I think I have to go with my current favorite which The Heart of Saturday Night by Tom Waits as performed by Diana Krall. It too is ultimately about loneliness and unfulfilled expectations. It takes me back to anticipated weekends, meeting buddies and carrying on only to be left with disappointment, too much beer, and not enough sleep. A beautiful metaphor for, dare I say it, life itself. Best line is "Is it the crack of the pool balls? Neon buzzin'? Telephone's ringing it's your second cousin." Gets me every time. And I can't separate the song from Krall's performance and arrangement. I like it much better than Waits' own. Much like it's difficult to mention the song Elinor Rigby separate from the recording.
Thanks for this, David. So much of my late teens and 20s were wrapped up in The Pogues. I have taken Shane‘s death much harder than I expected, especially since it’s been years since I’ve listened to the band. I’ve been surprised & pleased by the tributes coming from corners I never expected. Like so many, I raised a parting glass to him earlier this week. He was, indeed, a man you don’t meet every day.
I think I have to go with my current favorite which The Heart of Saturday Night by Tom Waits as performed by Diana Krall. It too is ultimately about loneliness and unfulfilled expectations. It takes me back to anticipated weekends, meeting buddies and carrying on only to be left with disappointment, too much beer, and not enough sleep. A beautiful metaphor for, dare I say it, life itself. Best line is "Is it the crack of the pool balls? Neon buzzin'? Telephone's ringing it's your second cousin." Gets me every time. And I can't separate the song from Krall's performance and arrangement. I like it much better than Waits' own. Much like it's difficult to mention the song Elinor Rigby separate from the recording.
That is a great song. Prefer Waits’ version; like the rawness.
Thanks for this, David. So much of my late teens and 20s were wrapped up in The Pogues. I have taken Shane‘s death much harder than I expected, especially since it’s been years since I’ve listened to the band. I’ve been surprised & pleased by the tributes coming from corners I never expected. Like so many, I raised a parting glass to him earlier this week. He was, indeed, a man you don’t meet every day.
And just moments ago, on the radio came “Fairytale of New York.”