Pay Me Lyrics

Lyric discussion by monkeycmdr 

Cover art for Pay Me lyrics by Tom Waits

A glimpse into the psychology of a touring artist. Clearly a thinly veiled rendering of some of Tom's own nagging self-criticisms. The life of an artist on the road can be lonely, difficult and tiring. Long periods of time spent away from one's family without significant contact may evolve into the belief that they don't care anymore, that their supportiveness is actually indifference "i.e., they pay me not to come home."

My Interpretation