Tom Waits, a name synonymous with gravelly vocals and poignant storytelling, has captivated audiences for decades. While I maintain an extensive list of songs for potential features, it was a recent foray into YouTube suggestions that led me back to a gem from his repertoire – a track that perfectly encapsulates the essence of a “Downtown Song.” Though my younger self might have overlooked his distinctive sound, I’ve grown to deeply appreciate the raw emotion and unique narratives woven into his music. Previously, I’ve explored other Waits masterpieces like “Jersey Girl” and “Martha,” alongside Tori Amos’s stunning rendition of “Time.” I encourage you to delve into those pieces after this exploration of today’s featured track.
The song in question is Waits’s 1985 composition, “Downtown Train.” This evocative track achieved mainstream recognition when Rod Stewart, the iconic British rocker, released his cover version in 1989, propelling it to the #3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Like many, I was initially more familiar with Stewart’s rendition, unaware of its origins. Interestingly, “Wikipedia” highlights a fascinating piece of music history, citing a 2011 Billboard article which reveals that Bob Seger, another American music legend, actually recorded a cover of “Downtown Train” prior to Stewart in 1989. In a chance meeting in London, Seger informed Stewart of his project. Intriguingly, Stewart then recorded his own version just a month later. Seger’s version, however, remained unreleased for over two decades, finally surfacing as the concluding track on his 2011 compilation album, Ultimate Hits: Rock and Roll Never Forgets. This backstory adds another layer to the rich tapestry surrounding this compelling “downtown song.”
The lyrics themselves paint a vivid picture of urban longing and romantic yearning, a hallmark of a quintessential “downtown song”:
Outside another yellow moon
Punched a hole in the nighttime, yes
I climb through the window and down the street
Shining like a new dime
The downtown trains are full
With all those Brooklyn girls
They try so hard to break out of their little worldsYou wave your hand and they scatter like crows
They have nothing that will ever capture your heart
They’re just thorns without the rose
Be careful of them in the dark
Oh if I was the one
You chose to be your only one
Oh baby can’t you hear me nowWill I see you tonight
On a downtown train
Every night its just the same
You leave me lonely, nowI know your window and I know it’s late
I know your stairs and your doorway
I walk down your street and past your gate
I stand by the light at the four-way
You watch them as they fall
They all have heart attacks
They stay at the carnival
But they’ll never win you backWill I see you tonight
On a downtown train
Where Every night its just the same
You leave me lonely
Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train
All of my dreams just fall like rain
All upon on a downtown train
“Downtown Train,” by Tom Waits. Lyrics retrieved from AZLyrics.com.
Similar to “Jersey Girl,” this “downtown song” delves into the realm of romantic desire. However, it subtly blurs the lines between genuine infatuation and an idealized concept of love. The music video, directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, a celebrated French fashion photographer and music video director, enhances this atmosphere. It opens with an intriguing introduction featuring boxer Ray LaMotta, famously known as “The Raging Bull,” before transitioning into a film noir aesthetic, underscored by a haunting harmonica melody that evokes a Twilight Zone-esque ambiance.
In Mondino’s visual interpretation, Waits embodies a contemporary Romeo, serenading his elusive Juliet amidst the urban landscape. He wanders under the “fool moon,” as LaMotta’s opening lines describe it, engaging in expressive dance and even reclining on a parked car, transforming it into a makeshift piece of furniture within the gritty, smoke-filled city night. As dawn approaches, Waits remains, a figure of reverie, gracefully moving along the waterfront, playing his accordion as a saxophone provides a melancholic outro. The video is a masterfully crafted visual companion to this exceptional piece of music, brought to life by a truly unique and gifted artist, solidifying its place as a definitive “downtown song.”
“Downtown Train” is featured on Waits’s ninth studio album, Rain Dogs (1985), an album that also includes his original rendition of “Time.” This context further enriches our understanding of “Downtown Train” as part of a larger body of work exploring similar themes and sonic landscapes.
This exploration offers just a glimpse into why “Downtown Train” resonates deeply and earns its place as today’s featured “downtown song.” Thank you for joining this musical journey. I encourage you to experience the music video for yourself, available on the Anti- Records YouTube channel.
Warmly,
Steve
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