Tom Waits - Gun Street Girl

© 1985, Rain Dogs

Island Records/Universal Music Group/Vivendi

Tom Waits

[HMR]

I normally listen to black metal, but every now and then Tom is all you need in your life.

[MatclavR]

Tom Waits is an absolute musical genius madman.

[dirkplankchest]

What a great tune, it reminds me of the timeframe in the early 2000s when I was riding freight trains and hitchhiking up old coast highway through the northwest of america. Just me, my pack and harmonica, along with which ever riding mate I might have decided to run with if anyone at all. It was the best days of my life busking on street corner, working seasonal farm jobs, whatever, but with no bills, or major responsibilities tying me down, it was the happiest I've ever been.

[alexanderherbertkurz]

This has been one of my favourite songs ever since it came out ... so good to read through the comments and see in how many lives this song has played an important role ... thanks to everybody here

[robertpaulson]

I used to play guitar and bass.
Then I started listening to Tom, and now I play everything. Banjo, mandolin, accordion, bash on anything (percussion). If it makes a sound, I play it, as Tom has taught me.

[johnofypres]

How can anyone dislike this ? He makes it sound so easy. Brilliant.

[IProvideLyrics]

Falling James in the Tahoe mud
Stick around to tell us all the tale
Well, he fell in love with a Gun Street girl
And now he's dancing in the Birmingham jail
Dancing in the Birmingham jail

Took a 100 dollars off a Slaughterhouse Joe
Bought a brand new Michigan 20 gauge
Got all liquored up on that roadhouse corn
Blew a hole in the hood of a yellow Corvette
A hole in the hood of a yellow Corvette

Bought a secondhand Nova from a Cuban Chinese
Dyed his hair in the bathroom of a Texaco
With a pawnshop radio, quarter past 4
He left Waukegan at the slammin' of the door
He left Waukegan at the slammin' of the door

I said, John, John he's long gone
Gone to Indiana
Ain't never coming home
I said John, John he's long gone
Gone to Indiana
Ain't never coming home

Sitting in a sycamore in St. John's Wood
Soakin' day-old bread in kerosene
He was blue as a robin's egg and brown as a hog
Stayin' out of circulation till the dogs get tired
Out of circulation till the dogs get tired

Shadow fixed the toilet with an old trombone
He never got up in the morning on a Saturday
Sittin' by the Erie with a bull-whipped dog
Tellin' everyone he saw they went thatta way
Tellin' everyone he saw they went thatta way

Now the rain's like gravel on an old tin roof
And the Burlington Northern's pullin' out of the world
Now a head full of bourbon and a dream in the straw
And a Gun Street girl was the cause of it all
A Gun Street girl was the cause of it all

Riding in the shadow by the St. Joe Ridge
He heard the click clack tappin' of a blind man's cane
He was pullin' into Baker on a New Year's Eve
With one eye on the pistol and the other on the door
One eye on the pistol and the other on the door

Miss Charlotte took her satchel down to King Fish Row
And she smuggled in a brand new pair of alligator shoes
With her fireman's raincoat and her long yellow hair
Well, they tied her to a tree with a skinny millionaire
Tied her to a tree with a skinny millionaire

I said, John, John he's long gone
Gone to Indiana
Ain't never coming home
I said John, John he's long gone
Gone to Indiana
Ain't never coming home

Bangin' on a table with an old tin cup
Sing I'll never kiss a Gun Street girl again
I'll never kiss a Gun Street girl again
I'll never kiss a Gun Street girl again

I said, John, John he's long gone
Gone to Indiana
Ain't never coming home
I said John, John he's long gone
Gone to Indiana
Ain't never coming home

[schnook]

One of my favorite songs of all-time...and most of my faves are Tom. It's tough to pick favorites when you love Tom Waits--long career full of greats.

[christopherdicarlo]

A brilliant story-teller and chronicler of Americana from the ridiculous to the sublime.

[barquedust]

One of the greatest artists planet earth has ever known.  One-of-a-kind.  Thank you, Tom, so much, for so many years of inspiration, desperation and memories.

[CatJabZ]

Simply one of the best composers ever.

[danbiholar]

Tom Waits is an artist who uses life as his Muse;and he taught me so very much ;I owe you Tom, Thanks

[bitingdogg]

This song haunts my dreams. Every word and inflection is perfection

[leonche]

"He bought a second-hand Nova from a Cuban Chinese and dyed his hair in the bathroom of a Texaco." I can't ...I can't even begin to figure out where he...I just can't.

[barquedust]

Nobody can tell a tale with grit and texture like this ol wolf.

[jeannickgravelines]

Tom Waits don't know that he is a real part of my life...And I'm old.
Many thanks

[QuasiTraction]

I think I want Tom Waits songs played at my funeral. This song for sure.

[JohnWilson-bnxs]

Saw Tom at the Great Southeast Music Hall, Atlanta in 1975. Unforgettable. a wildncrazy neo-beatnick, who also writes some of the most beautiful melodies ever recorded. Always looking to hear his latest.

[debbesmith]

I am absolutely fascinated by and love this mans work (songs or acting, he is epic)

[therealzilch]

Tom Waits is a genius at getting the most out of very sparing musical accompaniment.