House Where Nobody Lives
Tom Waits · Mule Variations [1999]
That's abandoned and cold
Folks moved out of it a
Long time ago
And they took all their things
And they never came back
Looks like it's haunted
With the windows all cracked
And everyone call it
The house, the house where
Nobody lives
Once it held laughter
Once it held dreams
Did they throw it away
Did they know what it means
Did someone's heart break
Or did someone do somebody wrong?
Well the paint was all cracked
It was peeled off of the wood
Papers were stacked on the porch
Where I stood
And the weeds had grown up
Just as high as the door
There were birds in the chimney
And an old chest of drawers
Looks like no one will ever
Come back to the
House were nobody lives
Once it held laughter
Once it held dreams
Did they throw it away
Did they know what it means
Did someone's heart break
Or did someone do someone wrong?
So if you find someone
Someone to have, someone to hold
Don't trade it for silver
Don't trade it for gold
I have all of life's treasures
And they are fine and they are good
They remind me that houses
Are just made of wood
What makes a house grand
Ain't the roof or the doors
If there's love in a house
It's a palace for sure
Without love...
It ain't nothin but a house
A house where nobody lives
Without love it ain't nothin
But a house, a house where
Nobody lives
About House Where Nobody Lives
Tom Waits' "House Where Nobody Lives" stands as a haunting centerpiece on the 1999 album *Mule Variations*, showcasing his signature blend of bluesy grit and theatrical storytelling. The track exemplifies Waits' ability to craft atmospheric soundscapes that evoke a sense of desolation and urban melancholy, characteristic of his work during the late 1990s. With its brooding rhythm and Waits' distinctive vocal delivery, the song captures the essence of a forgotten corner of the city, reflecting themes of isolation and the passage of time. It remains a quintessential example of his mature period, where his narrative depth and musical innovation continued to define the alternative Americana genre. The recording serves as a testament to his enduring influence on artists who seek to merge raw emotion with complex, rhythmic structures.