The whacky circus music and Waits accustomed minstrel role is all here. You know good writing in a song when you have great characterization in few short words, but it’s elusive enough to impel the reader to interpret it based on their lives and worldview. The call-down of the lyrics suggests a disheveled family which we all almost have. But given bad luck almost anybody could wind up where we see this played out. So Cemetery Polka on the surface seems to be a crack at the everyday family and persons failings, but its about much more.
Uncle Vernon, Uncle Vernon, independent as a hog on ice
He’s a big shot down there at the slaughterhouse
Plays accordion for Mr. WeissUncle Biltmore and Uncle William
Made a million during World War Two
But they’re tightwads and they’re cheapskates
And they’ll never give a dime to you
Cemetery Polka is from Waits esteemed ’85 Raindog album which was ranked number 399 on Rolling Stones list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time“. Waits recalled about his time living in NY during the period he did the album: “There is something interesting about Manhattan. Someone could stand out in the middle of Fourteenth Street stark naked, playing a trumpet with a dead pigeon on their head and no one would flinch. In fact, tomorrow there will probably be two guys like that. They’d be lease-letting, trying to get more subscribers.”
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
I love this and Waits. It is different no doubt. I have just read some about him. He hung out with the Replacements in the later 80s and they recorded some together. Bizarre sense of humor at times and great.
I’m afraid to admit, I don’t who the Replacements are.
I’m glad you liked this one. He’s definitely an acquired taste. I’m still trying to warm into his stuff.
They were an alternative band in the 80s…that should have been a major rock band…their major rival was REM at the time.
Oh yea I like Tom a lot.
I’ll look up their stuff. Which song above all would you recommend?
The guy’s writing is up there… I would say “Here Comes A Regular” and Can’t Hardly Wait
Ok, will now look
I just heard both of them
I really like them and added them to my library list songs. You’re a a good man Max.
Thanks for trying them…Glad you like them….the singer/writer is Paul Westerberg…he was one of the best in the 80s…
Max is a good man. This music of Toms appeals to me. Good pick.
I certainly agree about Max! I’m glad you liked Cemetery Polka.
Love that record.