Welcome back! We’re on to day 3 of the Top 20 Halloween Countdown- Number 18! Reminder of the rules: No Monster Mash, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, or novelty tunes. Just creepy weird songs. And speaking of weird….
Number 18: Tom Waits – Whistlin’ Past The Graveyard
I don’t think there is a guy out there who defines weird genius better than Tom Waits. His voice is a distinctive growl, and a fair number of his songs are dark and twisted. But he’s also written songs that became Top 40 hits (“Downtown Train”) and he was nominated for an Oscar for his soundtrack to One From The Heart. He’s had bit parts and cameos in a bunch of movies. He’s been a hilarious guest on dozens of talk shows. He’s had a long and storied career, but most folks have probably never heard his music.
I didn’t really listen to Tom Waits until about the early 2000s. I knew who he was, but they didn’t play him on MTV or radio when I was growing up, and no one I knew was into him, so I never really had a chance to hear him. Then a friend of mine put “Big in Japan” on a mixed CD for me, and I’ve been a fan ever since.
“Whistlin’ Past The Graveyard” is from the Blue Valentine album, from 1978. And even though I promised you no Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, he actually covered this tune, which I didn’t realize until today.
Now, here’s Tom with the original. Enjoy!
Countdown
- 20) Eels – Fresh Blood
- 19) Squirrel Nut Zippers – Hell
- 18) Tom Waits – Whistlin’ Past The Graveyard
