Kentucky Avenue

Tom Waits

About Kentucky Avenue

"Kentucky Avenue" is a song written and performed by Tom Waits, and released on Side Two of his 1978 album, Blue Valentine. The song was also included on the 1986 compilation album Asylum Years.


Year:
1978
4:47
338 
#1

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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

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Tom Waits

Thomas Alan "Tom" Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car." With this trademark growl, his incorporation of pre-rock music styles such as blues, jazz, and vaudeville, and experimental tendencies verging on industrial music, Waits has built up a distinctive musical persona. He has worked as a composer for movies and musical plays and has acted in supporting roles in films including Paradise Alley and Bram Stoker's Dracula; he also starred in the 1986 film Down by Law. He was nominated for an Academy Awa… more »

10 fans

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.
Release Year
The "Blue Valentine" album, which includes "Kentucky Avenue" was released in 1978.
Origin of Song
The song is named after a street in Whittier, California, where Tom Waits grew up.
Inspiration
Many 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.
Genre Classification
"Kentucky Avenue" is typically characterized under genres like Jazz, Blues, and Rock.
Song Length
This track runs approximately 4 minutes and 49 seconds, making it one of the longer songs on the "Blue Valentine" album.
Unique Storytelling Style
Like 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.
Musical Instruments
The song features sparse piano-based instrumentation, which is a characteristic style of Tom Waits.
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.
Critical Reception
Critics often praise "Kentucky Avenue" for its emotive lyrics and unique narrative, reflecting real-life experiences and bringing an engaging, personal aspect to Waits' music.
Live Performances
The 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.
Album's Success
Although "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.
Lyrics and Interpretation
Some critics view the song as a depiction of the innocence, camaraderie, and toughness of childhood, with a sense of nostalgia for times past.
Fan Following
The 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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