Tom Waits is a famous American singer-songwriter and actor who has earned numerous accolades for his work. Here are a few interesting piece of information from the life of this renowned artist.
Before making it big in the music industry Waits did many odd jobs -- bouncer in a club, selling ice cream, working in a pizzeria, and even for the US Coastguard -- to make ends meet.
His wage as a doorman was $8 an hour but when he began singing in the same club he apparently earned only $6 in an hour.
The two time Grammy Award winner is a huge fan of Missy Elliot.
The artist suffered from alcoholism but has been sober for almost two decades now.
Tom likes to maintain a chronicle of interesting facts and trivia. Allegedly his journal consists of information like the fact that a cockroach can survive for two hours after decapitation.
The sound of bacon frying in a pan is music to Waits ear.
Read on to find some of the inspirational quotes by the famous singer-songwriter Tom Waits.
We are buried beneath the weight of information, which is being confused with knowledge; quantity is being confused with abundance and wealth with happiness.
We are monkeys with money and guns.
It's very hard to stop doing things you're used to doing. You almost have to dismantle yourself and scatter it all around and then put a blindfold on and put it back together so that you avoid old habits.
Never have your wallet with you onstage. It's bad luck. You shouldn't play the piano with money in your pocket. Play like you need the money.
Tom Waits (to me, about 1986 or so)
Slept all night in the cedar grove,
i was born to ramble, born to rove,
some men are searchin' for the holy grail,
but there ain't nothin' sweeter
than ridin' the rails
Tom Waits
Your old home town's so far away, but inside your head there's a record that's playing, a song called 'Hold On
It's the same with men as with horses and dogs, nothing wants to die.
Tom Waits
I admit that I ain't no angel, I admit that I ain't no saint-- I'm selfish and I'm cruel and I'm blind. If I exorcise my devils, well my angels may leave too. When they leave they're so hard to find...
Arithmetic arithmetock
Turn the hands back on the clock
How does the ocean rock the boat?
How did the razor find my throat?
The only strings that hold me here
Are tangled up around the pier.
When you are writing, you're conjuring. It's a ritual, and you need to be brave and respectful and sometimes get out of the way of whatever it is that you're inviting into the room.
 )
