If you're a writer you know that the stories don't come to you, you have to go looking for them. The old men in the lobby: that's where the stories were.
Tom WaitsI never looked at music as a serious venยญture. There was very little encouragement from my family. I didn't have anybody to entertain, so it was hard to get motivated.
Tom WaitsOh, I got a beautiful 1959 Cadillac Coupe DeVille four-door. No one will ride in it with me.
Tom WaitsThe first time I started listening to Irish music, I had a very strong connection. Strangely enough, there's a great many Japanese melodies and vocal styles that sound very much like Hungarian music. You start seeing all these cross-references and comparative, independent musical cultures.
Tom Waits