What's He Building?

[Humble Genius]

I have one ultimate favorite in each medium. Literature has become Ligotti. Movies: David Lynch. Music...no doubt, Tom Waits. I've tried to find music along those lines, and I've listened to Captain Beefheart, Leonard Cohen, so many, nothing matches his ambiance. If you haven't heard 'Poor Edward' from the album 'Alice' I'd seriously suggest it. It's a case in point that a horror story can be told one paragraph or less.

[Laird]

One of Dahmer's neighbors said, "I wondered what the hell he was building in there."

Hmmmm....

[Joel]

Oh yes, this is definitely about small-town paranoia. The speaker's case against his neighbour is a mixture of rumour, guesswork and "If he has nothing to hide, why does he stay indoors?" It reminds me of the things said about the civilian hostages kept in Guantanamo: "If they're innocent, why were they picked up?" A British citizen who was attending a family wedding in Pakistan was eventually returned to the UK by the US authorities with a stern comment along the lines of "We expect this terrorist to be tried and jailed for life in the UK." Since there were no charges against him, and there was no evidence against him, what was he supposed to be tried for?

[J B Marcus]

I played 'What's he building in there' to my new girlfriend on our first date. I guessed if she didn't run out of the house screaming then she could be the girl for me... Ten years on and we're still together, and when Mr Waits brings out a new album she treats me to it. Does she like Tom? Not quite, but she appreciates what he brings to me and that makes all the difference.

[NealJansons]

I used to play that piece all the time when I was a DJ on Free Radio Santa Cruz. It always felt to me like he really was building something in there and, whatever it was, it certainly wasn't a playhouse for the children. I usually followed it up with "Bloodletting" by King Missile.

http://youtu.be/rZPr0BN-V8k

[damo]

check out Was Not Was. they usually have a poetry-style track on each album with a bizarre slant, such as 'earth to doris', 'the sky's ablaze' and 'dad, im in jail'. very misunderstood and underrated band, at least in the uk, in my opinion (kind of surreal funk).

[AndrewColeman]

Quote Originally Posted by Joel

Oh yes, this is definitely about small-town paranoia. The speaker's case against his neighbour is a mixture of rumour, guesswork and "If he has nothing to hide, why does he stay indoors?" It reminds me of the things said about the civilian hostages kept in Guantanamo: "If they're innocent, why were they picked up?" A British citizen who was attending a family cheap wedding dresses in Pakistan was eventually returned to the UK by the US authorities with a stern comment along the lines of "We expect this terrorist to be tried and jailed for life in the UK." Since there were no charges against him, and there was no evidence against him, what was he supposed to be tried for?

Are you serious.. Just attending wedding in Pakistan declares your terrorist...This country has just spoiled entire world

[Mad Madison]

Tom Waits

Whats He Building? - YouTube