Yep, same. Not to mention you can hear the air in the room on that performance. The rattling piano keys, creak of the bench, when he presses the pedals.. I can never make it through the last verse when I sing this for my wife, always wind up in a puddle while she consoles me, and we laugh.. thanks Tom, thank you Nick
Gorgeous, gorgeous ode! Thank you. You have put a lump in my throat. Years ago at 21 I took a Greyhound bus from Macon, GA to Yosemite Natl Park for a summer job. I had basically caved in to a dare from my worldly, sophisticated, foreign exchange student friends to travel cross-country alone. I was terrified. With me I had 1 Sony Sports Walkman - waterproof, 2 mix tapes from dear friends and Tom Waits' Heart of Saturday Night. (Check the first verse of Shiver Me Timbers for the mood). I had seen Big Time and was fascinated with him from the get go and fell deep in love on that trip. I could talk Tom for days - just a complete geek out! I'm in whole-hearted agreement with you about Jeff Tweedy also -- beautiful man, gorgeous heart, ridiculously talented.
You seem like someone who enjoys a good roadtrip. What is your favorite stretch of road to drive? I'm writing from Denver, and we have some fantastic drives here in Colorado -- Glenwood Canyon, basically all of 285 from Denver to New Mexico, and 125 between Granby and Walden, are all highlights for me.
Hi Nick. Wow, I agree with many others, Megan has a great voice. As for songs that get me choked up the day Warren Zevon passed I happened to be driving on my lunch break to a local hardwood retailer to pick up some wood for my next furniture project. The radio DJ informed me of Warren passing and then played his cover of Knocking on Heaven’s Door as I continued to drive with tears in my eyes.
My question is what is it like to be known by a lot of people you don’t know? With a few rare exceptions everyone I know is someone that I’ve met and knows me in return. Steve from South Berwick, ME. Thanks.
In connection with Patrick's question, you have had the opportunity to enjoy some amazing places and some wonderful drives. I'm wondering what would be on your top 5 list of favorite camping sites in the United States?
With all the divisiveness in the world today, I've become interested in how to have good dialogue with people, where you end the conversation understanding each other, or ideally even agreeing with each other. Whether it's politics and government, morale issues, or whether or not potatoes should be cooked at 550 degrees to get a crispy skin, or 400 degrees to get a fluffy interior. Have you ever changed a person or groups opinion on something that made you feel like you'd taken a step to improve the world? What was the topic you changed their mind on, and how did you go about doing it? Alternatively has anyone changed your mind on something that shocked you and changed your perspective? What was that topic? How can we as a world be better at understanding each other?
Many thanks for linking Megan's beautiful rendition of that song. I actually created a Spotify playlist of as many of her songs as I could find, which I listen to (and often attempt to sing along with, despite the fact that I'm no Megan Mullally) pretty regularly... I just love her voice!
Here's an easy question for you: what have the two of you been up to lately? Any big plans in the foreseeable future? And, as I mentioned awhile ago, a special Donkey Thoughts appearance from said bride of yours would not be disappointing... Though I will continue to look forward to your musings regardless.
Salma, from Florida. Question: How might you convince others (friends or family) of the importance of travel- domestic of course, but more so international? These days it’s harder of course, because of the pandemic, but even on a philosophical level I know of some who don’t find any reward in the proverbial “stepping out of their comfort zone.”
I am a passionate traveler and I get tremendous joy in the wealth of knowledge gained from exposure to other cultures and terrain. Do you agree that this is important, and if so, what might you say to someone who is more or less blasé about traveling? What might your message be?
May 14, 2022·edited May 14, 2022Liked by Nick Offerman
Question from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada: We know Mr. Swanson's position on the Great White North. What's your impression of Canada? (An invitation to set the record straight.)
Nice article about Tom Waits, I’ve been a fan for more that 50 years. I can neither confirm nor deny that I’m pictured on Tom’s “Nighthawks At The Diner” album cover (bottom right corner). My first 22 working year was in wholesale music distribution and I’ve given away more Tom Waits albums that my boss would care to know about. Give a listen to Mike (Rutherford) And The Mechanics “Living Years” for a great tearful love song.
My daughter introduced me to Tom Waits many years ago. My first reaction was irreverent - who is this ragamuffin that grinds out notes that don’t make “music?” Then I started to listen to lyrics and feel his emotion. Now I am a Waits fan and a Simon & Garfunkel fan in the same body!
This article elevates Waits to a level he has earned and waited half a life for many of us to recognize. He’s a performer that lives inside his own life and in so doing has chiseled his own works of art in the marble of authenticity.
Afternoon sir! I was aware of Tom Waits existence before I met my wife, but I really have her to thank for finding my way into the catalog. Which is true of a LOT of amazing music that she has introduced me to. Alas, I'm not sure that road goes both ways, but I hope I bring some other stuff to the table.
Anyway, per your request, here's a question I'd love to get your thoughts on. As somebody who has always gravitated towards Irish whiskeys, and as of late has been enjoying a couple with a bit more of a peaty presence - what would you recommend as a start to easing myself into Scotch whiskeys? I've tried a couple, but perhaps went a bit too bold from the start, and would be curious if you had some suggestions that were a bit more 'mellow' as a way to ease into the style.
Matt in MN, in case this gets answered in the show.
Hello from Toronto, Nick! Many thanks for the reminder of the majesty of Tom Waits--it's been too long since I last listened to him. I've been drawing birds lately, mostly with ink and oil pastels; so far I've tried out a robin, a red-winged blackbird, a cardinal, a goldfinch, and a grackle. Do you have a favourite bird, or birds? Thanks again!
Ooooohhh - I just noticed that you linked to Megan singing Take It With Me. Good Lord! What a beautiful voice/performance. ❤️
Yep, same. Not to mention you can hear the air in the room on that performance. The rattling piano keys, creak of the bench, when he presses the pedals.. I can never make it through the last verse when I sing this for my wife, always wind up in a puddle while she consoles me, and we laugh.. thanks Tom, thank you Nick
Gorgeous, gorgeous ode! Thank you. You have put a lump in my throat. Years ago at 21 I took a Greyhound bus from Macon, GA to Yosemite Natl Park for a summer job. I had basically caved in to a dare from my worldly, sophisticated, foreign exchange student friends to travel cross-country alone. I was terrified. With me I had 1 Sony Sports Walkman - waterproof, 2 mix tapes from dear friends and Tom Waits' Heart of Saturday Night. (Check the first verse of Shiver Me Timbers for the mood). I had seen Big Time and was fascinated with him from the get go and fell deep in love on that trip. I could talk Tom for days - just a complete geek out! I'm in whole-hearted agreement with you about Jeff Tweedy also -- beautiful man, gorgeous heart, ridiculously talented.
You seem like someone who enjoys a good roadtrip. What is your favorite stretch of road to drive? I'm writing from Denver, and we have some fantastic drives here in Colorado -- Glenwood Canyon, basically all of 285 from Denver to New Mexico, and 125 between Granby and Walden, are all highlights for me.
Hi Nick. Wow, I agree with many others, Megan has a great voice. As for songs that get me choked up the day Warren Zevon passed I happened to be driving on my lunch break to a local hardwood retailer to pick up some wood for my next furniture project. The radio DJ informed me of Warren passing and then played his cover of Knocking on Heaven’s Door as I continued to drive with tears in my eyes.
My question is what is it like to be known by a lot of people you don’t know? With a few rare exceptions everyone I know is someone that I’ve met and knows me in return. Steve from South Berwick, ME. Thanks.
In connection with Patrick's question, you have had the opportunity to enjoy some amazing places and some wonderful drives. I'm wondering what would be on your top 5 list of favorite camping sites in the United States?
With all the divisiveness in the world today, I've become interested in how to have good dialogue with people, where you end the conversation understanding each other, or ideally even agreeing with each other. Whether it's politics and government, morale issues, or whether or not potatoes should be cooked at 550 degrees to get a crispy skin, or 400 degrees to get a fluffy interior. Have you ever changed a person or groups opinion on something that made you feel like you'd taken a step to improve the world? What was the topic you changed their mind on, and how did you go about doing it? Alternatively has anyone changed your mind on something that shocked you and changed your perspective? What was that topic? How can we as a world be better at understanding each other?
Since it is audio, wish you would’ve played some of Tom’s songs. Nobody like him and I enjoy listening to him (Randy, too).
Many thanks for linking Megan's beautiful rendition of that song. I actually created a Spotify playlist of as many of her songs as I could find, which I listen to (and often attempt to sing along with, despite the fact that I'm no Megan Mullally) pretty regularly... I just love her voice!
Here's an easy question for you: what have the two of you been up to lately? Any big plans in the foreseeable future? And, as I mentioned awhile ago, a special Donkey Thoughts appearance from said bride of yours would not be disappointing... Though I will continue to look forward to your musings regardless.
Morgan, from North Carolina
Hi Nick! Dani from Florida here. If you were going to prepare a meal (start to finish) for someone important to you, what would your menu be?
Salma, from Florida. Question: How might you convince others (friends or family) of the importance of travel- domestic of course, but more so international? These days it’s harder of course, because of the pandemic, but even on a philosophical level I know of some who don’t find any reward in the proverbial “stepping out of their comfort zone.”
I am a passionate traveler and I get tremendous joy in the wealth of knowledge gained from exposure to other cultures and terrain. Do you agree that this is important, and if so, what might you say to someone who is more or less blasé about traveling? What might your message be?
Question from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada: We know Mr. Swanson's position on the Great White North. What's your impression of Canada? (An invitation to set the record straight.)
Nice article about Tom Waits, I’ve been a fan for more that 50 years. I can neither confirm nor deny that I’m pictured on Tom’s “Nighthawks At The Diner” album cover (bottom right corner). My first 22 working year was in wholesale music distribution and I’ve given away more Tom Waits albums that my boss would care to know about. Give a listen to Mike (Rutherford) And The Mechanics “Living Years” for a great tearful love song.
My daughter introduced me to Tom Waits many years ago. My first reaction was irreverent - who is this ragamuffin that grinds out notes that don’t make “music?” Then I started to listen to lyrics and feel his emotion. Now I am a Waits fan and a Simon & Garfunkel fan in the same body!
This article elevates Waits to a level he has earned and waited half a life for many of us to recognize. He’s a performer that lives inside his own life and in so doing has chiseled his own works of art in the marble of authenticity.
Afternoon sir! I was aware of Tom Waits existence before I met my wife, but I really have her to thank for finding my way into the catalog. Which is true of a LOT of amazing music that she has introduced me to. Alas, I'm not sure that road goes both ways, but I hope I bring some other stuff to the table.
Anyway, per your request, here's a question I'd love to get your thoughts on. As somebody who has always gravitated towards Irish whiskeys, and as of late has been enjoying a couple with a bit more of a peaty presence - what would you recommend as a start to easing myself into Scotch whiskeys? I've tried a couple, but perhaps went a bit too bold from the start, and would be curious if you had some suggestions that were a bit more 'mellow' as a way to ease into the style.
Matt in MN, in case this gets answered in the show.
Hello from Toronto, Nick! Many thanks for the reminder of the majesty of Tom Waits--it's been too long since I last listened to him. I've been drawing birds lately, mostly with ink and oil pastels; so far I've tried out a robin, a red-winged blackbird, a cardinal, a goldfinch, and a grackle. Do you have a favourite bird, or birds? Thanks again!