Tom Waits - Silent Night & Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis

[@jamesroberts5327]

This is one of the coolest performance of all time

[@brandonbryson3317]

I show my friends this and they usually can’t take it seriously…they act like it’s a joke. To me, this is one of the most beautiful performances I’ve seen.

[@Turtlpwr]

People that don’t hear the heartbreak in this should be considered lucky; as they’ve never experienced the pain and loss that would make them feel the weight of this. Can only consider them lucky.

[@drewlondon4463]

You need new friends if they can't appreciate the amazing talent of Tom Waits and the true feeling of this performance

[@Isahiyella]

It is a joke, until the knife goes in at the end. You could hear a pin drop when he closes with Silent Night.

[@MSYNGWIE12]

Your friends like some of my family, in-laws, are, out to lunch. To not, "dig" this poignant lyric, this, "talking blues" - what a shame- Tom is an artist of the highest order- inimitable- that alone is a rare quality in days of mass cloning, same, same, same, blah, blah, blah...Namaste

[@MSYNGWIE12]

Only regret regarding this "gorgeous" song- Marianne Faithfull never covered it...

[@juliencorcia]

It’s Christmas. I’m sad and drunk. This is perfect

[@Alsatiagent-zu1rx]

A tradition for me.

[@Diagnoc]

I wish you a better Christmas this year, guys.

[@lisarigglebug7263]

Tom Waits....Patron Saint of us drunks.

[@JosephRobinson-h9j]

Love you man

[@jacobcasmus1882]

How you doing this year brother? I'm kinda in same boat...

[@davehackett8848]

I was a cab driver in Phoenix, played this for a lady on christmas eve. She was having a rough night, but laughed at the begining, then cried at the end.

[@barrypuckett2488]

That's the way it goes.

[@cahillgreg]

You do have a fanciful imagination

[@davehackett8848]

​@@cahillgreg Not imagination, fact!

[@stevekimball7931]

He is a National Treasure.......

[@seanmitchell2610]

The most profund thing about this performance is as a 31 year old sober recovering heroin addict (8 years clean) I know the person he's telling this story about. I've loved and been loved by this person. I've been this person. The person telling a story of how life could be then by the end admitting it's not at all together like we just stated. The brutal honesty in this piece of art is really something else. I've lived this song. Anyone else who fought And survived addiction knows exactly what I mean.

[@johnnyp8979]

👍 More power to you 👍

[@cahillgreg]

Stay strong & merry xmas

[@melodylapier]

I've loved this person too. Still love them. Always will. I like to call myself a survivor of addiction as well. The hell I've lived through because I love an addict almost broke me. It brought me to that rock bottom that addicts are supposed to have to hit before they're able to turn themselves around, before they're able to save themselves. That rock bottom never comes for an addict. It swallows up everyone who loves them, everyone they say they love, yet they keep going. My rock bottom is what it took for that person I love to stop. He's now married, has a great career & is the father of 2 beautiful little girls. That's all I ever wanted for him.

[@waldosgrade]

Hey Sean - sending love and support. Merry Christmas!

[@teatime2595]

Right on brother merry Christmas happy holidays definitely the best Christmas song I've heard real life the real deal I sent this to a friend I haven't heard from in awhile he was homeless and a week later I found out he had overdose d in a shelter a few days before Christmas 🌺🌜❤️‍🩹

[@countblue]

The man is an icon. I believe he might be the most underrated cultural item in all the US.

[@lindaanderson1957]

I agree wholeheartedly. First time I ever heard him, I was driving in Scarsdale NY. Literally had to pull off roadside to take in what I was hearing. Blew my mind!

[@matildabryant8398]

I adore everything the man has done. If you have never seen him live you should put it on your bucket list. His new music; so different and yet so Tom Waits.

[@thedudegrowsfood284]

Well, maybe the 8th wonder of the Musical World.

[@thedudegrowsfood284]

@Markus Tanbeck Indeed!

[@SteppingRaven56]

Well put

[@007chriscloud]

My own special Traditional Chrismas Song..i send it out on My Story every year...

[@sonic_witch]

This performance means everything to me.

[@dallasgilmore7898]

Same.

[@WalkWithMeSobriety]

Same

[@Phish1995]

Me too. Peace

[@reallyreal9030]

Me Too

[@friedshrimpman223]

To me too

[@ashaindesilva4963]

The way he plays the piano is unique to him.

[@christopherledger5601]

The way he interpolates “I’m goin out of my head” the little Anthony song is incredible

[@drain_001]

Merry Christmas to anyone reading this in 2020.

[@dexterblyth8691]

amen to that

[@FantomWireBrian]

Same to you🎄 . And who could ever replace Waits 😛❗

[@andythunders1049]

This song got me through Christmas 2018

[@Thecaptain1898]

Here we are on 2022!

[@Thecaptain1898]

Here we are, christmas Eve 2023. Hope everyone had a good year. 2024 is going to be a great year. I have a feeling.

[@MK_2023.]

This song always breaks my heart. We don’t deserve Tom Waits or his music, he’s one in a lifetime. How lucky are we to be alive during the same time as him.

[@Xipify]

I agree.

[@ytgas1]

Well, I deserve him!

[@johnnyp8979]

We ALL deserve Tom Waits ! There is many a reason why he sings and performs, to share his musicianship and initiative of creation. I like Tom Waits 🙂, and the song "I DON'T WANNA GROW UP" 😁 ! I'm still transcending into " growing up" and I just retired 🫤

[@ApotropaicV]

We don’t deserve him is the most anti-Tom thing I’ve ever heard.

[@alexandernay5631]

That's true!

[@GhettoWerewolf]

The crowd reaction shows so much. The first time he plays "Silent Night," people laugh. Throughout 2/3s of the song, people laugh. When he reaches the twist...silence. The second time he plays "Silent Night"...silence. Beautiful songwriting.

[@AnnaLVajda]

Tom Waits is what you call a mind f*ck not for the faint of heart.

[@Paperbagarts]

Pure poetry

[@carolynbrightfield8911]

Exquisite

[@burgessbc]

I feel that it is important here to remember that people laugh when they are uncomfortable. Thank you Tom, for making me uncomfortable. I hope she got her parole and found some peace in that silent night.

[@roelandpeeters931]

The laughter fits perfectly! it just adds perfectly to the desolation and misery of the "hooker", laughed at and denigrated. Unwittingly the audience makes this so beautifully dystopic.

[@johnarmijo8221]

Don't wonder why people are laughing... Tom is a genius story teller and knows that laughter and sorrow are the flip sides of the same coin.... It's natural to laugh at the comical familiarity, but intentionally, he gives them that and flips the coin to hit home the dramatic reality.....genius performance, would have loved to have been there!

[@USERNAMEfieldempty]

You have a very kind soul. (I wanted to yell at them for being insensitive bumpkins.)

[@jpetersgoyanks]

I never understood people who seem to think music and laughter are exclusive experiences to each other. If you can’t crack a smile about a Christmas card from a hooker in Minneapolis then what’s the point ... if music can’t express all of our feelings then what are we doing ... at least that’s what I think.

[@michaelbarton2283]

I was thinking the same thing. Why are they laughing? Then I replayded it and heard pretty much only women laughing. WTF. maybe they didn't know the song I thought. But no they were just stupid or drunk .Anyways have a happy festive season everyone.

[@williamwilson836]

Honestly I think it's because a guy with a voice like him said "I'm pregnant" and he's speaking from a perspective that is just uncanny (if that's the right word) and funny. Also, he's just a funny guy. Personality.

[@oneorbonly]

Nervous laughter is what many people do who are unclear on what's expected of them in some situations - all part of the fun (I suppose it is) of our "munky" natures and shared traits. (Also: Who knows - we could have come rolling straight out of some comedic songs/situations/ad libs, so the audience could have been "pre-heated" to chortle a bit. Hard to tell.) Great tune and presentation, anyway, from a great - and certainly unique - artist of wondrous human depth and emotive power. Thanks for being on the planet, Tom!

[@BB-mr3vy]

this is the only christmas song i can listen to

[@clemsplace]

There is more truth and sorrow and hope here than in any other carol.It's Christmas day night, 2018.Merry Christmas to and from all the marginal folks. The damaged, the deluded and those who cling to what joy they can.Hang in there.

[@bigmike11676]

amen

[@bebebutterfield7699]

Merry 2019 Christmas to you Mr. Wichita Clem.

[@reallyreal9030]

Merry Christmas From Small Town Carolina!!!

[@jonidawn3668]

Always, man...

[@slappyflapjackson6095]

Merry Christmas from someone who lost everything. But still has so much. If I look hard enough.

[@TheScribeofLight]

This is what made Tom Waits so good. You think it's going to be funny, and it ends up being profound. He made light of his struggles, but they allowed him to write songs like this with such brutal honesty.

[@jamesroberts5327]

How Tom Waits is still alive is crazy!!!

[@brendasmart553]

He's just 75 now! 🎉🤗

[@wtflatvshow]

This song cuts like a razor.

[@anantmishra1498]

Yes indeed!

[@bill3901]

sharp as a razor and soft as a prayer...

[@dylanvillainy]

It’s got that razor sadness

[@reallyreal9030]

@@bill3901 the sweet wouldn't be as sweet without the sour

[@reallyreal9030]

Agreed

[@TheCrankProject]

Peace to all of you people, I come back the same time every year to watch this performance. Silent night… just when I feel I’m down and out, I think “at least I’m not in a Tom Waits song…”

[@Mamlishways]

This song devastates me

[@PetroPoo]

Starts out with laughter, ends with silence to hear a pin drop

[@coreycox2345]

He is a master, Joseph R Petrolawicz.

[@Yevkasem1417]

That’s the point 👍

[@jaycoyoyo]

I watch this video on Christmas eve every year

[@jjdrummerboy1987]

Same here. Every Christmas Eve since it was aired on PBS in 2011.

[@mikedtzo]

What a goddamn heartbreaker of a song.

[@donaldreed2351]

As great as ever.

[@Gunnar-Peterson]

I watch this on Christmas every year, it's the only Christmas song that I can relate to

[@MyMy-nu9ul]

🌬️💨💋🫵🏻Merry Christmas 🎄

[@hispano6054]

A writer, a poet, a genius, I know it.

[@thomaskeown6897]

He makes the audience laugh at first. Then he slaps them upside their head and they're silent. Then he makes them laugh again, but a bit uncomfortably. Then he shuts them down hard. What a song.

[@Memo2Self]

Oh my dear God. This has always been one of my very, very favorite Tom Waits songs, but to hear it spoken like this - even with people laughing - is absolutely heartbreaking. Be kind to each other this Christmas, everyone. We truly need it.

[@beexerd]

The lines are intended to be funny. It's OK to laugh. Great story tellers use the juxtaposition of humor and tragedy to make it more poignant, turning laughter to tears.

[@iveks-t6p]

I have watched this clip almost every year around Christmas since it was posted and it always, without fail, always makes me cry. If there’s a more empathetic song out there, I’ve never heard of it. We’re very lucky that someone caught this performance on video.

[@michaelnewbill3438]

Very lucky.thats from Austin City limits so it was filmed regardless

[@markvickroy6725]

I'm crying right now. Never fails

[@DarMander707]

I don't know man, this low quality VHS rip just feels different, hits harder

[@justthinking526]

Today is Christmas Eve, year of Covid 2020. What brought me hear is playing favorite songs of loved ones passed. So I can see them and feel them again. I know I'll be playing even more next year, unless someone I love is playing one for me. If anyone reads this next Christmas Eve please play Heart Of Saturday Night? If I'm not in my body, I'll be in the corner, blessing you for letting me hear my favorite song.

[@kevinbirge2130]

Done, dear child. I will.

[@justthinking526]

@@kevinbirge2130 we are all connected, bless you fellow traveler

[@Thecaptain1898]

​@justthinking526 merry Christmas 2023!

[@baguaboy11]

Old Tom can always cut ya to the bone

[@markvickroy6725]

I'll never forget when I saw this on PBS. Still makes me cry every time. Every. Fucking. Time.

[@havetrumpetwillexcite7235]

I come to this performance every Christmas eve to remind myself how beautiful and transcendent story telling can be.

[@Yusef22179]

Same.

[@carthag]

one of the loveliest saddest songs in the world

[@26095]

It's our version of Fairytale of New York here in Minnesota.

[@ALFAJERKBFH]

The 1st time he sings Silent Night it's funny. The 2nd time, it's sobering.

[@firebrand7681]

This rendition is much like The Wizard of Oz... which both begins and ends in black and white, further contrasting the amazingly magical and colorful* Land of Oz in between. *An amazing accomplishment at the time it was made... 1939.

[@firebrand7681]

You got it.

[@gabyaldana1304]

I'm so glad I got to listen to this today. It's Christmas Eve, and as every year, I'm feeling nostalgic- another year goes by, and what has been achieved? Time seems to keep on going endlessly without mercy, without a pause to breathe. Waits' voice here sounds sorely distant, melancholic, begging for something unreachable. Yet it has this certain feeling, a slight feeling of hope. His work is so beautiful. His voice can make anyone feel true emotions- those kind of emotions that are so genuinely painful yet soothing for a cold heart. He's a genius, a poet like no one else. Thanks for letting me watch this video today, KZbin. And thanks for letting us hear your words, Waits.

[@cabjswe]

weeaboo pls

[@gabrielebeitmann6566]

It's Christmas eve 2021 - 2 years of Covid! Is there still any hope? Nothing is bright!

[@kylec406]

this is it. This is the ultimate performace of anyone

[@baTonkaTruck]

Kyle C I was just gonna type this same comment.

[@matthewsinger4902]

Easy....

[@TR-yi8up]

If it isn’t a live version of On the Nickle, I’m with it

[@aleksmeness]

Still my favorite Christmas song of all time...

[@Yusef22179]

Same.

[@1986gmr]

Same.

[@milesrobinson8654]

Same

[@makinoahcelloduo9008]

A buddy of mine, known as Upstairs Dave, once paid me his rent with a bread maker and six or seven Tom Waits c.d.'s, when he ran of money.

[@abbinormal2677]

That's freakin great 😁

[@jonwayne989]

Fuck upstairs dave

[@ishheredia9626]

That sounds like a story Tom would tell honestly haha

[@trac3y160]

@@jonwayne989 and the same to you sir..

[@reallyreal9030]

Cool Story.... Thanks for Sharing

[@smbeabout]

I come back to this performance every December. My holidays are usually pretty good, but I know it's not the same for everyone, and this song manages to raise my awareness of that fact. If the holidays suck for you, I'll make sure to take a drink in your honor, at the very least...

[@sclogse1]

Watch the Australia performance too. Quality is absolutely first generation.

[@dylanbarnes9191]

Thank you

[@johnnyp8979]

Make it a STOUT 👍

[@ytgas1]

Why, thank you!

[@Thecaptain1898]

Merry Christmas! 2023! Hope you are well!

[@raremagpie]

Lot of people in the comments complaining about the laughter, but I feel like the laughter is actually appropriate for most of this song. It's funny, sweet and touching. All three can be true. It's just like Christmas. It can be a lot of things at the same time.

[@joefagan9335]

Genius! Incredible. 😍 Thanks for all the pleasure over the last 44 years.

[@vladimirmandingo6033]

The audience was literally tamed during the performance. Only a man with his voice, his piano and his talent, this is pure gold.

[@ErikBlankenship]

It's not Christmas until I hear this song. Tom painting portraits with words and a piano.

[@graham1466]

wow wot an artist

[@chuckmiller4871]

Deserve's a Kennedy award for an amazing body of work.

[@abracadaverous]

This is my favorite performance of my favorite Christmas song.

[@chrishutton-ce3ch]

incredable artist and perfomer

[@stendec-dd3he]

Never tire of this; if this doesn't touch you, you're probably without a soul.

[@Analyticalinadream]

The more I see Tom Waits the more I absolutely love him.

[@ErikBlankenship]

This is the way.

[@Ch0sen33]

If it is indeed the way , The way isn't paved . It's the soundtrack of uncharted territory.

[@sclogse1]

You're on the right track.

[@paulwheeler6609]

Tom Waits is a miracle.

[@desiderata8811]

Didn’t expect this Christmas gift today. Thank you Mr Waits.

[@MUKBBANGUNBOXINGOFFICAL711]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@stack544]

another Christmas Eve. and I’m all alone Me and Tom’s music

[@Elizabeth45716]

Merry Christmas 😊

[@suzydoty7549]

I’ve listened to Tom for years. We got to see him in concert in 1980. He is the best!!

[@josephclark4153]

As the holiday season approaches . I need a little Tom waits to get me through .

[@wslee6]

I even hear the audience’s laughter sound like crying. The lyrics of this song tear people’s hearts apart. Our lives may be filled with crying and laughing.

[@halloweenjax]

Merry Christmas, folks. This is the only Christmas music I ever listen to.

[@halloweenjax]

@@stoltzc Thank you. :) I've been listening to it all day.

[@halloweenjax]

@DB Cooper's MoneyBags Thank you kindly. Merry Christmas.

[@halloweenjax]

@DB Cooper's MoneyBags Yeah... I mean, I must admit that while I have been listening to it over and over today I have been crying my stupid head off all day too. Christmas is... not a happy time for me. :(

[@halloweenjax]

@DB Cooper's MoneyBags I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. :( I have some people I miss during the holidays too. I had a fiance who died who I miss a lot at Christmas especially. I hope you can find some happiness today too.

[@halloweenjax]

@DB Cooper's MoneyBags Thank you.

[@danielsmith2086]

ever year I listen to this, I laugh, I cry, at the genius of the man and his music.

[@jennifervp4208]

.... damn, wow ❤️🫂☮️🔥

[@crivella]

This song deserves so much respect! It's what Christmas songs should be about, a time for us to reflect on what we're celebrating.

[@suttercane8150]

Reality, without judgement. Poetry.

[@psycedelic661]

This man saved my life!

[@potzertommy]

Going Out of My Head is a song sung within a song which is being sung within a song.

[@alanwallisch2530]

This is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

[@johnlighthizer6729]

I saw Tom Waits in Grand Rapids Michigan in 1981. He put on a uniquely styled show and had a very powerful stage presence. Helped me understand alcohol wasn't my friend. He was great.

[@JaniceWard-oe7od]

No one touches my heart like Tom this is just a piece of his genius and beautiful it is.I wish all the people on soc/med with their unreal life stories would listen to these word raw reality.💕💕

[@Fyretyger]

Happy bday, Tom Waits. 🎂

[@binaural516]

The Nebraska Public Media logo at the beginning…chef’s kiss

[@adamphelps9612]

This will never not be my favorite Christmas song.

[@feltthefluff]

No one has ever brought a tear to my eye like Tom does. He is brilliant.

[@0xt28]

this performance is a work of art

[@georgefraser7143]

The end is just beautiful. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ericphantoms4359]

This amazing live performance was my introduction to Tom.

[@chrishutton-ce3ch]

total genius artist so creative dont stop

[@jasondandrea6492]

Discovered Tom back in 1987 as a 17 year old kid and have been a fan since. There is something about his music that just hits the heart, it just works and brings me to different emotional avenues...... thank you Lord for Tom Waits

[@neritina4562]

So many of us want to share. Why not?, this is humanity. We love you Tom.

[@doranritchie2512]

Every single time I play this song, everyone laughs like it’s a joke. That was 15 years ago. Most of those people are all dead now (figuratively and literally) from addiction and chasing false dreams. My point is, it’s stories like these that saved my pathetic existence of a life. I’m sober, clean and healthy. Every time I hear this tune, it makes me weep.

[@mariajoaofmd6698]

I feel you, this song chills me to the core.

[@dipper0yawn]

I would buy an album with Tom Waits covers of Little Anthony and the Imperials

[@sclogse1]

The Aussie version is stunning and perfect here on youtube, with what looks like a first generation quality. But this version has some true highlights, especially when "she" talks about going back to her folks. He really digs in his heels full bore. So, watch both. And good to see you again, this Christmas, 2021.

[@lisaswift9122]

Only Waites could put both songs together really man just cool

[@Phish1995]

A masterpiece. From Mr. Waites. Bravo. This song brings tears to my eyes. Everytime.

[@wjb8855]

A perfect example of the human condition. Tom Waits is a true survivor and a man of faith and conviction. God speed Tom & thank you for all the great music & memories.

[@weedzy1952]

One of the greatest storytellers/performer/singers of our generation.

[@nicholasvaughan1328]

There are parts of this song that are meant to be humorous and sad at the same time which is why people are laughing. The juxtaposition of comedy and tragedy has been around since the dawn of stage entertainment (see sock and buskin). Waits is a master of walking the line between the two. Frankly, I'm surprised at how many people in the comments section fail to recognize the interplay...especially since some of you seem to consider yourselves big fans.

[@lenhudson8194]

This is the hardest kind of art to create. Funny/sad. It is so easy to obscure one with the other. As you said, to do it properly, you have to walk this line. It isn't something that many people can do.

[@RickJones222]

Makes me cry every time.

[@DJGURR]

This song makes me cry every time. It’s beautiful

[@SmittenKitten.]

Merry Christmas everyone. :)

[@manualramirez2973]

Wow what a beautiful and sad song. Makes me feel that my life is better than I deserve and that I need to appreciate it more.

[@BLzBob.7268]

Keep coming back to this for my reality check. Thank you sir. x

[@jamesioful]

Such a beautiful comparison between life as it's idealized and life as it is.

[@jeffstevens4262]

There's only one Tom and he lives right here in all our hearts, and always will.

[@jacobcasmus1882]

Merry Christmas KZbin. Cheers 🍻 to you and yours! Much Love to y'all. I hope Christmas finds you well and if not, may the new year be kind to you.

[@firebrand7681]

Back again. One of my all-time favorite performances.