Tom Traubert's Blues
Rod Stewart
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Wasted and wounded And it ain't what the moon did I got what I paid for now See you tomorrow Hey, Frank, can I borrow A couple of bucks from you To go waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda You'll go waltzing Matilda with me I'm an innocent victim of a blinded alley And I'm tired of all these soldiers here No-one speaks English and everything's broken And my strength is soaking away To go waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda You'll go a waltzing Matilda with me Now I've lost my St. Christopher Now that I kissed her And the one-arm bandit knows And the maverick Chinaman With the cold-blooded sigh And the girls down by the striptease shows go Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda You'll go a waltzing Matilda with me No I don't want your sympathy, fugitives say That the streets aren't for dreaming now Manslaughter dragnet And the ghost that sells memories Want a piece of the action anyhow Go waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda You'll go waltzing Matilda with me And it's a battered old suitcase in a hotel someplace And a wound that would never heal No prima donnas the perfume is on And old shirt that is stained with blood and whiskey And it's goodnight to the street-sweepers The night watchmen flame-keepers And goodnight Matilda too Goodnight Matilda too
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Written by: Tom Waits
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, JALMA MUSIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
6 facts about this song
Creation and Inspiration"Tom Traubert's Blues" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Tom Waits and first released on his 1976 album, "Small Change." The song was later covered by several artists, including British rock singer Rod Stewart.
- The song’s name has often been said to come from Tom Waits’ befriending of a person who called himself Tom Traubert during a European tour. The individual’s life was troubled with many of his friends dying from drugs and alcohol, all of which significantly inspired this song.
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Rod Stewart's VersionRod Stewart's version of the song, often known as "Waltzing Matilda,” became a commercial success.
- Stewart’s version almost achieved a top-twenty hit in the UK Singles Chart, reaching position 21 in 1992.
- His version featured a more polished sound compared to Waits' raw original and took some lyrical liberties that brought the song some criticism.
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Lyrics and ThemesThe song's lyrics were written by Waits after a drunken binge in Los Angeles.
- It tells a sad story of a man in a deep state of grief, drinking to numb his pain.
- The chorus uses the melody of the Australian folk song "Waltzing Matilda," altering the words, including replacing the title phrase with "Waltzing Matilda, you'll go a-waltzing Matilda with me.”
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Awards and RecognitionIn 2005, the song was used in a British television commercial for Tennent's Lager.
- It was identified as a standout track from the "Small Change" album by AllMusic reviewer William Ruhlmann.
- Rod Stewart’s version was positively reviewed by several music critics, with many praising his vocal delivery and the orchestral arrangement.
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Live Performances and CoversTom Waits has rarely performed "Tom Traubert's Blues" in his live shows, but whenever he did, it garnered a strong reaction from the audience.
- Apart from Rod Stewart's notable cover, the song has also been covered by artists like Tim Armstrong, Scarlett Johansson, and Tori Amos.
- Rod Stewart performed the song live during his Unplugged... and Seated performance with Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones.
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Cultural Influence"Tom Traubert's Blues" has had a significant cultural impact since its release. Its sad tone and raw emotion have moved listeners and inspired other musicians.
- The song is recognized as one of the most poignant and bleak compositions in Tom Waits' catalogue.
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"Tom Traubert's Blues Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/8946779/Rod+Stewart/Tom+Traubert%27s+Blues>.
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