Your points are very well made, Ken, and I appreciate you going into all the detail as
well as transcribing the brilliant title track from FA...
Tom created this "Bowery Bum" as poet laureate character, dispensing deep wisdom
through songs and stories. BUT, Tom himself has certainly risen above that character,
writing German leitmotif opera as well as "Frank's Wild Years" for Steppenwolf Theatre
in Chicago and "The Black Ryder". In concert he will frequently deliver a monologue
peppered with the "SAT" words he uses in 'Foreign Affairs'.
I think his choice of text for the song was inspired by his love for the songs of Cole
Porter. That's who it most reminds me of...
After all, if Joni can write something as "deeply simple" as Both Sides Now and
something as "simply deep" as Hejira, why can't Tom also work in the same vein?
Bob
NP: Dan Hicks & Tom Waits, "I'll Tell You Why That Is"
