Raised Right Men
Tom Waits · Bad As Me [2011]
It takes a raised right man to keep a happy hen
I said there ain't enough raised right men
Heavens to murkatroid
Miners to coal
A good women can make a diamond out of a measly lump of coal
You need the patience of a glacier
If you can wait that long
Open up his window and admit it that you're wrong
They're ain't enough raised right men
It takes raised right men to keep a happy hen
Mackey Debiasi
Was a complicated man
He quarreled with his woman
And she quarreled with her man
His head was just too thick
So she knocked out a tooth
He's that lonely man on the Turnpike in the
Toll takers booth
They're ain't enough raised right men
Gunplay Maxwell and
Flat Nose George
Ice Pick Ed Newcomb
On a slab in the morgue
Flat Nose looked at Gunplay
And they all looked at me
With a good woman's love we
Could have saved all three
And there ain't enough raised right men
It takes raised right men to keep a happy hen
There ain't enough raised right men
Raised Right Men
Raised Right Men stands as a standout track from Tom Waits' 2011 album Bad As Me, capturing the artist's signature blend of blues, jazz, and rock influences. The recording showcases Waits' distinctive gravelly vocals and percussive piano style, hallmarks of his later career. Thematically, the song explores the complexities of masculinity and the weight of societal expectations, delivered with the characteristic wit and melancholy that define his extensive discography. As part of an era where Waits continued to refine his unique sonic landscape, the track exemplifies his ability to craft intimate narratives within a rich, textured soundscape. It remains a compelling song in his body of work, reflecting the enduring artistic vision that has influenced generations of musicians across multiple genres.