Old Boyfriends
Tom Waits · Other Songs - Tom Waits
Lost in the pocket of your overcoat
Like burned out light bulbs on a Ferris wheel
Old boyfriends
You remember the kinds of cars they drove
Parking in an orange grove
He fell in love, you see
With someone that I used to be
Though I very seldom think of him
Nevertheless sometimes a mannequin's
Blue summer dress can make the window like a dream
Ah, but now those dreams belong to someone else
Now they talk in their sleep in a drawer where I keep all my
Old boyfriends
Remember when you were burning for them
Why do you keep turning them into
Old boyfriends
They look you up when they're in town
To see if they can still burn you down
He fell in love, you see
With someone that I used to be
Though I very seldom think of him
Nevertheless sometimes a mannequin's
Blue summer dress can make the window like a dream
Ah, but now those dreams belong to someone else
Now they talk in their sleep in a drawer where I keep all my
Old boyfriends
Turn up every time it rains
Fall out of the pages in a magazine
Old boyfriends
Girls fill up the bars every spring
Dark places for remembering
Old boyfriends
All my old boyfriends
Old boyfriends
Old Boyfriends
Tom Waits has long been celebrated for his distinctive, gravelly voice and his ability to craft narratives that blend the mundane with the surreal. "Old Boyfriends" stands as a testament to his knack for exploring complex emotional landscapes through a lens of weary observation. The track reflects the artist's signature style, weaving together elements of blues, jazz, and experimental rock to create a soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive. Within his vast discography, the song contributes to the broader themes of memory, regret, and the passage of time that define much of his work. It captures the essence of Waits' unique approach to songwriting, where every note and lyric serves to deepen the listener's connection to the human condition.