muriel since you left town the clubs closed down
and there's one more burned out lamppost down on the main street
down where we used to stroll
and muriel i still hit all the same old haunts
and you follow me wherever i go
and muriel i see you on a saturday night
in a penny arcade with your hair tied back
and the diamond twinkle in your eye
is the only wedding ring i'll buy you
muriel
and muriel how many times i've left this town
to hide from your memory
and it haunts me
but i only get as far as the next whiskey bar
i buy another cheap cigar and i'll see you every night
hey muriel muriel
hey buddy got a light
and there's one more burned out lamppost down on the main street
down where we used to stroll
and muriel i still hit all the same old haunts
and you follow me wherever i go
and muriel i see you on a saturday night
in a penny arcade with your hair tied back
and the diamond twinkle in your eye
is the only wedding ring i'll buy you
muriel
and muriel how many times i've left this town
to hide from your memory
and it haunts me
but i only get as far as the next whiskey bar
i buy another cheap cigar and i'll see you every night
hey muriel muriel
hey buddy got a light
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Muriels are, as you probably know, cheap cigars with a picture of a girl with her "hair tied back" on the ring (the paper ring around a cigar - "the only wedding ring I'll ever buy you"). The line is pretty obvious - "i'll light another cheap cigar, and see you every night" - but great nonetheless.
Tom Waits has some of the most profound lyrics in modern music. They take some digging most of the time. Muriel is a great song, but I think Tom is having a little fun here. Did he buy a cheap Muriel ("in a penny arcade") one night and find a song in it?
I did not know that. Thanks for that info. I've been listening to this for over 15 years and just took the song a face value.
I did not know that. Thanks for that info. I've been listening to this for over 15 years and just took the song a face value.
holy shit no ones commented this song? i think i've listened to this more than any other one of his. its wonderful. if u havent heard it then get it.
It is wonderful. It's basically about being stuck in a rut - his girl is gone, and all he can do is hang around in same old places, drinking and reminiscing, completely unable to move on.