blind boys of alabama, way down in the hole

blind boys of alabama sing "way down in the hole" by tom waits
Tom Waits, Way Down in the Hole
• Video

[@tommyodonovan3883]

Watch HBO's the WIRE. Best thing ever made

[@tommyodonovan3883]

This is the Wire's theme song. Keep the devils way down in a hole. Happy new year friends from Alberta Canada, tommyodonovan. 

[@FirstGaCav]

Probably the best cop show ever

[@xxxViceroyxxx]

Tommy O Donovan sopranos better

[@dantegood2195]

Hands down it really is the greatest television series ever created

[@tommyodonovan3883]

xxxViceroyxxx good but not better. IMHO.

[@CurtisBond]

Got to man. This America...

[@venaretro5444]

So...Who shoot snot?

[@TomaszRykala]

Love that line.

[@ab47clean]

The Blind Boys are chill...this is by far the best version of this tune!

[@GozerTheGozerian]

I've recommended it to a few friends and I always tell them to give it three or four episodes before they decide whether they like it or not. Unlike 99% of TV shows, you actually have to pay attention because the plot line and the huge cast is not going to make it easy on viewers. But once you get into it, the reward is enormous. I think we can all agree there has never been a greater show in the history of television.

[@KabochaOu]

While I do really like this version, I also like how they used a different version for every season. That was really clever.

[@rubyjohn]

When you walk through the garden You gotta watch your back Well I beg your pardon Walk the straight and narrow track If you walk with Jesus He's gonna save your soul You gotta keep the devil Way down in the hole He's got the fire and the fury At his command Well you don't have to worry If you hold on to Jesus hand We'll all be safe from Satan When the thunder rolls We just gotta help me keep the devil Way down in the hole All the angels sing about Jesus' mighty sword And they'll shield you with their wings And keep you close to the lord Don't pay heed to temptation For his hands are so cold You gotta help me keep the devil Way down in the hole Down in the hole, down in the hole Down in the hole, down in the hole Down in the hole, down in the hole You gotta help me keep the devil Down in the hole

[@Bleekcastle]

These are for you Mcnulty

[@Gardiyani]

"i got the shotgun you got the briefcase.. its all in the game though right?"

[@sup393]

Everybody got to have a code

[@raoulhery]

Omar comin yo

[@jimmiestrick1941]

Sawed off 12Ga and a flak jacket , hard to beat combo

[@sup393]

@@jimmiestrick1941 if you come at the King you best not miss

[@ITSRICHTIME]

Jimmie Strick he got dead silence and stopping power too

[@joepeake8972]

Not anymore he isn't.

[@pjvenneman]

The average young child in this country watches about four hours of television a day and each year sees tens of thousands of commercials, often for high-fat, high-sugar or high-salt snacks and foods; thousands of episodes of violence; and countless instances of alcohol use and inappropriate sexual activity. By the time children finish high school, they have spent nearly twice as many hours in front of the television set as in the classroom.

[@XAVIERCUERVO]

no other show has the scope or the impressive array of characters as the Wire does from the theme song to Omar little ........perfection!!!

[@pdoth]

Still can't make my mind up which is best..... this is right up there, Damn... there all good.

[@OMEGAROB246]

The sopranos, wire and breaking bad. 3 best shows ever and each as awesome as each other

[@hardeway512]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I miss the wire!!!!!!!!! They need to do a follow up movie!

[@WTFdropkick]

best version of the song IMO

[@sachetsofrelish]

These guys made the song their own, like Hendrix with Dylan's 'Watchtower'. That Low F harp is unbelievable.

[@toasterdevil]

That's a valid point for about 99.9% of TV and yeah, in the long run you are better off with cinema or a book, but man, you can tell from that description, you have not watched The Wire. The Wire is some good shit...

[@Commanderf6]

This is my favorite version!

[@Chickenhawk9932]

These guys absolutely rock!

[@onthebus17]

This is my fav version. It oozes soul.

[@pentegom]

Nah, Tom Waits just howls it. I know he wrote it and all, but this is by far more impressive.

[@OhItsOnNow22]

these old boys are the bomb.

[@katkal3]

yea i know. its funny you should bring up crossroads, as it is one of my favorite tom waits songs. it has such a "the good,the bad and the ugly "feel about it. toms not only a great singer/songwriter, hes also a great storyteller. viva le waits!!!

[@aldotorrente7188]

I LOVE THIS SONG BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL

[@guggiuggi3687]

That's because Waits made the original.. What horrid piece of music. Black dudes be like: "Shut up fool, this here is how it's done!"

[@PxCIx]

guggi uggi I know! Who can listen to Waits sing anything? What a horrid voice and sh*tty phrasing.

[@guggiuggi3687]

Scru Gugle Lol I honestly don't know.. The guy sounds like he's dying. It's like some kind of cult where people thnk Waits is the greatest fucking musician ever.. And they always go on about him being a genius, because he sometimes stops the music dead, and then keeps playing after a brief pause - SO fucking incredible and original! Out of my ass... The guy makes money though, and has absolutely no talent - thats's one nut I personally haven't cracked yet, lol. Gotta give him credit for that, I guess.

[@Bike_Lion]

@@guggiuggi3687- It's like Bob Dylan. A good poet and songwriter, but he can't sing to save his life :D There are hardcore Dylan fans though who will try to argue with that!

[@leonidastheking7830]

@@guggiuggi3687 shut up! jealous bitch

[@tholiveira3051]

Omar is coming 🇧🇷

[@Mimi2Y2BYAZPHIL]

The Wire WAS/IS amaaaaazing!!, this was the BEST version of the theme song.

[@birdstuckinchimney]

The singer is Jimmy "Lee" Carterand he's got one of the greatest voices in music.

[@timothylewis2450]

Absolutely! Amen sister! 🥰

[@danthebeachman]

Great cover of Tom Waits song...."Way Down in the Hole"!

[@LISTUNUP]

Today that "so and so", scallywag, trouble maker, evil one, commissioner of despair and hopelessness attempted to take away our day. I am glad to report that we were not taken prisoner by the "clever one". We grabbed the Hand of the One that is All Ways reaching out to Support us with Unconditional Love and Hope and along with that Warm Holding Hand we opened our hearts to the great Comforter to overcome the scheme being so skillfully laid before us. We put that Devil way down in the hole....

[@speedcor3]

you can not lose, if you don't play

[@DrNickRiveria]

cant win either...

[@eksel20]

Noone wins. One side just loses more slowly

[@demetriusphillips534]

season 4 version of this song just takes it AWAY ! ... wish it were a min or 90 secs longer ... the kids just hit all the right notes one of my fav songs in any genre/context

[@gibbledman]

Its all in the game yo. All in the game.

[@dantyack]

The first solo is David Lindley on lap steel, the second is Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica

[@timothylewis2450]

Thanks for the information I was desperately searching for just that! Explains why I was so impressed! Musselwhite on fire, Lindley always exceptional and the BBOA with the great Jimmy Carter on lead! All incomparable artists in my opinion. Legends every one.

[@JerryRSun]

I agree. The ending montage was a masterpiece.

[@bigkeezo]

I'm a realist man.I give this show its props.The producers turned down offers from big name stars like Diddy.Integrity is important to them.After I saw the 1st scene of this show I was hooked

[@TomaszRykala]

Same ! Love from first episode .

[@thegov08]

This is the best version by far. Can't seem to download it though.

[@orzeszek1983]

It is different version then Tom Waits one...this one ..comparing to Tom Waits is more...commercial, lighter, smoother....but not better...people who said that Tom sounds off tune, that he screams...yeah they are probably right....but that song is not about some summer love !@#%..Tom Waits left piece of his soul in his adaptation...his version will leave a footprint in your ears :)...you will listen to this one probably dance to it and have a good time, then you will say: nice song. That`s all.

[@ToysHater]

*Bodie breaks the camera*

[@georgetrotter1742]

❤Sing Men Tell the truth ✝️

[@JdTV79]

"Man, money ain't got no owners. Only spenders"

[@Antrizzle2009]

Still my favorite version of the song, even more so than the Tom Waits version.

[@coperTony]

This is America, man.

[@Sykotix1]

I much prefer this one to Tom Waits's version. Fantastic vocals!

[@timothylewis2450]

The great Jimmy Carter, one of gospel’s greatest.

[@RR-km9ed]

I love this :-)

[@mwright452]

awesome!

[@pritch1961]

oh my goodness!! so good!!!

[@edwardg2003]

I never knew Tom Waits wrote this to be honest. But of all the versions from the different seasons...this one...is by far my favorite one. I liked Tom Waits version in Season 2 and the one by the Neville Brothers in Season 3 and to be honest...Domaje's version in Season 4 wasn't bad either. But this one here is just FUNKY. Straight out...and the singer is off the chain and so are the arrangements. Actually this is how I originally became interested in the Wire in the first place...hearing this.

[@piewalker]

Furthermore, I'd like to re-iterate that if a person should choose to spend all of their time watching T.V, then it is a decision they have made independantly. That being said, I have never met anyone whose life is dominated by the T.V in a way that you have described. It is true that the majority of people own a T.V. The majority of people also own a stereo and a bookcase, and are as capable of intellignet thought as anyone else.

[@pjvenneman]

Come on now um... dad, I wouldn't assume to tell anyone about the devil. Though I fail to see why your opinion is any more valid than mine. I grew up in traditional churches listening to traditional gospel music and became a musician myself though I left god behind. Like I've said, the polish of this version sucks out all the passion. This version sounds perfect. Tom Waits' version sounds like he means it. This version makes me feel precisely nothing. And it is something I know about, dad.

[@pjvenneman]

TV is not harmless. Peoples' lives ARE dominated by TV. That's a fact. I choose not to watch TV because I know it is better for my imagination to read a book or to actually experience real life. TV in the main is mind numbing. It is not thought provoking in the slightest. TV is in every home. Any other form of entertainment requires you to make a decision and pay for said entertainment. TV is just there; advertising, hypnotising and demoralising.

[@piewalker]

No-one is attacking or denying your right to an opinion, this is just debate. I don't believe that you have answered all those questions though, unless you count quoting a film as a basis for your arguments. My point is that T.V, is as susceptable to the exploits of capitalists and therefore also as valid as any other form of entertainment. That's not the same as insisting that you should watch it.

[@pjvenneman]

Yeah, I am a bit of a hard-liner. But that to me is like saying 99.9% of drugs are bad but weed is just a plant, it's some good shit. Pretty soon you move onto other drugs... I prefer to leave TV alone altogether. It's a baaaaad drug. I've actually never even heard anyone here talk about The Wire so I don't think we get it in New Zealand. We get all the shitty American reality shows though. Because that's the majority's drug of choice.

[@pjvenneman]

I don't really get into watching 'music videos' either. Music videos are essentially television advertisements. I was watching Tom Waits perform this song LIVE, as I believe all 'music videos' should be live performance to have any credibility. Go watch Lumet's film Network to see an accurate portrayal of televisions inherent and incessant evil. In my humble opinion, television is dumb, and not the least bit clever. I know that's a generalisation but I studied and worked in TV, so I'm allowed.

[@turbo_fren]

Narsenyev, I agree, although I think the 5th season of "Breaking Bad" could make the series overtake "The Wire", but that remains to be seen. I really loved David Simon's other baby "Homicide: Life on the Streets" at least the first three or four seasons until they added Gustavo Fring from "Breaking Bad" and that awful captain character, the blonde woman.

[@menceyzaq]

@Elementer117 By that logic, I could have also left out "blind" as well, since sight doesn't matter. I didn't mean anything by it, except to point out the long, rich tradition of gospel being inextricably tied to Black history and most of the best gospel singers are black. That, and the alliteration. :)

[@snowstrobe]

This is not a better version than Tom's, for an important reason. Whilst this may be musically funkier, it misses an important point about the song. They sing it straight, ie. is if it is true. But the song was always intended to be tongue-in-cheek. When you hear Tom's version you know it's meant as a joke, as it should be...

[@pjvenneman]

Nearly 60 percent of children aged 8 to 16 have a TV in their bedroom. Studies have found that children who watch 10 or more hours of TV a week have lower reading scores and perform less well academically than comparable youngsters who spend less time watching television. Long-term studies suggest several reasons.

[@pjvenneman]

Well if you're content to go up and down in an elevator all day, all the best to you. Although if you were ever to find an elevator playing Tom Waits' original version of this song, THAT elevator would go up and down, side to side and round in circles. I know which I'd prefer. Basically, in my opinion, this group made an extraordinary song ordinary.

[@pjvenneman]

What I find incredible is that most of the commenters here know the song from a TV show. People's lives are ruled by TV. Watch Tom Waits do this song here on youtube. The video is insane- at the end when he cocks the bible like a gun and then fires it, with applicable foley. He is a storyteller and a performer.

[@GuilleGobierno]

@to303 I like this cover better than the original, but I do not forget that thos"spokesman for the National Throat Cancer and Emphysema Association" actually wrote the fucking song. But I know, in the other hand, that asking for respect in internet is like trying to dry the sea with a napkin.

[@impact49]

@narutofan97 this a good version, an OK version but nothing more than a "good" or an "OK" version of one of TW masterpieces. Yeahh it was OK but you're feeling what??? remembering what???participating emotionally HOW??? Grow UP! there is a big difference between "living" and "existing".

[@pjvenneman]

I appreciate I made a very, very unpopular point here, which is not the ideal forum, and I'm happy to continue discussing it with you piewalker. If you do wish to continue our debate, please send me a personal message so fans of this song can just enjoy the song.

[@ryanhutchings3383]

so good.

[@minermike61]

I like this group but......Tom Waits wrote it and he owns it in every form. I have heard people try to remake Wait's music and some do a decent job but they ain't Tom. That said they do a good job on this song.

[@punchy001]

@firestartertwistedfi the wire ... one of my top favorites.. HBO doesnt miss... oh wait .. theres Carnivale... that sucked ass. Props to The Sopranos, The Wire, Deadwood, Rome, and OZ ;) I own them all.

[@Galantski]

Weirdest thing is, Waits actually sounds blacker than they do. Go figure. Too bad Johnny Cash didn't cover this as a straight Gospel number. I think he could have done an awesome version.

[@to303]

These guys just totally outdid Tom Waits, here. This sounds like real Blues - Waits sounds like some spokesman for the National Throat Cancer and Emphysema Association.

[@ISMAIL187]

@willthemighty haha Omar XD.. he mght of been gay but he was the best character, the whistle long coat sawed off and everyone runnin shoutin "OMARS COMIN" haha

[@rutlandclimber]

@narutofan97 I know! Ya gotta love it when that happens, cos it was a tune before these guys got their hands on it.

[@insane4music]

that's the theme song for the tv series the Wire.

[@kylethompson4]

Not even close to Tom Waits version...but good none the less. I like the harp in this version. I'd like to hear BB King do this song.

[@katkal3]

tom waits version is way better, this sounds too boring, tom screams and yells like a mad preacher and fits the song perfectly.

[@TwiggyDig]

i didn't like season 4. I liked this one and season 2. best seasons: 1.4 2.3 3.1 4.2 5.5 all unbelievably great shows though.

[@cameldos]

Good Song

[@RR-km9ed]

Praise you lord

[@bizkitzel]

HBO quality baby. a little of Oz, a little of Sopranos, a lot of the Corner, shake it a little and you get the Wire.

[@krismon76]

@snowstrobe how do you know this? i'm no waits expert but i didn't pick that up from the original version.

[@wandersonwheels2190]

Does CHAZ in Seattle look like Hamsterdam? Pandemic protest ponderings

[@oggendoggen2]

I know there's a Tom Waits tribute album by that one girl (whose name evades me), but are there any compilation tribute albums?

[@schrome1019]

Omar comin. Omar comin.

[@theblahman]

@FlyMontag no no no, u cant be more wrong, an argument is pointless when the proof is in the music

[@KCohere33]

I love this theme song. Im thinking of getting it from Itunes. BTW, are they really blind.

[@DietrichSpeer]

saw them performing this song in concert last night - absolutely the most amazing concert I've been to in a long time

[@pjvenneman]

Definitive version?? Surely the person who wrote it recorded the 'definitive' version??

[@bytracingittwice]

ahh...cant hear this version without awesome flashbacks to the wire season 1

[@biggylittle1234]

dang, corrections for the last one i meant. I personally believe ........... DICKS!!!!

[@itsaguinness]

(whistling the Farmer in the Dell) Omar comin Yo!

[@bennotben]

@flashingart its the theme tune from season 1

[@GBlazeMan]

King stay the king. . .

[@bazIBIZA2007]

The Wire does for TV what Major Crimes does for Baltimore Police Department.

[@juliovac]

the wire made me feel dirty in the streets, down to the real world, while having a non-predictable complex storyline...just the best show ive ever watched ;)

[@LCONBEN]

AMEN

[@jeffraider]

if you walk with jesus you'll saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave your soul

[@marlowe2]

Not necessarily. Bob Dylan wrote "All Around the Watch Tower" but Jimi Hendrix made it his own. Same thing goes with "Little Help from my Friends" - The Beatles wrote the thing, but there's no way you can tell me that Joe Cocker's version isn't the definitive. As far as this song goes - love it in all variations, but this version rocks just slightly more than Tom Waits (who is awesome in his own way).

[@mcz2954]

Where is the love jimmy? Where is the motherfucking love?

[@MalNaprej]

Marlo gets to walk? As Clay would put it " Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittt"

[@Kwekwe]

@erose999 Me too!!! Its sounds like him doesnt it!!!

[@TheNung]

this is the best version of the song, anyone who disagrees is wrong

[@OntarioColdCases]

I'd love to know how he gets that rhythm guitar tone.

[@JPfromFlint]

"You not in Aruba bitch" -a quote from Detective "Bunk" Moreland