"Every time I hear that melody . . .

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. . . it puts me up a tree" (Tom Waits, lyrics and photo subject)

"Grapefruit Moon" is quite possibly my favorite song of all time. It is unabashedly sentimental, both lyrically and musically, and I don't care.

The song was written by Tom Waits and can be found on his brilliant debut album from 1973 titled "Closing Time." I stumbled onto the instrumental title song late one Saturday night in the fall of that same year while lying in bed fumbling through stations on my portable radio.

I purchased the record the very next day. I was nineteen-years-old at the time. I listened to the album in the same 3rd floor bedroom later that Sunday evening and I have been in love ever since.

I see myself at any and all ages whenever I hear "Grapefruit Moon." I have reason to believe that I loved the song before it was even written.

It covers me from childhood to the present. It speaks of my first love and my last. It has followed me from Ingy to Boo.

I heard it in the early 1960s in Piqua, Ohio at Mote Park. I felt it in my heart while standing next to Laura Hebert on the playground in the first grade, and I saw it in the eyes of a beautiful cousin when I was eight.

I hear the song in the faces of those I have loved - and sometimes those that I have hurt - and I have felt it in my own face many times over.

I hear it in certain notes my son sings, and see it nearly every time he smiles. The song projects the faces of loved ones lost - my father, mother, and sister - onto the walls inside my head. I heard it when my father played violin.

I hear the song in the faces of complete strangers that pass by, and I know that I will see it in the glance of someone tomorrow, or the day after.

For this I am grateful.

If you ever want to say "Hi" to me but you do not know where I am, just play "Grapefruit Moon" and I will smile and wave at you.

GRAPEFRUIT MOON
(Tom Waits)

Grapefruit moon, one star shining,
Shining down on me.
Heard that tune, and now I'm pining,
Honey, can't you see?
'Cause every time I hear that melody,
Something breaks inside,
And the grapefruit moon, one star shining,
Can't turn back the tide.

Never had no destination, could not get across.
You became my inspiration, oh but what a cost.
'Cause every time I hear that melody,
Something breaks inside,
And the grapefruit moon, one star shining,
Is more than I can hide.

Now I'm smoking cigarettes
And I strive for purity,
And I slip just like the stars into obscurity.
'Cause every time I hear that melody,
It puts me up a tree,
And the grapefruit moon, one star shining,
Is all that I can see.

. . . . . .. . . . . (pictured above: father and son . . . mine)

There is no video for "Grapefruit Moon" so I recommend simply closing your eyes, opening your heart, and listening. By the way, that is good advice for practically any occasion, except perhaps driving.

ALSO NOTE: If you listen to this song I will give you a dollar:

http://www.lala.com/#song/360569492417511093/Tom_Waits/Grapefruit_Moon

[After clicking on the link above, click on the smaller blue and white arrow just above the photo of the "Closing Time" album cover, and just to the left of where it reads "Grapefruit Moon"]

[andy smith photo compliments of the good folks at Buddha Den]
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