Tom Waits

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About Ol' '55

"Ol' '55" is a song by American musician Tom Waits. It is the opening track and lead single from Waits' debut studio album, Closing Time, released in March 1973 on Asylum Records. Written by Waits and produced by Jerry Yester, "Ol' '55" was a minor hit. It has been described as more conventional than Waits' later songs. The song has been covered by numerous artists, most notably by the Eagles, produced by Glyn Johns for their 1974 album On The Border. In a 1975 interview, Waits was critical of the Eagles' cover version of his song, admitting that he was "not that particularly crazy about (their) rendition of it . .. I thought their version was a little antiseptic." About one year later, while interviewed for NME, he went as far as stating that "I don't like the Eagles. They're about as exciting as watching paint dry. Their albums are good for keeping the dust off your turntable and that's about all.” more »

Year:: 1973
: 3:57
: 430Views
Playlists:: #2

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Well, my time went so quicklyI went lickety-splicklyOut to my old '55As I pulled away slowly, feeling so holyGod knows, I was feeling aliveNow the sun's coming upI'm riding with Lady LuckFreeway cars and trucksStars beginning to fadeAnd I lead the paradeJust a-wishing I'd stayed a little longerOh, Lord, lemme tell you that the feeling's getting strongerAnd at six in the morning, gave me no warningI had to be on my wayWell there's trucks all a-passing and and the lights all a-flashingI'm on my way home from your placeAnd now the sun's coming upI'm riding with Lady LuckFreeway cars and trucksStars beginning to fadeAnd I lead the paradeJust a-wishing I'd stayed a little longerOh, Lord, lemme tell you the feeling's getting strongerAnd my time went so quicklyI went lickety-splicklyOut to my old '55As I pulled away slowly, feeling so holyGod knows, I was feeling aliveAnd now the sun's coming upI'm riding with Lady LuckFreeway cars and trucksFreeway cars and trucksFreeway cars and trucks

The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Tom Waits

Thomas Alan "Tom" Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car." With this trademark growl, his incorporation of pre-rock music styles such as blues, jazz, and vaudeville, and experimental tendencies verging on industrial music, Waits has built up a distinctive musical persona. He has worked as a composer for movies and musical plays and has acted in supporting roles in films including Paradise Alley and Bram Stoker's Dracula; he also starred in the 1986 film Down by Law. He was nominated for an Academy Awa… more »

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Sheet Music PDF Playlist

Written by: Tom Waits

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, JALMA MUSIC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

10 facts about this song

Songwriter's Insight

"Ol' '55" was the opening track and lead single from Tom Waits' debut studio album "Closing Time" released in 1973.

Album Information

The album "Closing Time" was released by Asylum Records, a label known for its roster of singer-songwriters, including Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne.

Lyrics Insight

The song is a sentimental reminiscence of an early morning departure, leaving a lover behind: "And now the sun's coming up / I'm riding with Lady Luck / freeway cars and trucks / Stars beginning to fade / and I lead the parade."

Song Composition

The song is mellow, showcasing Waits' raspy voice, piano skills, and songwriting abilities. Its cabaret, jazz, and blues influenced sound was unique for its time.

Cover Versions

The most famous cover of "Ol' '55" is by The Eagles. Their version, which was a bit more upbeat than Waits', was included on their 1974 album "On the Border".

Waits vs. Eagles

Despite the song's popularity through The Eagles' cover, Tom Waits did not appreciate their interpretation. In interviews, he described their cover as "antiseptic" and was opposed to how they changed his original lyrics.

Success of Song

"Ol '55" became a classic in Tom Waits' discography, widely appreciated for its lyrical storytelling and emotional singing. It also became a standard covered by other artists.

Inspiration for the Song

The song was inspired by a 1955 Cadillac that Waits had bought. The "Ol' 55" in the title refers to this car.

Record Label Dispute

Waits was dissatisfied with Asylum Records over the copyright to "Ol' 55" because he felt the label had cheated him out of his ownership of the song.

Album Reception

Despite the initial low sales and mixed reviews, over time "Closing Time" and its distinct track "Ol' 55" have gained more attention and the album has been considered as a monument in his catalog.

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