Tom Waits | I Don't Wanna Grow Up lyrics

[sadpoems]

When Im lyin in my bed at night
I dont wanna grow up
Nothin ever seems to turn out right
I dont wanna grow up
How do you move in a world of fog
Thats always changing things
Makes me wish that I could be a dog
When I see the price that you pay
I dont wanna grow up
I dont ever wanna be that way
I dont wanna grow up

Seems like folks turn into things
That theyd never want
The only thing to live for
Is today...
Im gonna put a hole in my tv set
I dont wanna grow up
Open up the medicine chest
And I dont wanna grow up
I dont wanna have to shout it out
I dont want my hair to fall out
I dont wanna be filled with doubt
I dont wanna be a good boy scout
I dont wanna have to learn to count
I dont wanna have the biggest amount
I dont wanna grow up

Well when I see my parents fight
I dont wanna grow up
They all go out and drinking all night
And I dont wanna grow up
Id rather stay here in my room
Nothin out there but sad and gloom
I dont wanna live in a big old tomb
On grand street

When I see the 5 oclock news
I dont wanna grow up
Comb their hair and shine their shoes
I dont wanna grow up
Stay around in my old hometown
I dont wanna put no money down
I dont wanna get me a big old loan
Work them fingers to the bone
I dont wanna float a broom
Fall in love and get married then boom
How the hell did I get here so soon
I dont wanna grow up

[Henry P]

Mr Waits is a fine songwriter, but that incredible voice takes some getting used to. an acquired taste if there ever was one

[sadpoems]

tom waits once said that he actually wanted his voice to be like this so it started to talk hoarse to get this voice :guitar:

[cally pan pots]

he used to smoke fag after fag and scream into a pillow for hours!!!!

[joethfc]

"Makes me wish that I could be a dog"

i thought i was the only person to ever contemplate that

[BenJohnson]

One of my favourite Tom Waits songs next to DownTown train and his certainly has changed over the years as has his style of music. An acquired taste but one well worth acquiring.

[joethfc]

One of my favourite Tom Waits songs next to DownTown train and his certainly has changed over the years as has his style of music. An acquired taste but one well worth acquiring.

im just starting to get listening to him - i think hes one of those you need to adapt to but the rewards of doing so would be very enlightening

[ILikePrivacy]

Yeah, already love this song and the lyrics. On many a stroll has this song made me ponder the important things. He's written a few that'll stick with me for a long time, in fact I was listening to Nighthawks at the Diner album, a must if you haven't already!

Like you guys said already his voice is amazing. I think if I'm ever a public speaker I'll copy his methods because that voice is just so damned perfect! How I envy him...

[Personable]

This, imo, is the best interpretation of the lyrics; better than waits', but I'm just weird like that:
youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI-AoZxc_ps)

[Ian The Poet]

A brilliant piece.

[S.Tehrani]

Tom Waits is great, as always.

[danecobain]

I actually thought it was a Ramones song until about three months ago, but you can't beat Tom Waits

[BenJohnson]

The Ramones cover version came out quite soon after the original, can't beat a little Ramones either.