I recently checked out a copy of "Step Right Up: The Songs of Tom Waits" CD from the library. The album proves two things. One, the musician fans of Waits are numerous, disparate and sincere. Two, no matter how sincere they are, most of them can't cover a Tom Waits tune to save their lives.
Particularly, the Violent Femmes' version of "Step Right Up" is awful. They end up butchering the charm and rhythms of the original and I couldn't make myself listen past the first 30 seconds of it. This is a shame, because the song is a true original from Waits and is something that everyone should give a listen to. Apropo of nothing, I'm posting the lyrics. And, again, the lyrics are only half the song and only really comes alive through Waits' delivery.
Step right up.
Step right up.
Step right up.
Everyone's a winner, bargains galore.
That's right, you too can be the proud owner of the quality goes in before the name goes on.
One-tenth of a dollar.
One-tenth of a dollar.
We got service after sale.
You need perfume? We got perfume. How 'bout an engagement ring?
Something for the little lady something for the little lady something for the little lady.
Hmm, Three for a dollar.
We got a year-end clearance.
We got a white sale and a smoke-damaged furniture you can drive it away today.
Act now, act now and receive as our gift, our gift to you.
They come in all colors, one size fits all.
No muss, no fuss, no spills you're tired of kitchen drudgery everything must go.
Going out of business going out of business going out of business sale.
Fifty percent off original retail price skip the middle man.
Don't settle for less.
How do we do it? How do we do it? Volume, volume, turn up the volume.
Now you've heard it advertised, don't hesitate.
Don't be caught with your drawers down. Don't be caught with your drawers down.
You can step right up, step right up.
That's right, it filets, it chops It dices, slices, never stops lasts a lifetime, mows your lawn.
And it mows your lawn and it picks up the kids from school it gets rid of unwanted facial hair it gets rid of embarrassing age spots.
It delivers a pizza.
And it lengthens, and it strengthens.
And it finds that slipper that's been at large under the chaise longe for several weeks.
And it plays a mean Rhythm Master.
It makes excuses for unwanted lipstick on your collar.
And it's only a dollar, step right up it's only a dollar, step right up.
'Cause it forges your signature.
If not completely satisfied, mail back unused portion of product for complete refund of price of purchase.
Step right up.
Please allow thirty days for delivery don't be fooled by cheap imitations.
You can live in it, live in it, laugh in it, love in it, swim in it, sleep in it, live in it, swim in it, laugh in it, love in it.
Removes embarrassing stains from contour sheets, that's right.
And it entertains visiting relatives
It turns a sandwich into a banquet.
Tired of being the life of the party? Change your shorts. Change your life. Change your life.
Change into a nine-year-old Hindu boy, get rid of your wife.
And it walks your dog, and it doubles on sax.
Doubles on sax, you can jump back Jack see you later alligator see you later alligator and it steals your car.
It gets rid of your gambling debts, it quits smoking.
It's a friend, and it's a companion and it's the only product you will ever need.
Follow these easy assembly instructions it never needs ironing.
Well it takes weights off hips, bust, thighs, chin, midriff, gives you dandruff.
And it finds you a job.
It is a job.
And it strips the phone company free take ten for five exchange.
And it gives you denture breath.
And you know it's a friend, and it's a companion.
And it gets rid of your traveler's checks.
It's new, it's improved, it's old-fashioned.
Well it takes care of business, never needs winding never needs winding never needs winding.
Gets rid of blackheads, the heartbreak of psoriasis, Christ, you don't know the meaning of heartbreak, buddy!
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon.
'Cause it's effective, it's defective.
It creates household odors, it disinfects, it sanitizes for your protection.
It gives you an erection, it wins the election.
Why put up with painful corns any longer?
It's a redeemable coupon, no obligation, no salesman will visit your home.
We got a jackpot, jackpot, jackpot.
Prizes, prizes, prizes.
All work guaranteed.
How do we do it how do we do it how do we do it how do we do it?
We need your business.
We're going out of business.
We'll give you the business.
Get on the business end of our going-out-of-business sale.
Receive our free brochure, free brochure.
Read the easy-to-follow assembly instructions, batteries not included.
Send before midnight tomorrow, terms available.
Step right up, step right up, step right up.
You got it buddy: the large print giveth and the small print taketh away.
Step right up, you can step right up, you can step right up, C'mon step right up.
(Get away from me kid, you bother me...)
Step right up, step right up, step right up.
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon.
Step right up, you can step right up.
C'mon and step right up, c'mon and step right up.
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