Kentucky Avenue
Tom Waits
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Eddie Graces Buick got four bullet holes in the side And Charlie Delisle sittin' at the top of an avocado tree Mrs. Stormll stab you with a steak knife if you step on her lawn I got a half pack of Lucky Strikes, man, so come along with me Lets fill our pockets with macadamia nuts, then go over to Bobby Goodmansons And jump off the roof Hilda plays strip poker and her mamas across the street Joey Navinski says she put her tongue in his mouth Dicky Faulkners got a switchblade and some gooseneck risers that eucalyptus is a hunchback There's a wind up from the south So let me tie you up with kite string and I'll show you the scabs on my knee Watch out for the broken glass, put your shoes and socks on and come along with me Lets follow that fire truck I think your house is burnin' down Then go down to the hobo jungle And kill some rattlesnakes with a trowel We'll break all the windows in the old Anderson place And steal a bunch of boysenberrys And smear 'em on our face I'll get a dollar from my mamas purse And buy that skull and crossbones ring And you can wear it around your neck On an old piece of string Then we'll spit on Ronnie Arnold And flip him the bird And slash the tires on the school bus Now don't say a word I'll take a rusty nail And scratch your initials on my arm And I'll show you how to sneak up on the roof of the drugstore I'll take the spokes from your wheelchair And a magpies wings And I'll tie 'em to your shoulders and your feet I'll steal a hacksaw from my dad And cut the braces off your legs And we'll bury them tonight in the cornfield Put a church key in your pocket We'll hop that freight train in the hall And we'll slide all the way down the drain To New Orleans in the fall
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: TOM WAITS
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, JALMA MUSIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
14 facts about this song
Album Name"Kentucky Avenue" is a track from the album "Blue Valentine", which is the fifth studio album by the artist Tom Waits.
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Release YearThe "Blue Valentine" album, which includes "Kentucky Avenue" was released in 1978.
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Origin of SongThe song is named after a street in Whittier, California, where Tom Waits grew up.
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InspirationMany believe this song is heavily autobiographical, and several of the lyrics directly reference places and people from Waits' own childhood, hinting at a nostalgic tone.
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Genre Classification"Kentucky Avenue" is typically characterized under genres like Jazz, Blues, and Rock.
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Song LengthThis track runs approximately 4 minutes and 49 seconds, making it one of the longer songs on the "Blue Valentine" album.
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Unique Storytelling StyleLike many Tom Waits songs, "Kentucky Avenue" is known for its vivid storytelling and unique narrative style. The lyrics involve a series of deviant juvenile pranks and fantasies in a semi-rural setting.
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Musical InstrumentsThe song features sparse piano-based instrumentation, which is a characteristic style of Tom Waits.
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Use in Media"Kentucky Avenue" doesn't seem to have been prominently featured or used as soundtrack in any major film, television series, or commercial ad campaigns.
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Critical ReceptionCritics often praise "Kentucky Avenue" for its emotive lyrics and unique narrative, reflecting real-life experiences and bringing an engaging, personal aspect to Waits' music.
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Live PerformancesThe song was actively performed live by Waits during the tour season after the album's release, and there have been several notable live performances noted by fans.
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Album's SuccessAlthough "Kentucky Avenue" wasn't released as a single, the "Blue Valentine" album itself was a success, reaching number 42 on the Australian album charts and number 58 on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart. It’s worth noting that this song has contributed to the overall outlook people have on the album.
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Lyrics and InterpretationSome critics view the song as a depiction of the innocence, camaraderie, and toughness of childhood, with a sense of nostalgia for times past.
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Fan FollowingThe song has garnered a dedicated following over the years, and is often cited by fans as one of Tom Waits' most underrated tracks.
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Citation
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"Kentucky Avenue Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/850952/Tom+Waits/Kentucky+Avenue>.
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