Tom Waits
Tom Waits is an American singer-songwriter known for his gravelly voice and songs that evoke smoky bars, rain-slicked streets, and down-and-out characters.
His music blends jazz, blues, and experimental sounds with theatrical storytelling.
The voice itself—a bourbon-soaked rasp—has become iconic: He's got that Tom Waits thing going on.
Testing new methods
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
- genre-bendingBlending distinct artistic categories
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
blues · vaudeville · cabaret · carnival · percussion · mariachi · klezmer · polka
Self-composing musical performer
- composerCreator of musical works
- performerOne who entertains audiences
- pianistOne who plays piano
- guitaristOne who plays six strings
producer · Grammy · Rock and Roll Hall of Fame · collaborator
Containing small stones
- raspyRough and grating
- growlingDeep threatening vocalization
- hoarseRough in voice
- throatyLow, rough-voiced
husky · gritty · croaky · weathered · scratchy · barking · howling · crackly
Nocturnal aerial insectivore
- barflyHabitual pub patron
- drifterAimless, rootless traveler
- dinerCasual American eatery
- jukeboxCoin-operated music player
neon · alley · downtown · skid row · whiskey · cigarette · lonely · midnight
Skilled storyteller
- vignetteBrief evocative description
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- narrativeAccount of events
- yarnTwisted strand for crafts
tale · spoken word · monologue · beat poetry · Bukowski · Kerouac · anecdote · portrait
- The Fisher KingWounded guardian of sacred vessel
- RenfieldVampire's deranged human servant
- character actorSpecialist in memorable sidekicks
- cameoBrief guest appearance
experimental
Testing new methods
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
- genre-bendingBlending distinct artistic categories
jazz · blues · vaudeville · cabaret · carnival · percussion · mariachi · klezmer · polka · tango
singer-songwriter
Self-composing musical performer
guitarist · producer · Grammy · Rock and Roll Hall of Fame · collaborator
gravelly
Containing small stones
throaty · husky · gritty · croaky · weathered · scratchy · barking · howling · crackly · distinctive
nighthawk
Nocturnal aerial insectivore
jukebox · neon · alley · downtown · skid row · whiskey · cigarette · lonely · midnight · streetlight
raconteur
Skilled storyteller
yarn · tale · spoken word · monologue · beat poetry · Bukowski · Kerouac · anecdote · portrait · sketch
Coppola
- The Fisher KingWounded guardian of sacred vessel
- RenfieldVampire's deranged human servant
- character actorSpecialist in memorable sidekicks
Altman · cameo · screen presence · gravitas
- songwritersBob Dylan, songwriter, lyricists, composer, lyricist
- Poet-RockersBob Dylan, Patti Smith, Jim Morrison, Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed
- San Diego BandsBlink-182, P.O.D., Louis XIV, Pitchfork
- British & Irish ArtistsElton John, Amy Winehouse, Cat Stevens, Roxy Music, PJ Harvey
- Counterculture IconsTimothy Leary, Ken Kesey, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Huey Newton
- Cult IconsElvira, Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Bruce Campbell
Tom WaitsCeline Dion
Whitney Houston · Andrea Bocelli · Barry Manilow · Nat King Cole · Johnny Mathis
Tom WaitsDonny Osmond
Pat Boone · Wayne Newton · Barry Manilow · Neil Diamond · Rod Stewart
Tom WaitsTaylor Swift
Ed Sheeran · Maroon 5 · Coldplay · Phil Collins · Michael Bolton