TOM WAITES - CHRISTMAS CARD FROM A HOOKER IN MINNEAPOLIS

CHRISTMAS CARD FROM A HOOKER IN MINNEAPOLIS

TOM WAITS

SONGWRITER: TOM WAITS

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: BLUE VALENTINE

LABEL: ASYLUM

GENRE: JAZZ

YEAR: 1978

"CHRISTMAS CARD FROM A HOOKER IN MINNEAPOLIS" is a song written and performed by Tom Waits, released on his 1978 album, Blue Valentine.

"Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis" has been described as a "laconic first-person sketch." The song's lyrics narrate a letter written by a prostitute to a man named Charlie. She confesses to being pregnant, and describes her current living circumstances, including her stable relationship with a partner who promises to raise her arriving baby "like he would his own son." At the song's conclusion, the author confesses to Charlie that she has been lying to him; she does not have a husband, is currently serving time in prison, and will be eligible for parole on Valentine's Day.

Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, composer, and actor. His music is characterized by his distinctive deep, gravelly singing voice and lyrics focusing on the underside of U.S. society. During the 1970s, he worked primarily in jazz, but since the 1980s his music has reflected greater influence from blues, vaudeville, and experimental genres.

Hey Charlie i'm pregnant

And living on the 9th street

Right above a dirty bookstore

Of Euclid avenue

And i stopped takin dope

And i quit drinkin whiskey

And my old man plays the trombone

And works out at the track

And he says that he loves me

Even though its not his baby

And he says that he'll raise him up

Like he would his own son

And he gave me a ring

That was worn by his mother

And he takes me out dancin

Every saturday night.

And hey Charlie i think about you

Everytime i pass a fillin station

Om account of all the grease

You used to wear in your hair

And i still have that record

Of little anthony & the imperials

But someone stole my record player

Now how do you like that?

Hey charlie i almost went crazy

After mario got busted

So i went back to omaha to

Live with my folks

But everyone i used to know

Was either dead or in prison

So i came back to minneapolis

This time i think i'm gonna stay.

Hey Charlie i think i'm happy

For the first time since my accident

And i wish i had all the money

That we used to spend on dope

I'd buy me a used car lot

And i wouldn't sell any of em

I'd just drive a different car

Every day, dependin on how

I feel

Hey Charlie for chrissakes

Do you want to know the

Truth of it?

I don't have a husband

He don't play the trombone

And i need to borrow money

To pay this lawyer

And Charlie, hey

I'll be eligible for parole

Come Valentines Day.