This was Tom’s last live performance to this date. I truly hope to see him again on the stage but if not… this was a legendary send off for himself and not just letterman.
My father passed away, and we're looking to sell the house that I grew up in. This is the first song I thought of. I'm not ready for that, but I know it's necessary. Thank you, Mr. Waits, for making such a beautiful statement in song.
My Father passed in my arms a few days before this happened. I recorded this performance, I played it so many times and cried. Future Islands was medicine too that week or so. It was a monumental life change realization that can only be explained by listening to this song. If you know, you know forever. Don’t give up, keep going, continue on for them.
In a land there's a town, and in that town there's a house And in that house there's a woman And in that woman there's a heart I love I'm gonna take it with me when I go
This, and - although in a completely different manner - the Beastie Boys' performance of Sabotage. Put together the two funnily make for a pretty good encapsulation of it all.
You can put well known well groomed handsome world topping film stars on the same show as Tom but he upstages them all without even meaning too. He allows everyone to get in touch with real feelings.
One of the most poignant and emotional performances ever on Letterman IMHO I sadly had never discovered Mr. Waits until this point but through his songs and videos and all the late night/early monings together over the past almost 6 years I consider him a dear friend. Thank you Tom! You speak things I feel but cannot express.
Got a Best of CD from a friend when I was 17 and all the way into death metal and rock. Despite my taste in music at the time, Tom immediately became my favorite artist and still is to this day.
After living away from my homeland of Canada since I was 18, soon to be twenty years later, I am nearing the end of my time in China. When I first heard this song on the last Letterman years ago I new I was going to revisit it. And as I am packing my things preparing my wife and child for a new life in Canada this song helps cool the fires of uncertainty. New chapter, hoping for even better tales. Thanks Tom Waits.
Dave is really moved and he shakes Tom's hand with teary gratitude and the brillant poet that Waits is smiles with a little incredulity because this rare breed is still humble. Rare stuff.
I just read a shortened version of these lyrics at an awards banquet for the first generation, low income about-to-graduate students I work with. I was looking for a poem and the God of Tom Waits whispered in my ear, “You idiot; do One Last Look!”
I doubt this song will ever have a better performance. I can't imagine it being covered by anyone. Tom Waits is consumed in the moment. There isn't a better voice or music for this song. Beautiful.
Tom and Kathleen tune into the universal ache in the chest that life gives us with age, they wring the meaning out of it and Tom gives it to us with his haunting voice and combo. Thank you, for the delicious agony, the needle-point precision of your song-making, your capacity to take the pain and make us whole by embracing it and sometimes crying our way through it
This is a masterpiece, a humbling and heart-breaking love song. It's hugely inspirational and makes a person appreciate what they currently have in life, before they lose it. Tom wrote this beautiful song without even releasing or being financially rewarded for it, which demonstrates he's an altruist and puts people and music before profit. It's a tribute to Dave, but also appears to be a swan-song and a final farewell to his audience.
I was at the Letterman Show the week before this and although it was great seeing Dave during one of his last shows it still bums me out that I missed this. Amazing performance.
Let's watch the sun come up in another town Try our luck a little further down Leave the cards on the table Leave the bread on the plate Put your hand on the gearshift Put your foot off the brake And take one last look At the place that you are leaving Take one last look Oh take one last look At the place that you are leaving Take one last look Our bed was something that the wind couldn't carry The arrow points a way across the waiting prairie This car looks like it could give us a good run The choice to leave was a good one And take one last look At the place that you are leaving Take one last look Oh take one last look At the place that you are leaving Take one last look Let's look forward to the lights that are new, The world is a ribbon of road for you All towns have churches and tire shops They put up speed limit signs and they hire cops I love to see the wind in your hair All we ever need we can get anywhere And take one last look At the place that you are leaving Take one last look Oh take one last look At the place that you are leaving Take one last look Oh take one last look Oh take one last look Take one last look
@@videogamebookreviews I didn't even remember posting these lyrics! Maybe I copied them from somewhere? Anyway, you're definitely right. I altered the first line of that verse to match what Tom sang also. Thanks!
@@couplakooksTHIRDED! (Apparently he’s been in the studio recently so we might get one more from him. Would be amazing to hear a studio version of this track in particular, although at this point the guy owes us nothing of course!)
The same for me. But his duet "Take me Home" with Crystal Gayle.....well I have to be seated, and alone, because I just lose it on that one. It is extraordinary in every way. And their voices work together in a way that is beyond comprehension.
God, i LOVE Tom Waits. I can listen to Bad As Me all the way through every single day and not get tired of it. It's pretty amazing to watch him do his thing, to be honest I like older Tom Waits a lot more than young Tom Waits. If He can read this I hope he never goes back to being young Tom Waits.
WOW. Just rewatching this and so glad you pointed that out! What a gorgeous moment. Been loving the Letterman youtube channels vids for bringing back moments like that.
This beauty is already 6 years old..? But its up there with Bottom of The World, Widows Grove, All the World is Green, and so many others. Lets look forward to the lights that are new. Thanks, Grampa Tom
One of my favorite things about Waits: you can tell a lot about a person by A) Do they know Waits?; B) What are their favorite Waits songs? Based on your choice of "story-telling" songs, I'd say you're usually laid back and groovy; and also into spontaneous adventuring for the sake of memories. I may be completely wrong and sound like a fortune cookie, but I typed too much to turn back now. 🤡
Great song. To protect what matters most I did go. I’d rather have died with the love of my life, but how could I live with myself, and bring her down. I’ll loose with my loved ones, but none will lose because of me. Every love story ends in sorrow, but they are the only stories worth telling.
A few months after seeing Tom sing this song on letterman I packed all my belongings up along with my dog and wife and moved to Japan ~ I know Tom was singing this song for Dave but Tom might as well been singing it to me ~ This song shot an arrow through my heart and let me feel like I was dong the right thing ~ It's now been 9 years ~
This song doesn't seem to appear anywhere but here. Not on Spotify and doesn't even show up in the catalog of songs on Tom's own website. I'm worried this song might disappear and be forever forgotten. Then again, maybe that's exactly as it should be...
A nata dos músicos revolucionários norte americanos Genuínos poetas,uma inteligência dominante, crítica,corajosa como Lou Reed,Iggy Pop,Tom Waits and só on.
Came here from a Waits podcast I follow to see if the bass player was quite as all over the place as they implied. Is he trying to be off the beat? Like is he doing a reggae thing? It would be a weird call if he was
I guess possibly the fingerpicky stuff Waits is doing is tricky-ish to follow, but it shouldn’t be an issue for these players. Unless it’s a monitor issue? The guy just seems to be completely out of sync with Tom.
Wow just wow. I started looking around this room in a homeless shelter that I've made my home, and thought someone was on the way to pick me up, and take me away from this. Amazing his music can do that.
This was Tom’s last live performance to this date. I truly hope to see him again on the stage but if not… this was a legendary send off for himself and not just letterman.
Ironic. One last look indeed. This song isn't on any album I have and I believe I have them all. And a ton of bootlegs.
@@SubPablumI have 18 Tom Waits cds, 2 of which are double cds. I, also, have many other mp3s on my computer. I don't have this song.
“All we ever need we can get anywhere” what a line
My father passed away, and we're looking to sell the house that I grew up in. This is the first song I thought of. I'm not ready for that, but I know it's necessary. Thank you, Mr. Waits, for making such a beautiful statement in song.
Toms voice is just incredible.
No one will ever be able to pull off such a beautiful brutality.
Tom, sir you are the king.
Better to discover Tom later than never...he's lifeblood
My Father passed in my arms a few days before this happened. I recorded this performance, I played it so many times and cried. Future Islands was medicine too that week or so. It was a monumental life change realization that can only be explained by listening to this song. If you know, you know forever. Don’t give up, keep going, continue on for them.
❤
That's a fucking masterpiece.
Yes, it is. Crying.
Tom can just tear you down with one line. Brilliant performer, writer, and about as wonderfully unique as you can get.
In a land there's a town, and in that town there's a house
And in that house there's a woman
And in that woman there's a heart I love
I'm gonna take it with me when I go
@@xx-ug9hn one of the greatest phrases ever written.
I was looking for Hoist that Rag but stayed cuz that man is one of a kind. Incredible.
He is such a gift.
@@filipberntsson6634 Which one?
David was moved almost to tears. That didn't happen often. What a magical performance. I love you Tom.
This was a week before Letterman left the show and Tom wrote this song for the occasion as he was on so much over the years.
me too❤😊😊
THIS MUST BE one of the best live music performances ever captured on Letterman?
This, and - although in a completely different manner - the Beastie Boys' performance of Sabotage. Put together the two funnily make for a pretty good encapsulation of it all.
Perfectly timed, perfectly judged, perfectly conceived. Sublime.
You can put well known well groomed handsome world topping film stars on the same show as Tom but he upstages them all without even meaning too. He allows everyone to get in touch with real feelings.
This man is a god damn treasure
One of the most poignant and emotional performances ever on Letterman IMHO I sadly had never discovered Mr. Waits until this point but through his songs and videos and all the late night/early monings together over the past almost 6 years I consider him a dear friend. Thank you Tom! You speak things I feel but cannot express.
Hes my bff. :)
i hope you’ve gone through his catalog since discovering his music, because he’s brilliant
Got a Best of CD from a friend when I was 17 and all the way into death metal and rock. Despite my taste in music at the time, Tom immediately became my favorite artist and still is to this day.
Welcome to the fold, friend.
I was first introduced to Mr. Waits with an album entitled NIGHT HAWKS AT THE DINNER. Still my favorite.
Tom Waits is as important a musical Icon as Bob Dylan or Paul McCartney. I say this without hyperbole!
The eagles
Bruce Springsteen
@@ApotropaicV aw,Val….lighten up,it’s just UA-cam!😂
@@boneytony5041 They are friends.
Tom Waits is not just a musician; he is a complete universum. He has created such wonderful characters and so many great songs !!
If I could only listen to one artist for the rest of my life it would be Tom Waits, genius.
Oof that's heavy
Me to
Its the worst music ive ever heard, played by the worst singer and guitar player ive ever heard. Sounds like he's gargling some man juice!
I agree. I would miss a lot of them really badly but if you have to choose… well
Have listened to Tom since his early albums. Genius. The only singer who can make me cry with his words.
After living away from my homeland of Canada since I was 18, soon to be twenty years later, I am nearing the end of my time in China. When I first heard this song on the last Letterman years ago I new I was going to revisit it. And as I am packing my things preparing my wife and child for a new life in Canada this song helps cool the fires of uncertainty. New chapter, hoping for even better tales. Thanks Tom Waits.
It's been over a year now. How are you getting on?
I hope that everything worked out for you and your family, my friend.
Dave is really moved and he shakes Tom's hand with teary gratitude and the brillant poet that Waits is smiles with a little incredulity because this rare breed is still humble. Rare stuff.
Calms the mind, a balm for the soul.
I just read a shortened version of these lyrics at an awards banquet for the first generation, low income about-to-graduate students I work with. I was looking for a poem and the God of Tom Waits whispered in my ear, “You idiot; do One Last Look!”
I was working in NYC at the time. Crying like a baby in my hotel room. No one touches me quite like this man.
When Tom writes and performs one of his ballads (“bawlers”), he touches the source of our universal melancholy.
Seeing Dave and Tom both choked up at the end always gets me. Such a great song for a great friendship.
I doubt this song will ever have a better performance. I can't imagine it being covered by anyone. Tom Waits is consumed in the moment. There isn't a better voice or music for this song. Beautiful.
Dave introduced me to Tom, back in the 80s. Thanks for this! ❤
awesome memories ❤️
And the place we are leaving is each moment. Lets leave each moment with love. Thanks Tom!
Tom and Kathleen tune into the universal ache in the chest that life gives us with age, they wring the meaning out of it and Tom gives it to us with his haunting voice and combo. Thank you, for the delicious agony, the needle-point precision of your song-making, your capacity to take the pain and make us whole by embracing it and sometimes crying our way through it
I remember seeing this aired live the last week before I had to sell my childhood home…Music is the healing force
I do not know how Letterman did not break out in tears.
I agree! I do, pretty much every time I see this.
Seemed like he might have been a little choked up. Listen to how he says "Ladies and Gentlemen" at the end.
I love to see the wind in your hair
All we ever need we can get anywhere... That line gets me everytime.
This is a masterpiece, a humbling and heart-breaking love song. It's hugely inspirational and makes a person appreciate what they currently have in life, before they lose it. Tom wrote this beautiful song without even releasing or being financially rewarded for it, which demonstrates he's an altruist and puts people and music before profit. It's a tribute to Dave, but also appears to be a swan-song and a final farewell to his audience.
A stage full of absolute legends.
I was at the Letterman Show the week before this and although it was great seeing Dave during one of his last shows it still bums me out that I missed this. Amazing performance.
Let's watch the sun come up in another town
Try our luck a little further down
Leave the cards on the table
Leave the bread on the plate
Put your hand on the gearshift
Put your foot off the brake
And take one last look
At the place that you are leaving
Take one last look
Oh take one last look
At the place that you are leaving
Take one last look
Our bed was something that the wind couldn't carry
The arrow points a way across the waiting prairie
This car looks like it could give us a good run
The choice to leave was a good one
And take one last look
At the place that you are leaving
Take one last look
Oh take one last look
At the place that you are leaving
Take one last look
Let's look forward to the lights that are new,
The world is a ribbon of road for you
All towns have churches and tire shops
They put up speed limit signs and they hire cops
I love to see the wind in your hair
All we ever need we can get anywhere
And take one last look
At the place that you are leaving
Take one last look
Oh take one last look
At the place that you are leaving
Take one last look
Oh take one last look
Oh take one last look
Take one last look
Stunnig
An acquired taste for sure. Once acquired, your gone.
I hear the second line of the second verse as "the arrow points a way across the waiting prairie". I might have misheard.
@@videogamebookreviews I didn't even remember posting these lyrics! Maybe I copied them from somewhere? Anyway, you're definitely right. I altered the first line of that verse to match what Tom sang also. Thanks!
Beautiful
Dave was my introduction to Tom Waits. Will be grateful to him for the rest of my life. Thank you, Dave.
Pleasssse Tom, make it happen. It's been too long since we last received a record from you
SECONDED
@@couplakooksTHIRDED! (Apparently he’s been in the studio recently so we might get one more from him. Would be amazing to hear a studio version of this track in particular, although at this point the guy owes us nothing of course!)
What a perfect tribute.
I consider myself lucky that I saw this the night it aired on CBS. Amazing song.
Same...
Likewise... Stormy night from a Washington D.C. hotel room while on vacation.
I have never found the words to say how much I appreciate his music he pulls the best out of the deepest places thank you for sharing with all of us.
Thank you.
I think Tom Waits is David Letterman's Favorite Person in the World, He's Mine To David.
Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank you very much for all that great music Tom !
Love Tom, but it's the first time I heard this song. Not ashamed to admit that I started tearing up on the first note, and was bawling soon after. ❤️
The same for me. But his duet "Take me Home" with Crystal Gayle.....well I have to be seated, and alone, because I just lose it on that one. It is extraordinary in every way. And their voices work together in a way that is beyond comprehension.
He wrote it for the occasion. Letterman left the show a week later...
God, i LOVE Tom Waits. I can listen to Bad As Me all the way through every single day and not get tired of it. It's pretty amazing to watch him do his thing, to be honest I like older Tom Waits a lot more than young Tom Waits. If He can read this I hope he never goes back to being young Tom Waits.
Yeah I’m the same. Pre-Kathleen Waits holds very little appeal for me nowadays. I live for the sturm und drang
Mr Waits is a true artist. Some of the best songs written, an American cultural icon
4:09 Dave says to Paul.... "pretty good huh Paul" obviously overcome with emotion you can hear Paul say "can't talk"... that's the power of music
The letter man didn't deliver post - on a once off.
Tom Waits.
WOW. Just rewatching this and so glad you pointed that out! What a gorgeous moment.
Been loving the Letterman youtube channels vids for bringing back moments like that.
The always fabulous Tom Waits. Love it.
Fantastic song! If I could ever write words like Tom!
Breathtaking
Mr. Waits, you're a great artist! I take off my hat and I appreciate you sir!
He man is a genius, absolutely love this guy... Brilliant!
Wonderful, great ! I can't find anything else to add ...
What an inspiring performance by a legend
Nostalgia, longing, fire crackling, lights are dim... I think of you a d I am sobbing
If Tom is not a lyrical genius, no-one ever wrote and no-one ever loved.
Man, I've been following Tom Waits since 1987 and his music continues to touch me so intimately and personally. I completely identify with his lyrics.
This beauty is already 6 years old..? But its up there with Bottom of The World, Widows Grove, All the World is Green, and so many others.
Lets look forward to the lights that are new. Thanks, Grampa Tom
One of my favorite things about Waits: you can tell a lot about a person by A) Do they know Waits?; B) What are their favorite Waits songs?
Based on your choice of "story-telling" songs, I'd say you're usually laid back and groovy; and also into spontaneous adventuring for the sake of memories.
I may be completely wrong and sound like a fortune cookie, but I typed too much to turn back now. 🤡
a great man. Love your work... glad I was lucky enough to find it early on in my life.
I used to listen to Mr. Waits's albums while in college,
Mr. Waits has literaly created his own genere.
Just a beautiful song and tribute to his friend by a unique and great artist.
Amazing song! Thank you Tom for your music, I wish I could see you Live
Precious precious young man singing with my savior,Ms. Joan!
Man I love you Tom
Great song. To protect what matters most I did go. I’d rather have died with the love of my life, but how could I live with myself, and bring her down. I’ll loose with my loved ones, but none will lose because of me. Every love story ends in sorrow, but they are the only stories worth telling.
I just found the song I want sung at my funeral.
I’m with ya on that. Might wanna check out Steve Earle doing Ft Worth Blues. That was my go-to on this subject until I heard this from Tom.
Ditto
I have several Tom Waits songs in mind for mine.
Green grass by Tom is mine
Same, perfect farewell.
Tom has no equal, but last night in Edinburgh I saw the boss in concert he was as good as it gets, what a showman. 🏴 🏴 🏴
Great song, great actor too, Buster Scrugs, All Gold Canyon, beautifully filmed by the Coen Brothers and played by Tom Waits.
Brilliant maestro!
Incredible.
Tom Waits is the best!!!!
Such a beautiful song ❤️
What a beautiful gift.
awesome singer & song 🎵 ❤❤❤tyxxfor sharing ❤❤❤❤😊😊😊
so beautiful. We miss you on the Late Show, Dave. You were the best ever.
Priceless!
✨✨✨✨
Beautiful.
A few months after seeing Tom sing this song on letterman I packed all my belongings up along with my dog and wife and moved to Japan ~ I know Tom was singing this song for Dave but Tom might as well been singing it to me ~ This song shot an arrow through my heart and let me feel like I was dong the right thing ~ It's now been 9 years ~
will this ever be on record? it's so beautiful!
It was a one-off for Letterman, I think it's fitting that this is the one recording.
On a 45 would be great!
God I wish this song was on an album…
Americana done by Tom Waits..few performers capture the essence of song genre better than this man.
Whenever I leave a place I've lived a long time, I always take one last look.... ❤
Amazing song 💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞
All we ever need, we can get anywhere.
Might we get an official release?
My hero👏👏👏
This song doesn't seem to appear anywhere but here. Not on Spotify and doesn't even show up in the catalog of songs on Tom's own website. I'm worried this song might disappear and be forever forgotten. Then again, maybe that's exactly as it should be...
Rip the audio from UA-cam and save it on a thumb drive
Shatters me.
As I sit here and cry...
gosh, we have all done this
Beautiful ❤️👏
Genius and unique!!
Tom waits sings my life
Beautiful:)
Perfection.
A nata dos músicos revolucionários norte americanos
Genuínos poetas,uma inteligência dominante, crítica,corajosa como Lou Reed,Iggy Pop,Tom Waits and só on.
I can totally agree with this.
Honestly, I never heard this before. Wow-
this band is SHREDDING
Came here from a Waits podcast I follow to see if the bass player was quite as all over the place as they implied. Is he trying to be off the beat? Like is he doing a reggae thing? It would be a weird call if he was
I guess possibly the fingerpicky stuff Waits is doing is tricky-ish to follow, but it shouldn’t be an issue for these players. Unless it’s a monitor issue? The guy just seems to be completely out of sync with Tom.
Wow just wow. I started looking around this room in a homeless shelter that I've made my home, and thought someone was on the way to pick me up, and take me away from this. Amazing his music can do that.
Get a job.
@@jmk2611 wtf is wrong with you?
well what do you say about this I love Dave and I love Tom, what a tribute. If this don't move you check your pulse you might be dead