Many people have done this song, and I'm sure many of them have sung it with what most people would call a "Prettier" voice. If there is such a thing, but the vulnerable and human feel of this version makes it my absolute favorite. There is something in Tom Waits' voice that is just so unique, it's hard to describe. You either get it or you don't. If you get it you're one of the lucky ones, because there's much to be treasured from this man.
Bobby Davis, I love this song and this performance. In fact, it's the very first song for which I learned the words, when I was two in 1949. What I've never understood is why everyone, or nearly so, from The Weavers on, recorded the lyric, "I'll see you in my dreams," where Huddie Ledbetter wrote, I guess you're in my dreams." Tom's may be the first cover I've heard to go back to the original lyric.
My grandma not only raised me on Tom Waits, but she also covered this song when she was a folk singer in the 60's. And then sang me to sleep with this song (:
i had the honor of meeting him on main st in Sebastopol Ca one afternoon about 12 yrs ago at a rummage sale..he then walked me back to my store across the street and wished me well.
I've had this song in my head for days too knowing Hurricane Irene is coming to town. Remember my grandfather singing this when I was a kid, brings back great memories.
my name is irene, this song makes me cry everytime. makes me think how good i have it, yet sometimes i take it for advantage. you know, you never know how good you got it until its gone...
+Rob Wolfe Actually, I do remember this exact scenario, in a North London pub in the 1960s. I think they had one particular night that was for singing... men and women, all ages from me illegally drinking in my mid-teens to little old ladies probably in their 80s. Goodnight Irene seemed to be a huge favourite, along with Rambling Rose and others. Everyone seemed to know all the words to every song, and there was hardly a dry eye in the house by the end of the night!
Heard it sung many time in east London pubs in the 1970's especially when pubs still had piano's- my uncles and dad took me in the pub at 16 and I remember the sung well a number of times
Goosebumps....the one and only Tom .....his voice is perfect for this song, and it sounds like he gargles with tar, metal grindings and kerosene......most original singer/songwriter on the scene....
First time I heard this song I said to my girlfriend; yeah... this is the one. The one I been looking for. It doesn't ge much bette then this! Thank you for posting it!
amazing! once you get into tom waits, theres no going back! you will listen to his songs 24/7 withoutnany sleep, and literally search for his reords! i wanna see him live, i love the man!
I remember this song being sung as a lullaby heralding us to bed at camp as a kid, but a couple years ago I was struck by the intensity of the line "sometimes I take a great notion to jump in the river and drown", and wondered if it had been omitted out from under our noses when we were children, or if I'd just never thought about what it meant. I doubt I'll ever find out...
These days we might call Irene a hot mess. Re-hearing it for the countless time today, it made me think of George Jones' hit, "He Stopped Loving Her Today." To be imprinted on someone like a baby duck, over the top for her so bad that it's making you trash your own life. Tough drama. Great song. All-in performance. Glad I stopped by.
A slice of uniquely American heartache, from a dirty hole in a wall bar many years ago. Now its a Chinese food take out, before that it was a consignment store/charity shop where the owner died of a stroke. But the old bar is still there; you can smell it over the sesame oil and fried cabbage. The dusty smell of old pipes, the worn out linoleum in the old parquet design can't hide the tile floor put there in the 1930's. Tiny tiles, put there by hand. When the old man who never smiles locks the door, he hurries, the only time of the day when he shows emotion. He can hear the singing. In the pipes, in the drains, in the old dusty cellar where they keep the new year banners. Sometimes he lights incense there. But you can still hear that song...
classic song suposedly written by Huddy Leadbetter. many folk talkes about the origin.. certainly a good drinking song! and i think Tom Waits has the best version
It's a an old U.S. folk standard. Who knows how old it is. Leadbelly popularized it in the 30's [via Allen Lomax recordings] and supposedly performed it starting in the early 20'th century. The Weavers further advanced the tune (as well as many others learned directly from Ledbetter); recorded at their famous Carnegie Hall concert on Christmas Eve 1955. It has been covered hundreds of times since then.
It makes me think about a bunch of drunk men, singing in an old bar, always the same song , all nights ... in a city where nobody cames ... there are lost in times ...
His voice sounds like the result of gargling a piping hot glass of Drano and gravel, and I mean that entirely as a compliment. It absolutely suits the arrangement of this song.
i don't know how to respond to this. i just got out of the drunk tank and am drinking whisky to placate my soul. imma buy some more when the liquor store opens. god love you and up the gas
Its called 'heartache.' That feeling in your stomach that makes it feel empty but you can't eat. That cold feeling around your shoulders, and you look in the mirror and don't know who you see..i know it well.
Ofcourse I didn't get the Hurricane Irene correlation at first. Anyway, besides that...What the ---- was this?! What genre is this?! I'm confused...I just don't know..
Many people have done this song, and I'm sure many of them have sung it with what most people would call a "Prettier" voice. If there is such a thing, but the vulnerable and human feel of this version makes it my absolute favorite. There is something in Tom Waits' voice that is just so unique, it's hard to describe. You either get it or you don't. If you get it you're one of the lucky ones, because there's much to be treasured from this man.
Bobby Davis Yes, he sings with his heart and soul or doesn't bother. Unless he's spinning a Yarn ... ;)
Yes Bobby.
I get it.
Bobby Davis It makes me tear up every time.
It's a heartbreaker, Tom's TOO REAL about ....Everything.
Bobby Davis, I love this song and this performance. In fact, it's the very first song for which I learned the words, when I was two in 1949. What I've never understood is why everyone, or nearly so, from The Weavers on, recorded the lyric, "I'll see you in my dreams," where Huddie Ledbetter wrote, I guess you're in my dreams." Tom's may be the first cover I've heard to go back to the original lyric.
I'm crying as I hear this. I haven't cried in so long.
Been a while since anyone posted here but hundreds of artists have played this song, dozens of them famous. This is still by far the best.
My grandma not only raised me on Tom Waits, but she also covered this song when she was a folk singer in the 60's. And then sang me to sleep with this song (:
My Grandma use to sing this to me...her name was Irene and so is my middle name. I have always loved it, especially
after Toms version.
Ok, when Tom Waits sings Leadbelly, the world can stop spinning. Everything is complete. Thank you
its older than leadbelly but he did singit. its a traditional folk song
i had the honor of meeting him on main st in Sebastopol Ca one afternoon about 12 yrs ago at a rummage sale..he then walked me back to my store across the street and wished me well.
I've had this song in my head for days too knowing Hurricane Irene is coming to town. Remember my grandfather singing this when I was a kid, brings back great memories.
It’s so much fun listening to this. I love Irene now too.
This is the best version I heard. Love it :))))
my name is irene, this song makes me cry everytime. makes me think how good i have it, yet sometimes i take it for advantage. you know, you never know how good you got it until its gone...
Can just imagine a town pub at last call with a bunch of drunks singing this. Wonderful!
+Rob Wolfe
Actually, I do remember this exact scenario, in a North London pub in the 1960s. I think they had one particular night that was for singing... men and women, all ages from me illegally drinking in my mid-teens to little old ladies probably in their 80s. Goodnight Irene seemed to be a huge favourite, along with Rambling Rose and others. Everyone seemed to know all the words to every song, and there was hardly a dry eye in the house by the end of the night!
Omg your comment gave me chills
its a perfect drinking song! best played during St. Patricks!
Heard it sung many time in east London pubs in the 1970's especially when pubs still had piano's- my uncles and dad took me in the pub at 16 and I remember the sung well a number of times
Great version of an old classic. Tom Waits growling works perfectly with this version.
This song just brings tears to my eyes
it's christmas eve here in hong kong. glad to hear this song. goodnight, tom!
A Beautiful Lullaby! Thanks for Sharing!
Love this song. Herd it in a record store about a year ago. Listend to differant versions but like this one the best.
Goosebumps....the one and only Tom .....his voice is perfect for this song, and it sounds like he gargles with tar, metal grindings and kerosene......most original singer/songwriter on the scene....
I'm thinking more along the lines of hot Drano and gravel.
My mom, Irene (R.I.P.) loved this song, it was "her" song.
This may be the greatest thing I've ever heard.
Tom Waits gives this classic song "That Feel!"
First time I heard this song I said to my girlfriend; yeah... this is the one. The one I been looking for. It doesn't ge much bette then this! Thank you for posting it!
"If she ever finds another, I'm gonna take morphine and die," is my favorite lyric in this song
My ultimate exit plan.
...
Not anytime soon or anything like that.
But if I am still driving on the last leg of this trip...that's the exit for me.
😋
amazing!
once you get into tom waits, theres no going back!
you will listen to his songs 24/7 withoutnany sleep, and literally search for his reords!
i wanna see him live, i love the man!
Tom Waits is my religion
Things I need right NOW: a bottle of Wild Turkey - my beloved darling man- a quiet summer evening - this song playing along.
The best thing on Earth when you have to serenade a girl named Irene...
What a lucky man i am.
I first heard this performed by Leadbelly, amazing that a song that you have never heard of before can make you so melancholic..
love this song - love this version - waits is amazing
one of the good ones
Superb!!!!
I've read some stupid things on youtube but this deserves some sort of award.
I remember this song being sung as a lullaby heralding us to bed at camp as a kid, but a couple years ago I was struck by the intensity of the line "sometimes I take a great notion to jump in the river and drown", and wondered if it had been omitted out from under our noses when we were children, or if I'd just never thought about what it meant. I doubt I'll ever find out...
Tom Waits is the best, most honest and most true vocalist there is... :D
gorgeous
Doesn't even care about nor thinks about the broad in the back..so heartbroken and you feel it. Great song.
These days we might call Irene a hot mess. Re-hearing it for the countless time today, it made me think of George Jones' hit, "He Stopped Loving Her Today." To be imprinted on someone like a baby duck, over the top for her so bad that it's making you trash your own life. Tough drama. Great song. All-in performance. Glad I stopped by.
A slice of uniquely American heartache, from a dirty hole in a wall bar many years ago. Now its a Chinese food take out, before that it was a consignment store/charity shop where the owner died of a stroke. But the old bar is still there; you can smell it over the sesame oil and fried cabbage. The dusty smell of old pipes, the worn out linoleum in the old parquet design can't hide the tile floor put there in the 1930's. Tiny tiles, put there by hand. When the old man who never smiles locks the door, he hurries, the only time of the day when he shows emotion. He can hear the singing. In the pipes, in the drains, in the old dusty cellar where they keep the new year banners. Sometimes he lights incense there. But you can still hear that song...
@@madamvaudelune3298 Thanks for capturing the back story so well. "Cold Water" is a Waits song that comes to mind in context here.
classic song suposedly written by Huddy Leadbetter. many folk talkes about the origin.. certainly a good drinking song! and i think Tom Waits has the best version
vv .... love this song!
my name is irene
AMAZING!!!!
I really love Huddie's recording of this, I also love Tom Waits!
Incredible South, incredibly given by an incredible guy.
Fabulous...
20 years from now our kids will be saying we liked Tom Waits version better!
It's a an old U.S. folk standard. Who knows how old it is. Leadbelly popularized it in the 30's [via Allen Lomax recordings] and supposedly performed it starting in the early 20'th century. The Weavers further advanced the tune (as well as many others learned directly from Ledbetter); recorded at their famous Carnegie Hall concert on Christmas Eve 1955. It has been covered hundreds of times since then.
my fav version ..for say good night to my FB friends
the best IRENE
LOVE IT
Tom Waits, the wild side of the music.
It makes me think about a bunch of drunk men, singing in an old bar, always the same song , all nights ... in a city where nobody cames ... there are lost in times ...
excellent
The only song by the only artist that i feel is just for me. This is one of my nightly tunes.
This is really effective; if you don't like it, it's because you don't appreciate what Tom is trying to re-produce here
very relaxing! but that picture is the cover of the small change album!
this and Leadbelly's version are the ones i love the most
His voice sounds like the result of gargling a piping hot glass of Drano and gravel, and I mean that entirely as a compliment. It absolutely suits the arrangement of this song.
i don't know how to respond to this. i just got out of the drunk tank and am drinking whisky to placate my soul. imma buy some more when the liquor store opens. god love you and up the gas
Its called 'heartache.' That feeling in your stomach that makes it feel empty but you can't eat. That cold feeling around your shoulders, and you look in the mirror and don't know who you see..i know it well.
@Babspace That is spooky.She is just home from hospital 10 mins ago after six weeks there.She is in great form thank you Babspace.
If Huddy hadn't written this song Tom would have. This a great version of a great song.
Tak!! ;)
The sound that is Tom Waits
i'd just like to give a big 'thumbs up' to all who commented on this video. god bless all your souls
God loves drunks. It may sound cliché but it's 100% true.
love this version! the ultimate drinking song!. well suited for st Patricks
cool dear Tom...
Should I ever loose my hearing, the last thing I want to hear is him in his songs.
Wonderful tune, nicely done. I'm curious if all the voices in this version belong to Tom, like Billy Joel in 'The Longest Time'
Ha-ha!!! An unusual comparison.
My name is Irene :)
@hammerlights
scotch, single malt. bourbon is water with sugar.
Goodnight for everyone.....
Come on you Blues!!!
this guy is good
@Babspace Thank you (:
@itouchguitar errm, could you remind me what i sais plz, i cant remember
ya know you look at all the comments on Tom Waits songs on youtube, and there are almost ZERO hate comments haha
Gonna listen to this real loud after hurricane Irene passes (if I have electricity... and I'm not dead)
IF I LISTEN TO IRENE; I DRINK SCOTCH
GREETINGS
Rough 'N' Gruff I like it
maybe if he's singin this now he'll scare the hurricane away.....
@morgaffi Is there any other way brother...?
Thumbs up if the hurricane reminded you of this song
😢❤
would love to hear Tom duet with Shane Mcgowan on this classic
tom waits knows all the psalms for us drunks
My wifes name is Irene,and she is not to well at the moment,,,sleep well my bear.
Peak "Irene" would be Waits singing with Dr John of piano?
They sound so drunk but somehow that makes it sound good.
@IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIO actually "like a hurricane" by neil young! :D
Good Night, Lisa.
Ofcourse I didn't get the Hurricane Irene correlation at first. Anyway, besides that...What the ---- was this?! What genre is this?! I'm confused...I just don't know..
I won't be able to sleep again just wandering: WICH VERSION IS BETTER: LEADBELLY'S OR WAITS' ?!!!! AHHHHH!
Anybody know who the other singers are in this? I can't seem to figure it out.
Hurricane Irene is coming....
You know, my Lady's name's Irene, she looked like the Lady on the picture but now She must be in Heaven, I guess.
@morgaffi I hear Ya! In fact I m headin down to the liquor cabinet right now.
Tom Waits is "the voice"
The only voice that matters
Where is the picture from?
Up the gas 🔵⚪️🔵⚪️
Good old Irish song
@MrBluey1 I hope she's better now, MrBluey.