Telephone Call from Istanbul

Istanbul's Enigmatic Call: Unraveling Tom Waits' Mysterious Tale
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Lyrics

I was all night long on the broken glass

I experienced a night of hardship and struggle.

Living in a medicine chest

Living surrounded by medications and their effects.

Mediteromanian hotel back

Referring to a hotel in the Mediterranean region.

Sprawled across a roll top desk

Lying sprawled on a large desk with a roll-top.

That old monkey rode a blade on an overhead fan

Describing a mechanical monkey riding a fan.

They paint the donkey blue if you pay

People can paint a donkey blue for payment.

I got a telephone call from Istanbul

Received a phone call from Istanbul.

My baby's coming home today

Anticipation of the speaker's lover returning.

Will you sell me one of those if I shave my head

Asking if a deal can be made for a unique item.

Get me out of town is what fireball said

Desire to leave town, influenced by someone named Fireball.

Never trust a man in a blue trench coat

A warning not to trust a man in a blue trench coat.

Never drive a car when you're dead

A cautionary statement against driving when emotionally numb.

Saturday's a festival, oh now Saturday's a gem

Highlighting the festive nature of Saturdays.

Follow me to Beulah's on dry creek road

Invitation to follow to Beulah's on Dry Creek Road.

I got to wear the hat that my baby done sewed

The speaker wears a hat made by their significant other.


Will you sell me one of those, shave my head

Reiteration of the desire for a deal and leaving town.

Get me out of town is what fireball said

Reaffirmation of the influence of Fireball.

Never trust a man in a blue trench coat

Repeating the warning against trusting a man in a blue trench coat.

Never drive a car when you're dead

Reiteration of the caution about driving when emotionally numb.

Saturday's a festival, Friday's a gem

Restating the festive nature of Saturdays and the value of Fridays.

Dye your hair yellow baby

Suggesting a change, possibly a metaphorical transformation.

Follow me to Beulah's

Invitation to follow to Beulah's, maintaining continuity.

I just got to wear the hat that my baby done

The speaker emphasizes wearing the hat made by their significant other.


Will you sell me one of those, shave my head

Reiteration of the desire for a deal and leaving town.

Get me out of town is what fireball said

Reaffirmation of the influence of Fireball.

Never trust a man in a blue trench coat

Repeating the warning against trusting a man in a blue trench coat.

Never drive a car when you're dead

Reiteration of the caution about driving when emotionally numb.

Saturday's a festival, Friday's a gem

Restating the festive nature of Saturdays and the value of Fridays.

Dye your hair yellow baby

Suggesting a change, possibly a metaphorical transformation.

Follow me to Beulah's

Invitation to follow to Beulah's, maintaining continuity.

I just got to wear the hat that my baby done sewed

The speaker emphasizes wearing the hat made by their significant other.


Will you sell me one of those, shave my head

Reiteration of the desire for a deal and leaving town.

Get me out of town is what fireball said

Reaffirmation of the influence of Fireball.

Never trust a man in a blue trench coat

Repeating the warning against trusting a man in a blue trench coat.

Never drive a car when you're dead

Reiteration of the caution about driving when emotionally numb.

Saturday's a festival, now Friday's just a gem sweetheart

Restating the festive nature of Saturdays and emphasizing the value of Fridays.

Follow me to Beulah's on dry creek road

Invitation to follow to Beulah's on Dry Creek Road.

I just got to wear the hat that my baby done

The speaker emphasizes wearing the hat made by their significant other.

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