Truth

This song has been running through my head... and my heart.



That probably has something to do with the fact that although I'm 32 I am the exact same person I was when I was 22. Maybe I should apologize because this probably isn't the most responsible attitude for a grown man to have but screw it. Tom's song reflects that childish defiance of which I am too often guilty and consequently punished.

You're probably more familiar with The Ramones cover. They did alright, but it doesn't compare to the brilliance of the Tom Waits original. His music has been a pretty trendy flavor amongst cultural snobs which is odd because there's a smokey barroom quality to the gritty blues Tom plays. And it's defined by Waits' voice. If you thought Dylan's voice was ragged and dirty (I consider that a compliment) then wait till you listen to Tom. Like Dylan, Waits' vocal quality is appreciated not so much by how it sounds but by how it feels. And don't be so short sighted to suggest that it is "bad singing". It sounds exactly how he wants it too.

Here. Play it again but this time listen to what he's saying.



When I'm lyin' in my bed at night
I don't wanna grow up
Nothin' ever seems to turn out right
I don't wanna grow up
How do you move in a world of fog
That's always changing things
Makes me wish that I could be a dog
When I see the price that you pay
I don't wanna grow up
I don't ever wanna be that way
I don't wanna grow up

Seems like folks turn into things
That they'd never want
The only thing to live for is today...
I'm gonna put a hole in my TV set
I don't wanna grow up
Open up the medicine chest
And I don't wanna grow up
I don't wanna have to shout it out
I don't want my hair to fall out
I don't wanna be filled with doubt
I don't wanna be a good boy scout
I don't wanna have to learn to count
I don't wanna have the biggest amount
I don't wanna grow up

Well when I see my parents fight
I don't wanna grow up
They all go out and drinking all night
And I don't wanna grow up
I'd rather stay here in my room
Nothin' out there but sad and gloom
I don't wanna live in a big old Tomb
On Grand Street

When I see the 5 o'clock news
I don't wanna grow up
Comb their hair and shine their shoes
I don't wanna grow up
Stay around in my old hometown
I don't wanna put no money down
I don't wanna get me a big old loan
Work them fingers to the bone
I don't wanna float a broom
Fall in love and get married then boom
How the hell did I get here so soon
I don't wanna grow up