Falling Down, Big Time, Tom Waits [151]

For the first of the two original tracks on Big Time, Sam and Martin welcome back friend/wife of the show Helen Zaltzman, for discussions ranging from how it affects breakfast time, similarities to the work of Michael Douglas, and the fundamental question as to why this studio track is included on a live album. We also debate the subject and object of the lyrics, and the tone of condemnation in this song as compared to Waits's earlier work. Song by Song is Martin Zaltz Austwick and Sam Pay; two musicians listening to and discussing every single Tom Waits track in chronological order. website: songbysongpodcast.com twitter: @songbysongpod e-mail: [email protected] Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include: Falling Down, Big Time, Tom Waits (1988) I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down, Get Happy, Elvis Costello & The Attractions (1980) We think your Song by Song experience will be enhanced by hearing, in full, the songs featured in the show, which you can get hold of from your favourite record shop or online platform. Please support artists by buying their music, or using services which guarantee artists a revenue - listen responsibly. Lyrics - Falling Down I've come 500 miles Just to see your halo Come from St. Petersburg Scarlett and me When I open my eyes I was blind as can be And to give a man luck He must fall in the sea And she wants you to steal and get caught For she loves you for all that you are not When you're falling down Falling down When you're falling down Falling down falling down You forget all the roses Don't come around on Sunday She's not gonna choose you For standing so tall Go on take a swig of that poison And like it And now don't ask for silverware Don't ask for nothing Go on and put your ear to the ground You know you'll be hearing that sound Falling down You're falling down falling down Falling down falling down Falling down When you're falling down Falling down falling down Go on down see that wrecking ball Come swing in on her now Everyone knew that hotel was a goner They broke all the windows And took all the door knobs And they hauled it away In a couple of days Now someone yelled timber Take off your hat We all look smaller Down here on the ground When you're falling down Falling down falling down Falling down falling down Falling down Someone's falling down Falling down falling down Falling down falling down Falling down