Tom Waits — I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You
Album: Closing TImeAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1442
Length: 3:49
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Well, I hope that I don't fall in love with you
'Cause falling in love just makes me blue
Well, the music plays and you display your heart for me to see
I had a beer and now I hear you calling out for me
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
Well, the room is crowded, people everywhere
And I wonder, should I offer you a chair
Well, if you sit down with this old clown, take that frown and break it
Before the evening's gone away, I think that we could make it
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
Well, the night does funny things inside a man
These old tomcat feelings you don't understand
Well, I turn around to look at you, you light a cigarette
I wish I had the guts to bum one, but we've never met
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
I can see that you are lonesome just like me
And it being late, you'd like some company
Well, I turn around to look at you, and you look back at me
The guy you're with, he's up and split, the chair next to you's free
And I hope that you don't fall in love with me
Now, it's closing time, the music's fading out
Last call for drinks, I'll have another stout
Well, I turn around to look at you, you're nowhere to be found
I search the place for your lost face, guess I'll have another round
And I think that I just fell in love with you
'Cause falling in love just makes me blue
Well, the music plays and you display your heart for me to see
I had a beer and now I hear you calling out for me
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
Well, the room is crowded, people everywhere
And I wonder, should I offer you a chair
Well, if you sit down with this old clown, take that frown and break it
Before the evening's gone away, I think that we could make it
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
Well, the night does funny things inside a man
These old tomcat feelings you don't understand
Well, I turn around to look at you, you light a cigarette
I wish I had the guts to bum one, but we've never met
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
I can see that you are lonesome just like me
And it being late, you'd like some company
Well, I turn around to look at you, and you look back at me
The guy you're with, he's up and split, the chair next to you's free
And I hope that you don't fall in love with me
Now, it's closing time, the music's fading out
Last call for drinks, I'll have another stout
Well, I turn around to look at you, you're nowhere to be found
I search the place for your lost face, guess I'll have another round
And I think that I just fell in love with you
Comments (104)add comment
It just hope's that eternal springs new love.
Ah.. Big Tom, what a legend.
i'll admit to not being any kind of expert on his catalog, i just recognize several i've heard on RP and on the radio here and there throughout the years, however, i don't remember hearing this before. and, i just love it. his singing voice like this is a welcome surprise. perhaps it's the key? i don't know. i never remember hearing him sound like this in his other work. this one is really nice.
Heard this for the first time as a college freshman music major. Sometime during that night, I saw this album cover as a museum exhibit in the year 2150 of a extinct species: "Musician and Songwriter".
First time hearing this, and I never knew this guy could even sing! Man what a surprise and I even like the song a bit.
Interesting, the second track from his 1973 debut album. It looks like this preceded The Heart of Saturday Night.
First track was "Ol' 55".
The ultimate "do not mess with me" dude!!
Closing time made me fall in love with Tom Waits.
Everything after gave me his crust.
And the crust is what Tom is all about. RIGHT!!
Everything after gave me his crust.
And the crust is what Tom is all about. RIGHT!!
I always wondered what happened to his voice. Was it all whiskey and cigarettes?
mburjaw wrote:
i'd lean more to Iggy Pop without the razors, and in a new shirt
looks like John Hiatt
i'd lean more to Iggy Pop without the razors, and in a new shirt
Just a beautiful song which I try to play but never do it justice. 
Simple perfection. A 9 all day long for me.
Song made me stop & listen, and sum'bitch! I thought I was hearing John Prine, late, last album Prine.
Gorgeous classic.
Gorgeous classic.
I'm of the unpopular persuasion of having this as my favourite Waits album. I gave this song a 9 only because there's at least a half dozen songs on this record which are even better than this.
jimtyrrell wrote:
And he was only 23 (or less) when he wrote this.
Song writing it s best. Sing along with the lyrics and feel your heart break. The poetry falls perfectly on every beat. This is a masterpiece of songwriting and only his voice can make it so.Thank you Tom Waitts. 10
And he was only 23 (or less) when he wrote this.
Powerful tune. Automatic tears of joy for such talent.
Encore!
Superhero.
I had the pleasure of getting to know Tom a bit, after I had already been into his early albums, when he hung around Francis Coppola's Zoetrope Studios movie lot in Hollywood in the early 1980s. Tom was writing and recording the soundtrack to Francis' film "One from the Heart". I would run into him on the studio lot and he would seem like the most down to earth regular guy, as "hayduke2" commented so aptly here, your "...simple looking older neighbor across the bar, a worldly traveler with fascinating tales, and in this beautiful tune just an honest guy at the close of another day..." . That is where he met his wife he has been with since then, Kathleen Brennan, a writer for Zoetrope. If you have not heard that "One from the Heart" soundtrack see if you can get a hold of it and check it out. It was the last of the nine albums Tom recorded for Asylum from 1973 ("Closing Time") through 1983, before his music writing and instrumentation, and his voice, changed dramatically. Francis wanted Bette Midler to sing the female part with Tom, but she was tied up in another contract, so Crystal Gayle, Lorretta Lynn's younger sister, sang with Tom instead.
My day is instantly improved by a song, any song, from Tom.
Song writing it s best. Sing along with the lyrics and feel your heart break. The poetry falls perfectly on every beat. This is a masterpiece of songwriting and only his voice can make it so.Thank you Tom Waitts. 10
"Well, the night does funny things inside a man" —- so true Tommy
madebytim wrote:
i couldn't have said it any better
This is simply outstanding
i couldn't have said it any better
The piano has been drinking...not me.
Awesome tune.
Wonderful story...sad, true.
W 
O W!!!
O W!!!During his long career TW trashed his voice. It's in good form here. But he reinvented himself for his later work--quite impressively.
Get Behind the Mule is a good example of his later work and is played on RP.
Get Behind the Mule is a good example of his later work and is played on RP.
Tom Waits is everything to me, educator and big brother, simple looking older neighbor across the bar, a worldly traveler with fascinating tales, and in this beautiful tune just an honest guy at the close of another day, crossing glances at that striking beauty (we all get better looking towards last call), then the moments passed…but the music helps you man
ScottishWillie wrote:
Agreed. A pleasant surprise from an artist that never really moved me with his subsequent artistic choices.
I’m totally with you on this one Lerxst and I hate having to admit it but…….this is a good album. I don’t know if it was his first or just one of the first but it all went down hill from here.
Agreed. A pleasant surprise from an artist that never really moved me with his subsequent artistic choices.
lerxst wrote:
No frickin way...schocked to find this is Tom Waits. I've disliked everything I've heard from him due to his (IMHO) horrendous voice. But this song is beautiful and meaningful. Wow.
I’m totally with you on this one Lerxst and I hate having to admit it but…….this is a good album. I don’t know if it was his first or just one of the first but it all went down hill from here.
Love it a lot - Godlike song from a Godlike album and for me his best by a big margin 
lerxst wrote:
I think for Tom that's how it happens for most people. A sudden melting where you are bowled over by a song, which opens the door. Go on in...it is not particularly pretty, but you will never regret it.
No frickin way...schocked to find this is Tom Waits. I've disliked everything I've heard from him due to his (IMHO) horrendous voice. But this song is beautiful and meaningful. Wow.
I think for Tom that's how it happens for most people. A sudden melting where you are bowled over by a song, which opens the door. Go on in...it is not particularly pretty, but you will never regret it.
Love the sentiment of the song, all us older guys know exactly what he's singing about.
Beautiful Music. Love Tom! Can"t wait to see you in San Fran later this month.
What a song and album!!! All-time fave!
it is often surprising to hear such pretty songs from waits - listen to his "waltzing matilda," especially from people who only know his more recent work. he is a gifted composer, and writes some beautiful songs.
Love his voice here. Does anybody know about what year he lost this tone of voice?
No frickin way...schocked to find this is Tom Waits. I've disliked everything I've heard from him due to his (IMHO) horrendous voice. But this song is beautiful and meaningful. Wow.
A diet of throat lozenges and cigarettes are in order here.
As a man from Birmingham once said to me. "Tom Waits for no man"
K-Cap wrote:
I've seen several of these in New Orleans with different musicians / politicos. They're very cool. Class project? If so, do more and print em up and sell em! What are you waiting for?? :-)
Excellent!!!!
I've seen several of these in New Orleans with different musicians / politicos. They're very cool. Class project? If so, do more and print em up and sell em! What are you waiting for?? :-)
Excellent!!!!
Mr. Springsteen!!
you'll have to cut back on the Camels if you want to be successful at the recording game...
you'll have to cut back on the Camels if you want to be successful at the recording game...
mburjaw wrote:
I'm with scrubbrush; looks like Nick Cave to me.
looks like John Hiatt
scrubbrush wrote:
scrubbrush wrote:
Beautiful piece.
my guess:
Cohen, Young, Costello, Waits, Dylan, Cave(?), Rotten.
my guess:
Cohen, Young, Costello, Waits, Dylan, Cave(?), Rotten.
I'm with scrubbrush; looks like Nick Cave to me.
calypsus_1 wrote:
Golden Throats by ~kenmeyerjr
©2007-2010 ~kenmeyerjr
This was done for a class project, and is a proposed cover for a fictional cd called "Golden Throats: A Matter of Opinion." Name 'em all!
I've seen several of these in New Orleans with different musicians / politicos. They're very cool. Class project? If so, do more and print em up and sell em! What are you waiting for?? :-)
Golden Throats by ~kenmeyerjr
©2007-2010 ~kenmeyerjr
This was done for a class project, and is a proposed cover for a fictional cd called "Golden Throats: A Matter of Opinion." Name 'em all!
I've seen several of these in New Orleans with different musicians / politicos. They're very cool. Class project? If so, do more and print em up and sell em! What are you waiting for?? :-)
looks like John Hiatt
scrubbrush wrote:
Beautiful piece.
my guess:
Cohen, Young, Costello, Waits, Dylan, Cave(?), Rotten.
scrubbrush wrote:
Beautiful piece.
my guess:
Cohen, Young, Costello, Waits, Dylan, Cave(?), Rotten.
This is simply outstanding
For those who prefer the "early Waits" as "so listenable" ... to each his own. But to those of us who love both the early and later Waits, this is a bit hearing someone praise a good 4-year-old Kentucky rye whisky as "so drinkable", when you've already developed the taste for a fine 18-year-old Bourbon.
Who's this golden-voiced tenor?
1973 !?!?!
A touch of Harry Chapin....
I appreciate any piece that casts doubt on love.
A touch of Harry Chapin....
I appreciate any piece that casts doubt on love.
Didn't recognize him at first. I like it, but prefer his gravelly-voiced songs
I actually liked him back when he could sing. So gawdawful now.
ghoffman wrote:
I agree with all except the last. Who is Rotten?
Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Nick Cave, ?
Very nice drawing!
Rotten, as in Johnny Rotten (b. John Joseph Lydon) ?
I agree with all except the last. Who is Rotten?
Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Nick Cave, ?
Very nice drawing!
Rotten, as in Johnny Rotten (b. John Joseph Lydon) ?
scrubbrush wrote:
Beautiful piece.
my guess:
Cohen, Young, Costello, Waits, Dylan, Cave(?), Rotten.
I agree with all except the last. Who is Rotten?
Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Nick Cave, ?
Very nice drawing!
Beautiful piece.
my guess:
Cohen, Young, Costello, Waits, Dylan, Cave(?), Rotten.
I agree with all except the last. Who is Rotten?
Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Nick Cave, ?
Very nice drawing!
Just a beautiful song.
I'm not a fan, but this is LOVELY. The writing and the NICE singing (no gravel in his voice). So heartfelt. Nice job, Tom.
calypsus_1 wrote:
Golden Throats by ~kenmeyerjr
©2007-2010 ~kenmeyerjr
This was done for a class project, and is a proposed cover for a fictional cd called "Golden Throats: A Matter of Opinion." Name 'em all!
Beautiful piece.
my guess:
Cohen, Young, Costello, Waits, Dylan, Cave(?), Rotten.
Golden Throats by ~kenmeyerjr
©2007-2010 ~kenmeyerjr
This was done for a class project, and is a proposed cover for a fictional cd called "Golden Throats: A Matter of Opinion." Name 'em all!
Beautiful piece.
my guess:
Cohen, Young, Costello, Waits, Dylan, Cave(?), Rotten.
Golden Throats by ~kenmeyerjr
©2007-2010 ~kenmeyerjr
This was done for a class project, and is a proposed cover for a fictional cd called "Golden Throats: A Matter of Opinion." Name 'em all!
Avett Brothers, then Tom! I am in musical heaven. Keep it coming.
I'm not typically much of a Tom Waits fan (though maybe I just haven't listened to enough of him to really know how good he really is yet), but I really enjoy this one every time it comes up here on RP.
Ok, now that's Tom Waits. What a beautiful song. So plaintive, perfectly crafted.
Simply beautiful and made even more so because of Tom's etching it in his subdued, yet still signature rough-hewn vocals.
nagsheadlocal wrote:
I was going to say this but the "later Tom" fans always take offense. I sure do have very fond memories of his first four albums and how I could listen to them for hours and imagine the world he lived in. His sharply-observed lyrics always held my attention.
I enjoy all of his music and I don't find his "periods" to be distinctly different from each other anyhow. His lyrics and music have always been brilliant. I don't "take offense" from the idea that someone may prefer his earlier tracks, however. This is a beautiful, poignant song.
I was going to say this but the "later Tom" fans always take offense. I sure do have very fond memories of his first four albums and how I could listen to them for hours and imagine the world he lived in. His sharply-observed lyrics always held my attention.
I enjoy all of his music and I don't find his "periods" to be distinctly different from each other anyhow. His lyrics and music have always been brilliant. I don't "take offense" from the idea that someone may prefer his earlier tracks, however. This is a beautiful, poignant song.
TanteJensen wrote:
Yup, me too. So glad I'm not there any more. But glad to hear this as well.
Edit: Huh! Voting this a 10 instead of a 9 improves the average rating by one tenth to 8.6. Well then.
Voted an 8, but then dropped the average to 8.5. Revised to a 10, back to 8.6.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
Yup, me too. So glad I'm not there any more. But glad to hear this as well.
Edit: Huh! Voting this a 10 instead of a 9 improves the average rating by one tenth to 8.6. Well then.
Voted an 8, but then dropped the average to 8.5. Revised to a 10, back to 8.6.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
Pyro wrote:
I was going to say this but the "later Tom" fans always take offense. I sure do have very fond memories of his first four albums and how I could listen to them for hours and imagine the world he lived in. His sharply-observed lyrics always held my attention.
"Early Tom" is so poignant (and listenable)! I wish his voice had held up better....
I was going to say this but the "later Tom" fans always take offense. I sure do have very fond memories of his first four albums and how I could listen to them for hours and imagine the world he lived in. His sharply-observed lyrics always held my attention.
Ah, Tom. One of my favorite albums of all time, and one of my favorite cuts.
"Early Tom" is so poignant (and listenable)! I wish his voice had held up better....
Xeric wrote:
Yup, me too. So glad I'm not there any more. But glad to hear this as well.
Edit: Huh! Voting this a 10 instead of a 9 improves the average rating by one tenth to 8.6. Well then.
What a great tune. Been there. Wished I wasn't doin' that. . . .
Yup, me too. So glad I'm not there any more. But glad to hear this as well.
Edit: Huh! Voting this a 10 instead of a 9 improves the average rating by one tenth to 8.6. Well then.
But its not hard to believe this was his first album since he actually sounds pleasant.
bizon wrote:
bizon wrote:
Fantastic. Hard to believe it's from his first album. The lyrical content and sound of his voice lead one to imagine a man at least twice his young age.
I really didn't like Tom Waits when I was first exposed to his music in the mid 70’s and if anything I like his current work even less. However this song is so bound in with a time of my life when I was sharing a unsanitary student flat with friends in the Scottish Borders that I get a warm happy glow of pleasure whenever I hear it. Funny how music can do that to you isn’t it.
I cannot waits until the next Tom Waits tune.
melusine wrote:
its from the movie The Prince and Me, performed there by Marc Cohn.
Thanks! I knew I heard it somewhere!
thatch wrote:
Great song. He sounds a little like Bruce Springsteen.
Sounds more like a (young) John Prine to me.
I definitely agree that this is a great song though.
Fantastic. Hard to believe it's from his first album. The lyrical content and sound of his voice lead one to imagine a man at least twice his young age.
Squirreley wrote:
I think I heard this song in a movie recently. Anyone know off-hand a movie that it's been in recently?
its from the movie The Prince and Me, performed there by Marc Cohn.
What a great tune. Been there. Wished I wasn't doin' that. . . .
I think I heard this song in a movie recently. Anyone know off-hand a movie that it's been in recently?
thatch wrote:
Great song. He sounds a little like Bruce Springsteen. Is he still able to sing like this or is his voice permanently gruff now?
You try heavy drinking and smoking, and see what your voice is like. :p
He is Godlike. 
This came out the year I started playing guitar. It immediately made my "greatest hits" list.
Heartbreaking. TW at his best.
One of the highest average listener ratings I've ever seen for an RP song. With good reason.
LOVE the Tommy... This is a song I've never learned the words to, but make up hms and haws so I can pretend to sing along...
Because... sigh.
ThePoose wrote:
This LP is a must-have for any music collection.
It's flawless and emotional.
Strongly agree. This was a recent purchase for me and I have not been able to remove it from my player yet!!
This LP is a must-have for any music collection.
It's flawless and emotional.
Great song. He sounds a little like Bruce Springsteen. Is he still able to sing like this or is his voice permanently gruff now?
Amazing how different his voice sounds on this track compared to the present day.
I guess that's what a lifetime of scotch and cigarettes will do...
Just what I needed today. Classic Tom Waits.
Thanks to Jennifer for the mixed tape with this on it! - been a Waits fan ever since.
Man, I understand this. I feel it. I've lived it.
Beautifully expressed; full of restrained emotion and quiet dignity.
This is the song that made my mom grudgingly admit that maybe Tom doesn't always sound like he just gargled with razorblades.
Love it. Love him, razorblades or no.
streetsintherain wrote:
this will always hold special meaning to me.
Me too...
Bliss! 
Thanx Rp!
Thanx Rp!
Sunman wrote:
One of my all time favorite albums!!!
Absolutely!!!! Mine too.
For some strange reason, I always feel a great sense of nostalgia when I hear a gruff old man playing a piano in a crowded bar. This album is by far one of the best examples of that kind of music.
beautiful
This always strikes me as so heartfelt, so genuine.
I love this song. It gives me a lump in my throat.
One of my all time favorite albums!!!
this will always hold special meaning to me.
i'll admit to not being any kind of expert on his catalog, i just recognize several i've heard on RP and on the radio here and there throughout the years, however, i don't remember hearing this before. and, i just love it. his singing voice like this is a welcome surprise. perhaps it's the key? i don't know. i never remember hearing him sound like this in his other work. this one is really nice.
It was a 1973, he was a it younger.