wings and Jayne's Blue Wish.

bunbury said...

Mr. Siegal

Dave said...

Kentucky Avenue - "I'll take the spokes from your wheelchair" gets me every time!

BTW - Edinburgh people - have you received your tickets yet? (I haven't.)

bfarasyn said...

Well, here goes : Hang Down Your Head, Downtown Train, Christmas Card From a Hooker, Who are You, If I Have To Go, Hold On, Time, ...
Too difficult to choose, but any of these the first night in Paris would be great.
Some of those have been played before, so who knows.

Unknown said...

Burma Shave! I don't think he will ever do that, though..
I'm going to see him tomorrow night in Milan, it would be great if he did Christmas Card... and/or Cold Cold Ground.

navigator199 said...

burma shave
eggs and sausage
on a foggy night
what's he building in there
new coat of paint

Zardoz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zardoz said...

Hi Tom Can you ask your mom to give me a call please at 00353 86 1202384
Please play "Kentucky avenue" or the first song I ever heard you sing "Soldiers Things" either of those will make me shoot me muck all over the people sitting in rows in front of me. Please dont tell your mom or Kathleen I said that. Best wishes Z

Unknown said...

I was sad that he didn't play Picture in a Frame in Atlanta, because that was my wedding song.

Also: Invitation the to Blues, Going Out West, and Reeperbahn would be fantastic to hear live.

Unknown said...

Soldier's Things. Wrong Side of the Road or Romeo is Bleeding. Walking Spanish...although that one, I *think* he played in '99. God, even Step Right Up. Did you say ONE song? ONE? Riiiiiight....I would spend so much time deliberating he'd leave before I'd decided.

Gosha Hniu said...

"Yesterday is here" and "Cold, cold ground"


"Romeo is Bleeding" would be great too.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Pony or Road to Peace....

Jeanne said...

Eyeball Kid and someone else beat me to Sea of Love and Mr.Siegal, so I'll say The Fall of Troy. The lyrics of that song are exquisite.

Unknown said...

Telephone Call From Istanbul!

Please Sweet Jumpin Jeebus on a Pogo Stick!

PS My tickets for the Dublin show arrived today. As they say on teh Interwebs, woot.

Anonymous said...

I was at the St. Louis show, and was hoping he'd do a few of the songs he did the first night in Pheonix: Invitation to The Blues and Christmas Card from A Hooker in Minneapolis. Eggs and Sausage, New Coat of Paint, Burma Shave, Gun Street Girl, and Hold On are others I would like to hear live.
I saw him do Make It Rain and Lie to Me, songs I realy like, and therefore could cross those two off the list.

Mark Teel said...

On the Nickel

Take it With Me

Who are You?

Jockeyfull of Bourbon

Barcarolle

Crossroads

so many more.

Unknown said...

For myself, I like it when he pulls out an unpredictable cover - such as Hank Williams' 'Rambling Man' in Cleveland '06 or The Doors' 'Take It As It Comes' as he did ...was it LA in 1989 or 90? Anyway, I'd like him to surprise me with something along these lines.

There are, of course, TONS of canonical Tom Waits works which I would be floored to witness him perform - I could pull the albums off my shelf and start reading off every song title....

Unknown said...

Swordfishtrombones, Jack & Neal, Sweet Little Bullet, Hang On St. Christopher, Earth Died Screaming, Take it With Me...I can't do just one, sorry!

zws said...

Diamonds & Gold would be incredible!
My only disappointment, being Australian and all, after attending four shows on the US leg of the G&D tour was not being lucky enough to catch Tom Trauberts. I am still campaigning for this to become our National Anthem (Tom - if you are reading this, it has been a long time between drinks for you in Melbourne, and I'll be happy to buy you a beer and a VicRail pass!)
Admittedly I did get it at the Ryman during the Orphans tour, so no complaints ...

Jens said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Book Of Mikey said...

A request list is an excellent idea. Provided all parties can stop yelling requests at concerts.


'Shiver me Timbers'
'Better off without a wife'
'Nobody'
'I never talk to strangers'
'In the neighborhood'
'Whistle Down the wind'
'Black Market Baby'
'Table Top Joe'


thanks for the opportunity to unfurl these to the glorious masses.

b-Zen said...

Walking Spanish, Diamonds on My Windshield, Whistlin' Past The Graveyard

Sorry thats 3.

Oh, and Train Song.

4. Sorry.

chesire said...

I don't mind the song. For each song he plays you're missing at least another ten. Too many years composing masterpieces. So, Tom... play any song but, pleaaaaaase, play it in a proper piano! Not that tiny thing you brought to San Sebastian (and all the other places, I guess).

Anyhow, I wouldn't mind hearing Never Let Go

Jens said...

Diamond In Your Mind

and a real small one

Saving All My Love For You


If you play these 2 songs Mr Waits I'll give you back your signed Real Gone Shirt that I bought a few years back on E-bay so you could sell it again for charity.

greetz
Jens

Anonymous said...

Ruby's Arms or for something completely different Step Right Up!
Zoobazaba zobazaba zoobazaye, Anybody ever win the prize for guessing the right words?

martin said...

Kentucky Avenue ! Evocative memories of youth !

big richie thunder said...

Was fortunate enough to hear A Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis in Detroit a couple of years ago. At the top of my list would be:

Pasties and a G-String
Blind Love
Walking Spanish
Walk Away

Finally, the song I want played at my funeral Good Old World Waltz. It is interesting how all of us want to hear different songs. But as was once said in the movie Office Space: I celebrate the man's entire catalog.

Donald Gibson said...

"I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You"

supersun said...

(praha)
just
blue valentines

CLANGBOOMSTEAM said...

How about "Such A Scream", eh? Or maybe he could drown everyone in their own tears with "Fawn"

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

A Good Man is Hard to Find, King Kong, or Somewhere.

dana said...

Cold Water, Lonely, and Please Call Me, Baby!

rainpuppy said...

Lowdown, thats tune rocks!!

Also-

Bottom Of The World
TT Blues
Romeo Is Bleeding

Got my Dublin ticket this morning, as for Edinburgh, the Ticketmaster page says something about `Preparing For Dispatch`

Anonymous said...

I would ask him to play Hold On, which I guess Milan got to hear (so jealous), but I might be reduced to weeping if I heard it live, so maybe it's better I've never heard him do it live (Though I do like the live versions I have better than the Mule Variations version).

Otherwise, I would ask him for In the Coliseum.

Also I think I would ask him for a hug, which is probably weird.

Hot Whiskey said...

Absolutely the top for me:

Telephone Call From Istanbul

Can we hear it in Prague, Tom?

big Al said...

Sight for Sore Eyes, Big Joe and the Phantom 309- oldies but goodies

inabillity said...

another vote for Sea of Love.

Sabian Fluke said...

I'd love to hear 'Time' since on the 8th of August I'm getting married and am having this song during the ceremony when my bride walks in!
But Hold On, Gun Street Girl, Get Behind The Mule, 16 Shells... ah hell, whatever he plays we'll lap it up like thirsty Dogs!

Sabian Fluke said...

I'd love to hear 'Time' since on the 8th of August I'm getting married and am having this song during the ceremony when my bride walks in!
But Hold On, Gun Street Girl, Get Behind The Mule, 16 Shells... ah hell, whatever he plays we'll lap it up like thirsty Dogs!

Sabian Fluke said...

I'd love to hear 'Time' since on the 8th of August I'm getting married and am having this song during the ceremony when my bride walks in!
But Hold On, Gun Street Girl, Get Behind The Mule, 16 Shells... ah hell, whatever he plays we'll lap it up like thirsty Dogs!

misread said...

Broken Bicycles!

Dominick said...

play Oily Night!
when i get married thats gonna be our first dance song.

ausclaw said...

Lullaby (from Blood Money), I'll Be Gone, Flower's Grave, Fish & Bird.

I couldn't just pick one and I could go on and on. And like Zev, I am an Aussie too, and would love Tom Traubert's Blue's as our anthem. I can't get to see him on this tour! I just hope he keeps getting further south every time he tours!!!

Gordo Gonzales said...

earth died screaming
hold on
the briar and the rose
jockey full of bourbon

digression said...

STEP RIGHT UP! Blue Valentine, Burma Shave.

herge65: It would be great to hear him perform I Hope that I don't Fall In Love With You. It is a good song, but it is filled with a certain amount of naivety. I'm very curious to hear how Tom would reinterpret this song 35 years after its release. On the 30th or 31th of July.

He has so many strong songs and lyrics it's hard to choose. So here's a few more:

Soldier's Things, Blue Valentine, Burma Shave. Goin Out West!

digression said...

ok: I changed my mind: Black Wings. I totally agree!

digression said...

I'd be cool to see Tom do Whistlin' Past The Graveyard in 2008!

Brian Loeper said...

Never Let Go, Black Wings, and Shiny Things

Bird said...

I was just going to say Shiny Things! I get to the bottom of the list and the last person beat me to it!
Ok, I would also put in a vote for Fish and Bird...and I'd like to see if there was a dry eye left in the house. The only other one I haven't seen mentioned is Bad Liver and a Broken Heart. That would be a treat as well.

gpap said...

Oh, and watch her disappear. I'm seriously gonna cry if he does watch her disappear.

Seth31 said...

2.19

Heart Attack and Vine

Swordfish Trombone

Step right up

Pasties and a G String ( the beer and a shot we've got covered)

Cold Water

Stacy said...

Martha, and Little Trip To Heaven, which was my (unofficial) wedding song.
Great site, thanks!

herge65 said...

DAVE...

Yes off topic but my Edinburgh tix arrived today!

Nice.

t said...

I'd love to hear Putnam County. If you grew up in the Midwest like I did, you can definitely relate to this song!

Anonymous said...

I have to put down another two tunes that I'd like to hear live, but Tom would have to get Crystal Gayle out on stage with him, and if not her, maybe someone else (and not Scarlet!): Wages of Love and Pickin' Up After You.

sofia said...

Broken Bicycles
Who Are You


come visit us in nyc...

B.Ch.S said...

-Shore leave, please..

Jitterbugboy said...

To be honest I don't care what he plays - he could read the phone book in esperanto and still imbue it with the same longing you get after finishing a confederacy of dunces.
That said, the bruised majesty of A little rain, martha, down by the train or, as suggested in the header take care of all of my children would be the cherry on the cherry of a thousand cheesecakes.

Unknown said...

"Hi Mr. Waits. Can I buy you a cup of coffee, take your picture - and of course - only talk to you about the weather?

Dublin 30th.

Unknown said...

Ice Cream Man in Paris please - an
outstanding tune complete with
sexual innuendo, can't lose.

Zardoz said...

Holy Sh!t Nothing from SwordFishTrombones in Milan ! I think I would shoot myself if that happens in Dublin.
How often I wonder does an artist look upon his fans as customers?
I think its a real shame to leave out whole albums. Nothing ever from Closing time, Heart of Sat nite,Foreign affair or Nighthawks.
I definitely dont want to hear 5/6 tracks from real gone at the expense of SwFishTrbs. Give the customers what they want.Ploease debate. Tom is better than Dylan,Young or Cohen by miles

Renske V said...

Black Wings
Soldier's Things
The Heart of Saturday Night
Big Joe and Phanton 309
Dave the Butcher!
Clap hands
I'll take New York
16 shells from a 30.6

adrock said...

In the Coliseum for one of the Paris shows...if there's a city you want to sing about decapitating Presdidential whores in, it's gotta be Paris!

adrock said...

In the Collisseum for Paris. If you're gonna sing about decapitating Presidential whores anywhere, it has to be at the scene of the French Revolution, right?

adrock said...

Cemetery Polka for Paris as we all know as 'there ain't no pretty girls in France'.

Zardoz said...

looks like the the best set yet in europe on the 3rd night in milan
What a combo "rain dogs" and "russian dance" cool!
But for Dublin
Home in ol'Medora, home in ol' Truckee, Apallachicola, Home I'll never be.
The best from Orphans

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Widows Grove

An Irish Waltz with Carla Kihlstedt flown to Dublin especially for the violin solo

daffy said...

Martha

Plain and simple.
We named our baby daughter Martha Rose Lullaby after 3 songs off the Closing Time album.

Rubiao said...

Potters Field or Just the Right Bullets. Damn

Unknown said...

'Never Let Go' from Orphans Bawlers.

My wife and I chose it as the song for the first dance at our wedding.

Toni W said...

A personal request? I should be so lucky! But.....I love the wistful,tender song Take it With Me--that would be lovely for the first night in Paris, my first Tom Waits show. Shoot the Moon seems to be coming up fairly regularly in this tour, and is one of my and my brother's favourites, and we'll both be there with my daughter.

Ezekielhubbard in an earlier blog mentioned the thrill of hearing a surprise cover. Well, Lennie Cohen's Joan of Arc seems fairly appropriate for Paris. Imagine that being sung by Tom Waits!

Thanks to everyone for the tour. This has not just been a series of shows but a focus for people of many nationalities to share and enjoy.

akadannyboy said...

Train Song,Gin Soaked Boy, Swordfish,Mr.Siegal,Yesterday's Here,
Of course he'd have to add a vibra phone,as he did in '06,but I was very satisfied with set list from both shows I made, aside from the crowds being so "tired". This coming from someone who hasn't been to a movie theatre since Young Frankenstein in 1974,great movie, shitty crowd

Unknown said...

Take Care Of All My Children
Home I'll Never Be
Christmas Card
Kommienezuspadt

bourbon said...

I'd like to see him do a show where he performs Frank's Wild Years from start to finish. And in an encore definitely includes Take It With Me.

Ken said...

Shiver Me Timbers
New Coat Of Paint
Muriel

Tom may see his old songs as his distant past, but I wonder if he ever just listens to them? There are some excellent songs that hold great meaning for many of his fans. Check 'em out, Tom!

The Joshua Field said...

BLACK WINGS!!

Rawbinson said...

As usual, I thought of songs that would have been great to hear AFTER the show I went to (Prag 1st Night). Nonetheless, I find it interesting that no songs have been played from Foreign Affairs. If I had a choice I'd like to hear "Foreign Affair" from that album. It always gives me "wander lust".