I was commenting on Aphoristical’s blog and he listed the 10 best Tom Waits songs. I’ve heard Waits through the years and I’ve liked what I’ve heard but never listened to his debut album. I knew more of his later music than his beginning. After reading Graham’s site it got me listening to Wait’s debut album and it shocked me with his voice…but forget that…it’s a damn good album called Closing Time. The comment I left on his site was “Unlike most artists…I know more of him in the later parts of his career. I never heard your number 1 song…that floored me! Great song and that voice…I like that voice.”
A few weeks ago I listened to the album and the songs really stuck with me. The three top songs to me are this one, Grapefruit Moon, and Ol’55. The album is one that music fans should listen to. I had forgotten which song that Graham had number one so after I picked the one I wanted to post about…I went to link Graham’s site and yes…he picked this one…I see why. You know…this is why we do these blogs… to learn.
I rarely do this but I like how Waits takes the opposite approach in this song. Instead of hoping he can go to the next step with this woman…he is aware of the potential risks and heartbreak that come with falling in love. He is trying to place a wall between any thought of it. The vulnerability of a closely guarded world-weary man. Waits is a great songwriter and many times takes a different approach which I can appreciate.
Closing time was released in 1973 and it charted at #44 on the German charts and #29 in Ireland. On secondhandsongs.com it lists 36 versions of the song.
I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You
One, two, three, four
Well, I hope that I don’t fall in love with you
‘Cause falling in love just makes me blueWell, the music plays and you display your heart for me to seeI had a beer and now I hear you calling out for meAnd I hope that I don’t fall in love with you
Well, the room is crowded, people everywhere
And I wonder, should I offer you a chair?Well, if you sit down with this old clown, take that frown and break itBefore the evening’s gone away, I think that we could make itAnd I hope that I don’t fall in love with you
Well, the night does funny things inside a man
These old tomcat feelings you don’t understand
Well, I turn around to look at you, you light a cigaretteI wish I had the guts to bum one, but we’ve never metAnd I hope that I don’t fall in love with you
I can see that you are lonesome just like me
And it being late, you’d like some companyWell, I turn around to look at you, and you look back at meThe guy you’re with, he’s up and split, the chair next to you’s free
And I hope that you don’t fall in love with me
Now it’s closing time, the music’s fading out
Last call for drinks, I’ll have another stout
Well, I turn around to look at you, you’re nowhere to be foundI search the place for your lost face, guess I’ll have another roundAnd I think that I just fell in love with you
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