Watch Tom Waits perform two songs on new documentary about homelessness

nme.com:

Tom Waits has made a rare appearance on a new documentary about homelessness, in which he also performed songs from his catalogue.The singer-songwriter appeared in the latest episode of Italian television series The Human Factor, which takes a focus on homelessness in the US south.Waits appeared in the episode to perform two songs – ‘The Fall Of Troy’, a song he wrote and recorded for 1995 film Dead Man Walking, along with ‘Tom Traubert’s Blues’, taken from his 1976 album ‘Small Change’.For the latter song, Waits also discussed the origin of its famous hook “Waltzin’ maltida” and its story – about a deeply-troubled vagabond named Tom Traubert with an alcohol addiction.“I am an individual who is deeply concerned with the inequities as we all are, but ill equipped to solve any of them,” Waits said in an official statement.“I tell the world in the only way I know how: through my music.

I don’t deal with politics or laws, and I don’t have answers to the big questions that concern us all.“All I can do is try – through songs and poems – to inspire someone.

I’m here to open up the window and open up our eyes. I guess a little bit, if I can.” Watch clips of Waits performing ‘The Fall Of Troy’ and ‘Tom Traubert’s Blues’ below – you can also watch the full episode here.A post shared by Tom Waits (@tomwaits)Tom Waits giving a rare musical performance in a new documentary about homelessness"In Australia, a matilda is a knapsack.

When you're on the road, when you're on the run…and you're walking with a backpack, they say you're waltzing matilda. So this is a song about that." pic.twitter.com/uwpfGBB2Le— Ray Padgett (@rayfp) February 26, 2025Tom Waits has largely stayed away from the stage and studio in the past decade – his last.