I've got pretty mixed feelings on Tom Waits but this is a good one. I'd probably vote for anything on The black Rider as my favorite though, sine he didn't write any of the lyrics and his lyrics are the thing that sometimes puts me off. they alternate between really good and painfully maudlin, sometimes in the same song. When he's on he's really on, though.

My parents would always listen to Tom Waits when I was a little kid (Mostly Rain Dogs) and they also had those old Sesame Street records.. since I wasn't really listening to the lyrics I always thought they were playing Cookie Monster songs at BBQs and stuff, maybe just for me and the other kids.

In case anyone hasn't seen it:

http://www.poetv.com/video.php?vid=98457

http://www.poetv.com/video.php?vid=120954

Old Zircon-
There's a tongue-in-cheek nature to much of the maudlin stuff, especially during the period that this song is from.

Saying you like Tom Waits but not the lyrics is to say you are confused, sir.

Haha in response to the latter poetv link:

infinite zest
I grew up with Sesame St. songs and my parents listening to Rain Dogs. Got the two confused until I was like 17. :)

My vote is for Christmas Card from a hooker in Minneapolis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxVo5mjK4eg&feature=kp

just no

I thought that one was called Closing Time? Either way good pick.

I hadn't heard that one. Nice!