Tom Waits fans are pretty tough on people covering his brilliant songs. Jemma, you took Tom's lyrics and squeezed every emotional drop out of them. Thank you.
@jemmajohnson great job. I was keeping my expectations very low. I loved Emily's/Beth's version in the context of the show. I had never heard the original until after I heard her cover. You totally blew my expectations away with your version. Tom would be proud I'm sure. Also, great hair 😊
They hung a sign up in our town "If you live it up, you won't live it down" So she left Monte Rio, son Just like a bullet leaves a gun With her charcoal eyes and Monroe hips She went and took that California trip Oh, the moon was gold, her hair like wind Said, "don't look back, just come on, Jim" Oh, you got to hold on, hold on You gotta hold on Take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on Well, he gave her a dimestore watch And a ring made from a spoon Everyone's looking for someone to blame When you share my bed, you share my name Well, go ahead and call the cops You don't meet nice girls in coffee shops She said, "baby, I still love you" Sometimes there's nothin' left to do Oh, but you got to hold on, hold on Babe, you gotta hold on and take my hand I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on Well, God bless your crooked little heart St. Louis got the best of me I miss your broken China voice How I wish you were still here with me Oh, you build it up, you wreck it down Then you burn your mansion to the ground Oh, there's nothing left to keep you here But when you're falling behind in this big blue world Oh, you've got to hold on, hold on Babe, you gotta hold on Take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on Down by the Riverside motel It's ten below and falling By a ninety-nine cent store She closed her eyes and started swaying But it's so hard to dance that way When it's cold and there's no music Oh, your old hometown's so far away But inside your head there's a record that's playing A song called "Hold On", hold on Babe, you gotta hold on Take my hand, I'm standing right there, you gotta hold on You gotta hold on, hold on Babe, you gotta hold on Take my hand, I'm standing right there, you gotta hold on You gotta hold on, hold on Babe, you gotta hold on And take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on You gotta hold on, hold on Babe, you gotta hold on And take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on You gotta hold on You gotta hold on You gotta hold on You gotta hold on You gotta hold on, baby You gotta hold on, girl You gotta hold on You gotta hold on
I've never heard you before, but a huge fan of Waits since I first saw him in 1973 Waits evokes images in my head with his voice and incredible lyrics which, some of them could have been written about many events in my life. When I watched you singing, and you came to the "broken China voice"….. I thought maybe that struck you in a very personal way, and maybe even gave you the tremendous passion you put into this. I'll subscribe and explore your channel and hope to see a cover of Heart of Saturday Night, or even Tom Trauburt's Blues on the piano if you play it also. Thanks fór the pleasure you gave me while listening to this fantastic rendition of an awesome song You have a tremendous talent. Hope you make it to the top!
this is superb. been scouring tom waits covers by female vocals and came across yours. natural and soulful and pure. very impressed. hope you don't mind if i spread this around. be well.
P.S. I heard it on The Walking Dead and hand wrote the lyrics... pausing the show as it went. just to get the words down. I am a poet and a writer and alot of my friend were /are in bands and have used my writing as lyrics so when I heard this old song... on TV and HAD TO KNOW THE WORDS.. I got on RUclips and found the best cover done acoustically.. YOU are my FAVORITE , HANDS DOWN! So envious.. I sang in the church choir ...soloist half the time in front of a whole congregation on Christmas Eves and Easter Sundays and NOW I am older and an Alto and have the WORST "stage fright".. I can hit notes but can't sing in front of anyone anymore... my voice cracks and I get quieter... like I muffle the words because of fear! BELT IT OUT SWEETIE!! I love it! Requests TO COME! Promise! :) So impressed with you! Trish from NYC
Swett, gentle, kind, and very beautilful. Dime Store watch, call the cops - you don't... Sometimes there's nothing left to do.. . Very well done, love. May the love of the god's be with you. As Tom would want.
Jemma What a GORGEOUS voice you have!! I heard YOUR cover for the 1st time on here and I actually LOVE THIS SONG NOW BECAUSE OF YOU!! and that's something that never , ever happens!! You have a beautiful voice and a huge talent. I am going to request a song from you... I have a few. I think you'll appreciate them... I am going to stay subscribed and keep listening to this one for a bit before asking you though.... You sang this better than Tom Waits and covers, to me, are horrible alot of the time. NOT IN THIS CASE!!! You rock honey!! And the English/Brit thing.. wow... didn't see that coming!! I have a long Scottish/Irish Ancestry and would love to hop across the pond someday soon! WOW.. LOVE THIS!! Keep it up honey.. You're going to BE FAMOUS!!!!
I'm quite fed up of this impressionistic singing. Create your own singing style. Your definitely talented as hell! I couldn't get near this level, hats off
Ms. Johnson: This was such a lovely rendition of this song, and certain parts of your vocals in this song inspired me to write to you about you doing a cover of another song: Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley. I am not certain if you have done this song already or not, however, which is part of the nature of this message. Regardless, I wish you good luck in your career as a musician, I love your music thus far, and I'm very excited for your upcoming EP. Best of luck to you, Chris
The Rising Fallen Chris! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, I'm just catching up with replying on here so I'm sorry it's late! I have sung Hallelujah in the past and this has made me think about doing it again so thank you! The EP is out in case you didn't know :) you can get it here! jemmajmusic.bandcamp.com/album/enough-ep Thanks again Chris!
Jemma Johnson Thank you for your consideration, ma'am. I greatly appreciate you letting me know about your EP's release, as well. Thank you, and have a great day. -Chris
In the last weeks I was looking for a good cover of this amazing Tom Waits song (for my covers blog) and then...I've found this jewel!! Thank you so much, Jemma...Your RUclips Channel is a gold mine for the covers hunters, really! I wish you a big success with your music. Your voice, your musical talent and your sensitivity are awesome...Best regards from Vienna! (Ah, you're on my blog now, ;) Your cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Song for the asking" is so beautiful and moving...Thanks again - thevoiceofjanus.tumblr.com/post/143118321648/jemma-johnsonsong-for-the-asking-simon-and)
Really nice version! You should check out this channel called H.L. Tandberg He´s been covering Tom Waits for many many years. Lots of great stuff. Cheers from Finland :)
Tom Waits fans are pretty tough on people covering his brilliant songs. Jemma, you took Tom's lyrics and squeezed every emotional drop out of them. Thank you.
@jemmajohnson great job. I was keeping my expectations very low. I loved Emily's/Beth's version in the context of the show. I had never heard the original until after I heard her cover. You totally blew my expectations away with your version. Tom would be proud I'm sure. Also, great hair 😊
They hung a sign up in our town
"If you live it up, you won't live it down"
So she left Monte Rio, son
Just like a bullet leaves a gun
With her charcoal eyes and Monroe hips
She went and took that California trip
Oh, the moon was gold, her hair like wind
Said, "don't look back, just come on, Jim"
Oh, you got to hold on, hold on
You gotta hold on
Take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on
Well, he gave her a dimestore watch
And a ring made from a spoon
Everyone's looking for someone to blame
When you share my bed, you share my name
Well, go ahead and call the cops
You don't meet nice girls in coffee shops
She said, "baby, I still love you"
Sometimes there's nothin' left to do
Oh, but you got to hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on and take my hand
I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on
Well, God bless your crooked little heart
St. Louis got the best of me
I miss your broken China voice
How I wish you were still here with me
Oh, you build it up, you wreck it down
Then you burn your mansion to the ground
Oh, there's nothing left to keep you here
But when you're falling behind in this big blue world
Oh, you've got to hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
Take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on
Down by the Riverside motel
It's ten below and falling
By a ninety-nine cent store
She closed her eyes and started swaying
But it's so hard to dance that way
When it's cold and there's no music
Oh, your old hometown's so far away
But inside your head there's a record that's playing
A song called "Hold On", hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
Take my hand, I'm standing right there, you gotta hold on
You gotta hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
Take my hand, I'm standing right there, you gotta hold on
You gotta hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
And take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on
You gotta hold on, hold on
Babe, you gotta hold on
And take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on, baby
You gotta hold on, girl
You gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
I'm honestly almost upset at how good this is. Wish i could do songs at this level. Gotta keep practicing I guess.
amazing work
Beautiful performance Jenna, but.....
Beeeeeeeeeettthhhh! *hysterical sobbing*
What a lovely cover!
Tom Waits has written some real gems. He's such a great lyricist too.
I'm digging this. I'm a pretty big fan of waits.
Great cover of one of my favorite songs by my favorite singer-songwriter.
This was amazing, I almost cried. Beautiful.
that song makes me very emotional, thiis version hits me very deeply
I have a collection of approximately 350 Waits covers. Very few are even fit to touch the hem of this beauty. 😊
Love this song. Love your voice. Beautiful cover!
I've never heard you before, but a huge fan of Waits since I first saw him in 1973
Waits evokes images in my head with his voice and incredible lyrics which, some of them could have been written about many events in my life. When I watched you singing, and you came to the "broken China voice"….. I thought maybe that struck you in a very personal way, and maybe even gave you the tremendous passion you put into this.
I'll subscribe and explore your channel and hope to see a cover of Heart of Saturday Night, or even Tom Trauburt's Blues on the piano if you play it also.
Thanks fór the pleasure you gave me while listening to this fantastic rendition of an awesome song
You have a tremendous talent. Hope you make it to the top!
Awesome cover. I'm a huge fan of Waits, and I love this.
I love this song! Thank you for doing such an honorable version of it. I think I need to go hug somebody now...
this is superb. been scouring tom waits covers by female vocals and came across yours. natural and soulful and pure. very impressed. hope you don't mind if i spread this around.
be well.
No! Not Walking Dead, just Tom Waits ;)
Not walking dead, just living legend
Absolutely brilliant cover of one of my favourite songs of all time. Well done you, thank you!!
Well done Jemma! Awesome take on an awesome song 👍🤘
I want to cry! BEAUTIFUL! AMAZING VOICE!
Also your hair is on point, beautiful Voice
I've always liked this song
Love this Tom Waits cover! Brilliant video once again! :)
Louise Steel Music Thank you so much Louise :)
Magnificent interpretation.
Nice rendition. You give the song your own feel. Thank you for sharing.
So beautiful 👍🏼
Waiting for your next song 🌸
Imma was like floating in the air listening to this 😊😊😊
P.S. I heard it on The Walking Dead and hand wrote the lyrics... pausing the show as it went. just to get the words down. I am a poet and a writer and alot of my friend were /are in bands and have used my writing as lyrics so when I heard this old song... on TV and HAD TO KNOW THE WORDS.. I got on RUclips and found the best cover done acoustically.. YOU are my FAVORITE , HANDS DOWN! So envious.. I sang in the church choir ...soloist half the time in front of a whole congregation on Christmas Eves and Easter Sundays and NOW I am older and an Alto and have the WORST "stage fright".. I can hit notes but can't sing in front of anyone anymore... my voice cracks and I get quieter... like I muffle the words because of fear! BELT IT OUT SWEETIE!! I love it! Requests TO COME! Promise! :) So impressed with you! Trish from NYC
Well... this is just absolutely amazing
absolutely.....;)
tony langmach Thank you both, so much
pure fresh air during Covid!!
WOW! I felt every word you sang....absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
I agree J lovely cover!!!!!
Congratulations!! It's a beautiful cover.I love it. Greetings from Buenos Aires , Argentina
Excelente interpretação de Tom Waits nessa bela voz. Parabéns!
absolutley top notch. breathtaking.
I like. Most TW covers are brutal on the ears. This was great.
Beautiful job Jemma. You have a beautiful voice. I love Tom Waits songs. I posted a couple of his songs too.
Fabulous job!
Insanely beautiful voice!!!
Beautiful
j'ai des frissons.. c'est juste.. Waw !
Merci
Wow, beautiful! Great job!
You are awesome!!... please, play "flay me to the moon"
Thank you for such a beautiful song !
Beautiful rendition Jemma :-) Best regards, Andi
Beautiful.
best cover I've heard. Lovely voice...
Mam You Have Done Greatly.
Congrats.
Stay Blessed.
Swett, gentle, kind, and very beautilful. Dime Store watch, call the cops - you don't... Sometimes there's nothing left to do.. . Very well done, love. May the love of the god's be with you. As Tom would want.
Jemma What a GORGEOUS voice you have!! I heard YOUR cover for the 1st time on here and I actually LOVE THIS SONG NOW BECAUSE OF YOU!! and that's something that never , ever happens!! You have a beautiful voice and a huge talent. I am going to request a song from you... I have a few. I think you'll appreciate them... I am going to stay subscribed and keep listening to this one for a bit before asking you though.... You sang this better than Tom Waits and covers, to me, are horrible alot of the time. NOT IN THIS CASE!!! You rock honey!! And the English/Brit thing.. wow... didn't see that coming!! I have a long Scottish/Irish Ancestry and would love to hop across the pond someday soon! WOW.. LOVE THIS!! Keep it up honey.. You're going to BE FAMOUS!!!!
beautifully done
>3 One of the best you have ever done.. :)
amaaaaziiing ❤
Really Good Cover - i like it - thumbs up
I'm quite fed up of this impressionistic singing. Create your own singing style. Your definitely talented as hell! I couldn't get near this level, hats off
Amazing voice!!!!!! love it....
AMAZING VOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Real nice
Brilliant job. Well done
Best cover
Excellent choice, and beautifully done :)
Awesome
BEAUTIFUL!!
RESPECT!!! Very emotional………………
Wow, you are wonderful! Could You cover mocking bird and show how you move the finguers? 🙏🙏🙏🙏
idk whats more beautiful her face or her skills
Ms. Johnson:
This was such a lovely rendition of this song, and certain parts of your vocals in this song inspired me to write to you about you doing a cover of another song: Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley. I am not certain if you have done this song already or not, however, which is part of the nature of this message. Regardless, I wish you good luck in your career as a musician, I love your music thus far, and I'm very excited for your upcoming EP.
Best of luck to you,
Chris
The Rising Fallen Chris! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, I'm just catching up with replying on here so I'm sorry it's late! I have sung Hallelujah in the past and this has made me think about doing it again so thank you! The EP is out in case you didn't know :) you can get it here! jemmajmusic.bandcamp.com/album/enough-ep Thanks again Chris!
Jemma Johnson
Thank you for your consideration, ma'am. I greatly appreciate you letting me know about your EP's release, as well. Thank you, and have a great day.
-Chris
Actually, that song was written by Leonard Cohen, not Buckley.
You sung it so beautifully! Breataking :)
Wonderful!
I love
amazing voice :) beautiful!
Love. love it!!!
Beautiful girl, and beautiful voice. Very well done.
Wow ❤️😢
I love your voice.
Well ... Well ... well ... just amazing ! :')
i looove the walking dead
nice cover
wow
Lovely!
Maravilhosa canção, VOZ LINDA. #thewalkingdead
Brilliant
wow!!! great thats all i can say here
In italy we say: "ho i brividi!!" GREAT!
that is so cute!
Angel❤️❤️
Amazeingly Beautiful
Great stuff. I'm only 5 yrs late in asking but how a out a cover of sweet bird by joni mitchel?
Nice!!!!! Thanx
2019 LIKE !!! Very good, God bless.
Nice cover!😢
Beth :'(
Better then Beth!
Sau geil
In the last weeks I was looking for a good cover of this amazing Tom Waits song (for my covers blog) and then...I've found this jewel!! Thank you so much, Jemma...Your RUclips Channel is a gold mine for the covers hunters, really! I wish you a big success with your music. Your voice, your musical talent and your sensitivity are awesome...Best regards from Vienna! (Ah, you're on my blog now, ;) Your cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Song for the asking" is so beautiful and moving...Thanks again - thevoiceofjanus.tumblr.com/post/143118321648/jemma-johnsonsong-for-the-asking-simon-and)
She sounds a bit like Ellie from Last of us 2 singing.. beautiful
i literally just fell in love with you.
claps for you from Amazônia - Brasil
Really nice version! You should check out this channel called H.L. Tandberg He´s been covering Tom Waits for many many years. Lots of great stuff. Cheers from Finland :)
Nice Voice :)
Flott! - fra Norge...
Wooo Hermosa♥