Green Grass; Tom Waits

Days ago I discovered the pop-cabaret trio Marlango because of its song with whistling. Some inspiration from its musical style is part from Tom Waits and the name's band was because of him too. So I downloaded some Waits albums. If I liked Marlango I would like Tom Waits as well. And I did!

Tom Waits style is hard to define. He can be put on the art rock huge label but we can heard a lot of blues and jazz in his songs. Anyways, what cativates us is his harsh voice and the deep and strange lyrics of his songs. He started his musical career in the early 70s, releasing his debut album in 73. He inspired himself in artists like Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Louis Armstrong, Howlin' Wolf, Hoagy Carmichael, Raymond Chandler, and Stephen Foster.¹ Because of his extense and unique discography he was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.

The whistling song of today has all that I mentioned above about Waits: odd lyrics, a jazzy melancholic guitar, a hoarse almost-speaking way to sing. I found in the website Tom Waits Library some explanation about parts of the song that may be unintelligible. Take a look! :)

Lay your head where my heart used to be
Hold the earth above me
Lay down in the green grass
Remember when you loved me

Come closer don't be shy
Stand beneath a rainy sky
The moon is over the rise
Think of me as a train goes by

Clear the thistles and brambles
Whistle 'Didn't He Ramble'
Now there's a bubble of me
And it's floating in thee

Stand in the shade of me
Things are now made of me
The weather vane will say...
It smells like rain today

God took the stars and he tossed 'em
Can't tell the birds from the blossoms
You'll never be free of me
He'll make a tree from me

Don't say good bye to me
Describe the sky to me
And if the sky falls, mark my words
We'll catch mocking birds

Lay your head where my heart used to be
Hold the earth above me
Lay down in the green grass
Remember when you loved me

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