Tom Waits - Martha (Rare Live Performance - Denver, CO 1974)

Subscribe for more rare Tom Waits videos and videos from other artists!
Tom playing Martha from the album Closing Timein Denver in 1974. Rare live perfomance of this song and the first recorded one I've come across on my travels! Glad to share it with the world. Enjoy!

[@rocknroller3000]

Man is a total genius, how on earth did he have such an in-depth understanding of the sorrows of love at such a young age. Living legend.

[@kulturfabrik-tonstudio]

Very similar to Bob Dylan…

[@sarapaone5499]

@@kulturfabrik-tonstudio far better

[@SlowVillageBand]

Word

[@MPM_News]

I just cry when I listen to this and as I age this song hurts more😢

[@robertd8351]

I am sure there are millions still alive to enjoy this song and many others from Waits like I do.

[@elizabethpinkerton9866]

I believe this is very close to his best, but not this version the one on the record.

"And those were the days of roses Poetry and prose and Martha All I had was you and all you had was me There was no tomorrows We'd packed away our sorrows And we saved them for a rainy day And I remember quiet evenings Trembling close to you"

[@koichibambi]

This has to be one of the greatest songs ever written..the lyrics are amazing

[@brimon]

Just discovered this, my oh my how this mimics my life but in my case I got to spend some years with my first and only true love before she sadly died os a rare cancer in 2016

[@violetfemme411]

Absolutely heartbreaking and timeless...I was lucky enuff to see him live in SF eons back. And tho I treasure the recordings, his live show...about 2 hrs or more is to this day one of the best. He truly is bigger than life on stage, and yet isn't afraid to expose every aspect of his very old soul...warts and all. What u see/hear is the essence of the man, not some wannabe rock star. Love ya Tom!

[@michaelmcgrath4468]

Still can't listen to this one without my eyes tearing up. Thanx Tom......legend

[@petermcnally7125]

What I love about this version that its NOT flawless. So Beautiful.

[@bertbretherton]

All I had was you, and all you had was me. When I was 16. I'm 78.

[@kisskou1074]

Say hi Oh are you sure? My parents got old who are 77 years and I am aged too

[@sandibergen2523]

bertbretherton ❤️

[@pxg1773]

What was it like when Tom was popular? Did u guys think he had a weird voice?

[@elizabethpinkerton9866]

Sometimes this makes me cry.

[@roflmyeggoproduction]

Man, I have broken three bones and not cried a single tear, but this makes me just pour out tears

[@ALEXISGNFR]

we all have a Martha and maybe we will never see them again.....

[@xesredum1]

amazing what this guy can do just with a piano his voice and liquor

[@LukeMaynard]

This is one of the only live recordings I've ever heard of Tom Waits with his "original voice." What an incredible lost gem. He already sounded like grownup Tom Waits by the time he did Nighthawks. Thank you for preserving this.

[@zowohodoho]

Check out Warm Beer On A Cold Night! So so so so good

[@VonBlade]

I still prefer his original voice. The new one has got so silly it's a parody of itself. He's far too good a songwriter to mumble and growl through his finely crafted lyrics. *insert philistine comments below*

[@MasterOfKnowledge.]

@@VonBlade Well, he doesn't really have a choice about how his voice sounds anymore. All the smoking and such. But honestly, I think it still sounds really good, mostly because it's Tom freakin' Waits

[@DonnachaDeLong]

@@VonBlade Hold On? Innocent When You Dream? Time? Those songs could not sound any better than they do.

[@billfuller8092]

I have seen him twice in the 70's. Two of the best concerts ever. What you see is what you get...

[@mrsterripurcell]

Funny after all these years still fills like I'm hearing it for the first must be nearly 40 year since I first heard it, lot of water under the bridge and even more friends passed on but the magic remains thank you

[@bertbretherton]

And here I am again. Even the great Tim Buckley covered this beautiful magic in his short time with us. Thanks, Tom.

[@razibuddin9067]

Nice to read someone mentioned the great Tim Buckley. He was a true troubadour!

[@kevinbartlett6739]

So agree. Happysad is so full of beauty and Starsailor is from another galaxy.@@razibuddin9067

[@svt1649]

what a time to be alive

[@tedmohr6353]

It is so great to hear this. Tom Waits played a small club in Denver called Ebbets Field that seated 240 and he played there 34 times. I first saw him opening for Jerry Jeff Walker and I was totally blown away in 1974, so maybe I was there. Probably cost $5, and a couple of beers! Each song he played that night opened my heart and yes so much, he was so funny, interacted with the crowd I became a forever fan. Ebbets hosted BB KIng, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Willie Nelson, Emmylou, . just to name a few. When you greatness in such a small venue, you never forgot it. Denver was lucky to have this place, only 73-77. This is such a treasure. Any more of this concert available, it would be great to hear.

[@jalnamoinen3841]

Thank you Ted! Wonderful to hear your words about Waits in Denver from long distant Finland, don't worry bout the cost! My favourite song of Tom. Cheers, all!

[@dylanbehan6202]

Thanks for the story! How cool. I knew he played her win Denver a lot. Unfortunately I wasn’t born til 88 haha

[@juliehobbs7938]

I’ve been There many times when I was young. Saw Muddy waters and many others. Sadly I missed Tim Waits there. Memories.

[@marymidwestill5697]

First love ...quiet evenings...Martha (Chuck). Whew, it makes the eyes run extra, when the head of hair atop such big sweet memories has gone silvery. "All I had was you and all you had was me."

[@janwaalwijk666]

Been listening to this five times this evening, could do with 5 more times.

[@janetredway6822]

I always wanted someone to write a song about me - now I wish my name were Martha. Thank you for this, first time I've heard it. It's lovely....

[@MrJ0lly]

What do you think they'd say in the song?

[@user-gf3wn1ne9n]

If your name was Martha, the song still wouldn't be about you...

[@MartyzPartyz]

Mine is, and I never liked it--until I heard this! Now, I cry every time I hear it, and thank my mom for the name.🥰

[@gobuns2]

@@user-gf3wn1ne9n you could adopt tbe song thru certain parts of it, don't squeeze lemons into our eyes, dear friend!

[@standready7083]

Brilliance. We all have a Martha in our past.

[@Crashoverall]

come on, this is absolutely brilliant

[@mtroy0620]

Gosh all mighty that song kicks you square in the feels doesn't it.

[@judsonh1949]

One of the best songs by one of our greatest song writers! Love the rare live recording! It provides a taste of Tom's voice in the days when the gruffness and gravel was less pronounced and hearing him sing his own wonderful songs was a bit easier on the ears..

[@johnmccann8319]

Saw him in the Olympia Dublin at a midnight show long long ago.He was amazing.Genius.

[@mickeycrist]

I was there that night....Ebbets Field in Denver...It is etched in my mind forever...

[@johnpocock3848]

lucky little devil!

[@daphnewalker4951]

Did you ever not once to have someone from your past to get back in touch? Especially if you'd made a big mistake. I wish I was Martha and that Tom had given me a call.

[@GregDrayGregDray]

This one of my all time favorite Tom Waits songs.There is so much emotion in this song.

[@mateuszmattias]

Absolutely love this song. Sad thing is I have myself a bit of a Martha. Haven't seen her in more than five years, don't know what she's doing today, and now at 44 i don't see how I'll ever be able to get used to us not being together. Maybe in twenty years, at 64 I'll be like old Tom Frost. Not a joyous prospect, but the song is still beautiful. Hope I'll be able to keep liking it.

[@Wilde0603]

9 years ago. Did you call Martha ?

[@mateuszmattias]

This is fantastic, a comment I made 9 years ago, a look into my own past if you will. Thank you for asking. "My Martha" was/is called Catherine, and thruth be told, I still think of her at times, but it's not really painful the way the song depicts it. At this point my thoughts of her may even be almost a phantasy with not so much in common with the person she really was/is. I guess most feelings recede into the background after a while, other things happen in life, good and bad, so you simply move on, not so much as a conscious decision, but out of necessity. It so happens that we share the same birthday, so I sent her my regards when she turned 40, and she replied when I turned 50. That's all. I never called her.

[@daphnewalker4951]

Wish you would call - what is there to lose x

[@michaelteret4763]

I bet lots of us have our own Marthas. But my Marthas have moved on, I’m afraid…

[@skiziskin]

I was at all those mid 70s shows at Ebbett's Field. What great memories. We were all so young then.

[@miavalgaerts7548]

This is o so beautiful, so straight from the heart, a jewel. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@MiriamGalvani]

Thank you, thank you, what a surprise tonight!

[@glanadabing]

So many years since I first listening to this song. Now I’m much older, too, had my days of roses with Martha, and I don’t love anymore

[@aqualung4359]

Beautiful

[@robincofer]

This version has the end cut off (possibly the best part) where the MC says Tom will be back tomorrow night for "the price of one tenth of a dimebag, it's only a dollar", then says "Tom will be joined Thursday night through the end of the week with John Wa.. John Stewart.. John Wait..? [mumble] did I [mumble] John Wait?...... Tom Waits, once again, come on!" [followed by awkward pause, hesitant applause] I think the MC probably made use of his own dimebag during the show.

[@christianhaugland3338]

Just so beautiful.

[@fedro286]

la versione più bella che abbia mai sentito del celebre brano di tom. un grande musicista, voce graffiante e spirito romantico. arriva immediatamente al cuore di chi ascolta un'intensa malinconia come d'autunno, sembra di veder un incontro tra due persone, il tutto racchiuso in sentimenti d'amore e semplici tenerezze lungo viali di foglie secche ingiallite. mitico tom. the most introspective and interesting storyteller i've ever heard.

[@bindestreck]

i used to believe tom waits was atleast 70 years old.... because of this song and how he sings it

[@skysigns]

I listen to this song all day, it means a lot to me! Thank you!

[@AndorhalCoi]

one of my all time favorites. thank you.

[@kathykelly4418]

Slow, slow connection, choppy download, but what a perfect song! Makes me grateful for what I have.

[@smalltimer666]

:)

[@pete2derp]

definitely my favourite tom waits song. and this version is amazing.

[@LSF45]

Damn, if Tom would play this at a future show, it would be awesome.

[@wansotaiji]

thank you this is one of my favorite waits songs. tears everytime

[@lluis1969]

Great, thank you for sharing...

[@donatellag.9332]

One of my fav. :0) Thanks for uploading this gem.

[@asrlsog]

Great quality. Thanks!

[@drstevie]

Beautiful.

[@fatman989]

Wish there were more recordings of waits with his original voice

[@joanlagoy]

So beautiful, thank you so much, joanie

[@lamyjeannette7063]

Operator, number, please: It's been so many years Will she remember my old voice While I fight the tears? Hello, hello there, is this Martha? This is old Tom Frost And I am calling long distance Don't worry 'bout the cost. 'Cause it's been forty years or more Now Martha please recall Meet me out for coffee Where we'll talk about it all. And those were the days of roses Poetry and prose and Martha All I had was you and all you had was me. There was no tomorrows We'd packed away our sorrows And we saved them for a rainy day. And I feel so much older now And you're much older too How's your husband? And how's the kids? You know that I got married too? Lucky that you found someone To make you feel secure 'Cause we were all so young and foolish Now we are mature. And those were the days of roses Poetry and prose and Martha All I had was you and all you had was me. There was no tomorrows We'd packed away our sorrows And we saved them for a rainy day. And I was always so impulsive I guess that I still am And all that really mattered then Was that I was a man. I guess that our being together Was never meant to be. And Martha, Martha I love you can't you see? And those were the days of roses Poetry and prose and Martha All I had was you and all you had was me. There was no tomorrows We'd packed away our sorrows And we saved them for a rainy day. And I remember quiet evenings Trembling close to you...

[@jomo297]

Such a great song. I'd love to get a copy of this show.

[@barriestyles-gw3qd]

I sang this with my friend Susan, I gave it my best shot but Tom is the best.

[@donquihote7582]

I would love to be Tom Frost 10 years from now..

[@palomaartes]

Beautiful !

[@eannrelacq2809]

just came across to your world of music but you hit me right TOM!!

[@j.richie3558]

Amazing !

[@pasticcione22]

really thanks for this.

[@SuperEdRodriguez]

Rare and awesome

[@parislane43]

it's so cool that this was filmed in denver!

[@marthawright2468]

I love this

[@SantiagoPonferrada]

Todos tenemos nuestra Martha

[@Midbeauty]

Or Tom :)

[@fersan92]

Concuerdo.

[@JeremieBucknife]

Amazing.

[@182Mickie]

That really is such a beautiful song.

[@ginny6365]

Sweet, beyond compare.

[@JustOneFixx]

@misterpeteface thanks so much for uploading this...amazing performance

[@jshnicl]

such a wonderful song.

[@SteveSandersonArt]

Fantastic....

[@lefterrybellos1238]

This is timeless....

[@johnvonp]

Impressive, very impressive.

[@Maurenhaus]

One of the best versions of the song

[@faenrir11]

uploaded the day i celebrate my birthday. thanks

[@studiohornborga]

Magic!

[@johnkwiatkowski6936]

Amazing. True.

[@rebeccaherrin2612]

Epic

[@martinaxman2033]

Thank you. The Bette Midler on SNL version is also excellent. What an amazing songwriter/performer.

[@Dan-vt3nk]

So sad, but in a good way.

[@dewdrinkinmutha]

Reminds me of a wonderful girl

[@jeanmegly9367]

Martha... Tom. Love.

[@cmos1981]

Reminds me of someone wonderful.

[@paufabregaroda]

God bless you

[@roflmyeggoproduction]

Man, I have broken three bones and not cryed

[@innosanto]

He also great actor.

[@kmruhgrdsvrojh]

probably the best cover of a Tom Waits song out there...

[@dannyspelman6266]

Not a cover

[@thetruebuddio]

this particular recorded album "nickel and dime store" (I think) is fantastic... "one from the heart" has amazing songs as well...

[@user-pq9xw8pl6g]

Wow

[@wildflower7191]

...TY. So🌸 ) 🎁

[@blanchehorst9734]

Still tugs to break your heart ... poignant stuff.

[@Onionbaron]

I wish I was or had a Martha

[@alexfinn18]

Sad songs make me happy :'( >> :)

[@cherrycolouredshades]

im not crying you are crying

[@michaelteret4763]

💔

[@MrJanipalahi]

Not surprising this song makes me feel like I belong..

[@marthacain1468]

Just another, "Martha my dear"~i pray & dream yo can't forget me, your stubborn Welsh nanny goat~my sweet billy goat

[@madeleine7411]

Meat Loaf is right. This song is one of his two favorites and I understand why. Meat did a version, too.

[@notme.3917]

All I had was you and all you had was me...

[@ajpgor]

I'd love to have a listen also, if you can still upload. It would be greatly appreciated.

[@Anttygravity]

I honestly was this is my sisters account! :D

[@auroradarienzo]

[@Hippiemans]

@misterpeterface Does that offer of sending the recording also count for other people? :-)