Tom Waits - Ol' 55 download

This is NOT Waits' original version.  The original only had him & a guitar----no piano, drums or harmonies.  You can hear it in you tube: Ol' 55 The Early Years.   The story is Waits & Eagles shared Geffen in Asylum---Frey heard Waits Ol '55 demo & loved it. Eagles covered & popularized it in 1974 with their piano arrangement & split melody lyrics.  In those years Waits was pretty ornery & badmouthed not only the Eagles, but David Crosby, Neil Young & America among others.   According to the book, "Low Side of the Road: A Life of Tom Waits," he's quoted about that time saying, "....I was a young kid.  I was just corking off and being a prick.  It was saying 'Notice Me' followed by 'Leave Me the Fuck Alone', sometimes in the same sentence....." He & the Eagles have since mended fences.   So the argument of who does it better is silly because it's a matter of musical tastes---they're both good & different. This is similar to the Eagle's song Desperado that was popularized by Linda Rondstat, (although Eagles were more gracious to Linda than Waits to the Eagles). Some like her version better, but they're both good & different as well..   Just enjoy the music!

Hard to believe the people being so analytical about this artists voice. This mans a musician and poet of the highest caliber.

This song embodies the drive home after a long half drunken night of visiting a new love. The mix of melancholy and happiness fighting the sleep. Love it.

Always reminds me of the night I met my late wife. June 8, 1985. I dropped her off with the headlights on. I arrived home wearing sunglasses. My Ol 55 was an 81 Honda Accord. The best night of my life. Changed it forever

Just love this song! I will admit right here and now that I first heard it as a cover by Tom's label mates on Asylum Records (um, the Eagles, the very next year). I won't say it's his best song, blah blah blah... I WILL say that any guy who has slept over at a new girlfriend's (or fling's, or future wife's, or long-time crush, or whatever) for the FIRST time...and then had to wake up early for whatever reason and leave...the feeling of love, longing, mission accomplished, the new day's dawning that represents also the burgeoning of a new relationship, or what have you...well, I just want to say that this song captures that indescribable feeling as well as words and melody possibly could. 'Nuff said.

just discovered this amazing poet, i really like his first album, Closing Time, especially this song, shame i don't really feel his other work, probably because the vocal. The first time i hear the album is like listening to Bob Dylan when i discovered him too, both are as brilliant

Woke up one morning on a back-breaking tragedy of a couch, and realized all at once that my relationship of three years had turned so toxic I couldnt remember being happy anymore. Went upstairs and told her I was done, and drove home at 5 AM to this. I'll never forget that sunrise, or that feeling of sheer freedom and relief. Cheers, Tom.

As I Lay On My Death Bed, Slowly Breathing My Last Breaths, It Will Be My Wish, My Prayer, To Hear & Whisper This All The Way To The LIGHT !!!!

the real deal. no videos. no airplay. no hits. but a legend.

This song is so perfect. Can listen to it every day for the rest of my life.

Lost my buddy on 9/11 and can't hear this song without thinking of the hundreds of times we sang this song together at the end of a night of drinking.

Lyrics Well my time went so quickly, I went lickety-splickly out to my old '55 As I drove away slowly, feeling so holy, God knows, I was feeling alive. 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 Just a-wishing I'd stayed a little longer, Oh, Lord, let me tell you that the feeling's getting stronger. And it's six in the morning, gave me no warning; I had to be on my way. Well there's trucks all a-passing me, and the lights are all flashing, I'm on my way home from your place. 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 Just a-wishing I'd stayed a little longer, Oh, Lord, let me tell you that the feeling's getting stronger. And my time went so quickly, I went lickety-splickly out to my old '55 As I pulled away slowly, feeling so holy, God knows, I was feeling alive. Now the sun's coming up, I'm riding with Lady Luck, Freeway cars and trucks, freeway cars and trucks, freeway cars and trucks...

I just love this song, all it's versions that is. The Eagles totally nailed it as well.

Waits referred to the Eagles as the "Teflon Cowboys". He despised their version.

The Eagles who? Tom Waits is so original, the Eagles version was o.k. yet it never shined half as bright as the original.

Three years ago to the week, this was playing every other day in my dads car as I drove him back and forth from cancer care. Although I knew what the song meant for us, at the time I kept fighting the inevitable believing we were gonna beat it. We didn’t. But since his passing I’m the only one if his children who doesn’t feel like he’s gone away. He’s been with me the whole time since making his wise cracks and opening doors for me that I couldn’t do on my own before. Thank you for everything.

A smooth voice isn't what makes a great song sound great. It's the soul behind it that makes it great. The majority of singers today are into making there voices generic. Tom Waits has an absolutely amazing voice. Generic vocals are shit!!!!!!!