I got a Christmas card that was meant for someone else...
Hey Charlie I'm pregnant- again- and living on the 9th street
Right above a dirty bookstore off Euclid Avenue
And I stopped takin' dope and I quit drinkin' whiskey
And my old man plays the trombone and he works out at the track

He says that he loves me, even though it's not his baby
He says that he'll raise him up like he would his own son
He gave me a ring that was worn by his mother
He takes me out dancin' every Saturday night

Hey Charlie I think about you every time I pass a fillin' station
Account of all the grease you used to wear in your hair
Still have that record, little Anthony and The Imperials
Someone stole my record player, now how do you like that?

Hey Charlie I almost went crazy after Mario got busted
I went back to Omaha to live with my folks
Everyone I used to know was either dead or in prison
So came back to Minneapolis this time I think I'm gonna stay

Hey Charlie I think I'm happy for the first time since my accident
I wish I had all the money that we used to spend on dope
I'd buy me a used car lot but I wouldn't sell any of 'em
I'd just drive a different car every day, dependin' on how I feel

Hey Charlie for Christ sakes if you want to know the truth of it?
I don't have a husband, he don't play the trombone
And I need to borrow money to pay this lawyer
And Charlie, hey I'll be eligible for parole come Valentines day.
( Wanderer, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 16:36, 6 replies)

Gotta love
Waits.
( SpankyHanky, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 16:38, closed)

The man is a genius.
He truly looks into the human psyche in ways that few do- he not only celebrates the beautiful and the darkness, but also the broken-down sadness and the small-time hustlers and their absurdities.

He's one of the few celebrities that I'd truly love to spend an evening hanging out with.
( Wanderer, Wed 10 Mar 2010, 1:15, closed)

You silly sod...
It's from your mum - she is now living in Minneapolis!
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 16:44, closed)

Best. Reply. EVER.

( Amorous Badger NAKED BEA ARTHUR PHOTOS 4U, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 18:59, closed)

possibly my all time favourite track
have a click cos i didnt know the words "off Euclid Avenue", I just mumble a bit at that point.
(bugboy, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 18:34, closed)

I used to live
not far from a different Euclid Avenue, so it always made sense to me.

Come to think of it, there was a dirty book store there too. Wonder if he was thinking of someplace other than Minneapolis, or if every Euclid Avenue has a dirty book store?...
( Wanderer, Wed 10 Mar 2010, 1:13, closed)