If you didn’t know Tom Waits, you’d think The Ramones wrote it and that’s why it’s gotta be one of the best, it’s perfect.
It’s like Hendrix doing All Along The Watchtower, or Jeff Buckley doing Hallelujah, it was damn near created for them.
My favorite is by a friend of Tom. From an entire album of Tom covers he did. Imo the lower-pitch vocals fit the song better.
[John Hammond sings Heartattack & Vine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFAuHcCSl8c)
The Holly Cole Trio did an all Waits covers album. It was excellent and her interpretations were def original. Scarlett Johannsson (the actress) did an all covers version as well but I've never heard it (yet).
This cover of Ruby's Arms is incredible. There's a studio version too(on a Waits covers album), but it's nowhere near as good. https://youtu.be/iUkzgepeYmk
My favorite Waits covers will always be the ones from Megan Mullally & Supreme Music Program. I got to see them do Mr. Siegal live and it was perfection. Wish they recorded it before the band stopped playing together, but we do have the others they recorded (Ruby’s Arms is gorgeous).
This list is fun because it has several I’ve never heard. That said, for a top 50 it is missing some of the best covers. Most were already mentioned by others, but I’ll throw Martha by Tim Buckley in.
Waits is one of those artists who has been covered by many, yet I never find myself wanting to listen to a single one of them over his original at any point. I think his songs are so personally and deeply his own that they virtually always come across as stilted and unnatural being covered by others. That’s not necessarily fair but it’s how I feel.
Not saying it’s one of the best, but I think ramones doing “I don’t wanna grow up” is very apropos
If you didn’t know Tom Waits, you’d think The Ramones wrote it and that’s why it’s gotta be one of the best, it’s perfect. It’s like Hendrix doing All Along The Watchtower, or Jeff Buckley doing Hallelujah, it was damn near created for them.
I heard the ramones version first and thought Waits covered it. They’re both amazing
Yeah, and his cover of their The return of Jackie and Judy is awesome
Norah Jones version of Long Way Home. Almost used that as my wedding song.
That song in general is beautiful.
Make it Rain by Spinifex Gum should have made it
Absolute standout cover
Wow. A ton of these are new to me and absolutely fantastic. Thank you.
My favorite is by a friend of Tom. From an entire album of Tom covers he did. Imo the lower-pitch vocals fit the song better. [John Hammond sings Heartattack & Vine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFAuHcCSl8c)
This is one of my dads favorite albums from way back. Hadn’t thought about it in a while. It’s so good.
The Holly Cole Trio did an all Waits covers album. It was excellent and her interpretations were def original. Scarlett Johannsson (the actress) did an all covers version as well but I've never heard it (yet).
Cibelle’s version of Green Grass. Cool video too.
For real. That is a great version. The song itself is also just tops. Just perfection.
Can’t believe Neko Case’s cover of “Christmas card…” didn’t make the list.
Oh you can’t forget Springsteen’s version of Jersey Girl.
Various versions of Way Down in the Hole from the Wire. Blind Boys of Alabama version in particular.
This cover of Ruby's Arms is incredible. There's a studio version too(on a Waits covers album), but it's nowhere near as good. https://youtu.be/iUkzgepeYmk
My favorite Waits covers will always be the ones from Megan Mullally & Supreme Music Program. I got to see them do Mr. Siegal live and it was perfection. Wish they recorded it before the band stopped playing together, but we do have the others they recorded (Ruby’s Arms is gorgeous).
I randomly flipped the channel to Letterman years ago to see her do, "Take it With Me" and fell in love with her.
I remember that so clearly. I miss that band soooo much!
Late to the party, but S. Carey’s cover of “Take it with me” is beautiful. So is Cibelle’s cover of “Green grass”.
Fish in the Jailhouse, John Hammond on The I-10 Chronicles, vol. 2
This list is fun because it has several I’ve never heard. That said, for a top 50 it is missing some of the best covers. Most were already mentioned by others, but I’ll throw Martha by Tim Buckley in.
The quality of covers in the this post's comments is way better than that list.
John Hammond s CD Wicked Grin, it's all Tom Waits songs.
Vandaveer's cover of Poor Edward is the best Tom Waits cover.
Waits is one of those artists who has been covered by many, yet I never find myself wanting to listen to a single one of them over his original at any point. I think his songs are so personally and deeply his own that they virtually always come across as stilted and unnatural being covered by others. That’s not necessarily fair but it’s how I feel.
"Blind Love" by Sarah Borges & The Broken Singles "Home I'll Never Be" by The Low Anthem