TOM WAITS "On the Nickel" [LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN 1983]

[@123WTF]

I was a college student who watched Letterman religiously at the time and saw this the first time it aired. I watched this skinny white dude sit at a piano and had no idea I was about to have my heart ripped out in the most poignant way possible. The next day I ran out and bought Heart Attack and Vine and Tom Waits has been an integral part of my musical makeup ever since.

[@tattoodude8946]

I had a similar thing happen with Neil Young on Saturday Night Live. This scruffy white hippy with out of date side burns and a beat up guitar and harmonica rack around his neck standing alone on stage and I was like, "who is this wingnut?" Then this high pitched, angelic voice hit me and I was in awe. I'll never forget that experience.

[@brento3]

Australia 1979 interview & performance is my favorite. Love you Tom

[@endamccallion1073]

Thank you for respecting the simplicity and beauty of this amazing song.

[@TheLeftyGrove]

I don't like to use genius lightly, but this is a true American genius. One of a kind, and we'll never ever have another one like him.

[@Festoniaful]

Truly he is

[@firebrand7681]

Letterman was a huge Waits fan. So much so, that Tom was a guest on his very last Late Nite With David Letterman show.

[@andygrenn680]

Every time I find a nickel sitting on the pavement I think of On The Nickel as I bend down to pick it up. Song hasn’t made me rich, but the memory of the song is everlasting. Better than money. Well done Tom Waits.

[@markmarnell]

“… so this is dedicated to all the little boys who’ve run away from home” Tom Waits

[@pricejoss]

Love your children, folks and make sure you tell them every single day

[@tomhill9540]

Such unique talent and thoughtful lyrics. Refreshing to hear music that stands above the norm. Tip of the hat to Dave Letterman for him embracing Tom

[@supra_et_ultra]

I truly believe this is Tom’s signature song and that this is a career-defining performance of it-complete with Tom’s intro which displays his sense of humor when he says that On the Nickel has “a holiday feel to it”. That hilarious! Tom, playing his lounge lizard persona in the intro and then gives a deeply emotional performance. That’s why he is a genius

[@TR-yi8up]

Whenever they put together the top 100 live musical tv moments, this will be there. Just pulverizing.

[@TheSwaney73]

The song I'm having when I'm being lowered into the grave. It's absolutely gorgeous

[@ezhope1]

Definitely stealing your idea, thanks.

[@convair9]

there are artists who can infuse a listener with a mood, feeling, or an empathic awareness for another's peril despite lacking the vocal qualities of a singer blessed with a sweet voice. Willie Nelson can instill me with the feeling of regret I would feel had I just bore witness to an angel's fall by its flying too close to the ground. Mr. Tom Waites can make me imagine that I have just drifted off to slumber under a bridge in the traffics droning hum dreaming of my childhood and what could've been on the nickel over there, and Janis can make me feel that I have been broken down in Baton Rouge worn out from the parallel events that both the road and life threw at me rendering me broken, dumped and faded while never really giving up any of my gratitude for being alive and free. All three of these people have less than desirable voices but possess some special innate power to convey a feeling like you get when a favorite lit teacher presents a classic and they do this despite what their voices lack often in less than four minutes.

[@rolandhicks1874]

You’re special.

[@convair9]

spoken like a douchebag hick@@rolandhicks1874

[@lexm9416]

Beautifully written comment, you may not realise it but you too have the ability to stir the emotions.

[@christopherrussell2611]

Just beautiful & heart rendering. Jane

[@37Dionysos]

"The world keeps gettin' bigger/once you get out on your own...."

[@davehackett8848]

His first appearance on the show, and he rips your guts out.

[@hugovermeulen9596]

this is such a great song !

[@johnadlesic6800]

Sublime!

[@vascofalcaogomes5296]

one of his best! 4 me

[@Growler57]

The one and only never be another like him

[@EdKazO-Vision]

@@Growler57 You’re David Bowie huh

[@angermanagementstudios]

Absolute genius.

[@kennytheworm]

Love your channel. Any fan of Tom’s is a special find. One of his best performances. Keep up the good work.

[@EdKazO-Vision]

Thanks Kenny. Tell your friends!🤓

[@kennytheworm]

@@EdKazO-Vision I will, brother. Check out my KZbin nonsense: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXi0aaJ-fqlkaZY

[@kerryhumphries4373]

Tom Waits is a genius. Weird AL Yankovic is another one❤

[@bernadettewunder117]

I discovered this song when

[@terryhu57]

One of the guitarists became a preacher later in life.

[@YaoEspirito]

"Skip the light with Grady Tuck..." Is that what he says? What might that mean?

[@jodiemosley834]

My ftve

[@huwzebediahthomas9193]

💖 👍

[@JohnBastiani-s6r]

Hi. Nice voice I'd love to hear you sing some mozart or Handel one day. Can I ask where your from?? Thank you from a Aussie fan. Take care

[@atvheads]

Less is more.