Tom Waits - "Take One Last Look" (Live On David Letterman, 2015)

[@apollopursuingdaphne2976]

This was Tom’s last live performance to this date. I truly hope to see him again on the stage but if not… this was a legendary send off for himself and not just letterman.

[@SubPablum]

Ironic. One last look indeed. This song isn't on any album I have and I believe I have them all. And a ton of bootlegs.

[@freetickeys]

​@@SubPablumI have 18 Tom Waits cds, 2 of which are double cds. I, also, have many other mp3s on my computer. I don't have this song.

[@solardog81]

So beautiful

[@tdart1124]

My dad is 98 and has been bedridden for over a year. Last night I watched this just before I checked on him and he was sleeping peacefully. The couch I sleep on is next to his bed so I know he heard what I was listening to. I had a dream about 2 men standing over my dad and he got out of the bed without any help and walked over and gave me a big hug. I woke up and checked on him and he was gone. Finally Shalom! Mr. Waits doesn't even know me but he's been my best friend for the past 40 years!

[@wullyjohnjockhughmccrory660]

“All we ever need we can get anywhere” what a line

[@raddastronaut]

Toms voice is just incredible. No one will ever be able to pull off such a beautiful brutality. Tom, sir you are the king.

[@Kit-l6f]

Trying to cover Toms music is like trying to cover Robert Johnson (sorry Eric) who wants to hear it once you've heard it at the source

[@JoeSteelerFan]

Tom Waits is a national treasure. They just don't make 'em like this anymore.

[@BillMorris-d3n]

My father passed away, and we're looking to sell the house that I grew up in. This is the first song I thought of. I'm not ready for that, but I know it's necessary. Thank you, Mr. Waits, for making such a beautiful statement in song.

[@MSYNGWIE12]

Better to discover Tom later than never...he's lifeblood

[@chuckt4558]

Tom can just tear you down with one line. Brilliant performer, writer, and about as wonderfully unique as you can get.

[@xx-ug9hn]

In a land there's a town, and in that town there's a house And in that house there's a woman And in that woman there's a heart I love I'm gonna take it with me when I go

[@filipberntsson6634]

@@xx-ug9hn one of the greatest phrases ever written.

[@charlieecho230]

I was looking for Hoist that Rag but stayed cuz that man is one of a kind. Incredible.

[@hopelove6658]

He is such a gift.

[@hopelove6658]

@@filipberntsson6634 Which one?

[@trygvelie573]

David was moved almost to tears. That didn't happen often. What a magical performance. I love you Tom.

[@frankvazquez5974]

This was a week before Letterman left the show and Tom wrote this song for the occasion as he was on so much over the years.

[@kathleensalazar5222]

me too❤😊😊

[@donb3882]

If I could only listen to one artist for the rest of my life it would be Tom Waits, genius.

[@patsyparisi2620]

Oof that's heavy

[@johnrankie4004]

Me to

[@kidwave1]

Its the worst music ive ever heard, played by the worst singer and guitar player ive ever heard. Sounds like he's gargling some man juice!

[@Tredecimus]

I agree. I would miss a lot of them really badly but if you have to choose… well

[@shawnhayden6674]

THIS MUST BE one of the best live music performances ever captured on Letterman?

[@apeanders]

This, and - although in a completely different manner - the Beastie Boys' performance of Sabotage. Put together the two funnily make for a pretty good encapsulation of it all.

[@ronaldnoble9694]

One of the most poignant and emotional performances ever on Letterman IMHO I sadly had never discovered Mr. Waits until this point but through his songs and videos and all the late night/early monings together over the past almost 6 years I consider him a dear friend. Thank you Tom! You speak things I feel but cannot express.

[@hopelove6658]

Hes my bff. :)

[@epicfrog]

i hope you’ve gone through his catalog since discovering his music, because he’s brilliant

[@dinoperos9205]

Got a Best of CD from a friend when I was 17 and all the way into death metal and rock. Despite my taste in music at the time, Tom immediately became my favorite artist and still is to this day.

[@OttoMack1]

Welcome to the fold, friend.

[@jimsivers5572]

I was first introduced to Mr. Waits with an album entitled NIGHT HAWKS AT THE DINNER. Still my favorite.

[@carolfontaine8993]

Have listened to Tom since his early albums. Genius. The only singer who can make me cry with his words.

[@rodsreel]

You can put well known well groomed handsome world topping film stars on the same show as Tom but he upstages them all without even meaning too. He allows everyone to get in touch with real feelings.

[@charleybarley7148]

This man is a god damn treasure

[@hlahla9479]

My Father passed in my arms a few days before this happened. I recorded this performance, I played it so many times and cried. Future Islands was medicine too that week or so. It was a monumental life change realization that can only be explained by listening to this song. If you know, you know forever. Don’t give up, keep going, continue on for them.

[@roybakker1205]

❤

[@renajsh]

I grieve with you.

[@Ronald60202]

I was working in NYC at the time. Crying like a baby in my hotel room. No one touches me quite like this man.

[@StonefieldJim4]

Perfectly timed, perfectly judged, perfectly conceived. Sublime.

[@lecrampierre1421]

That's a fucking masterpiece.

[@sweetpain67]

Yes, it is. Crying.

[@gregorysullivan7175]

Dave is really moved and he shakes Tom's hand with teary gratitude and the brillant poet that Waits is smiles with a little incredulity because this rare breed is still humble. Rare stuff.

[@DeliDen]

After living away from my homeland of Canada since I was 18, soon to be twenty years later, I am nearing the end of my time in China. When I first heard this song on the last Letterman years ago I new I was going to revisit it. And as I am packing my things preparing my wife and child for a new life in Canada this song helps cool the fires of uncertainty. New chapter, hoping for even better tales. Thanks Tom Waits.

[@jakebullet824]

It's been over a year now. How are you getting on?

[@michaelduke2026]

I hope that everything worked out for you and your family, my friend.

[@adamcoe]

hope it's going OK brother

[@imaspoon4522]

Dave introduced me to Tom, back in the 80s. Thanks for this! ❤

[@kathleensalazar5222]

awesome memories ❤️

[@TheRealTomWendel]

When Tom writes and performs one of his ballads (“bawlers”), he touches the source of our universal melancholy.

[@snarkyguy2657]

Seeing Dave and Tom both choked up at the end always gets me. Such a great song for a great friendship.

[@LawrenceAfghanistan]

I doubt this song will ever have a better performance. I can't imagine it being covered by anyone. Tom Waits is consumed in the moment. There isn't a better voice or music for this song. Beautiful.

[@jluther1755]

I think Tom Waits is David Letterman's Favorite Person in the World, He's Mine To David.

[@loblob2148]

This is a masterpiece, a humbling and heart-breaking love song. It's hugely inspirational and makes a person appreciate what they currently have in life, before they lose it. Tom wrote this beautiful song without even releasing or being financially rewarded for it, which demonstrates he's an altruist and puts people and music before profit. It's a tribute to Dave, but also appears to be a swan-song and a final farewell to his audience.

[@justinjoseph6966]

Dave was my introduction to Tom Waits. Will be grateful to him for the rest of my life. Thank you, Dave.

[@Kevtron9000]

I remember seeing this aired live the last week before I had to sell my childhood home…Music is the healing force

[@Bigger-Than-Jesus]

Tom Waits is as important a musical Icon as Bob Dylan or Paul McCartney. I say this without hyperbole!

[@boneytony5041]

The eagles

[@boneytony5041]

Bruce Springsteen

[@DippyHippie]

@@ApotropaicV aw,Val….lighten up,it’s just KZbin!😂

[@Cyrano3372]

@@boneytony5041 They are friends.

[@janvanaartrijk9673]

Tom Waits is not just a musician; he is a complete universum. He has created such wonderful characters and so many great songs !!

[@solardog81]

And the place we are leaving is each moment. Lets leave each moment with love. Thanks Tom!

[@pmarasa]

I just read a shortened version of these lyrics at an awards banquet for the first generation, low income about-to-graduate students I work with. I was looking for a poem and the God of Tom Waits whispered in my ear, “You idiot; do One Last Look!”

[@rubysmith8818]

Love Tom, but it's the first time I heard this song. Not ashamed to admit that I started tearing up on the first note, and was bawling soon after. ❤️

[@briggsquantum]

The same for me. But his duet "Take me Home" with Crystal Gayle.....well I have to be seated, and alone, because I just lose it on that one. It is extraordinary in every way. And their voices work together in a way that is beyond comprehension.

[@frankvazquez5974]

He wrote it for the occasion. Letterman left the show a week later...

[@checobanmusic4358]

I was at the Letterman Show the week before this and although it was great seeing Dave during one of his last shows it still bums me out that I missed this. Amazing performance.

[@ralphdavis9670]

I do not know how Letterman did not break out in tears.

[@BobKartyMusic]

I agree! I do, pretty much every time I see this.

[@taco2947]

Seemed like he might have been a little choked up. Listen to how he says "Ladies and Gentlemen" at the end.

[@pac401]

I love to see the wind in your hair All we ever need we can get anywhere... That line gets me everytime.

[@philipparham4064]

Calms the mind, a balm for the soul.

[@francesnichols4346]

I have never found the words to say how much I appreciate his music he pulls the best out of the deepest places thank you for sharing with all of us.

[@MrKulturembargo]

Pleasssse Tom, make it happen. It's been too long since we last received a record from you

[@couplakooks]

SECONDED

[@GregorBarclay]

@@couplakooksTHIRDED! (Apparently he’s been in the studio recently so we might get one more from him. Would be amazing to hear a studio version of this track in particular, although at this point the guy owes us nothing of course!)

[@hydraxisfrimon9785]

Tom and Kathleen tune into the universal ache in the chest that life gives us with age, they wring the meaning out of it and Tom gives it to us with his haunting voice and combo. Thank you, for the delicious agony, the needle-point precision of your song-making, your capacity to take the pain and make us whole by embracing it and sometimes crying our way through it

[@CocoMojo-n8r]

Merry Christmas Tom Waits. Thank you for being real. ❤🎉❤

[@cameronmoore3674]

God, i LOVE Tom Waits. I can listen to Bad As Me all the way through every single day and not get tired of it. It's pretty amazing to watch him do his thing, to be honest I like older Tom Waits a lot more than young Tom Waits. If He can read this I hope he never goes back to being young Tom Waits.

[@GregorBarclay]

Yeah I’m the same. Pre-Kathleen Waits holds very little appeal for me nowadays. I live for the sturm und drang

[@paulcready7093]

Mr Waits is a true artist. Some of the best songs written, an American cultural icon

[@ALRdarkindustrialmusic]

Wonderful, great ! I can't find anything else to add ...

[@wayleygg]

A stage full of absolute legends.

[@alejandrosierra792]

I consider myself lucky that I saw this the night it aired on CBS. Amazing song.

[@Duke_Togo_G13]

Same...

[@mh11281]

Likewise... Stormy night from a Washington D.C. hotel room while on vacation.

[@robandrews4925]

4:09 Dave says to Paul.... "pretty good huh Paul" obviously overcome with emotion you can hear Paul say "can't talk"... that's the power of music

[@d.t.donovan7693]

The letter man didn't deliver post - on a once off. Tom Waits.

[@ElonsDiamondMine]

WOW. Just rewatching this and so glad you pointed that out! What a gorgeous moment. Been loving the Letterman youtube channels vids for bringing back moments like that.

[@LeSalaud666]

Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank you very much for all that great music Tom !

[@edwardsexperience6234]

Mr. Waits, you're a great artist! I take off my hat and I appreciate you sir!

[@Thorsoak]

Bless Tom what can i say sometimes down is up and up is down. Using KZbin as a therapist here but Tom’s Voice and lyrics express my soul. Born in the dirt kicked down the road tired standing many times but in the words of my late dad life will kick you upside the head and knock you right back into the dirt. I’m old now and very tired, but i can’t stop myself from standing even though i know what’s coming. Maybe I’m stubborn or just dumb i don’t know.

[@88divinegrace]

Thank you.

[@Morfarhagen]

Fantastic song! If I could ever write words like Tom!

[@JonahJojoTheMan]

Man, I've been following Tom Waits since 1987 and his music continues to touch me so intimately and personally. I completely identify with his lyrics.

[@DreusBS]

a great man. Love your work... glad I was lucky enough to find it early on in my life.

[@samsmith1999]

What a perfect tribute.

[@nft_nftoglu]

This was the song going on my head when I left my college house due to financial problems. But life's got better after that even though I thought that would be the start of downward spiral. Life is good even with the darkness with it.

[@dougdunbar4084]

What an inspiring performance by a legend

[@thesailingsurfer-adventure6225]

The always fabulous Tom Waits. Love it.

[@rocksinger45]

A few months after seeing Tom sing this song on letterman I packed all my belongings up along with my dog and wife and moved to Japan ~ I know Tom was singing this song for Dave but Tom might as well been singing it to me ~ This song shot an arrow through my heart and let me feel like I was dong the right thing ~ It's now been 9 years ~

[@sophiemacdonald6397]

Amazing song! Thank you Tom for your music, I wish I could see you Live

[@jugglingbeast]

I used to listen to Mr. Waits's albums while in college, Mr. Waits has literaly created his own genere.

[@dragansepelj7747]

Masterpiece. I love this man.

[@bwprag123]

Let's watch the sun come up in another town Try our luck a little further down Leave the cards on the table Leave the bread on the plate Put your hand on the gearshift Put your foot off the brake And take one last look At the place that you are leaving Take one last look Oh take one last look At the place that you are leaving Take one last look Our bed was something that the wind couldn't carry The arrow points a way across the waiting prairie This car looks like it could give us a good run The choice to leave was a good one And take one last look At the place that you are leaving Take one last look Oh take one last look At the place that you are leaving Take one last look Let's look forward to the lights that are new, The world is a ribbon of road for you All towns have churches and tire shops They put up speed limit signs and they hire cops I love to see the wind in your hair All we ever need we can get anywhere And take one last look At the place that you are leaving Take one last look Oh take one last look At the place that you are leaving Take one last look Oh take one last look Oh take one last look Take one last look

[@DolbyVirtual1]

Stunnig

[@raybrenton5680]

An acquired taste for sure. Once acquired, your gone.

[@videogamebookreviews]

I hear the second line of the second verse as "the arrow points a way across the waiting prairie". I might have misheard.

[@bwprag123]

@@videogamebookreviews I didn't even remember posting these lyrics! Maybe I copied them from somewhere? Anyway, you're definitely right. I altered the first line of that verse to match what Tom sang also. Thanks!

[@09hunterboy8]

Beautiful

[@eddiepelosi6136]

He man is a genius, absolutely love this guy... Brilliant!

[@tonyhall3365]

Breathtaking

[@benmoore701]

Anazing .....imo perfection. ...we all im sure have been dying an praying for a new album in 2024 about 8 or 10 days to 2025

[@lullsbaby9321]

This beauty is already 6 years old..? But its up there with Bottom of The World, Widows Grove, All the World is Green, and so many others. Lets look forward to the lights that are new. Thanks, Grampa Tom

[@jakabokbotch99]

One of my favorite things about Waits: you can tell a lot about a person by A) Do they know Waits?; B) What are their favorite Waits songs? Based on your choice of "story-telling" songs, I'd say you're usually laid back and groovy; and also into spontaneous adventuring for the sake of memories. I may be completely wrong and sound like a fortune cookie, but I typed too much to turn back now. 🤡

[@BrianSmith-ug2bu]

Great song, great actor too, Buster Scrugs, All Gold Canyon, beautifully filmed by the Coen Brothers and played by Tom Waits.

[@guardianiidiv5272]

Great song. To protect what matters most I did go. I’d rather have died with the love of my life, but how could I live with myself, and bring her down. I’ll loose with my loved ones, but none will lose because of me. Every love story ends in sorrow, but they are the only stories worth telling.

[@erikheen1291]

I just found the song I want sung at my funeral.

[@williamf7768]

I’m with ya on that. Might wanna check out Steve Earle doing Ft Worth Blues. That was my go-to on this subject until I heard this from Tom.

[@cjgardner8516]

Ditto

[@mtroy0620]

I have several Tom Waits songs in mind for mine.

[@jewel0fthel0tus17]

Green grass by Tom is mine

[@ronkirk9918]

Same, perfect farewell.

[@billbradford7898]

Nostalgia, longing, fire crackling, lights are dim... I think of you a d I am sobbing

[@Ram-by2gz]

Just a beautiful song and tribute to his friend by a unique and great artist.

[@lesmccracken7155]

Brilliant maestro!

[@antonboludo8886]

Incredible.

[@kathleensalazar5222]

awesome singer & song 🎵 ❤❤❤tyxxfor sharing ❤❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@georgefraser7143]

Tom has no equal, but last night in Edinburgh I saw the boss in concert he was as good as it gets, what a showman. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@declanmills]

If Tom is not a lyrical genius, no-one ever wrote and no-one ever loved.

[@bluetensee]

will this ever be on record? it's so beautiful!

[@Jw071]

It was a one-off for Letterman, I think it's fitting that this is the one recording.

[@jensk4140]

On a 45 would be great!

[@casski11]

Such a beautiful song ❤️

[@AtlChris]

Beautiful.

[@johnsmulders8535]

What a beautiful gift.

[@DippyHippie]

Precious precious young man singing with my savior,Ms. Joan!

[@AnthonyAbraria]

Wow just wow. I started looking around this room in a homeless shelter that I've made my home, and thought someone was on the way to pick me up, and take me away from this. Amazing his music can do that.

[@jmk2611]

Get a job.

[@nathanreiber6819]

@@jmk2611 wtf is wrong with you?

[@LuvLifeVlogZ]

Whenever I leave a place I've lived a long time, I always take one last look.... ❤

[@ericsmith6076]

so beautiful. We miss you on the Late Show, Dave. You were the best ever.

[@DETROIT1948]

Priceless! ✨✨✨✨

[@adenihil]

Man I love you Tom

[@СветланаБобко-ю1ю]

Tom Waits is the best!!!!

[@xoxb2]

"The world is a ribbon of roads for you". Waits should've got the Nobel Prize for Literature, and I hope he does before he goes.

[@DH_Artist]

God I wish this song was on an album…

[@toddlindley9482]

This song doesn't seem to appear anywhere but here. Not on Spotify and doesn't even show up in the catalog of songs on Tom's own website. I'm worried this song might disappear and be forever forgotten. Then again, maybe that's exactly as it should be...

[@josephcalitri5710]

Rip the audio from KZbin and save it on a thumb drive

[@solardog81]

All we ever need, we can get anywhere.

[@danielcorrea5321]

Might we get an official release?

[@Hank5861]

Thanks Paul for pointing me in Tom Waits direction. Indianapolis Post Office

[@christianwilde3668]

Amazing song 💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞

[@christopherrodriguez5181]

Genius and unique!!

[@davidpetersen1]

As I sit here and cry...

[@andrewgoldbergs4474]

Americana done by Tom Waits..few performers capture the essence of song genre better than this man.

[@vladocifra]

Beautiful ❤️👏

[@bradleyleacock3381]

Tom waits sings my life

[@gordtulk]

Shatters me.