Today, my hero Tom Waits turns 55. I remember it so well: my friend Mia L played me the first song from The heart of Satuday night, telling me she was sorry, but listening to this would make me broke, because I would have to buy every record he'd ever made.
And she was right.

If you ask me, Tom Waits is the best lyricist I have ever read, better than Dylan, better than anyone. He writes the best melodies (still does - only, they're hidden beneath about 3673456 layers of singing clowns and squeaking accordions these days) and he's got the finest voice around. The first twenty times I heard Ruby's arms I wept like a child.

To celebrate His birthday, here are the lyrics to - what else - Old 55.

Well my time went so quickly, I went lickety-splickly out to my old '55
As I drove away slowly, feeling so holy, God knows, I was feeling alive.

Now the sun's coming up, I'm riding with Lady Luck, freeway cars and trucks,
Stars beginning to fade, and I lead the parade
Just a-wishing I'd stayed a little longer,
Oh, Lord, let me tell you that the feeling's getting stronger.

And it's six in the morning, gave me no warning; I had to be on my way.
Well there's trucks all a-passing me, and the lights are all flashing,
I'm on my way home from your place.

And now the sun's coming up, I'm riding with Lady Luck, freeway cars and trucks,
Stars beginning to fade, and I lead the parade
Just a-wishing I'd stayed a little longer,
Oh, Lord, let me tell you that the feeling's getting stronger.

And my time went so quickly, I went lickety-splickly out to my old '55
As I pulled away slowly, feeling so holy, God knows, I was feeling alive.