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What are the best Tom Waits songs?

December 07, 2019

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 20: Singer Tom Waits performs on stage at the "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy" New York City's Benefit Concert for the Gulf Coast at Radio City Music Hall September 20, 2005 in New York City.
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 20: Singer Tom Waits performs on stage at the "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy" New York City's Benefit Concert for the Gulf Coast at Radio City Music Hall September 20, 2005 in New York City.Scott Gries/Getty Images

Tom Waits is a lot of things. He's an accomplished singer, songwriter, performer, collaborator, (just ask Slug) and actor. He's recently added another thing to his list: a septuagenarian. That's right, Tom Waits turned 70 years old on Saturday, December 7, 2019, and we're celebrating this iconic artist.

Here's what we're going to do: based on your votes, we have compiled a list of the top 25 Tom Waits songs below, from which Mac Wilson and Eric Malmberg will broadcast highlights throughout the day on Saturday, December 7.

1.The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me) Small Change

Small Change

2.Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis Blue Valentine

Blue Valentine

3.Hold On Mule Variations

Mule Variations

4.(Looking For) The Heart of Saturday Night The Heart of Saturday Night

The Heart of Saturday Night

5.Ol '55 Closing Time

Closing Time

6.Downtown Train Rain Dogs

Rain Dogs

7.Tom Traubert's Blues Small Change

Small Change

8.I Don't Wanna Grow Up Bone Machine

Bone Machine

9.Goin' Out West Bone Machine

Bone Machine

10.Jersey Girl Heartattack and Vine

Heartattack and Vine

11.Martha Closing Time

Closing Time

12.What's He Building Mule Variations

Mule Variations

13.16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six Swordfishtrombones

Swordfishtrombones

14.Jockey Full of Bourbon Rain Dogs

Rain Dogs

15.Step Right Up Small Change

Small Change

16.Innocent When You Dream Bar Room Frank's Wild Years

Frank's Wild Years

17.Time Rain Dogs

Rain Dogs

18.Chocolate Jesus Mule Variations

Mule Variations

19.Big in Japan Mule Variations

Mule Variations

20.Long Way HomeOrphans: Brawlers Bawlers and Bastards

Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards

21.Way Down in the Hole Frank's Wild Years

Frank's Wild Years

22.Get Behind the Mule Mule Variations

Mule Variations

23.Singapore Rain Dogs

Rain Dogs

24.Gun Street Girl Rain Dogs

Rain Dogs

25.Hoist That Rag Real Gone

Real Gone

Tom Waits Song voting and giveaway

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Gallery
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Tom Waits
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: Inductee Tom Waits performs onstage at the 26th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at The Waldorf-Astoria on March 14, 2011 in New York City.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
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Tom Waits
BERLIN, Germany: US singer Tom Waits, 55, performs during a concert in Berlin's "Theater des Westens", 15 November 2004. The singer and actor gives three concerts in the German capital.
MICHAEL KAPPELER/DDP/AFP via Getty Images
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Tom Waits
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: Inductee Tom Waits performs onstage at the 26th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at The Waldorf-Astoria on March 14, 2011 in New York City.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images